VELP SER158 Automated Fat Analyzer
| Brand | VELP |
|---|---|
| Origin | Italy |
| Model | SER158 |
| Extraction Chamber Volumes | 140 mL, 195 mL, 260 mL (selectable) |
| Receiver Bottle Volume | 1 L |
| Temperature Range | up to 380 °C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±1 °C |
| Number of Channels | 3 or 6 |
Overview
The VELP SER158 Automated Fat Analyzer is a high-throughput, fully automated solvent extraction system engineered for precise and reproducible fat determination in compliance with standardized gravimetric methods—including AOAC 920.39, ISO 1444, ISO 6496, and USDA-approved protocols. Based on the Randall extraction principle, the SER158 significantly accelerates classical Soxhlet extraction by integrating rapid solvent cycling, controlled thermal ramping, and timed percolation—reducing typical extraction durations from 6–24 hours to under 90 minutes per sample. Unlike conventional reflux-based systems, the SER158 employs a dynamic solvent delivery architecture that ensures uniform wetting, efficient solute dissolution, and minimal thermal degradation of heat-sensitive analytes. Its robust stainless-steel construction, integrated safety interlocks, and modular channel configuration make it suitable for routine QC laboratories, contract testing facilities, and academic research environments requiring GLP-compliant fat quantification across food, feed, pharmaceutical, and environmental matrices.
Key Features
- Triple- or hexa-channel configuration (3 or 6 independent extraction positions) enabling parallel processing of up to 24 samples when cascaded with up to four units via a single control interface
- Three selectable extraction chamber volumes (140 mL, 195 mL, 260 mL) optimized for diverse sample masses—from 1 g to 50 g—without compromising solvent efficiency or recovery accuracy
- SolventXpress™ sealed solvent distribution system eliminates operator exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), meeting OSHA PEL and EU Directive 2004/37/EC requirements for carcinogen handling
- SafeEnd™ intelligent endpoint detection prevents overheating and charring by monitoring condensate return rate and residual solvent vapor pressure in real time
- Titanium-coated condenser assembly ensures long-term corrosion resistance against chlorinated and polar solvents (e.g., petroleum ether, diethyl ether, hexane, and dichloromethane)
- Integrated temperature regulation with ±1 °C stability across the full 40–380 °C range, validated per ASTM E220 calibration standards
- “Load & Go” operation: pre-configured method templates allow one-touch launch; LED status indicators provide immediate visual feedback per channel
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The SER158 accommodates solid, semi-solid, and homogenized matrices—including raw meat, dairy powders, cereal grains, animal feed, botanical extracts, and soil sediments—provided samples are pre-dried and ground to ≤1 mm particle size. All extraction vessels comply with ISO 8549-1 for Soxhlet apparatus geometry and are certified inert for trace-level fat recovery. The system supports full audit trails, electronic signature capability, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant data integrity when paired with optional VELP LabSoft™ software. It meets essential requirements of EN 1528-1 (fat in animal feeding stuffs), ISO 1735 (milk products), and USP <467> residual solvent testing frameworks.
Software & Data Management
Controlled via an embedded 7-inch capacitive touchscreen running VELP’s proprietary firmware, the SER158 stores up to 100 user-defined methods with adjustable parameters: extraction time, soak duration, rinse cycles, distillation hold, and drying temperature. Optional LabSoft™ PC software enables remote monitoring, automated report generation (PDF/CSV), instrument calibration logging, and integration with LIMS via OPC UA or ASCII file export. All measurement events—including solvent volume dispensed, condensate count, temperature profiles, and error codes—are timestamped and archived with immutable metadata, satisfying GLP documentation mandates and internal QA review cycles.
Applications
- Routine fat content analysis in food safety labs (AOAC 991.36, ISO 1444)
- Nutritional labeling compliance for packaged foods and dietary supplements
- Feed formulation validation and quality assurance in agrifood supply chains
- Extraction of lipids prior to GC-FID or LC-MS analysis in metabolomics workflows
- Residual oil quantification in industrial byproducts (e.g., spent grain, distillers’ dried grains)
- Method development for non-traditional solvents under ICH Q5C stability guidelines
FAQ
What extraction solvents are compatible with the SER158?
Petroleum ether (40–60 °C), diethyl ether, n-hexane, chloroform, and dichloromethane—provided boiling points fall within the system’s operational temperature envelope and vapor pressure limits are observed.
Can the SER158 be used for non-fat extractions such as pesticide residue or PCB analysis?
Yes—when configured with appropriate receiver vials and validated methods, it serves as a robust platform for general organic analyte isolation per EPA Method 3541 and EN 15763.
Is method transfer from manual Soxhlet to SER158 straightforward?
Method equivalence studies show >98.5% recovery correlation for most matrices; VELP provides application notes and SOP templates aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 method validation requirements.
Does the system require external cooling water?
No—the integrated air-cooled condenser eliminates dependency on chilled water lines, reducing infrastructure complexity and operational overhead.
How is maintenance tracked and documented?
Built-in service counters log total operating hours, solvent consumption, and cleaning cycle history; calibration certificates and preventive maintenance logs are exportable in PDF format.
