Kjeltec™ 9 hits the bull’s eye for protein determination in FAPAS ring test

In March 2023, FOSS submitted the Kjeltec™ 9 for a ring test organized by accredited proficiency testing provider, FAPAS in the UK. The ring test was based on one wheat flour sample that was subdivided and sent to all participants.

More than 50 laboratories, including FOSS, participated in the ring test and each participant had 6 weeks to analyze and report their individual analytical results. The results were collected by FAPAS, in a common report in which all the participants were anonymized. Each individual laboratory was provided with their own results in comparison to the results of all the participating laboratories.

Testing procedure

The received sample material was subdivided into 15 g. samples in hermetically sealed foil bags. A protein (nitrogen) determination test was run through the Digestor 2520 and Kjeltec 9 analyser and the results were reported to FAPAS.

In a final report from FAPAS, the results from each laboratory were compared to define an Assigned Value (median/average). The individual results from each lab were defined in terms of deviation from the Assigned Value in which each lab was given a Z-Score, indicating the number of standard deviations from the Assigned Value.

In this ring test, the Kjeltec 9 achieved a Z-Score of 0.0, indicating that the protein (nitrogen) measurement hits the Assigned Value spot on.

Regular testing is the key to quality assurance

Proficiency testing aims to provide an independent assessment of the competence of participating laboratories. However, while ring tests are a strong indicator of performance accuracy and therefore an important tool for accreditation purposes, a participation in a ring trial is just a snapshot of what’s going on in the laboratory in that specific moment.

As the accuracy of results depends on many factors such as instrument performance, operating procedures handled by laboratory staff as well as reagents, regular participation in ring test assessment is highly recommended as an essential element of laboratory quality assurance.

“Being able to trust the accuracy of your analytical solutions is important for any serious and professional laboratory,” explains Global Head of the FOSS Laboratory Segment, Charlotte Israelsen. “With a valid and robust instrument, it is easier to make validations and maintain your accreditations,” she concludes.