Productivity enhancement with liquid chromatography solutions - Application compendium

Importance of the Topic

Liquid chromatography solutions are essential for modern laboratories seeking to balance high throughput with uncompromised data quality. Advances such as dual-pump configurations, dual-gradient workflows, automated sample cleanup, and multi-detector platforms enable analysts to process more samples, reduce turnaround times, and lower operational costs across pharmaceutical, food and beverage, environmental, and industrial applications.

Study Objectives and Overview

This compendium presents diverse case studies demonstrating how Thermo Scientific LC systems enhance productivity. Key goals include:

• Increasing sample throughput without altering established methods.
• Simultaneously running distinct analytical protocols (HPLC/UHPLC) on a single instrument.
• Automating sample preparation and concentration via online solid-phase extraction.
• Applying multi-detector setups for comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Multiple workflows were implemented using three primary LC platforms and associated detectors:

• Vanquish Duo UHPLC System: dual high-pressure binary pumps, column switching valves for Tandem LC/MS peptide mapping, enabling up to 40% throughput gain.
• Vanquish Flex Duo System: parallel HPLC and UHPLC channels for simultaneous analyses (e.g., acetaminophen impurities, protein aggregates, charge variants), achieving up to 2.5× sample rate increase.
• UltiMate 3000 Dual-Gradient HPLC System: two-dimensional separations and online SPE for complex matrices (vitamins, dyes, pesticides, explosives, PAHs, microcystins, surfactants), reducing sample prep time and enhancing sensitivity.
• Detectors: UV/Vis, Charged Aerosol Detector (CAD) with inverse gradient, split-stream fluorescence, and single quadrupole MS (ISQ EC/EM) for identity confirmation.

Main Results and Discussion

Across applications, dual-flow and multi-detector strategies delivered consistent chromatographic performance (RSD < 0.1–1%), while doubling or more the sample throughput. Online SPE protocols eliminated labor-intensive offline cleanup, lowered detection limits into sub-µg/L ranges, and maintained robust quantification using universal calibrants. Simultaneous dual-channel methods condensed separate HPLC and UHPLC routines into one run, conserving mobile phase and bench space.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Reduced cost per sample through multiplexed injections and reusable SPE columns.
• Free bench space by consolidating two systems into one footprint.
• Enhanced qualitative and quantitative insights via complementary detectors.
• Streamlined workflows with intelligent software control for valve switching and gradient management.
• Broad applicability from peptide mapping and monoclonal antibody characterization to food safety and environmental monitoring.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging directions include integration of high-resolution MS detectors, machine-learning–driven method optimization, fully automated end-to-end sample-to-report workflows, miniaturized microfluidic LC platforms, and real-time process monitoring in biomanufacturing. Continued evolution of dual-gradient and multi-detector architectures will further elevate lab productivity and data richness.

Conclusion

Implementing dual-pump LC systems, online SPE, and multi-detector configurations significantly advances laboratory efficiency, data quality, and cost-effectiveness. These innovations address the growing demand for faster, more reliable analyses across regulated and high-volume sectors.

References

1. International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines for impurity classification, accessed November 20, 2017.