EnzLab   Software for Enzymatic Food Analysis

The EnzLab software package is a program tailored to the procedures of enzymatic food analysis. This technique is applied for quantifying various food constituents highly specifically as requested by many national and international norms and regulations.

Figure 1  EnzLab method selection window

EnzLab automates and substantially simplifies enzymatic determinations and offers extensive report generation. It is designed to perform analysis based on test kits like the Boehringer Mannheim Test Combinations or the SCIL Enzytec kits and it includes predefined methods for these tests. It performs computer-controlled data collection and evaluation. This avoids the sometimes tedious manual calculation of the results. Errors in data transfer or calculation are avoided. EnzLab also includes the more complex 2- and 3-component methods, for example the determination of Sucrose / Glucose / Fructose.
EnzLab is offered in three different versions:

• The EnzLab online spectrometer version controls an UV/Vis-spectrometer, which can optionally be equipped with a cell changer. With manual sample change up to 99 samples can be measured in a batch.
• The EnzLab SE (security edition) version is basically identical to the online version, but it features additional procedures to provide full operation and data security according to 21 CFR part 11.
• The EnzLab manual (off-line) version has the same user interface; but instead of direct spectrometer control the operator reads the data values from the instrument. This can be with time-control through EnzLab or with data entry into a raw data table according to the samples and analyte.
  This off-line feature is also available in the online version.

How is this done? The operator selects the desired method from the list of predefined methods. With the online version the spectrometer is then automatically initialized and driven to the correct wavelength.

Depending on the method type and cell changer model, up to 13 samples can be analyzed in a single run with the automatic cell changer mode. Without cell changer or in cell changer batch mode up to 99 samples can be handled in a run with manual samples change. With a double-beam spectrometer the blank cell can optionally be placed in the reference beam position to have an extra sample position.

The sample-specific data are entered in the table shown below. The data can also be entered via clipboard. For solids the weights and volumes can be defined individually. For a 2-component test with 2 cells, the method can be defined such that different dilution factors are entered for the components. One column is reserved for the sample designation. If desired, the user can define up to 3 additional columns for sample information data. These data are naturally documented in the final report.

  

Figure 2  EnzLab sample documentation window

After completion of the sample data table, EnzLab displays the sample list. A loading list with all information about samples and sample treatment can be printed to prepare the cells at the lab bench (see figure 3).

The logical user guidance through the procedure avoids time-consuming training with the software. The software requests the addition of reagents to the cells with concomitant method-specific user hints. To monitor the run, the readings and the time scale are displayed on the screen. If required, the system can output acoustic or other messages to inform the user at specific time points.

           Figure 3 EnzLab loading list 

             Figure 4  EnzLab run-time window

After termination of the analysis (if requested a creeping reaction is measured and corrected for), a report of the results is displayed and – if desired – saved as a file on the disk and sent to a printer. Additionally a summary of the run is logged automatically to a file. Laboratory-specific information can also be included in the report by header and footer templates.

It is possible to configure the software such that recorded data can be reevaluated with a different method or modified sample data. This allows an erroneous analysis results to corrected. The report is marked accordingly.
 

            Figure 5 EnzLab analytical report

If required the user can modify the predefined methods or create new methods. A method editor allows access to all method parameters:
- calculation algorithm, measurement wavelength and enzyme factor,
- component names and concentration unit,
- calibration via standard (method type 1)
- working range: minimal absorbance difference and maximal component concentration
- measurement times and operator hints,
- single/double determination,
- with/without creeping correction,
- test for E1 stability.

            
        Figure 6 EnzLab method editor window

To enhance the procedures further and to simplify the work, the original reagent kit supplier’s procedures and safety information are included with EnzLab as Acrobat (R) PDF files and can be displayed on the screen.

Beside the option to configure data transfer and methods it is also possible to define the required sample information and to configure the header and the footer of the analytical report. Further selections are the method and data directories and printing options.

SUMMARY:  A modern, application-oriented software package facilitates the integration of the highly specific and dependable enzymatic methods into a computer controlled laboratory. EnzLab makes determinations easier and more reliable, and the results are presented without further effort as a complete report, both in the PC-controlled spectrometer system and in the manual version of the software.

EnzLab system requirements and shipping items
EnzLab is a 32-Bit Windows-software and therefore requires MS Windows 95 or higher or Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP as an operating system. The software communicates to the spectrometer via an RS232C (serial) interface. It is shipped on CD-ROM. An English language manual and online help is included.