Product Overview

Analysis of Lactic Acid Bacteria (L.A.B.)

The iCinac wired analyzer is a fully integrated system for Lactic Acid Bacteria fermentation monitoring and kinetics analysis, as well as a multi-channel fermentation (L.A.B.) bioreactor control unit. It is widely used to monitor ferments in starter, functional, bio-protective, and probiotic cultures. 

The iCinac wired analyzer can be equipped with its external control module (optional) to control heating baths, peristaltic pumps, circulators and becomes a complete L.A.B. fermentation multi-position bioreactor platform.

See how the iCinac is used within the scientific community:

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=icinac+alliance&btnG=
National Center for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=icinac

Features

  • Unique solution designed for acidification activity of L.A.B.: simultaneous monitoring of pH, temperature, and Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)
  • Uses ISM® protocol digital electrodes (pH/Temp, pH/ORP/Temp)
  • Scalable – up to 32 channels
  • Meets ISO 26323|IDF 213, the industry standard for determining dairy cultures’ acidification activity
  • Each electrode or channel is independently monitored while providing full control and insight into each experiment
  • Easy-to-use software – results in real-time automatic configuration and detection of connected module

Benefits

  • Ensures inter-batch kinetics consistency in compliance with ISO standards
  • Reduces product development timelines because of the reactor-scale, efficient design and your choice of ferment
  • Allows you to adapt the configuration to your needs (current and future)
  • Select the number of channels, the number of electrodes, and subsequently add or remove electrodes from the systems
  • Improves quality control, R&D, product development and process optimization
Chemical & Clinical

Applications

The iCinac Series is used in many industries, and monitors the acidification activity of ferments and control of L.A.B. fermentation reactors in:

  • Dairy
  • Fermented foods (L.A.B.)
  • Probiotics
  • Ferment and bacterial culture production

The iCinac is also a useful tool in R&D, product and process development and quality control to:

  • Find the most efficient starter for manufacturing needs
  • Check batch consistency of the starter
  • Determine the acid forming characteristics specific to the phylum studied
  • Provide the insight needed for precise development, test, and process control of fermentation ingredients
  • Define and control the appropriate inocula by characterizing the acid formation of a specific phylum and knowing the specific test parameters’ influence
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Chemical & Clinical

Product Lineup

iCinac Wired Version
  • 16 or 32 measurement channels
  • 5 or 10m BNC cables to connect each probe
  • Integrated touch screen software
  • Optional output assembly and accessories to control external equipment or conditions (Bioreactor controller)
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Chemical & Clinical

How it Works

Lactic Acid Bacteria

Lactic Acid Bacteria (L.A.B.) produce Lactic Acid as the major metabolic end-product of their fermentation. L.A.B. contributes to the flavor, texture, and nutritional value of fermented foods through the production of aroma components. L.A.B. is also used as adjunct cultures, production or degradation of exopolysaccharides, lipids, and proteins, production of nutritional components such as vitamins, and used as functional cultures. L.A.B. promotes therapeutic effects and is used for probiotics. In addition, L.A.B. contributes to the inhibition of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms and, thus, is used as bio-protective cultures.


iCinac Operation

iCinac, when used as a L.A.B. activity and kinetics monitoring system, works by measuring the pH and temperature in each reactor cell, and this is represented as a pH vs. time, Temperature vs. Time, and ORP vs. Time series of graphs. Users can then:

  • Compare the curve (kinetics) to their defined Gold Standard or specific kinetics to see if the tested batch behaves as expected – a quality control step, in compliance with ISO26323
  • Analyze new ferment strains kinetics and behavior under specific conditions 
  • Develop inter-comparison studies between batches, strains, external conditions, and more

iCinac, when used as a Fermentation L.A.B. bioreactor controller, not only monitors and records pH, Temperature and ORP (optional) in each reactor, but it also controls external systems through digital and analog outputs, such as peristaltic pumps, heating circulators, and others based on time and pH values. This allows the user to have a reactor that follows not only specific temperature-based programs but also to have automated adjustment of pH values as per the pre-programmed pH kinetics. It ensures specific kinetics and behaviors are followed within each reactor, hence converting iCinac into a laboratory and pilot scale multi-bioreactor platform with complete monitoring, recording, and control of external systems.

iCinac used for L.A.B. fermentation bioreactor control (example with peristaltic pumps and heating bath recirculators)
iCinac used for L.A.B. Fermentation bioreactor control
(example with peristaltic pumps and heating bath recirculators)
A Simple Test, Without Much Preparation

Experiments can be easily set up for iCinac wired:

