Agricultural Cooperative Buys 21 MQC NMR Analysers

27th May 2010

ES Admin

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Oxford Instruments Magnetic Resonance, a leading supplier of low-field benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, announces the sale of 21 of its MQC-5 benchtop NMR analysers to Trakya Birlik, an agricultural co-operative based in Edirne, Turkey. The instruments will be used as part of an initiative to improve sunflower seed oil yield.

The Trakya Birlik cooperative sought a fast, simple, and accurate oil content measurement method as part of their plan to improve management of the cooperative and increase the sunflower crop’s oil yield. Using the MQC instruments will enable them to pay farmers based on actual oil content, rather than total crop weight, said Barry Jones, Oxford Instruments’ Director of Sales.

The cooperative initially purchased several MQC NMR analyzers in 2009 and the 2010 order for 21 more instruments was awarded after a competitive bidding process, bringing the total number of MQC-5 analyzers in their possession to 46. According to Jones, Trakya has been very pleased with our after-sales support, which helped us get this new order.

The MQC low-field NMR instruments measure oil, fat, and water content in a variety of foodstuffs, including such oilseeds as sunflower, soya, and rapeseed. With the NMR method, the cooperative can measure samples in less than two minutes, in comparison with a traditional chemical extraction technique that takes several hours per sample, and uses hazardous chemical solvents.

Oxford Instruments has recently enhanced the MQC instrument, adding new features that make the analyzer even more powerful, reliable, and easy to use. Its compact size minimizes the instrument’s footprint on critical laboratory benchtop workspace. The analyzer also includes a space-saving internal computer with operator interface, so no external PC is required. With the recent change to a 17-inch LCD flat screen monitor mounted on the magnet, the user is provided with a clear view of data and operational instructions. New test and diagnostic software makes remote servicing of the instrument a cost-saving convenience.

The MQC line is available in a number of models with probes ranging from 5 millimeter (mm) to 60 mm in diameter. Each instrument is shipped with all required software, hardware, and sampling accessories, including set-up standards tailored to the user’s application.