FAQ
Smart Analysis technology
What is the Smart Analysis technology?
Smart Analysis is a single beam spectrophotometer with fixed optics (patented). This feature allows you to have a continuous spectrum and to use all the wavelengths of interest in the high UV-VIS range, necessary for Quality Control. The analyzes carried out with Smart Analysis are based on enzymatic or colorimetric chemical reactions, unlike other non-quantitative but statistical technologies. Enzymatic chemistry, for some parameters (eg malic, lactic, acetic, sugars etc…) is among the official methods of the OIV. (http://www.oiv.int/en/technical-standards-and-documents/methods-of-analysis).
What do I find in the Smart Analysis box?
Smart Analysis is supplied together with the microUSB power supply to recharge the device, the cuvette holder and the fixed volume pipettes that are used for taking the sample during the analyzes. Everything is supplied in a convenient case to be easily transported together with everything needed for analysis.
What type of maintenance does the instrument require?
Smart Analysis has been designed with fixed optics. Having no moving parts inside it does not require to be periodically calibrated or recalibrated like the classic bench spectrophotometers (provided instead with moving parts). Never coming into direct contact with liquids, it does not even require special cleaning. In addition, Smart Analysis is equipped with a special cap to cover the reading cell during the non-use phase.
Charge and battery life
Smart Analysis is charged via the supplied charger through a microUSB port, when fully charged the Smart Analysis battery guarantees a duration of approximately 7 hours of work. Smart Analysis can also be used connected to the power supply (charger supplied with the instrument). The instrument charging takes about 5 hours.
Can I add parameters to be analyzed?
Smart Analysis has been designed to be able to analyze all the liquid matrices for which the analysis kits fall within the spectral range of the instrument (wine, beer, oil, water, etc…). Being a spectrophotometer with continuous spectrum in the high UV-VIS range, it is able to be used with all enzymatic and colorimetric kits. The activation of new parameters or new supply chains on the device is performed remotely, via software, and does not require replacement of the instrument.
How Smart Analysis and the tablet communicate: do I need WiFi for analysis?
The connection between Smart Analysis and the tablet is via Bluetooth (BLE). It is not necessary to have the WiFi connection active to carry out the analyzes. WiFi is only required for the following activities: (I) account creation on the Smart Analysis APP; (II) login in the Smart Analysis APP; (III) uploading the analyzes performed to the personal page in Cloud; (IV) sharing of the analyzes; (V) send diagnostic data to DNAPhone server.
Reagent kits
What I find in the Smart Analysis test kits?
In the Smart Analysis reagent kits you will find all the material needed to make the measurements, in particular:
20 pre-filled cuvettes containing R1 reagent. Dispenser dropper containing reagents R2, R3 etc (if necessary), disposable tips and all the necessary consumables for the analysis.
Format, storage and duration of reagents.
Smart Analysis kits are packaged in formats of 20 disposable tests. In general, the kits must be stored in a refrigerated environment between 2 and 8° C to guarantee performance until the date indicated. Smart Analysis kits have a shelf life of 12 months from the production date, except for some special cases in which the kits have a shorter expiry.
Analysis speed: single analysis vs parallel analysis
The Smart Analysis system uses a specific chemical reaction for each parameter, therefore the analysis requires a reaction time that depends on the specific parameter. The analyzes are carried out at a temperature of 37° C (optimal temperature for enzymatic reactions), guaranteed by the thermostated cuvette holder housing which therefore performs both the function of incubator and optical reader. Smart Analysis can be used in two different ways, depending on the needs.
Serial analysis: Used alone, Smart Analysis allows to analyze one sample at a time. The analysis times of the individual parameters vary from 1 to 15 minutes (see information on the analysis kits for details).
Parallel analysis: We offer the possibility of operating in battery, to analyze up to 10 samples simultaneously of the same parameter. To use the “parallel analysis” function, it is necessary to have a 10-chamber thermostated incubator that allows the cuvettes to be kept at the correct temperature. The thermostated incubator only performs the incubation function of the cuvettes, while the optical reading is performed by Smart Analysis.
