Shimadzu Nexera UC - Supercritical Fluid Extraction/Chromatograph System

Importance of the Topic

Modern analytical workflows face challenges such as lengthy sample preparation, degradation of sensitive molecules, and low‐abundance signals masked by background noise. Unified Chromatography addresses these issues by combining supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) in an integrated, automated platform. This approach enhances throughput, sensitivity, and resolution while minimizing solvent use and the risk of analyte degradation.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This article presents the Nexera UC system, a fully automated instrument uniting SFE, SFC, and high‐sensitivity detection modes. Key aims include demonstrating rapid on‐line extraction and separation of diverse analytes, preserving labile compounds through inert conditions, enabling simultaneous analysis across a broad polarity range, and simplifying chiral method development.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The Nexera UC employs supercritical CO₂ as a versatile mobile phase, exploiting its low viscosity and high diffusivity. Sample extraction occurs under light‐shielded, anaerobic conditions to protect sensitive targets. Core modules include:

• SFE-30A extraction unit with 0.2 mL or 5 mL vessels and automated rack changer up to 48 samples
• LC-30AD SF delivery unit with temperature-controlled pump heads delivering up to 5 mL/min at 66 MPa
• SFC-30A back pressure regulator with 0.7 µL dead volume for split-less MS transfer
• Shim-pack UC-X column series offering a range of stationary phases for reversed-phase, normal-phase, HILIC, and chiral separations

Main Results and Discussion

– Sample Preparation Time: Nexera UC reduced pesticide prep from 35 min via QuEChERS to under 5 min on-line.
– Multi-Residue Pesticide Analysis: Simultaneous screening of 500 compounds in 15 min covering both GC- and LC-type analytes.
– Labile Compound Preservation: On-line SFE/SFC enabled accurate measurement of reduced coenzyme Q10 without oxidative degradation.
– Biomarker Extraction: Efficient recovery of phospholipids from dried blood spots using a 0.2 mL extraction vessel.
– Cleaning Validation: Automated quantitation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues on swabs without manual solvent extraction.
– Polymer Additives: Detection of thermally labile Irganox 1010 in polyethylene via fast SFE and SFC, avoiding prolonged Soxhlet reflux.
– Chromatographic Performance: SFC achieved higher resolution (Rs 1.70 vs 1.33) and 6× greater MS sensitivity for prostaglandin D2 than LC/MS/MS.
– Method Scouting: Automated screening of up to 12 chiral columns and multiple modifiers accelerates enantiomeric separation development.
– Green Metrics: Solvent costs dropped by 87.6% and organic consumption by 94.2% compared to normal-phase LC.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Unified Chromatography streamlines analytical workflows across fields such as environmental monitoring, food safety, pharmaceutical QA/QC, and biomarker research. The integrated platform minimizes manual interventions, preserves analyte integrity, broadens compound coverage, and reduces operational costs and environmental impact.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging directions include deeper integration with UHPLC pathways, AI-driven method optimization, expanded chiral and lipidomics applications, and cloud-based data handling. Continued advancements in supercritical fluid technology promise further gains in speed, sensitivity, and sustainability for high-throughput laboratories.

Conclusion

The Nexera UC system exemplifies a unified SFE-SFC-MS/UHPLC approach, overcoming traditional chromatographic limitations. By automating sample preparation, protecting labile analytes, and enabling high-resolution separations across diverse compound classes, Unified Chromatography delivers unprecedented throughput, sensitivity, and eco-efficiency.

Used Instrumentation

Core modules: SFE-30A, LC-30AD SF, SFC-30A, Shim-pack UC-X column series (RP, NP, HILIC, chiral). Optional: rack changer, fraction collector, chiral screening interface.

References

No external references were provided in the source document.