SRC – CHOPIN

The SRC-Chopin automates all the steps involved in determination of SRC. SRC determination involves the following 6 stages:

• Precise weighing of flour
• Injecting of solvents
• Solvation by alternating sequences of shaking and resting
• Centrifugal action
• Draining the solution
• Weighing of the remaining gel in the test-tube

Traditionally, for determining solvent retention capacity, the 6 steps mentioned above are done manually. Although the process is inexpensive when done manually, each step is highly prone to error and inaccuracy. Each laboratory will use different equipment (shaking, centrifuge), thus potentially leading to significant variations in test results. Most of the operations are operator-dependent which increases the possibility of variation in processes such as shaking. Hence, there is a widespread need for automation in the process of determining SRC.

The SRC-Chopin is the result of Chopin Technologies’ close collaboration with the inventors of the method. The instrument automates the entire analysis process which really simplifies the test and guarantees precise results. Weighing the tubes is done with a specific balance equipped with a scanner which minimizes test time and input errors.

The tubes containing the flour and the syringes containing the solvent are inserted into the machine according to the pre-test scheme indicated on the screen. After this, the only procedure that the operator has to do is start the test. The six steps will be performed automatically, and finally, the results will be displayed on the screen.