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17

R-Biopharm Rhone Ltd

6.3

  Monitoring Performance

It is necessary to regularly monitor the performance 
of the KOBRA® CELL in order to detect any 
deterioration in the membrane contained within. 
The performance should be checked at the time of 
installation and then weekly by comparing the peak 
areas of a known aflatoxin standard. The same should 
also be done in order to monitor the deterioration of 
the lamp in the detector.

Deterioration of the membrane will occur over a 
period of time depending upon the frequency of use 
and the type of samples analys

ed (Fig. 7). When the 

performance becomes unacceptable the memb

rane 

should be replaced (Product Code: K02). 

Normally, it is found that even under extreme 
workloads the membrane does not need to be 
replaced for at least 6 months or 1,000 injections. 

Fig 7. Deterioration of KOBRA

®

 CELL Membrane

6.4

  Changing the Membrane

Change the membrane when a decrease in 
performance is observed which cannot be attributed 
to the detector lamp.  Additional membranes are 
available separately (K02).

1.  Using a screw driver take off the white plastic 
 

housing of the KOBRA® CELL by removing the 

 

6 locating screws.

2.  Carefully separate the top white plastic housing, 
 

and remove in turn the internal layers of the cell 

 

using tweezers. Make a note of the position and 

 

orientation of each layer as it is removed.

3.  Continue removing the internal layers until the 
 

membrane is exposed. Before removal inspect 

 

the membrane for damage, discolouration and 

 

orientation. During the life of the KOBRA® CELL 

 

the bromination reaction causes the centre of 

 

the membrane to lose it’s colour. No holes 

 

should be visible in the membrane other than 

 

the pre-cut holes for the locating pins at either 

 

end of the membrane. Note the orientation of 

 

the membrane.

4.  Remove the membrane from the KOBRA® CELL 
 

ready for replacement using tweezers. 

5.  Carefully remove the spare membrane, holding 
 

it by one end with the tweezers rather than the 

 middle.

6.  Position the replacement membrane over the 
 

different sized locating pegs, according to the 

 

size of pre-cut holes in the membrane.

 

Caution:

 Do not allow the membrane to dry 

 

out. Add distilled water if necessary.

7.  Carefully replace the layers to be positioned on 
 

top of the membrane, remembering their correct 

 

order and orientation.

8.  Secure the layers using the 6 locating screws.

Summary of Contents for KOBRA CELL

Page 1: ...R Biopharm Rh ne Ltd R Biopharm for the safety of your analysis KOBRA CELL Art No K01 Instruction Manual...

Page 2: ...2 R Biopharm Rhone Ltd...

Page 3: ...nents 7 3 2 Precautions When Assembling 8 3 3 Assembly 8 4 KOBRA CELL Installation 9 4 1 Power Pack Notes 9 4 2 Power Pack Technical Specification 9 4 3 Installation Guide 10 4 4 Installation Instruct...

Page 4: ...ks Observed 18 7 3 Abnormal Peaks Observed 19 7 4 Error Light Observed on Power Pack 20 7 5 Leakage from KOBRA CELL 20 7 6 KOBRA CELL Causing High Pressure on the HPLC 20 7 7 Storage Plug Broken Off o...

Page 5: ...lumn The limitations of this method are the use of a second pump and the difficulty in dissolving the PBPB as well as the hazardous nature of the reagent Post column derivatisation with iodine also ha...

Page 6: ...occurs generating the reactive form of bromine The reaction between the reactive bromine and the aflatoxins must take place before the derivatised aflatoxins enter the fluorescence detector Hence the...

Page 7: ...toxins are very hazardous substances Only laboratories equipped to handle toxic materials and solvents should perform analyses Suitable protective clothing including gloves safety glasses and lab coat...

Page 8: ...9 4 Platinum electrode K05 5 PTFE spacer 0 25 mm K07 6 Ion exchange membrane K02 7 PTFE spacer 0 25 mm K07 8 Spacer grid K10 9 PTFE spacer 0 25 mm K07 10 Stainless steel electrode K04 11 PTFE spacer 0...

Page 9: ...ng screws as this will damage the threads Never use metal nuts or ferrules directly with the KOBRA CELL Use a guillotine tubing cutter to prevent distortion of the diameter of the PEEKTM tubing used w...

Page 10: ...required adapter place on the two pins and slide to connect The power pack can now only be used at 100 A and there is a light to show it has been switched on top right There is also an error light to...

Page 11: ...let Outlet Waste Working Electrode platinum Spacer Membrane Spacer Counter Electrode Stainless Steel Membrane Reichelt Thomapor Anion Capillary connections Valco 1 16 inch do not use metal nuts or fer...

Page 12: ...ightened and PEEKTM tubing 7 Connect the KOBRA CELL outlet to waste using plastic ferrules hand tightened and PEEKTM tubing 8 Switch on the HPLC pump and flush mobile phase through the system for appr...

Page 13: ...CELL power pack before turning off the HPLC pump Always use HPLC grade solvents with minimal benzene content from a quality supplier and maintain fresh supplies of potassium bromide Never flush 100 so...

Page 14: ...hase Water Methanol 60 40 v v Add 119 mg of potassium bromide and 350 l 4 M Nitric Acid to 1 litre of mobile phase HPLC Pump To deliver mobile phase Flow Rate 1 0 ml minute Fluorescence Detector Excit...

Page 15: ...he KOBRA CELL leaving the other inlet outlet positions sealed with storage plugs or ferrules 3 Using the syringe with the pipette tip insert this into the empty inlet outlet position on the KOBRA CELL...

Page 16: ...he HPLC pump and flush the system for at least 30 minutes before switching off the system 6 Manually flush the KOBRA CELL through with distilled water several times using a syringe 7 Store the KOBRA C...

Page 17: ...te plastic housing of the KOBRA CELL by removing the 6 locating screws 2 Carefully separate the top white plastic housing and remove in turn the internal layers of the cell using tweezers Make a note...

Page 18: ...2 000 hours depending on the detector Check there is not a problem with the detector Check the standard has been prepared correctly or the standard has not deteriorated Standards should be prepared f...

Page 19: ...use the centre of the membrane becomes discoloured eventually turning a pale colour The pale colour indicates that the membrane will need replaced Check there is power in the power pack Check that th...

Page 20: ...at is at fault Fig 10 Check the correct mobile phase has been used Check the correct HPLC column has been used Check the internal components of the KOBRA CELL have been inserted in the correct order F...

Page 21: ...be replaced 7 5 Leakage from KOBRA CELL The locating screws on the KOBRA CELL have not been tightened correctly Please refer to 3 2 Precautions When Assembling Check the locating screws on the KOBRA C...

Page 22: ...for difficult samples References from the RBR library Installation and support of the KOBRA CELL Advice on detection parameters Advice on preparation and handling of standards Updates on legislation s...

Page 23: ...23...

Page 24: ...R Biopharm Rh ne Ltd R Biopharm Rh ne Ltd Block 10 Todd Campus West of Scotland Science Park Acre Road Glasgow G20 0XA www r biopharm com R Biopharm for the safety of your analysis 28 06 2017 V19...

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