  1. Turn on the iCinac
  2. Connect all required cables and electrodes
  3. Perform the calibration of all electrodes (pH calibration should be run before each experiment as per the defined protocol)
  4. Insert the electrode in the dedicated bioreactor and adjust the bioreactor conditions
  5. Start the iCinac experiment and initiate to obtain real-time data via the built-in PC
  6. Analyze your data at the end of the experiment
Chemical & Clinical

System Components

The iCinac wired is divided into 2 functional parts:

  • The iCinac with embedded software and output module: 16 or 32 measurement channels with multi-parameter digital electrodes, and up to 32 outputs to connect a control (water bath, for example / additional outputs may be added subsequently)
  • The Electrodes
Chemical & Clinical

Chemical & Clinical

Software

Intuitive, User Friendly Features:
  • pH/ORP temperature compensation management
  • Monitor and track trial set points
  • Control external modules (digital / analog output)
  • Calculate all feature points
  • Real time data logging
  • Diverse graphical plotting
  • pH calibration history
  • Libraries management and creation (average curves, standard deviation, etc.)
Intuitive, User Friendly Features:
  • pH/ORP temperature compensation management
  • Monitor and track trial set points
  • Control external modules (digital / analog output)
  • Calculate all feature points
  • Real time data logging
  • Diverse graphical plotting
  • pH calibration history
  • Libraries management and creation (average curves, standard deviation, etc.)
Simulating Process Conditions for Phylum Study

By programming a thermal cycle, users can reproduce or simulate the changes in process conditions (e.g., variations in temperature or pH) and use the graphs or descriptors to compare the potential effects on the phylum studied.

Each channel is shown in an independent window.

Simulating Process Conditions for Phylum Study

By programming a thermal cycle, users can reproduce or simulate the changes in process conditions (e.g., variations in temperature or pH) and use the graphs or descriptors to compare the potential effects on the phylum studied.

Each channel is shown in an independent window.

Advanced Analysis of Fermentation Kinetics

The iCinac software can perform complex multivariate analyses of the trial curves in order to extract key characteristics of the curve associated with the kinetics of the fermentation. Feature points are useful in comparing the effects of variations in standard conditions on the overall acidification kinetics. Most common feature points for the determination of acidification activity are automatically programmed within the software, but a variety of feature points are user-customizable in order to automatically extract the most useful data from the specific fermentation curves being analyzed.

Advanced Analysis of Fermentation Kinetics

The iCinac software can perform complex multivariate analyses of the trial curves in order to extract key characteristics of the curve associated with the kinetics of the fermentation. Feature points are useful in comparing the effects of variations in standard conditions on the overall acidification kinetics. Most common feature points for the determination of acidification activity are automatically programmed within the software, but a variety of feature points are user-customizable in order to automatically extract the most useful data from the specific fermentation curves being analyzed.

Dynamic Data Visualization

Real-time graphical presentation of data and integrated pre-programmed data analysis capabilities display the key characteristics of the studied strain without additional user input. Users can create average curves to build a reference database to overlay and compare with new trials. And, personalized profiles can be created for ultimate characterization of the trial activity.

Dynamic Data Visualization

Real-time graphical presentation of data and integrated pre-programmed data analysis capabilities display the key characteristics of the studied strain without additional user input. Users can create average curves to build a reference database to overlay and compare with new trials. And, personalized profiles can be created for ultimate characterization of the trial activity.

Simplified Feature Data Extraction

Tabular display of feature acidification characteristics, for each curve, can be automatically extracted from the raw data for simplified data analysis.

Simplified Feature Data Extraction

Tabular display of feature acidification characteristics, for each curve, can be automatically extracted from the raw data for simplified data analysis.

Flexible Licensing

The iCinac software license allows you to install it on multiple computers. This gives you the possibility to retrieve data from your PC while the iCinac is occupied with measurements. In addition, the iCinac software enables you to send emails or SMS to inform users of specific events (reached pH, end of run, alarms, etc.)

Flexible Licensing

The iCinac software license allows you to install it on multiple computers. This gives you the possibility to retrieve data from your PC while the iCinac is occupied with measurements. In addition, the iCinac software enables you to send emails or SMS to inform users of specific events (reached pH, end of run, alarms, etc.)

Chemical & Clinical

Specifications

Weight 11 to 13 kg depending on layout (24.25 lbs to 28.7 lbs)
Dimensions 510 mm L x 450 mm W x 300 mm H (20” x 17.7” x 11.8”)
Power 12VDC 96W
System Probes InLab® Smart Pro-ISM electrode for iCinac (pH/ORP/temp)
InLab® Smart Basic ISM electrode for iCinac (pH/temp)
Chemical & Clinical

Resources