Many years ago, I worked as an application specialist in the field; my role was to help clients with developing, optimizing and troubleshooting chromatographic methods – specifically for HPLC. On one occasion, I was sent into a biotech company whose focus was manufacturing biological therapeutics. The company had recently noticed that they were observing a possible new impurity or degradation, due to an erroneous peak appearing on their size exclusion chromatograms. This was a serious issue, as it was risking a costly halt in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, this new peak was also posing a concern over the API safety profile. Therefore, it was imperative that the cause was identified, and a solution rapidly implemented.
What was confusing was that the erroneous peak was appearing from new columns and not on older columns. However, having fully evaluating the issue, the root cause of the problem was not strictly column related (such as a void forming at the front of the column), but instead, was due a partial blockage of the column inlet frit by particulates accumulating from the fluidics. This in turn caused a disruption of the shape of the separated bands exiting the column, leading to an erroneous peak artifact ‘resolving’ from the main product peak. It was just coincidental that the problem was seen with the newer columns.
Unwanted particulates in fluidics can be a major headache for analysts. Not only do they cause issues with the quality of the results, but also, they can also increase wear of instruments leading to more frequent breakdowns. Particulates originate from a variety of sources such as, unfiltered, and aging solvents, insoluble components in samples, as well as wear on seals.
It is not just particulates which are a cause of breakdowns, but there are many other factors too which need to be considered. As a result, the need for good instrument maintenance and strict adherence to lab SOPS are critical. Moreover, timely access to good quality consumables and parts is equally as important to prevent costly instrument downtime and maintain high quality analytical results. For example, using high quality syringes, help to ensure repeat and accurate injection volumes. This is something I know only too well. When I was an undergraduate back in the 1990s, I underwent a summer research project, measuring gas produced from cyanobacteria. Alas, an important part of my results was deemed unusable as this was traced back to a blocked GC syringe!
Use of high-quality septa, caps and vials is equally critical to prevent sample evaporation and contamination. This also acts to minimize blocked syringe needles. Also, use of high-quality tubing and fittings minimizes solvent or gas leaks which in doing so, maintains analytical integrity.
A report published in Lab Manager on the 2nd of November 2023, entitled “Looking Beyond Routine Lab Equipment Maintenance”, discussed the importance of developing good equipment maintenance schedules as well as developing good working relationships with partners to achieve this. The article, authored by John Welsh, quoted a 2017 survey from Frost and Sullivan commissioned by Agilent Technologies®, where for example, instrument maintenance/downtime was illustrated to be a top challenge for 73% of lab mangers. Regarding unplanned downtime, >75% of the cohort surveyed, highlighted those issues with sample preparation, was a key factor in unplanned downtime. Furthermore, they also highlighted that increased utilization of automation and improved after sales support, would help reduce instrument down time due to troubleshooting.
Liquid Chromatography interfaced with Mass spectrometers (LC-MS) are becoming increasingly used in a wide variety of analytical laboratories. Over the last few decades, MS instruments have improved dramatically in terms of analytical sensitivity and specificity. However, analytical results are only as good as to the nature of what is introduced into the MS interface. To maintain LCMS performance and prevent blockages and column contamination, it is important that samples are free of particulates. Furthermore, that these have undergone appropriate sample preparation such as, filtration, protein precipitation, SPE or liquid-liquid injection.
The MS interface, (electrospray or atmospheric chemical ionization [APCI]), require desolvation of the LC eluent prior to analyte ionization. To prevent contamination of the source, the LC eluent should not be contaminated with unwanted organics and furthermore, should not contain non-volatile inorganic buffers such as potassium phosphate. Instead, volatile pH modifiers, such as ammonium acetate should be employed. Another important component, Nitrogen gas, which is used for nebulizing the LC eluent and in doing so, aids the desolvation process. It is important that the N2 is also free of hydrocarbon interferences, such as phthalates and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). As a result, gas traps should be employed to remove such contaminants.
Recently, a clinical diagnostic testing company, has reported that they are hoping to switch to Trajan CRS gas traps for their fleet of 70 LCMS instruments. The reason is that they have found Trajan gas traps (202325XL-B) to be of better quality and are more cost effective, compared to their current traps.
Trajan LPP is an ideal partner for your chromatography laboratory consumables needs. We specialize in high quality products such as syringes, vials/caps, plates, sealing matts, PEEK tubing, fittings, rotors, valves, and replacement parts for popular instrument companies. Moreover, we stock a comprehensive list of readily available parts and consumables for both LC and GC instruments. We are also a one-stop-shop of for Trajan CHRONECT as well as CTC robots
Trajan LPP’s collaborative approach to service means that we will partner with you to assist you in choosing the most appropriate parts and consumables for your laboratory needs. Our rapid site-to-site delivery and choice of high-quality products, means that you can be confident that instrument downtime is minimized. Our aim is that we can be relied upon to help you to continually maintain an efficient analytical laboratory.
If you want to know how Trajan LPP can help you minimize instrument downtime, why not contact us by calling 919-322-4208 or via email at lppcustserv@trajanscimed.com.
