Interchim puriFlash system enhances research at the University of Geneva
The School of Pharmaceutical Science is mainly specialized in the isolation of natural products from different types of matrices in medicinal plants for drug discovery purposes or micro-organisms. As part of the research, work is done on different types of very complex biological matrices. This entails the isolation and identification of the structure of the natural products, usually to determine new molecules. A preparative system is used to target specifically the isolation of these compounds mainly based on mass spectrometry. Metabolised profiling methods are developed which are used either for evaluation of the composition of this whole organism or from a metabolomics perspective.
Below Professor Jean-Luc Wolfender discusses the Interchim Dual Flash/prep ELSD/MS configuration platform.
Why is a perfect and fast isolation so important?
This technology is used to find biomarkers or to correctly define the exact structures of these biomarkers. The isolation is a mandatory step. The fastest isolation is the best. The Interchim configuration achieves this with ease.
Professor Jean-Luc Wolfender alongside the Interchim Dual Flash/prep ELSD/MS configuration platform, at the School of Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Geneva (Switzerland).
Is the detection aspect helpful in the lab-life?
It is very important to have a complete rational for the follow-up of separation based on a specific target compound or molecule. It is quite rare to have pure fractions, but to separate a few masses together, on a preparative level. This technology can be applied at all steps to find specific compounds and to isolate them. (Mass Spectrometry) signal. The ELSD (Evaporative Light Scattering Detector) is used as a reference detector for non-chromophoric solutes such as carbohydrates, peptides, amino acids, lipids and polymers that elude in the configuration. ELSD offers additional technology and provides fast detection. The main proven benefits.
What are the advantages of the Dual Flash/prep ELSD/MS and its operation?
It is very versatile and flexible. The great advantage is the dual-mode and work on a scale that is very consistent with natural chemistry. The system incorporates flash injection system where about 10g is directly injected in a very short time, all in a correct volume (500 to 1000μL). In this case, dry injection is the solution. The sample is first mixed with the stationary phase and this powder will be used to fill the direct injector (actually a plastic cartridge). Using this approach, it’s possible to inject an important amount of sample (3-10g). On the other side, the volatile compounds will be released by the stationary phase slowly in the head of the column, avoiding over pressure in the system. On the other hand, “tens” or “hundreds” of milligrams of micrograms can be injected in a pure, almost clean condition in one step. Also, micrograms are injected and a few minutes later, the system MS spectra is fulfilled. Thus, there is the power to have a high tech NMR instrument as well. A few “tens” of micrograms are sufficient but, sometimes there is a need to have tens or hundreds of milligrams of diluted compounds to allow for clinical trials or to provide assessment.
Overall, the Interchim Dual Flash/prep ELSD/MS configuration allows for fast separations, high recoveries, multiple detection (ELSD, MS and UV) and enables target isolation using MS.
