FoodLabFat
FoodlabFat offers a practical and quick solution to accurately measure the percentage of acidity, the amount of peroxides, the concentration of p-Anisidine (AnV) and soaps in seed oils, dry fruit, essential oils, butter, cream, and edible fats and oils in general.
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FoodLabFat, which has been designed using the technological innovations and analytical principles implemented in FoodLab, enables to carry out the chemical tests required to determine the most relevant parameters useful to assess the quality of edible oils and fats.
The system comprises an analyzer that uses a sophisticated spectrophotometric technique, a kit with pre-vialed disposable reagents carefully selected by CDR's research laboratories, and a pre-calibrated pipette that enables to collect the correct amount of sample.
Chemical tests for the assessment of the quality of edible oils and fats
The technology developed by CDR enables to assess in real time the variations in terms of:
- Percentage of acidity percentage
- Number of peroxides
- Concentration of soaps
- Value of p-Anisidine (para-Anisidine AnV)
In edible oils and fats.
These chemical tests are very important in the food industry because they enable to assess the quality of oils and fats during all production stages. The percentage of acidity in a fat or oil is a very representative indication of its genuineness because this type of alterations generally occur when improper processing and storage methods are used.
The number of peroxides and the value of p-Anisidine (para-Anisidine AnV) in an edible fat or oil provide indications on its degree of oxidation, which is a key indicator of its genuineness and conservation.
Reagents are supplied in sealed bags each containing 10 cuvettes with a life span of one year from the date of production. Labels provide instructions on how to correctly preserve the reagents.
All reagents are free from hazardous solvents and ready for use.
User-friendliness
The system does not require specific calibration, cleaning and maintenance operations. The availability of pre-programmed tests, which can be easily selected from the displayed menus, means that even less skilled operators can use the system. Results are always automatically printed.
The analytical methods employed are simple, fast and designed to minimize losses: it is in fact possible to use micro-quantities of samples (5-100 µl) either as is or after a limited treatment.
Reliability, accuracy and reproducibility
The analyzer owes its high sensitivity to the sophisticated spectrophotometric technology employed and to the fact that it processes signals digitally. Measurement accuracy derives from the possibility of aligning the system to reference standards and samples with known titration.
Results are correlated with international IDF/FIL reference methods.
Incubation and measuring cells, thermostated at 37°C, guarantee an accurate standardization and maximum reproducibility of test results.
The analyzer is supplied pre-calibrated. Self calibration and the control of measuring cells are carried out when the device is switched on, while calibration curves are pre-installed. Custom calibrations can be performed easily and quickly for a maximum of three standard samples with known titration.
Connectivity
The two serial ports on the rear enable the analyzer to be connected to a computer. FoodLabFat can be connected to LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) systems using a serial line (RS232) and the XML (Extensible Markup Language) protocol.
Comparative tests
The analytical principle implemented by CDR in FoodLab and FoodLabFat has been assessed with several comparative studies during which it was compared with reference methods.
All the laboratories have provided positive feedback on the linearity of the system, the correlation with the reference method and the rapidity/user-friendliness of test procedures.
NEOTRON, a SINAL certified laboratory, carried out a series of comparative tests between Foodlab, which shares the same analytical principles of FoodLabFat, and ISO methods for the determination of the amount of peroxides and percentage of acidity. All results match the analytical criteria for the above-mentioned parameters stated in EEC Regulation no. 2568/91.
SSOG (the laboratory of the experimental center for oils and fats) of Milan, which is a public body subject to the supervision of the Ministry of Productive Activities, performed several comparative tests on the analytical methods used for peroxides and assessed them as substantially compliant with the method stated in EEC Regulation no. 2568/91.
FoodLabFat has been developed, designed and manufactured by CDR s.r.l.
