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FAQ Group
- (-) Remove Results filter Results
- (-) Remove General fluid delivery filter General fluid delivery
- Faults (13) Apply Faults filter
- Assays and Methods (10) Apply Assays and Methods filter
- Maintenance and Service (10) Apply Maintenance and Service filter
- Enzyme delivery (4) Apply Enzyme delivery filter
- Consumables (2) Apply Consumables filter
- Instrument set-up (2) Apply Instrument set-up filter
- Filtration (1) Apply Filtration filter
- Instrument (1) Apply Instrument filter
- Mixing (1) Apply Mixing filter
Why am I seeing different fluid levels in the filter bags at stations 1-3 vs. 4-6?
Why am I seeing different fluid levels in the filter bags at stations 1-3 vs. 4-6?
This may be the result of one of the IDF or SDF valves being stuck in a closed or partially closed position. Using the Diagnostics screen select "Valve Test" and look for "IDF Inlet", "SDF Inlet" and "Waste" buttons. Run a brief test using the screen to open and close each valve. Confirm by looking at the pinch valve at the back of the instrument to see that it is opening and closing properly.
If any of the valves are not opening properly, refer to TDF Service Procedure TS008 to replace the pinch valve. The TDF29 Pinch Valve Assembly-IDF/SDF or TDF29.1 Pinch Valve Assembly- Waste can be ordered through the Product Catalog on this website or by calling 315-986-8090.
Little or no fluid is being delivered to the IDF and/or SDF spray nozzles at one bag position; what should I do?
Little or no fluid is being delivered to the IDF and/or SDF spray nozzles at one bag position; what should I do?
1) There could be a hole in the suspect bag position’s fluid line after or within the PUMP causing a leak in the back of the instrument. To determine if this is the cause, tilt the instrument forward and look for a leak from the silicone tubing. Open the Pump doors and check for leaks from the Pump Tubes. Close the Pump doors. Use Diagnostics to run a Pump Tube Test and check for leaks in the post-pump tubing specific to the problematic line. Observe the pressure result from the line in question. If there is a leak, a fitting or tube may need to be replaced. Contact ANKOM Technology 1-315-986-8090 for replacement parts or order replacement parts through the Product Catalog on this website. If there are no leaks but the pressure result for the suspect line is low from the previously performed Pump Tube Test, this would point to a leak prior to the Pump causing the Pump to suck air through the hole (Step 2 below) OR a blockage in the line somewhere along the suspect tube length (Step 3 below).
2) There could be a leak in the fluid line prior to the PUMP. To determine if there is a leak in the tubing line prior to the pump, run the following test:
Under Diagnostics, select Motor Test. Set Output valve Water to open and close all other Output valves and all Input valves. Set the Motor Direction to REV (reverse). Put the ends of the Waste tubes in a beaker of water but before disconnecting them from the tubing holder, label them individually 1-6 for easy identification and re-attachment later. Leave the volume set to 10 mls and press GO.
Look for any leaks prior to the pump. Follow the suspect tube back from the Pump to the Manifold looking for any leaks along the suspect line. If there is a leak, a fitting, tube, or Manifold may need to be replaced. Contact ANKOM Technology at 1-315-986-8090 for replacement parts or order replacement parts through the Product Catalog on this website. If there is no leak before or after the pump, proceed to issue step 3 below.
3) There could be a blockage in a fluid line prior to the PUMP. To identify a blockage in a line prior to the Pump, run the following test:
Under Diagnostics, select Motor Test. Set Output valve Water to open and close all other Output valves and all Input valves. Set the Motor Direction to REV (reverse). Put the ends of the Waste tubes in a beaker of water but before disconnecting them from the tubing holder, label them individually 1-6 for easy identification and re-attachment later. Next, disconnect the single (larger diameter tube) at the bottom of the Manifold from the 6-way fitting. Leave the short (1 ½”) length of tube attached to the bottom of the Manifold. Prepare to collect the fluid from the bottom of the Manifold into a clean beaker. Leave the volume set to 10 mls and press GO.
