Liquid Chromatography (LC/HPLC)

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In this issue, we feature fundamental and innovative efforts from within the walls of some the leading companies in the separation science industry. The theme was inspired by the continuous output of essential separation tools and the seemingly endless streams of pertinent information that these companies provide the scientific community.

Superficially porous particles (SPPs) are routinely used in analytical liquid chromatography (LC) columns, but they also provide benefits for preparative LC columns for use in pharmaceutical discovery laboratories and high-throughput environments. In this study, a preparative method using SPP-packed column had a 45% decrease in run time over a method using columns packed with fully porous particles, at standard flow.

A novel surface modification technology has been developed to reduce interactions between analytes and metal surfaces in HPLC instruments and columns. We demonstrate the impact of this technology on peak symmetry, peak area, and injection-to-injection and column-to-column reproducibility for several metal-sensitive analytes.

Extraction-based sample preparation has been recognized as a significant step in separation science. To improve the sensitivity and selectivity of the extraction, some new approaches have been introduced, including those that employ an electric field. These electric field-assisted extraction methods create another dimension for sample preparation, and are compatible with miniaturized, portable, and multifunctional analytical platforms.

The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products used every day by millions of people is a cause of concern among both consumers and scientists. PFAS found in drinking water and the environment can cause serious health issues in animals and humans. Amanda Belunis, who is a PhD candidate at the University of Maryland in Baltimore County, has been investigating the use of liquid chromatography­­–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to detect PFAS from a variety of environmental sources. She spoke with us about methods used to detect PFAS and described a new method that she and her team have developed to enhance PFAS detection.

sample preparation visual

QuEChERS has been updated to suit modern instrumentation. Now also “efficient and robust,” QuEChERSER is a “mega-method” that covers a wider polarity range.