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Reliable Sample Preparation for Neonatal Screening

Genevac
8 Feb 2018
Lui Terry
Administrator / Office Personnel

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Genevac reports on how its hydrochloric acid (HCl) resistant EZ-2 evaporator offers significant benefits to clinical labs tasked with analysing plasma, blood or urine samples for neonatal disorders.

In new born infants, tandem Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is a widely used analytical technique to identify metabolic neonatal disorders which include aminoacidemia’s, urea cycle disorders, organic acidurias, and fatty acid oxidation disease.

Sample preparation techniques widely used in neonatal screening include solvent extraction, acid derivatisation and evaporation prior to reconstitution in a suitable medium for injection into the LC/MS/MS system. Evaporation of the butanol / HCl solvent mixture, commonly used for derivatisation, using blowdown techniques creates acid vapours which often results in corrosion of the system especially the pins/needles/jets which can lead to contamination of samples and erroneous results. Additionally, acid vapours evolved may damage other nearby equipment and fume extraction systems.

Extensive testing demonstrates that using a HCl resistant EZ-2 evaporator for these sample preparation stages not only eliminates the corrosion problem that can lead to sample contamination / erroneous results but also can significantly increase productivity.

The EZ-2 Series evaporator

The HCl resistant EZ-2 evaporator has been designed specifically for solvent removal in life science and clinical research, be that concentration of samples, or complete drying. Key elements of the system are engineered in Hastelloy® glass or PTFE, to provide full protection against strong acids including HCl and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Genevac's long experience in vacuum engineering has resulted in the creation of a compact sample concentrator combining great performance, ease of use and compatibility with all commonly used solvents and many acids. At the heart of the evaporator are a robust, solvent resistant, oil free pump and the high efficiency, defrost-free SpeedTrap, which traps all solvents as liquids. To enable users to achieve excellent results every time there is no need for special training - just load, set and walk away. Once the samples are dry, or the concentration end point is reached, the run stops automatically. The high capacity rotor design of the HCl resistant EZ-2 evaporator accommodates flasks, tubes, vials, reaction blocks, microplates and SampleGenie.

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EZ-2 Series

Genevac

Using the most advanced proven technology in evaporation science, the third generation of the EZ-2 Series has been designed specifically for solvent removal in life science research; be that concentration of samples or complete drying.  The innovative design of the EZ-2 Series presents many advantages for working in parallel within synthesis chemistry, analytical sample preparation and for general-purpose solvent removal needs in life science laboratories. At the heart of the evaporator is a solvent resistant, oil-free vacuum pump, and the high efficiency, defrost-free, SpeedTrap™, which traps all solvents as liquids, even water. Solvents collect in the insulated, plastic coated glass vessel, enabling the user to see the progress of evaporation and determine when the trap should be emptied. The EZ-2 Elite has a special auto-draining collection vessel fitted to the SpeedTrap, which uses the very powerful Scroll pump. The Elite can therefore evaporate the highest boiling solvents such as DMSO and perform the Genevac LyoSpeed fast lyophilisation method for HPLC fractions. There is a low-cost option available on the Standard, Plus and Elite that allows the routine use of hydrochloric acid and aggressive solvents. By building key elements in Hastelloy®, glass or PTFE, full protection against acid chlorides is achieved. New to the HCl Resistance option is the ability to evaporate concentrated nitric acid. This option must be specified when ordering, as it cannot be retrofitted. All EZ-2 models are resistant to routine use of high concentrations of TFA as standard. An additional option is available to allow safe operation for those wishing to use highly explosive solvents, such as pentane or diethyl ether - the inert gas purge system. This system can also be used to preserve oxygen or moisture sensitive samples under an inert gas blanket until the user returns to the evaporator. The EZ-2 Series can also accommodate a wide selection of sample holders, including round-bottom flasks up to 500ml, tubes up to 160mm long (including Dionex ASE® and Radleys Carousel tubes), custom reaction blocks, and shallow or deep-well microtitre plates. EZ-2 Series Models: The Standard (EZ-2) is suitable for water and volatile solvents The Envi (EZ-2 Envi) is recommended for concentration of volatile solvents The Plus (EZ-2 Plus) is recommended for solvents with boiling points upto 165°C The Elite (EZ-2 Elite) is recommended for solvents with boiling points upto 220°C

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UHPLC and HPLCHigh performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), also known as UPLC, are analytical techniques used to separate, identify and quantitate components of complex mixtures including biological samples such as proteins and lipids as well as chemical mixtures of pesticides, drugs and oils. Both techniques are liquid chromatographic methods but differ by operating pressures (HPLC < 6000 psi < UHPLC ). Components of HPLC and UHPLC systems include columns, detectors, pumps, autosamplers and column heaters. Explore a range of UHPLC and HPLC columns for your specific sample needs including reverse phase, normal phase, ion exchange, HILIC, ion exclusion and size exclusion columns. For more specialized HPLC, explore FPLC, countercurrent LC and simulated moving bed systems. Find the best UHPLC and HPLC equipment in our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Sample PreparationSample preparation can improve the quality and speed of separation techniques. Products to assist sample preparation include filtration equipment, evaporators, membranes and sieves.LC-MSLC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) systems and equipment are used for separation and quantitative analysis of complex mixtures, combining liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Quantify proteins, contaminants, pesticides or screen for drug metabolites with a high level of sensitivity. LC-MS systems and equipment include reverse phase, normal phase and specialized columns integrated with various MS detectors such as time-of-flight (TOF), quadrupole, orbitrap or ion trap mass analyzers. LC-MS/MS instruments equipped with a qTOF or triple quadrupole analyzer give greater sensitivity and resolving power to your analysis. Find the best LC-MS equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Preparative ChromatographyPreparative chromatography equipment is used for purification purposes, separating and collecting compounds eluted from a mixture which can then be subsequently used for further purposes. This can be done in large quantities or small. Preparative chromatography systems are usually low to medium pressure liquid chromatographs that are semi-automated. Explore a range of preparative columns and fraction collectors. Find the best preparative chromatography equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.Point-of-CarePoint-of-Care Testing (POCT) or Near Patient Testing (NPT) products are available for urine, blood and other clinical chemistry analyses. POCT includes: blood glucose testing, blood gas and electrolytes analysis, rapid coagulation testing (PT / INR), rapid cardiac markers diagnostics, drugs of abuse screening, urine strips testing, pregnancy testing, fecal occult blood analysis, food pathogens screening, hemoglobin diagnostics, infectious disease testing and cholesterol screening.Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.

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