Automation in preparative chromatography

Significance of the topic

Automating sample injection and fraction collection in preparative chromatography is essential for increasing throughput, ensuring reproducibility, and minimizing manual error. Such automation is critical in pharmaceutical, biotech, and chemical industries where high-purity compounds are produced at scale.

Objectives and study overview

This work compares two KNAUER automation platforms — the Preparative Autosampler AS 6.1L and the Liquid Handler LH 2.1 — alongside two fraction collectors (FC 6.1 and LABOCOL Vario 4000). The goal is to guide users in selecting the optimal configuration based on sample volume, throughput, and application requirements.

Methods and instrumentation

The AS 6.1L employs a pulled-loop syringe mechanism for partial-loop injections up to 10 mL with a fixed 60 µL dead volume and optional biocompatible and cooling modules. The LH 2.1 also uses a pulled-loop design but extends injection capacity to 60 mL, supports sandwich injections, and integrates fraction collection in a single device. Fraction collectors compared include the FC 6.1 (99 tubes plus side rack, biocompatible, compact) and LABOCOL Vario 4000 (240–400 tubes, flexible rack options, enclosure available). Supported software covers ClarityChrom, Chromeleon, OpenLab, PurityChrom 5/6, and mobile control.

Main results and discussion

• Injection range and precision: AS 6.1L is optimized for milligram-scale loads with minimal sample loss; LH 2.1 handles gram-scale applications with flexible injection and flush strategies.
• Throughput: AS 6.1L processes up to 30 × 10 mL or multiple microtiter plates; LH 2.1 achieves higher sample counts (e.g., 810 × 2 mL or 1,440 deep-well positions) with customizable racks.
• Fractionation capacity: FC 6.1 suits small-scale purifications; LABOCOL Vario 4000 addresses mid-scale needs; LH 2.1 unifies injection and collection for seamless continuous operation.
• Software integration: Both platforms integrate with established chromatography packages, offering scheduling, parameter definition, and reinjection capabilities.

Benefits and practical applications

• AS 6.1L: cost-effective entry-level automation, biocompatible flow paths, sample cooling, compact AZURA tower integration.
• LH 2.1: highest flexibility and throughput, combined injection/fractionation, minimal dead-volume losses, rack versatility, fraction reinjection.
• Fraction collectors: select FC 6.1 for simple setups; LABOCOL Vario 4000 for higher capacity; integrate LH 2.1 for full automation in preparative workflows.

Future trends and applications

Advances will focus on AI-driven method development, real-time process analytics, single-use flow paths, continuous multistep purification, and enhanced software interoperability. These developments aim to further boost throughput, reproducibility, and data integrity in pharmaceutical and industrial analytics.

Conclusion

Effective automation of preparative chromatography depends on matching system capabilities to application needs. KNAUER’s AS 6.1L and LH 2.1 platforms, together with FC 6.1 or LABOCOL Vario 4000 collectors, provide scalable, reproducible solutions from milligram to gram scales, optimizing efficiency in diverse purification scenarios.