Routine-tested sterol analysis
An
essential parameter for the purity and quality of edible oils is the
composition of the sterols they contain. Due to the many manual steps
involved, the procedure for determining the total sterol content
described in ISO 12228 is time-consuming and prone to error. With the
CHRONECT Workstation Sterols this analysis is fully automated. It is
based on the LC-GC technology, which is also the core of the CHRONECT Workstation MOSH/MOAH and which is in routine use in many laboratories.
How it works
Only the modular concept of the CHRONECT Robotic
Autosampler with several different syringes allows a complete
automation. Sample saponification and other preparations are carried out
fully automated. One syringe is used to dose the reagents necessary for
saponification. Another smaller syringe carries out the injection into
the HPLC.
The subsequent purification is performed by HPLC, which
is directly coupled with GC-FID detection. The HPLC fraction containing
the sterols is specifically transferred to the gas chromatographic
system. The upstream LC eliminates the need for preparative thin layer
chromatography. All interfering components are thus elegantly separated
and can be kept away from the GC.
The software platform CHRONOS allows a user-friendly operation and the integration of different HPLC or GC systems.
High degree of automation
The
manual workload is reduced to weighing and adjusting the samples in the
autosampler. Other manual interventions, such as concentration, are not
necessary. This eliminates potential points of contamination. The final
result is available after only approx. two hours.
Reproducible results
Extensive
validation took place in customer laboratories. By comparing numerous
samples with known sterol content and distribution, it was verified that
the presented method is precise and gives reproducible results. The
analytical parameters of the method are equal or superior to those of
the ISO method in all points.
Commissioning
Axel
Semrau's LC-GC solutions are pre-installed in the application
laboratory, tested and installed directly at the user's site ready for
use. These factory and site acceptance tests ensure the fastest possible
start of routine measurement operations.
Determination of the egg content of food
In
order to be able to measure the sterol cholesterol not only in edible
oils but also in food samples directly, this workstation was advanced to
the CHRONECT Workstation Cholesterol.
With it, the egg content in food can be measured as a
quality-determining parameter after grinding the sample without further
manual preparation.