Biotage Horizon 5000

Significance of the Topic

Automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) plays a critical role in environmental, pharmaceutical, and food safety laboratories by improving throughput, reproducibility, and safety of sample preparation.

Objectives and Study Overview

This document details the specifications and ordering information for the Biotage Horizon 5000 system, designed to support up to four SPE modules controlled by a single PC interface. The overview covers system footprint, gas and ventilation options, power requirements, and consumable components.

Used Instrumentation

• Extractor Modules: Biotage Horizon 5000 SPE units, each supporting three stations
• Controller PC: Windows 7 Professional, Intel Core i3 or equivalent, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, 20″ HD LCD display
• Waste Containers: Two chemically compatible carboys for solvent and aqueous waste
• Optional Nitrogen Kit: 60–80 psi nitrogen supply line for sample blanketing
• Ventilation Components: Optional exhaust kit for benchtop operation

Methodology and Instrumentation

The system operates by conditioning SPE disks with solvents such as methylene chloride, hexane, or methanol, followed by sample loading and elution. Customers supply SPE disks and prefilters in various sizes (47 mm, 50 mm, 90 mm). The modules are arranged with a minimum one-inch spacing and require a counter depth of at least 24 inches. Environmental controls recommend ambient temperatures of 17–28 °C and relative humidity of 10–70%.

Main Results and Discussion

The Horizon 5000 offers modular scalability, accommodating up to four extractor units per controller, and supports diverse solvent chemistries. Its compact footprint (48.3 × 49.9 × 53.3 cm) and 300 W power consumption make it suitable for most laboratory settings. Integrated PC control provides automated valve operation, fluid routing, and customizable protocols.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced reproducibility and reduced manual errors in SPE workflows
• Flexible solvent compatibility for environmental, pharmaceutical, and petroleum analyses
• Modular design allows incremental expansion and shared control infrastructure
• Safety features, including optional nitrogen blanketing and exhaust management

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in automation will likely integrate real-time monitoring sensors and cloud-based data analytics. Future iterations may support additional sample types, smaller SPE formats, and more efficient solvent recycling systems, further reducing environmental impact and operational costs.

Conclusion

The Biotage Horizon 5000 SPE system provides a robust, flexible, and scalable solution for high-throughput sample preparation. Its comprehensive specifications ensure compatibility with diverse laboratory environments and analytical methods.

Reference

Biotage Horizon 5000 Specifications and Ordering Information, Literature Number: PPS529.v1, Biotage 2020.