First use of SEC column

[agomulcz]

I’m not experienced in work with size exclution column, so I’d like to ask for your help. What solution (will just water be sufficient) should I wash / stabilize SEC column before first use. Is it enough to wash the column after use (mobile phase – buffer) with water only or should I use another solution?

[danko]

The exact conditioning/initiation of the column migth be somewhat product dependent (you didn't mention the type and the make) but generally these columns are stored with aqueous mixture containing some (20 - 30 %) ethanol for conservation purposes. So you'll need to flush the storage liquid out prior to equilibration and actual chromatography. It will be a big suprise to me if it's not OK to do the flushing with pure water (some 3 - 4 column volumes) and then equilibrate with your working buffer.
After use you can store it in water if it's a short term starage (a couple of days) and water/ethanol mixture for long term storage.

Best Regards

[tom jupille]

As danko said, it depends a lot on the type of column and on the type of samples (proteins? polymers?). It's always dangerous to reason from the general to the specific; I would suggest that you ask the column vendor about their recommendations for that specific column.

[agomulcz]

It's TSKgel G4000SW column, in the notice to users there is only information about washing solution after analysis and storage solution.
Thank you for your help

Best Regards

[skunked_once]

This is from the column brochure for a Beckman Ultraspherogel SEC column which I believe is similar to the TSK-SW columns.
"Thoroughly flush the column with 20 column-volumes of fresh, HPLC-grade water and run 10 column-volumes of water or buffer (pH 3-7) containing 0.05% sodium azide to inhibit bacterial growth. Do not use halide salts in the storage buffer."
Remember that sodium azide is toxic and use due precautions