Advantages and Disadvantages of Cartridge Columns?

[Coffman]

I am looking into buying a Luna cartridge-column to analyse poly-phenolics in plant samples. Our lab is broke, so I want to make sure I'm getting something which will work. I chose it based on these two applications in the Phenomenex application library:

https://www.phenomenex.com/Application/ ... ion/Search

https://www.phenomenex.com/Application/ ... ion/Search

The column itself is here:

https://www.phenomenex.com/Products/Par ... tail/15617

The two applications are great and the column is cheap, so it seems perfect. However its a little "cartridge column" and I have never used one before. What's the +/- to this vs a more conventionally sized analytical column? It's so cheap I'm worried there is some downside I'm not seeing due to my inexperience. Also, it should be noted, that I intend to couple my system to an MS/MS to validate the identity of some of these compounds, how should that factor into my choice?

Thanks a lot for any advice.

[rwang]

If you are buying a large number of columns over a period of time, cartridges save you money in the long run.

The catch is you have to buy a cartridge holder upfront. A cartridge holder plus a column cartridge will definitely cost more than a single, conventional column. However the cartridge holder can be used over and over again and will eventually pay itself back.

Cheers,

[juddc]

This is a good news / bad news thing. The applications shown are for standard mixtures and appear to work reasonably well for them. If your samples are simple and clean, you'll have great sensitivity if your system is otherwise well optimized and short run times.

If, however, you have more complex samples - like plant extracts - I'd worry about whether such a short column will yield the resolving power you may need. Also, these columns will foul more rapidly than larger ones.

My 2 cents: If your samples are simple and clean and your system is well optimized (low dispersion volume), go for it. If they're crude plant extracts, get larger columns (3.0mm x 100mm or 150mm) and use guard columns. It'll cost more initially, but I think you'll be more likely to obtain usable data sooner and for a longer period of time, thus more than making up the difference in cost.

Cheers!

(btw, I like Phenomenex...I'd make the same argument no matter whose columns these are)

[Coffman]

Wow great advice! Thanks so much!

[JGK]

The biggest drawback with cartridge systems is the holders; each suppliers is different. So, if you are in a lab which routinely uses columns from a number of different suppliers it can be costly.


If you are focussing on one supplier it can be a cheaper option.

Personally, I prefer a traditional column with a well maintained guard system in place. (Phenomenex's security guard is pretty good)

[Consumer Products Guy]

...Our lab is broke, so I want to make sure I'm getting something which will work....Thanks a lot for any advice.

It's tough to do "good science" under those conditions. Sorry.