MICROBIAL GROWTH IN HPLC / COLUMNS

[AMIT KUMAR JAIN]

Dear All

Is microbial growth is possible in HPLC/Tubings/Columns. if yes in which conditions it is possible.

Keep replying

AKJ[/code][/quote]

[zokitano]

Dear Amit

Microbial growth is possible in HPLC tubings and columns especially when you working with biological samples/standards or with water based mobile phases and you haven't cleaned/preserved the column/tubings (especially when you don't use the system/column for a longer time).
Bacterial and fungal growth can be encountered in every situation when one uses mobile phases that can let microbes to grow and in the same time they (mobile phases) stay for a long time in the HPLC tubings, reservoirs or columns.

Best regards

[Jackus]

Bacterial growth is possible when you use low organic content mobile phases and when the phase have "neutral" pH (I suppose 4-8 - I'm not sure).

[LCGUY]

Microbial growth chances are bright when you store your column for long term in solvent with less than 25-30% organic component such as MeOH or ACN.
Aquous phase always encourage this microbila growth.