Page 1 of 7 This document is intended to guide the use of the SMART 6 coupled with an ORACLE. It should be used as a supplement to the SMART 6 and ORACLE Operation Manuals, as the focus is on software and functionality specific to ORACLE integration and not step-by-step instructions for SMART 6 or ORACLE operation. Introduction When used properly, the SMART 6 is capable of optimally pre-drying samples for accurate fat analysis on the ORACLE. For many sample types, SMART 6 methods are available that have been specially developed for use with the ORACLE. Specific to SMART 6 - ORACLE analyses, samples must be temperature conditioned using the QuikPrep TM immediately following SMART 6 analysis in order to better ensure the fat is completely melted and that samples have reached the target temperature of 45 C. It is important to note that QuikPrep TM parameters are developed in conjunction with SMART 6 cooling parameters in order to maximize time efficiency such that total test times are often comparable to that of the previous generation system. In the previous generation system, all samples are cooled to 45 C which can be time consuming depending on the sample type. For SMART 6 ORACLE, cooling can be set to a range of temperatures and is used only in cases where samples tend to retain heat (e.g. samples with higher fat content) such that they can become over-heated following temperature conditioning using the preferred set of QuikPrep TM parameters. It is important to note that prior to attempting to develop and/or validate SMART 6 ORACLE methods, reliable reference chemistry (moisture/solids at a minimum, but ideally both moisture/solids and fat/oil) results are required.
Page 2 of 7 Noteworthy Software Items 1. Ensure software connectivity between SMART 6 and ORACLE Assuming the units are properly connected via Ethernet cable and the ORACLE has been enabled for SMART 6 integration (refer to ORACLE Setup Guide), the SMART 6 should automatically attempt to establish software connectivity. A successful connection is indicated by an active ORACLE icon (see below). Inactive Active 2. Software Functionality Specific to SMART 6 ORACLE Integration Additional parameters specific to SMART 6 ORACLE methods are settable in the settings tab, as shown in the SMART 6 screenshot, below. For most applications, the default ORACLE QuikPrep TM settings (Temperature: 70 C; Time: 0:30; Warm Delay: 0:05) have been found to be optimal.
Page 3 of 7 Starting Parameters for Selected Matrices For many common matrices, optimized method parameters have been developed (see Table, below) Drying Parameters Conditioning Parameters Matrix Mode Parameters Cooling QuikPrep TM Milk Δweight = 2 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 100 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 30 s fan cut off, 30 s ramp at 60 C, ~ 2 g of sample puddled Cream Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 100 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 30 s ramp at 60 C, 30 s fan off time, 100 % run fan, ~ 2 g lightly pressed 45 C 70 C for 65 s (WD = 30 s) Ice Cream Mix Dairy One Touch method (100 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, ~ 2 g of sample pressed ) Processed Cheese Stage 1: Set Time Stage 2: Constant Weight Cheese One Touch method (Stage 1 = Set Time for 1.5 min at 100 % µwave, 0 % IR and 135 C; Stage 2 = constant weight at 100 % µwave, 0 % IR and 135 C) 80 C Natural Cheese Stage 1: Set Time Stage 2: Constant Weight Cheese One Touch method (Stage 1 = Set Time for 1.5 min at 100 % µwave, 0 % IR and 135 C, Stage 2 = constant weight at 100 % µwave, 0 % IR and 135 C) 60 C Yogurt Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 100 C, 100 % µwave and 100 % IR,, 30 s ramp at 60 C, 60 s fan off time, ~ 2 g of sample pressed Half and Half Δweight = 2 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 100 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 30 s fan off time, 30 s ramp at 60 C, ~ 2 g of sample puddled and covered Sour Cream Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 100 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 30 s ramp at 60 C, 30 s fan off time, ~ 2 g of sample pressed 70 C for 30 Hot Dog Δweight = 2 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 135 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 30 s ramp at 60 C, 60 s fan off time, ~ 2 g of sample pressed 80 C
Page 4 of 7 Drying Parameters Conditioning Parameters Matrix Mode Parameters Cooling QuikPrep TM Beef (raw) Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 125 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 30 s ramp at 60 C, 60 s fan off time, ~ 2 g of sample pressed 60 C Chicken (raw) Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 60 s fan off time, 30 s ramp at 60 C, 125 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, ~ 2 g of sample pressed 70 C Pork (raw) Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 135 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 60 s fan off time, 30 60 C Potted Meat Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 125 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 60 s fan off time, 30 80 C Fish Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 125 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 60 s fan off time, 30 Bacon Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, 135 C, 100 % µwave, 0 % IR, 30 s fan off time, 30 100 C * Cream uses a 30 s warm delay. Standard warm delay is 5 s, unless otherwise noted.
