BUCHI E-500 SOX / E-500 SOX LSV Automated Soxhlet Extractor
| Brand | BUCHI |
|---|---|
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Import Status | Imported |
| Model | E-500 SOX / E-500 SOX LSV |
| Extraction Chamber Volume | 65–120 mL |
| Receiving Flask Volume | 150–250 mL |
| Temperature Range | 30–200 °C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±1% of setpoint |
| Number of Parallel Channels | 6 |
Overview
The BUCHI E-500 SOX and E-500 SOX LSV are fully automated, benchtop Soxhlet extraction systems engineered for precision, regulatory compliance, and methodological fidelity in fat and lipid analysis. Based on the classical Soxhlet principle—where solvent is repeatedly cycled through a solid sample via controlled evaporation, condensation, and siphoning—the E-500 series replicates official reference methods without manual intervention. Unlike semi-automated or reflux-based alternatives, the E-500 implements true gravimetric and volumetric control over each extraction cycle, enabling real-time monitoring of solvent level, heating phase duration, and siphon-triggered transfer events. Its ceramic-heated, multi-zone thermal architecture ensures uniform temperature distribution across all six independent channels, minimizing inter-channel variability and supporting method robustness required for accredited laboratories.
Key Features
- True automated Soxhlet operation compliant with AOAC 991.36, ISO 1443, ISO 6496, and USP <467> residual solvents guidelines for food, feed, and pharmaceutical matrices.
- Modular glassware configuration supporting four validated operational modes: standard Soxhlet (SOX), large-volume Soxhlet (LSV), hot extraction (non-siphoning), and continuous liquid–solid extraction—each selectable via hardware reconfiguration and software parameterization.
- Six parallel extraction channels with individual thermal control, enabling high-throughput batch processing while maintaining traceable channel-specific calibration records.
- Ceramic heating surface with rapid thermal response (<5 min to setpoint), integrated PID temperature regulation, and ±1% accuracy across the full 30–200 °C range—critical for low-boiling solvents (e.g., petroleum ether) and high-temperature applications (e.g., chloroform-based extractions).
- Automated three-phase sequence: extraction (cyclic solvent percolation), rinsing (post-extraction solvent flush), and pre-drying (controlled solvent evaporation prior to gravimetric weighing)—all executed without operator input.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The E-500 SOX/LSV accommodates solid and semi-solid samples including animal feed, dairy products, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and botanical matrices. Sample holders accept filter paper thimbles (standard or reinforced) and accommodate up to 10 g of dry sample mass per chamber. All wetted parts—including extraction chambers (65–120 mL), receiving flasks (150–250 mL), condensers, and solvent reservoirs—are constructed from borosilicate glass (DIN ISO 3585) and PTFE-sealed joints. The system supports GLP/GMP workflows via optional audit trail logging, user access levels, and electronic signature integration compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant LIMS environments.
Software & Data Management
Control is managed via BUCHI’s proprietary LabSoft software, providing intuitive method setup, real-time graphical monitoring of temperature profiles, siphon event counters, and solvent consumption tracking. Each run generates a timestamped, digitally signed report containing method ID, operator ID, channel assignment, start/stop times, thermal history, and final solvent recovery volume. Raw data files (CSV and XML) are exportable for external statistical analysis or integration into enterprise quality management systems (QMS). Firmware updates and method libraries are distributed through BUCHI’s secure customer portal, ensuring alignment with evolving pharmacopoeial and regulatory requirements.
Applications
Primary use cases include quantitative fat determination in nutritional labeling (Codex Alimentarius Standard 212–1999), crude fat content in animal feed (AOAC 920.39), lipid extraction for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis in biodiesel feedstock screening, and residual oil quantification in spent catalysts or soil remediation samples. The LSV configuration extends applicability to low-concentration analytes requiring larger sample masses or extended extraction durations—particularly relevant in environmental and forensic laboratories where detection limits must meet EPA Method 3541 criteria.
FAQ
Does the E-500 SOX support validation according to ISO/IEC 17025?
Yes—when operated with documented SOPs, calibrated thermocouples, and traceable reference standards, the system meets instrument qualification requirements for installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), and performance qualification (PQ) under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Annex A.2.
Can the same glassware be used for both SOX and LSV modes?
No—LSV requires dedicated large-volume extraction chambers and oversized receiving flasks; switching between modes necessitates physical replacement of glass components and corresponding software configuration.
Is solvent recovery efficiency monitored in real time?
Yes—integrated weight sensors on the receiving flask station and programmable solvent-level thresholds enable dynamic calculation of recovery yield per cycle, with deviation alerts triggered if recovery falls below user-defined thresholds (e.g., <95%).
What safety certifications does the instrument carry?
The E-500 SOX/LSV complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for laboratory electrical equipment, carries CE marking, and meets UL 61010-1 and CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 safety standards for North American deployment.
Is remote diagnostics supported?
Yes—via optional Ethernet-enabled service port, BUCHI Field Service Engineers can perform secure, encrypted remote troubleshooting and firmware diagnostics with customer authorization and session logging.
