Improving Sample Throughput of HPLC Methods Using CORTECS 5 μm Columns

Significance of the topic

Validating and improving high-performance liquid chromatography methods enhances laboratory productivity and supports sustainable analytical practices. Solid-core particle columns offer improved efficiency per length, enabling throughput gains without exceeding pressure limits of standard HPLC systems.

Study objectives and overview

This study assesses migration of an abacavir impurity assay from a 4.6×150 mm fully porous 5 µm C18 column to a 4.6×100 mm CORTECS Premier C18 5 µm column, comparing chromatographic performance, system pressure, solvent consumption, and Analytical Method Greenness Score (AMGS). A 4.6×100 mm fully porous 3.5 µm C18 column was also evaluated.

Methodology and instrumentation

• HPLC system: Waters Alliance with 2489 UV/Vis detector at 254 nm
• Columns: CORTECS Premier C18 (4.6×100 mm, 5 µm); Fully porous C18 (4.6×150 mm, 5 µm); Fully porous C18 (4.6×100 mm, 3.5 µm)
• Temperatures: column 30 °C; sample 10 °C
• Injection volumes: 8 µL for 150 mm column; 5.3 µL for 100 mm columns
• Flow rates: 1.0 mL/min for 5 µm columns; 1.43 mL/min for 3.5 µm column
• Mobile phases: A—0.1% TFA in water; B—methanol/water (85:15, v/v); gradient applied
• Data processed with Empower CDS

Main results and discussion

Shorter columns reduced run times significantly.

• The 3.5 µm column cut analysis time from 50.0 to 23.3 minutes but ran near the 5,000 psi limit and showed slight loss in critical pair resolution.
• The CORTECS Premier 5 µm column achieved a similar resolution to the original method while reducing analysis time and solvent volume by approximately 33%, and maintained system pressure within original limits.

Analysis of AMGS revealed a 32.7% reduction in greenness score with the CORTECS method compared to the original.

Practical benefits and applications

Solid-core CORTECS columns enable labs to improve validated HPLC assays on conventional systems by offering:

• Increased sample throughput
• Reduced solvent consumption
• Lower environmental impact without compromising performance

Future trends and opportunities

• Broader adoption of solid-core particle technologies in routine assays
• Integration of sustainability metrics in method development
• Advancements in column materials for further pressure reduction and efficiency gains
• Automated tools for predictive method transfer and optimization

Conclusion

Migration to CORTECS Premier 5 µm solid-core columns offers a practical, sustainable approach to modernize validated HPLC methods, delivering comparable separation quality with improved throughput and reduced solvent usage on standard pressure systems.

References

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