SureSTART collection - Three performance levels

Significance of the Topic

In modern chromatographic workflows, the selection of sample vials, caps, inserts, and well plates directly influences data quality, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance. Low levels of extractables and leachables, minimized compound adsorption, and robust closure systems are essential for reliable GC, HPLC/UHPLC, and MS applications. Ensuring consistent sample integrity underpins accurate quantification and identification in research, quality control, and high-throughput environments.

Objectives and Overview of the Brochure

This document introduces the Thermo Scientific SureSTART collection, a unified portfolio of consumables segmented into three performance tiers. It aims to guide users in selecting the appropriate level—Everyday Analysis (level 1), High-Throughput Analysis (level 2), or High Performance (level 3)—based on analytical demands, cost constraints, and regulatory requirements.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Thermo Scientific evaluated SureSTART products through stringent quality testing to verify compliance with US FDA, USP, and EU Pharmacopeia standards. Key performance metrics included extractables/leachables profiling, compound adsorption studies, metal content analysis, and integrity testing of advanced closure systems (AVCS™ and SureStop™). Compatibility across GC, HPLC/UHPLC detectors (UV/Vis, PDA, FLD, ELSD, FID, ECD, TCD, NPD, FPD) and single/triple quadrupole MS platforms was assessed to ensure seamless integration into existing autosamplers and workflows.

Main Findings and Discussion

• Performance Level 1: Provides cost-optimized glass screw vials, caps, and well plates with minimal adsorption, suitable for routine GC and HPLC/UHPLC analyses with UV/Vis, FID, or ELSD detection.
• Performance Level 2: Offers silanized and low-metal glass vials, robust AVCS™ caps, and snap vials designed for high-throughput regulated labs, ensuring low leachables under continuous operation and compatibility with MS systems.
• Performance Level 3: Features clean-room packed vials with SureStop™ technology, gold-grade glass options, advanced inserts, and certified kits delivering the lowest extractables and highest sample security for trace-level and highly sensitive analyses.

Quality assessments highlighted substantial reductions in background contamination and improved signal-to-noise ratios from level 3 products compared to lower tiers. High-throughput tests confirmed reproducible injection volumes and seal integrity over extended runs for level 2 consumables.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Everyday Analysis (Level 1): Enables budget-friendly routine assays in environmental, food, and basic pharmaceutical testing.
• High-Throughput (Level 2): Supports regulated QC laboratories and contract research with demanding sample loads, ensuring uptime and compliance.
• High Performance (Level 3): Addresses trace-level residue screening, metabolite profiling, and cutting-edge research requiring maximal sensitivity and sample integrity.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Anticipated developments include miniaturized vial formats for microflow LC, enhanced surface coatings to further reduce adsorption, integration with automated sample preparation platforms, and real-time monitoring of vial headspace integrity. Innovations in smart consumables, such as RFID-enabled closures, may streamline inventory management and traceability in regulated laboratories.

Conclusion

The Thermo Scientific SureSTART portfolio delivers a tiered approach to chromatographic consumables, balancing cost, throughput, and performance. By aligning product selection with analytical requirements, laboratories can achieve reproducible, compliant, and high-quality data from routine assays to the most demanding trace-analysis applications.

Reference

None provided in the source document.