VOCUS CORK ANALYZER®

The Vocus Cork Analyzer (VCA) is a high throughput auto-sampler coupled to a high resolution TOF mass spectrometer. These combined technologies non-destructively test individual natural cork stoppers for the presence of TCA and other off-flavors and automatically sorts the stoppers according to the detected concentrations. The VCA is able to screen a single natural cork stopper in only 2 seconds, quantifying the TCA with a limit of detection of just 0.05 ng/L for TCA, with accuracy and precision superior to standard, destructive and time-consuming ISO-OIV methods.  Due to its high throughput, a single VCA system is able to analyze 1,800 corks/hour and about 10 million cork stoppers per year.

A NEW SCIENTIFIC STANDARD

FULLY VALIDATED ANALYTICAL METHOD

Non-destructive analysis, ultra-fast (2 seconds), high sensitivity, with accuracy superior to standard analysis. The method has been fully peer-reviewed and published in Analytical Chemistry, one of the most prestigious journals of the American Chemical Society.

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY

Using the same technology used by NASA and CERN for atmospheric measurements, the Vocus analyzer is equipped with a specific dynamic headspace autosampler patented for natural corks and built with the most sophisticated materials for almost zero VOCs absorption.

ABSOLUTE PRECISION

The quantification of TCA with high resolution time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometry, therefore through the measurement of the exact mass of the main ions (mass accuracy ~ 1 ppm) and their isotopic ratios, reaches the highest precision and excludes the presence of false negatives or positives. Learn more about real-time CI-MS techniques.