Other advances in the automation of fat analysis include a solvent dosage dial for improved safety and minimal operator time. Smart water cooling only starts when actually required, self adjusting hotplates ensure optimal heat transfer to extraction cups and the hotplates can be individually switched on an off. 

The unique filter system that goes all the way through hydrolysis to final extraction allows users to avoid filter to filter transfer. This saves time and labor and avoids the risk of human error and associated costs. An optional extra six position unit in the extraction phase allows batch handling of up to 12 samples using the same control unit. Plus, an automatic shutdown feature allows out of hours operation.

Safety features improve on existing automated Soxhlet solutions. Features such as the enclosed solvent dosage system and effective cooling help to avoid contact with solvents, chemicals or fumes and the design of the extraction unit also allows use of a broad range of tested solvents, including some that are considered to be unsafe when used with other solutions.

FOSS Laboratories market manager René Fuhlendorff said, “This is really a reinvention of doing fat analysis for laboratories. For instance, the Hydrocap single filter going all the way through from weighing to hydrolysis and finally to extraction can really make life easier for laboratories and improve their throughput at reduced cost.”

More information can be found at a product information page: www.foss.dk/fatinfocus. This includes details of forthcoming online presentations about fat analysis and a download of a new whitepaper from FOSS that compares the performance of methods for the determination of crude fat/ total fat.