Page 5 of 7 Development and Optimization of SMART 6 ORACLE Methods For matrices with no available starting parameters 1. Drying Parameters Refer to the table below for optimizing parameters in the two main categories of samples: High Moisture/Polar Samples or Low Moisture and Non Polar samples. It should be noted that for use of this table, reliable reference moisture/solids values for the samples of interest must be available. High Moisture/Polar Samples Step 1: Program SMART 6 with the following parameters* 100% µwave, 0% IR, 100 C, 30 s ramp at 60 C, Δweight = 5 mg, Δtime = 20 s, fan cutoff = 60 s. Begin testing with 2 2.5 g of sample. If dry times are less than 2:30, fan cutoff should be set to 30 s. Low Moisture and Nonpolar Samples Step 1: Program SMART 6 with the following parameters* Stage Time Parameter Microwave IR Temp Time 1 Set Time 100 100 100 0:15 2 1/20** 25 100 100 10:00 ** Δweight/Δtime Step 2: No burning, low moisture a. Increase temp by 10 C b. If test seems to be ending prematurely, decrease Δweight to 2 mg or use set time in Stage 1. c. If sample temperature decreases during the test, add 50 % IR. Step 2: No burning, low moisture a. Increase temp by 10 C in both stages b. Increase µwave power by 25% in Stage 2 c. If test seems to be ending prematurely, use set time in Stage 2. Step 3: No burning, high moisture a. Decrease temp by 10 C (Do not set max temperature below 100 C) b. Add 50 % IR. Step 3: No burning, high moisture a. Decrease temp by 10 C (Do not set max temperature below 100 C) b. Reduce IR by 25% in stage 2. Step 4: Burning a. Add 50-100% IR b. Reduce µwave power to 0-50 % c. Increase ramp time to 1 min. d. Decrease sample size to 1.5 g. Step 4: Burning a. Reduce µwave power to 10 % or less in both stages.
Page 6 of 7 High Moisture/Polar Samples Step 5: Poor Precision a. Add 50 % IR b. Use a 2 Stage method with set time in the 1st stage. Low Moisture and Nonpolar Samples Step 5: Poor Precision a. Reduce sample size. Step 6: Extended Dry Times a. Reduce sample size if greater than 1.5 g b. Increase Δweight to 5 mg c. Decrease ramp time or increase ramp temperature Step 6: Extended Dry Time a. Reduce sample size b. Increase Δweight to 2 or 5 mg *Parameters not defined in Step 1 should remain at the default settings. Fan Speeds High moisture: Ambient/Run, 0/50 High moisture solvent based: Ambient/Run, 0/varies Low moisture: Ambient/Run, 10/10 2. Conditioning Parameters Note Drying parameters should be optimized prior to attempting to optimize conditioning parameters. Note A baseline fat reading must be obtained from samples fully conditioned (1 hour) on a CEM factory calibrated heater block (see Appendix) in order to determine optimized conditioning parameters. Step 1 No cooling, QuikPrep TM set to. If fat reading is low (compared to baseline), proceed to Step 2. If fat reading is high, then proceed to Step 3. Step 2 Set cooling to 10 C less than the drying temperature, with QuikPrep TM set to. If fat reading increases, but is still low, then continue decreasing cooling in increments of 10 C until fat reading agrees with baseline value. If fat reading decreases, then proceed to Step 3. Step 3 No cooling, QuikPrep TM setting of 70 C for 40 s. Continue increasing QuikPrep TM time in increments of 10 s until fat reading agrees with baseline value.
Page 7 of 7 Appendix CEM Factory Calibrated Heater Blocks Each heater block shipped with ORACLE has been factory calibrated at CEM, as indicated by a sticker (see image, below) on the front left corner of the unit. Prior to use, the heater block should be set to match the value on the sticker.