Broughton Laboratories is offering a wider range of techniques including fluorescence and diode array detection along with ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC).
The company said it can offer a great deal of variety when it comes to sample analysis.
It continues to source its HPLC systems from Dionex, ensuring high quality standards are maintained and therefore making training in the use of these systems more efficient.
Broughton Laboratories analysts have more time to spend on core business activities, such as further development, analysis and internal efficiency and quality projects.
Another recent area of investment has been in ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography.
This uses higher pressures than normal HPLC and can produce results in much smaller time frames, therefore reducing clients' product time to market.
There are many different variables that make this type of HPLC possible, including columns, fittings and seals that can withstand higher pressures.
The difference in columns used in UHPLC is the main reason for the reduced run times and higher pressures.
The higher pressures are related to the smaller particle size of the stationary phase.
The reason for the smaller particle size is to do with separation efficiency and smaller particle sizes gives better separation.
This separation is important because of the shorter run times and if the baseline separation is poor then resolution is lost, giving poor chromatography.
The difference in fittings (connecting the column to the system) is also important.
On its UHPLC system, Broughton has what are called 'Viper' fittings.
These are invaluable as they reduce the 'dead volume' (the space between the column and the tubing from the system) to almost nothing.
These fittings help transfer the mobile phase and sample to the column as quickly as possible and, as some methods only last a few minutes, this needs to be as efficient as possible.
With these fittings coupled with new column technology (shorter columns to compliment the shorter run times), an overall more efficient analysis can be achieved.
All this can lead to run times being reduced by up to 50 times.
