General information about the module

Introduction

This section is an overview of the Analysis module including:

Definitions of terminology that will be used in this chapter.
A description of how to install the Analysis module.
A description of the new procedure instructions that become available when the Analysis module is installed.

Module functions

The Analysis module is an optional extra module that adds functionality to the regular UNICORN Evaluation module. Basically the Analysis module is used:

to determine the absolute quantity or concentration of a component.
to determine the molecular size of a component.

Module menus

The Analysis module is accessed in the Evaluation module. After the installation, two new Evaluation module menus are added:

Quantitate.
Mol.Size.

Note: The menus are only available when a result file is open in the Evaluation module.

Quantitate

The Quantitate function provides a wide range of techniques for quantitative analysis:

External standard quantitation
Internal standard quantitation
Standard addition
Recovery calculations

Quantitate uses peak data from standard runs to produce calibration curves which can then be used to evaluate the amount and concentration of components in a sample.

Molecular Size	The Molecular Size (Mol.Size) function determines the molecular size of components in a sample. The function uses a molecular size curve prepared from one or more standards.

Term definitions

The table below lists definitions for some terminology that is used in this chapter.

Term	Definition
Amount	This specifically refers to the injected amount. In most cases, the word "amount" is used as an abbreviation for "concentration or amount". Both concentration and injected amount can be used to produce the calibration curve. When analyzing the sample, both amount and concentration are calculated.
Calibration curve	The relationship between amount and peak size of a component. The relationship can be shown as a curve and as a mathematical expression.
Level	A known amount or concentration of a standard. The levels are numbered 1-20 in decreasing or increasing order of concentration.
Molecular size curve	The relationship between molecular size and retention volume for a number of components. The relationship can be shown as a curve and as a mathematical expression.
Molecular size table	All necessary data required to determine the molecular size of one or several components in a sample. The molecular size table contains the molecular size curve.
Peak size	Used generally as a common term for "peak area or peak height".
Peak table	The result of a peak integration presented in tabular form. The peak table can include, for example, height, area and retention volume. After the analysis, the peak table contains the values for concentration, amount (and molecular size).
Quantitation table	All necessary data required to quantitate one or several components in a sample. The quantitation table contains calibration curve(s) and peak identification settings.
Sample	A sample with an unknown concentration of the component(s) of interest. The concentration is determined by Quantitation. For molecular size calculations, the sample contains a component or several components of unknown molecular size.
Sample run	A chromatographic sample run of a sample to be analyzed.
Spiking	The addition of a known quantity of the component of interest to the sample prior to the sample preparation for the run.
Standard	A defined concentration of one or several components. The concentration does not have to be the same for all components in the standard. One or several standards are used to produce a calibration curve. For molecular size calculations, the standard contains components of known molecular size.
Standard run	A chromatographic standard run of a specific concentration level of a standard.

How to install the Analysis module

The table below describes how to install the Analysis module.

Step	Action
1	Close all other applications.
2	Insert the installation CD in the CD drive.
3	Open My Computer.
4	Double-click the CD drive icon. Result: The file window opens.
5	Double-click Setup.exe.
6	Follow the instructions on the screen.
7	Remove the CD after the installation is complete.

Note: See the license agreement for information on the legal aspects of the installation.

The Analysis module in a network

One or several computers in a network may have the Analysis module installed. The module does not need to be installed on all network computers that run UNICORN. All installations must be made in accordance with the license agreement.

2005-06-15