BUCHI H-506 Acid Hydrolysis Unit

Overview

The BUCHI H-506 Acid Hydrolysis Unit is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument designed for standardized acid hydrolysis prior to total fat determination in food, feed, and agricultural samples. It operates on the principle of controlled thermal acid digestion—typically using hydrochloric or sulfuric acid—to disrupt protein-lipid complexes and liberate bound lipids from the sample matrix. This step is mandatory under official analytical methods including AOAC 991.36, ISO 1444, and USDA Grains Inspection Handbook Chapter 11, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for nutritional labeling and quality control. The H-506 integrates seamlessly with the BUCHI FatExtractor E-500, enabling direct transfer of hydrolyzed samples into Soxhlet extraction chambers without manual handling—minimizing contamination risk, operator exposure, and procedural variability.

Key Features

• Six independent reaction channels with individual temperature control, supporting parallel processing of up to six samples per run.
• Programmable heating block with precise ±3 °C temperature stability across the full operating range (70–495 °C), optimized for both low-temperature hydrolysis (e.g., for heat-sensitive matrices) and high-temperature mineralization protocols.
• Robust FKM (fluoroelastomer) sealing system resistant to concentrated acids and corrosive vapors, ensuring long-term integrity and operator safety during extended hydrolysis cycles.
• Mechanically assisted lift mechanism for smooth vertical movement of the sample rack, reducing ergonomic strain and improving repeatability during loading/unloading.
• Dedicated rinse cap design enables rapid, complete rinsing of glass hydrolysis tubes post-digestion, facilitating quantitative transfer of residues to extraction vessels.
• Reusable borosilicate glass sample tubes (84–216 mL capacity) and compatible 500 mL receiver flasks support method traceability and reduce consumable waste in high-throughput labs.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The H-506 accommodates solid and semi-solid samples up to 10 g per tube—including meat, dairy, cereals, pet food, and botanical materials—regardless of inherent fat content or physical homogeneity. Its design conforms to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and supports audit-ready workflows under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated BUCHI software. Method alignment includes AOAC Official Methods of Analysis™ (e.g., 991.36, 983.23), ISO 1444:2022 (Animal feeding stuffs — Determination of crude fat), and EN ISO 6496:2019 (Animal feeding stuffs — Determination of ether extract). All wet chemistry steps—including acid addition, reflux duration, cooling, and neutralization—are executed within defined thermal and temporal parameters to ensure inter-laboratory reproducibility.

Software & Data Management

While the H-506 operates as a standalone benchtop unit with intuitive manual controls, it is fully compatible with BUCHI’s LabX® software platform via optional digital interface modules. LabX enables centralized method storage, electronic record keeping, user access management, and automated report generation—including timestamps, operator IDs, temperature logs, and cycle completion verification. Audit trails meet GLP/GMP documentation standards, and data export formats (CSV, PDF, XML) support integration with LIMS environments. All calibration and maintenance events can be logged and associated with specific sample batches, fulfilling traceability requirements for accredited testing laboratories.

Applications

• Total fat quantification in nutritional labeling for packaged foods and dietary supplements.
• Crude fat analysis in animal feed formulations according to EU Regulation (EC) No 152/2009.
• Quality assurance of raw materials in dairy processing and meat product manufacturing.
• Research applications involving lipid bioavailability studies, where matrix-bound lipids must be liberated prior to GC-FID or gravimetric analysis.
• Method validation and reference material certification in national metrology institutes and contract testing laboratories.

FAQ

What sample types are compatible with the H-506?

Solid and semi-solid food and feed matrices—including ground cereals, dried forage, processed meats, and powdered supplements—up to 10 g per tube.
Can the H-506 be used without the FatExtractor E-500?

Yes—the unit functions independently for acid hydrolysis; however, its integrated geometry and tube dimensions are optimized for direct coupling with the E-500 for end-to-end fat analysis workflows.
Is the H-506 compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements?

When operated within validated SOPs and maintained per BUCHI’s service schedule, the H-506 supports ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.4 (equipment) and 7.2 (method validation) through documented calibration, performance verification, and traceable temperature monitoring.
How is temperature uniformity verified across all six channels?

BUCHI provides a factory-verified temperature mapping report; users may perform periodic verification using NIST-traceable thermocouples inserted into representative sample tubes at each position.
Are replacement glass tubes and seals available as spare parts?

Yes—original BUCHI part numbers for hydrolysis tubes (e.g., 6100000), FKM gaskets (e.g., 6100001), and rinse caps (e.g., 6100002) are stocked globally and supported by multi-year warranty coverage.