Pickering Demonstrates 4-column GPC with Parallel Processing for Increased Sample Clean-Up Throughput

Pickering Laboratories, Inc., announces an innovative GPC Quattro gel permeation chromatography (GPC) instrument that runs four columns in parallel, providing substantial improvements in sample clean-up throughput at substantially lower cost than four 1-column systems. Pickering will be the exclusive North American distributor of this latest GPC instrument from LCTech GmbH.

The GPC Quattro can be used to run four GPC columns with the same method or four fully independent methods, providing a fourfold increase in productivity in comparison to traditional single-column instruments. For example, more than 40 samples can be processed during a 9-hour working day while running the DFG S19 method on a standard GPC column. Yet the GPC Quattro 4-column GPC is cost competitive with single-column GPC instruments and costs much less than existing multi-column instruments.

The GPC Quattro is designed for the clean-up of complex animal tissues, food products and environmental samples by separating high molecular weight matrixes such as lipids, carbohydrates, pigments, etc., from analytical samples. The system provides an excellent tool for analyzing polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), hydrocarbon pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), antibiotics, mycotoxins such as aflatoxins and ochratoxins, and other semivolatile compounds. The concentrated samples can be easily analyzed by gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). A typical application for the instrument is sample cleanup of fish prior to GC-MS detection of PCBs and pesticides.

The GPC Quattro is designed for mid-sized laboratories that are interested in achieving very high throughput during the working shift. Its economical price makes the instrument affordable to laboratories with a widely varying workload. The GPC Quattro system includes full error management so that it can be safely operated without an operator in attendance, for further productivity gains. The storage run timers make it easy for users to resume the sample or abort the run in the case of a power outage. Safety features include high and low pressure shut-off, and waste level sensor with shut-off and defined “load” and “inject” positions. A safety timer calculates the minimum time from flow rate and sample loop size for re-switching to load position. The GPC Quattro also has a very compact footprint of 25.6 inches (65 cm) wide by 17.7 inches (45 cm) deep by 18.9 inches (48 cm) high, not including the columns.

The GPC Quattro instrument has a maximum operating pressure of 1000 psi (70 bar), making it suitable for low and medium pressure GPC columns. The higher pressure capabilities of the GPC Quattro allow it to run stainless steel preparative GPC columns that have shorter run times and to reduce solvent consumption. The flow rate can be varied from 1 to 40 milliliter per minute. The operator manually injects the samples and the system will automatically process the GPC runs. During the run, the display will provide complete information including an overview screen that shows the progress of all four runs and screens with more detailed information on the individual columns.

“LCTech supplies some of the most important laboratories in Europe,” said Michael Pickering, president of Pickering Laboratories. “Our customers will benefit from their quality and expertise with a very cost-effective GPC instrument that allows them to increase sample clean-up throughput at a much lower cost than either 1-column or multi-column alternatives.”