Chromatography Forum

Dear All,

We are interested in buying a API 3200 QTRAP for Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism studies. Is it recommended to go for a Waters UPLC front-end system instead of a conventional HPLC system? If so, what are the advantages & disadvantages of having UPLC as front-end to API Sciex instruments?

Thanks & regards,
Dr. Harish L. Rao

Dear All,

We are interested in buying a API 3200 QTRAP for Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism studies. Is it recommended to go for a Waters UPLC front-end system instead of a conventional HPLC system? If so, what are the advantages & disadvantages of having UPLC as front-end to API Sciex instruments?

Thanks & regards,
Dr. Harish L. Rao

dear rao, the only problem with uplc is that it is prone to clog up line means back pressure and its colum are not that much develop now. but for reserch purpose u can useit but if it is private research u have to pompromise the output.

If you do non-target anaysis more often ( total scan), UPLC may not be suitable for you. If you want UPLC, I really think you go with Quattro Premier XL.

Another option may be Agilent 1200 rapid resolution HPLC ( up to 600 bar, 50-60K) with API 4000 Qtrp ( up to 2800 amu vs 3200 up to 2200 amu)

I don't know about the statement that columns for UPLC are "not that much developed now". Waters alone is offering 10 column chemistries on two different base particles. There are several other companies that have developed sub-2-micron particles. That does not make it 1000 different C18s, as in classical HPLC, but you have plenty of options at your disposal.

What you need to consider is a completely different story. UPLC columns give you high resolution in a shorter time than classical columns. This means that your peaks are narrower, and your MS system needs to be faster to be able to deal with narrow peaks to take advantage of the UPLC technology. If your MS system is not fast enough, the purchase of a UPLC system does not give you an advantage. If the MS system is fast, the use of UPLC columns with a UPLC system will give you higher resolution, less interference, often resulting in less ion suppression, and overall the opportunity to do a faster analysis.

You should consider what is the optimum flow rate for your MS
detector. Very fast analysis can be done with a semi-micro LC
that has low dwell volume (using 3 or 5um columns).

You will not get optimum LC performance from larger particles. If the MS system is fast enough, and considering that it is a new purchase it is likely to be fast, there is no reason to go back to large particles.