SCALABILITY OF SOLID-CORE PARTICLES FOR CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSES

Importance of the Topic

This summary highlights the significance of solid-core particle columns in liquid chromatography for pharmaceutical quality control, biologics analysis, and research. By combining a nonporous core with a porous shell, these materials deliver higher efficiency and lower operating pressures, extending column lifetimes and enabling longer separations.

Study Objectives and Overview

• Compare backpressure and efficiency of columns packed with fully porous and solid-core particles across multiple particle sizes.
• Assess scalability of retention times and efficiencies for solid-core columns versus competitor products.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Two studies were conducted using Waters ACQUITY UPLC I-Class and ACQUITY UPLC systems equipped with tunable ultraviolet detectors. Columns (2.1×50 mm, 30 °C) included:

• 1.6 µm CORTECS UPLC C18
• 2.7 µm CORTECS HPLC C18
• 5 µm CORTECS Prototype C18
• 1.7 µm ACQUITY BEH C18
• 3.5 µm XBridge BEH C18
• Competitor columns from Vendor H and Vendor A (various particle sizes).

Mobile phases and flow rates varied per study (acetonitrile/water for Study 1; acetonitrile/ammonium formate pH 3 for Study 2). Injection volumes ranged from 0.4 to 3 µL. Backpressure, theoretical plate counts, and retention times were recorded.

Instrumentation Used

• ACQUITY UPLC I-Class System with TUV detector
• ACQUITY UPLC System with TUV detector

Key Results and Discussion

• Study 1 showed the 5 µm CORTECS Prototype column reduced backpressure by 28% versus the 3.5 µm XBridge BEH C18 column at comparable flow rates, while delivering 14% higher efficiency.
• The 2.7 µm CORTECS HPLC column operated below the 6000 psi limit of standard HPLC instruments, enabling longer column lengths without pressure penalties.
• Study 2 demonstrated that CORTECS columns across 1.6, 2.7, and 5 µm retained consistent retention times, confirming scalability. Competitor columns exhibited significant retention shifts in larger particle sizes due to inconsistent shell-to-core ratios (rho values).

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Lower solvent consumption and faster runtimes improve laboratory throughput and reduce costs.
• Reduced backpressure enhances instrument longevity and allows method adaptation to longer columns.
• Scalability across particle sizes permits direct method transfer between UHPLC and HPLC systems in quality control environments.

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Development of new solid-core materials with optimized shell thickness for biomolecule separations.
• Integration with automated workflows and high-pressure systems beyond current limits.
• Expansion of scalable column chemistries for advanced applications in proteomics and metabolomics.

Conclusion

SOLID-CORE CORTECS columns deliver significant reductions in backpressure and improvements in separation efficiency compared to fully porous alternatives. Their consistent performance across multiple particle sizes ensures scalable methods for both UHPLC and standard HPLC systems, offering robust solutions for routine analytical workflows.

References

1. Chromatography Today. Common Applications of HPLC. 2021.
2. Dong MW. HPLC and UHPLC for Practicing Scientists. 2019.
3. Schad G. From HPLC to UHPLC—And Back. LCGC The Column. 2016;20–22.
4. Berthelette K et al. Improving Separation Efficiency with CORTECS Premier Columns. Waters Application Note. 2023.