Analytical HPLC/UHPLC Systems

Analytical HPLC/UHPLC Systems

Two versions of separation methods are commonly used in liquid chromatography. They are: HPLC which stands for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and UHPLC which is short for Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. HPLC techniques have been used since the 1960’s. UHPLC is relatively new, it was introduced by waters in 2004. Waters trademarked the acronym UPLC (Ultra Performance LC) in 2004. Other manufacturers followed with similar technology and instrumentation and they coined the term for their equipment UHPLC. The two terms became synonymous. This technique (whether UPLC or UHPLC) is based on sub 2-micron porous particles that are packed inside the column. The sub 2 micron particle sizes create a high back pressure which typically exceeds the 6,000 PSI upper limit of traditional HPLC’s. HPLC methods are typically developed on particle sizes between 2.5-5 microns. Both analytical HPLC and UHPLC systems have advantages depending on the situation and application. UHPLC or UPLC systems are able to operate significantly above 6,000 PSI. Therefore, smaller particle size columns can be used. This enables faster times and achieves better resolution as opposed to traditional HPLC. The UHPLC and UPLC UV detectors have a higher sampling rate than traditional HPLC detectors. These systems also used less solvent per run, which saves solvent cost. Method transfer from HPLC to UHPLC can be both time consuming and costly. Frictional heating caused by the high back pressure in UHPLC can degrade columns faster than they would using traditional HPLC. The benefits of traditional HPLC systems are: They are less expensive than UHPLC systems, they are easier to maintain and methods are already established. 

Analytical HPLC and UHPLC systems are designed to analyze and purify liquid mixtures. Analytical HPLC/UHPLC systems enable qualification and detection of a compound within a mixture. In HPLC and UHPLC systems, the components of a mixture are combined with a solvent (mobile phase) and pumped under high pressure through the HPLC separation column which is filled with a stationary phase. Normal phase HPLC uses a polar stationary phase and a non-polar mobile phase to separate components of a mixture. Reverse phase HPLC uses phases with the opposite polarities of normal phase HPLC. The nature of your analytes defines your method and can also determine the best choice of HPLC/UHPLC system. 

Main characteristics of the analytes:

Molecular weight defines the pore size of the stationary phase

Solubility defines the HPLC mode, chemistry of stationary phase and eluent

Concentration and matrix defines the detection parameters and column dimensions

The HPLC mode is dictated by the solubility of your analytes. The elutropic series defines the solvent strength for the most often used chromatography modes, normal phase and reverse phase. 

Our HPLC/UHPLC systems are designed to support and facilitate your research. They are the perfect tool for performing routine analysis or demanding separation tasks. Out analytical HPLC/UHPLC systems will help overcome your analytical challenges. We can separate the most complex samples. HPLC/UHPLC systems are configured and customized for your specific application. High performance liquid chromatography software is used to operate and interpret results in analytical HPLC and UHPLC systems. Our software is the industry standard and is validated to ensure accuracy.

All of our HPLC and UHPLC systems are robust, reliable and easy to use. They provide accurate, reproducible results for a variety of applications and at all scales. 

Applications for Analytical HPLC/UHPLC systems are:

  • Cannabis and hemp potency 
  • Chemicals 
  • Food and beverages 
  • Food safety 
  • Medical research labs 
  • Manufacturing industry 
  • Oil and gas 
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Polymers 

Our HPLC and UHPLC analytical systems are flexible and able to be customized to reliably meet your multifaceted challenges. We offer numerous detector and pump options. These analytical HPLC and UHPLC systems are all designed and made in Germany which ensures a high level of quality.

Check them out HERE: https://www.iconsci.com/product-category/preparative-hplc-systems/preparative-hplc/