Improving the Purification Workflow With MaxPeak™ Premier OBD™ Preparative Columns: Isolation of Compounds From a Vitamin Beverage

Importance of the Topic

High‐capacity preparative chromatography must reliably isolate target molecules, including trace impurities and metal‐sensitive compounds, without sample loss. Non‐specific adsorption (NSA) to stainless steel surfaces can degrade peak shape, reduce sensitivity, and compromise fraction collection. Advances in column surface technology offer solutions that streamline purification workflows and enhance recovery of compounds present at low levels.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates MaxPeak Premier OBD preparative columns for isolating four known B vitamins and two unknowns from a commercial vitamin beverage. The goal is to compare chromatographic performance, sensitivity, peak shape, and fraction volumes between stainless‐steel and high‐performance surface (HPS™) columns, and to demonstrate scalability from analytical to preparative scale.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The sample, a neat commercial vitamin drink, was injected onto analytical UPLC columns (1.7 µm, 2.1 × 50 mm) and preparative OBD columns (3.5 µm, 10 × 100 mm; 5 µm, 10 × 150 mm). Mobile phases comprised 20 mM ammonium formate (pH 5.05) and methanol. Gradients were scaled based on column L/dp ratios, and flow rates were set to optimize run time (analytical 0.35 mL/min; preparative 5.4 mL/min).

Instrumentation

• Waters AutoPurification System
• ACQUITY UPLC H-Class System
• 2998 Photodiode Array Detector; H-Class TUV Detector (270 nm)
• MassLynx™ v4.2, FractionLynx application
• Columns: ACQUITY Premier BEH C18 (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.7 µm), XBridge & XBridge Premier BEH C18 OBD Preparative Columns (10 mm ID, 3.5–5 µm)

Main Results and Discussion

Compared to stainless‐steel preparative columns, Premier OBD columns delivered 5–25 % higher peak areas and 5–30 % greater sensitivity for all six targets. Peak widths at half‐height were narrower on Premier columns, producing ~50 % smaller fraction volumes for example compound. Switching between low and high pH conditions on steel columns risked re‐exposure of metal oxide sites and variable sensitivity, whereas Premier columns showed consistent performance from the first injection without conditioning.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Reduced non‐specific adsorption enhances detection of metal‐sensitive analytes
• Improved peak shape and sensitivity support precise fraction triggering
• Direct scalability from UPLC to prep ensures predictable purification
• Narrower peaks and shorter run times lower solvent usage and dry‐down effort
• No conditioning required saves time and sample material

Future Trends and Applications

As pharmaceutical and discovery labs shift toward smaller‐scale, high‐throughput isolations, adoption of sub‐5 µm preparative media will grow. Combining inert surface technologies with advanced automation, in‐line mass detection, and greener solvent systems promises further reductions in cycle time, solvent consumption, and overall process cost.

Conclusion

MaxPeak Premier OBD preparative columns with high‐performance surface technology significantly improve purification workflows by minimizing metal‐induced NSA, enhancing sensitivity, and reducing fraction volumes and run times. These features are especially valuable for isolating low‐level impurities or scarce targets in a single preparative injection, increasing confidence and efficiency in compound purification.

References

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