Harristown, Illinois, USA
March 11, 2014
The increased awareness of the health benefits of dietary fiber in foods has lead to a higher demand for accurate analysis. The analysis of dietary fiber is among the most complicated and tedious of analytical methods. EPL Bio Analytical Services (EPL) is dedicated to performing the most efficient and accurate methods for determining total dietary fiber (TDF). As part of EPL’s continuing improvement process ANKOM Technology was identified for their work in automating recognized dietary fiber methods.
Since their inception, the philosophy of ANKOM Technology has been to develop instruments that automate labor intensive methods and improve accuracy and precision. Likewise, EPL strives to improve turn‐around time, increase precision and adapt proven analytical methods. “Working with ANKOM instrumentation has increased the level of automation and precision for our team,” says Brenda Dickey, EPL lab analyst. “We were able to validate the systems to assure accuracy, thus enhancing EPL’s customer experience and satisfaction.”
The ANKOM Dietary Fiber Analyzer created a new standard for nutritional labeling, quality control, and research. By automating one of the most tedious analytical methods it reduces labor and per sample costs, while increasing accuracy and precision. An advanced computer controlled multichannel pump automates the addition of chemical solutions, enzymes and rinses. Temperatures and agitation levels are controlled throughout the process, eliminating the need for multiple water baths and freeing up precious lab counter space. Advanced filter bag technology increases filtering surface area which reduces the time needed to filter samples and eliminates the use of vacuum flasks and crucibles.
According to Chris Kelley, Vice President at ANKOM Technology, EPL was one of the early adapters of dietary fiber automation. “They saw the value of automating dietary fiber analysis and how it would benefit them and their customers,” Kelley said. “Once you reduce the level of manual intervention you increase precision, something lacking in conventional methods for measuring dietary fiber. That gives
EPL an advantage.”
EPL serves agricultural biotechnology and chemical companies by analyzing feed and food ingredients, organic products, genetically modified crops, biopesticides and crop chemicals to assure that nutritional composition, agricultural chemistry, molecular biology and plant protection agents are safe for people and the environment. They bring innovative technology and skill to the industry while working with a wide variety of agricultural samples.
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