Up to six samples are simultaneously de-fatted, boiled in sulphuric acid, rinsed, boiled in potassium hydroxide solution, rinsed again, lifted out and dried
The FibreBag system, introduced by Gerhardt, means that the tedious and time-consuming methods associated with crude fibre analysis, ADF, and NDF can be reduced to a minimum.
Saving time and space are important objectives for most modern laboratories and the new FibreBag system makes these savings achievable, in addition to reducing consumption of energy and chemicals. Predicted savings can be quantified at about a sixth of what would be required by traditional manual methods, without compromising accuracy and reliability.
FibreBag uses a fine porous mesh bag, into which a sample is weighed.
A glass expander is inserted into each bag to allow the reagents to flow freely into the bag.
The second part of the system is a carousel which holds up to six sample bags.
The carousel is then inserted into a one-litre glass beaker using a handle which is also used to remove the carousel on completion of the process.
Up to six samples are simultaneously de-fatted, boiled in sulphuric acid, rinsed, boiled in potassium hydroxide solution, rinsed again, lifted out and dried.
With traditional methods the rinsing process is particularly tedious, while with FibreBag it is simply a case of hot water being poured on the open bags from above. Once the final rinsing step has been completed, the expanders are carefully removed and the sample is rinsed again.
The bags are then placed into a porcelain crucible, dried in the muffle oven, weighed, and then incinerated.
The FibreBag material will dissolve without leaving any trace and the ash remaining in the crucible is the crude fibre content of the sample.
The FibreBag System is available in three options.
For low sample throughput, the basic pack for handling up to six samples simultaneously is recommended.
For higher sample throughput the 24-place resp.
/ 36-place system with serial heating plates is the recommended option.
However, all the individual system components can be ordered individually.
The features and benefits of using the FibreBag System compared to traditional methods are summarized as follows; up to six times faster than standard methods, shorter drying periods, lower binding values and significantly easier and faster rinsing.
In addition, cost savings can be achieved because the FibreBag method uses less chemicals, energy consumption is reduced by a sixth and less bench space is needed during the burning process.