The use of the “parallel analysis” function allows a considerable saving of time. As an example, let’s assume that we need to analyze 10 samples of Glucose-Fructose (wine), the analysis of which takes 10 minutes. By performing the analysis in series, the time required to analyze all the samples is: 10 min * 10 samples = 100 minutes. By performing the analysis in parallel, the time required to analyze all samples is: 10 min.
General information about Smart Analysis kits
The Smart Analysis reagent kits have been formulated by DNAPhone in order to provide a simplified method compared to the traditional manual methods. The reagents are pre-filled in disposable cuvettes and associated with a dropper dispenser. The Smart Analysis system eliminates the need to use the classic laboratory pipettes and minimizes the manual operations required by the user, prevents spills and contaminations that would lead to waste of material.
In addition, the Smart Analysis system eliminates the need of calibrating instruments during the analysis phase; all Smart Analysis kits are pre-calibrated during production (batch by batch). The only operation to be performed will be the analysis of your samples.
Sample preparation
As with any photometric analysis, the sample to be analyzed must be free of elements that can interfere with the reading (air bubbles, particulates, suspended particles, etc …). Samples of sparkling wine must be degassed by manually shaking the sample or using special instruments (degasser) before being analyzed.
The must samples (particularly rich in pectin) or turbid wine samples should be filtered or centrifuged. Non-turbid still wine samples, on the other hand, can be analyzed in their natural state.
With the Smart Analysis system it is not necessary to decolorize red wine samples because Smart Analysis acquires the reference for measuring the parameter with the wine sample inside the cuvette. The sample volume used with the Smart Analysis kits is small compared to the volume of the reagents, the effect of any interferents is negligible.
For samples whose values fall outside the reading range of the Smart Analysis kits, it is possible to carry out the analysis using the diluted sample. The dilution can be done with classic methods (in distilled water) or using the appropriate (anti) dilution Smart Analysis kit.
Analytical performance
All tests have average repeatability with a coefficient of variation (CV) between 2% and 5% (obtained by 10 repetitions on three concentration levels).
How do you check analysis kits to ensure reliability and super high quality?
All batches of kits produced for the Smart Analysis system are checked with pure calibrants and with certified matrices used in the ring test circuits by the laboratories. In addition, random checks are carried out through comparative analysis with accredited laboratories, university departments with which we collaborate and individual partners made up of professionals in the sector, selected by us because they have high-profile skills and laboratory equipment.
How can I be sure to perform well the analyzes?
DNAPhone provides certified material (pure standards or matrix) with a known value for each of the parameters in the price list. The standards can be used for self-control, to verify the proper performance of the analysis procedure.
SOFTWARE APP and CLOUD
Operating principle: account creation and analysis
The user downloads the Smart Analysis software APP on his mobile device and, after creating his account following the guided procedure, associates it with the device (video). To carry out an analysis, the user must frame the QR code printed on each kit with the tablet camera and start the analysis. At this point the system is calibrated and the user must follow the APP’s guided procedure until the end of the analysis. After the analysis, the user saves the data locally and on cloud. (video Zaccarelli)
How is the data saved? APP and archive management in the cloud
The Smart Analysis platform uses an innovative analysis data storage and management system for the sector. All analysis data are automatically saved in the internal APP archive. The data of each session can be accessed from the “archive” section of the APP (green button on the main screen APP). The cloud is also accessible from “cloud.dnaphone.it” page, using the same credentials that are used to access the APP. From here, it is possible to share (via email, whatsAPP or other), delete or upload the analysis data on your personal management page in the DNAPhone Cloud.
The cloud management software allows the control and management of analysis results anywhere, anytime and from any platform (PC, Tablet, Smartphone etc …). In addition to storing data, the cloud offers additional services including: the ability to add information related to specific analysis and the ability to graph the trend of the parameters of interest for a specific sample. The user can monitor the entire analytical history relating to the quality of his product at any time.
How safe is my data?
The Cloud system implemented by DNAPhone has the same degree of security and data protection used in banking IT systems.