Look for any particles, dried enzyme, or mold growth being washed out of the manifold. If contaminants are seen, repeat this but draw Ethanol in at the Waste lines and repeat until the collected fluid is clear.
4) There could be a blockage in a fluid line after the PUMP. To identify a blockage in a line after the pump, consider the following. First it should be noted that by performing the procedure in step 3 above, a blockage may have been flushed backward through the line and out through the Manifold. In most cases performing the procedure in step 3 will correct a blockage before or after the pump, but if it does not, contact ANKOM Technology at https://www.ankom.com/contact/technical-services or 1-315-986-8090 for additional diagnosing direction.
After identifying and resolving the problem, reconnect all tubing and repeat a Pump Tube Test to be sure each tube is being pressurized and holding pressure properly. Also run a Motor Test setting the Supply valve WATER to open and the IDF Output to open. Make sure the Motor Direction is FWD (forward) and place six beakers under the IDF delivery nozzles. Press GO and confirm fluid is delivered to each beaker equally. Do the same with the SDF Output valve open and beakers under the SDF delivery nozzles. If these tests pass, your instrument is ready to be put back into service.
What can cause HIGHER than expected Dietary Fiber results?
What can cause HIGHER than expected Dietary Fiber results?
Static electricity during the weighting process: The largest contributor to poor results is the effect of static electricity on the weighing process. Because plastic gloves can contribute to static electricity, only use anti-static gloves. To eliminate static electricity while the bag is being weighed, you MUST use the Bag Weigh Holder (TDF52) during the weighing process.
Moisture control: Moisture Stop desiccant pouches (X45) should be used to minimize the effect of moisture on the weighing process. Verify that the desiccant pouches are in good condition (no holes and the zipper is functioning) and the packets within the desiccant pouches are still working (they should be a blue color).
BLANK values: BLANK values are used in the IDF, SDF, and TDF calculations. If you're not using the BLANK values provided by ANKOM, try using them in your calculation.
Chemicals: Because the MES-TRIS buffer can degrade in performance due to bacteria growth, making this solution daily is important. Clean all containers daily and refill with fresh solutions. Make sure that each container is securely connected to the appropriate supply tube on the instrument.
Protein and Ash Determinations: Because protein and ash values are part of the IDF, SDF, and TDF calculations, verify that your protein and ash systems are working properly and providing expected results.
Protein and Ash preparation: See the procedures detailed in the TDF Operator's Manual (Protein and Ash Determination sections) for preparing the bags for protein and ash.
Drying: Bags must be dried at 105° C to constant weight (90 minutes).
Acetone rinses: See the procedure detailed in the TDF Operator's Manual (IDF/SDF Analysis section) for performing the acetone rinses.
Sample size: Using sample sizes larger than the recommended size of 0.5 (+/- 0.05g) can cause higher results.
Digestion times: For demonstration and diagnostic purposes, you can set the digestion times to non-standard values through the Touch Screen Display. Results will be inaccurate if the instrument is run using non-standard digestion times.
Technician variability: Confirm that all technicians are following the procedures detailed in the TDF Operator's Manual to avoid any variation in results associated with different operators.
pH: Typically the pH reading should be between 3.5 and 6 before correction. If the pH reading is outside of these values check the acid and buffer solutions, and check that tubing is connected to the proper containers.
Enzyme delivery: View the enzyme containers while the enzymes are being delivered. The fluid level should go down. If the enzymes are not being delivered properly, contact ANKOM at [email protected].
Temperature control: To verify that the temperature is being properly controlled, follow the procedure detailed in the TDF Operator's Manual (QC / Calibration section).
Mixing: To verify that the mixing is being properly controlled, follow the procedure detailed in the TDF Operator's Manual (QC / Calibration section).
