Chromatography Forum

Hello,

I have the opportunity to apply for some funding for a new piece of analytical equipment so need some speedy advice please.

I am currently performing analysis of hydrothermally treated cellulose/hemicellulose samples and am using HPLC with ELSD for monosaccharide detection. We are also very interested in oligosaccharide analysis and have just ordered some columns (PL Aquagel-OH 20, 5µm + Hi-Plex Na 10µM) to try on our HPLC system. However, almost all of the literature for oligosaccharide analysis seems to be performed using Dionex IC systems. A colleague in a different department has performed some successful oligosaccharide analysis using a Dionex ICS 3000 with PAD.

I am very new to IC and don't really know anything about the instrumentation. If we purchased a Dionex IC system I imagine it's usage would be limited to certain applications. Is it possible to use PAD with a normal HPLC system (say agilent or waters) to separate oligosaccharides? It seems that the Dionex Carbopak columns can only be used with the IC system, is that correct?

Both the HPLC and Dionex system that I have used are now owned by my department. We would like to use the funding for equipment of our own. Would you recommend that we purchase a standard HPLC and a PAD for the oligosaccharide analysis, or would it be better to purchase the Dionex?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Since Dionex is now owned by Thermo, you would probably get the most unbiased answer from a Thermo rep (who will cheerfully sell you either one).

The fact is that IC is a specialized subset of LC, one that is geared toward aqueous buffers and (often, as in the case of carbohydrates) extreme pH, whereas most HPLC systems are geared toward polar organics + water with lower buffer concentrations and intermediate pH. The Carbopak columns + PAD can be used with a conventional LC, but you may have to swap out seals and injection rotors to avoid lifetime problems at high pH.

Maybe the best way to look at it is that HPLC systems tend to be generalist, while IC systems tend to be specialist.

Thank you for your help, I'm now in contact with a Thermo rep so should be sorted soon.