Sample with bound fat: It is possible you have a sample which has been highly processed and has bound the fat to the extent the fat is not available to the solvent before the TDF process. In this case, after running the TDF instrument, remove the bags, place them on the rinse stand and perform the 2 standard acetone rinses. Immediately after the rinses (no air drying) remove the bags from the stand and soak the filters in fresh pet ether for 10 minutes. Place the bags back on the rinse stand and immediately perform 2 pet ether rinses (just like the acetone rinses). When the solvent has evaporated, seal the bags and dry them normally.
What can cause LOWER than expected Dietary Fiber results?
What can cause LOWER than expected Dietary Fiber results?
Static electricity during the weighting process: The largest contributor to poor results is the effect of static electricity on the weighing process. Because plastic gloves can contribute to static electricity, only use anti-static gloves. To eliminate static electricity while the bag is being weighed, you MUST use the Bag Weigh Holder (TDF52) during the weighing process.
Sample sticking to the IDF Flow-thru bags: When running a TDF assay, particles can stick to the IDF Flow-thru bag and not get rinsed down into the SDF filter. The weight of the sample stuck to the IDF Flow-thru bag is not accounted for in the TDF calculation. To avoid this problem, after the digestion processes are complete, use 78% EtOH to manually rinse any sticky particles down from the IDF Flow-thru bag into the SDF bag. If necessary, a laboratory spatula can be used to help loosen particles that are stuck to the bag.
BLANK values: BLANK values are used in the IDF, SDF, and TDF calculations. If you're not using the BLANK values provided by ANKOM, try using them in your calculation.
Chemicals: Because the MES-TRIS buffer can degrade in performance due to bacteria growth, making this solution daily is important. Clean all containers daily and refill with fresh solutions. Make sure that each container is securely connected to the appropriate supply tube on the instrument.
Protein and Ash Determinations: Because protein and ash values are part of the IDF, SDF, and TDF calculations, verify that your protein and ash systems are working properly and providing expected results.
Protein and Ash preparation: See the procedures detailed in the TDF Operator's Manual (Protein and Ash Determination sections) for preparing the bags for protein and ash.
Drying: Bags must be dried at 105°C to constant weight (90 minutes).
Acetone rinses: See the procedure detailed in the (IDF/SDF Analysis section) for performing the acetone rinses. TDF Operator's Manual
Sample loss: If any sample is spilled or left in a weigh tin during transfer to the IDF bag, the assay will produce lower values.
Filtrate transfer from IDF to SDF bag: If any liquid does not quantitatively transfer from the IDF bag to the SDF bag, SDF results will be low. Make sure that the bottom of the IDF bags remain inside the top of the SDF bags during the IDF filter process.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) loss: If any DE is spilled or left in a weigh tin during transfer to the SDF bag, the assay will produce lower values.
Digestion times: For demonstration and diagnostic purposes, you can set the digestion times to non-standard values through the Touch Screen Display. Results will be inaccurate if the instrument is run using non-standard digestion times.
Technician variability: Confirm that all technicians are following the procedures detailed in the TDF Operator's Manual to avoid any variation in results associated with different operators.
pH: Typically the pH reading should be between 3.5 and 6 before correction. If the pH reading is outside of these values check the acid and buffer solutions, and check that tubing is connected to the proper containers.
I am getting high TDF results even after doing the de-fat procedure. How can I correct this?
I am getting high TDF results even after doing the de-fat procedure. How can I correct this?
- During the de-fat procedure, do two 10 minute soaks in petroleum ether. This is particularly helpful with high fat (> than 20%) samples.
- It is possible you have a sample which has been highly processed and has bound the fat to the extent the fat is not available to the solvent before the TDF process. In this case, after running the TDF instrument, remove the bags, place them on the rinse stand and perform the 2 standard acetone rinses. Immediately after the rinses (no air drying) remove the bags from the stand and soak the filters in fresh pet ether for 10 minutes. Place the bags back on the rinse stand and immediately perform 2 pet ether rinses (just like the acetone rinses). When the solvent has evaporated, seal the bags and dry them normally.