Torgny Undin

Improvement in the generation of adsorption isotherm data in the elution by characteristic points method—The ECP-slope approach

The elution by characteristic points (ECP) method is a very rapid and precise method for determination of the phase system equilibrium of phase systems in broad solute concentration ranges. Thus, the method is especially suitable for rapid characterization of high efficient separation systems. One important source of error, the effects by the post-loop dispersion, was eliminated in a recent investigation. In this study, the systematic error caused by the selection of the integration starting point at concentration equal to 0 is eliminated. This is done by developing and validating a new procedure for isotherm data generation; the ECP-slope method. The method generates raw slope data of the adsorption isotherm instead of raw adsorption data by integrations as the classical ECP does. Both numerical and experimental data were used for the comparison of the classical ECP approach with the slope-ECP method.

Expanding the elution by characteristic point method for determination of various types of adsorption isotherms.

Important improvements have recently been made on the elution by characteristic point (ECP) method to increase the accuracy of the determined adsorption isotherms. However, the method has so far been limited/used for only type I adsorption isotherms (e.g. Langmuir, Tóth, bi-Langmuir). In this study, general strategies are developed to expand the ECP method for the determination of more complex adsorption isotherms including such containing inflection points. We will exemplify the methodology with type II, type III and type V isotherms. Guidelines are given for how to determine such isotherms using the ECP method and for the experimental considerations that must be taken into account or that may be eliminated in the particular case.

Evaluation of a combined linear–nonlinear approach for column characterization using modern alkaline-stable columns as model

This study investigates if deeper understanding is achieved when combining nonlinear and linear chromatographic column characterization methods. As test systems, two hybrid columns (Phenomenex Gemini-NX C18 and Kromasil Eternity C18) and one classic one (Kromasil-C18) were selected. The nonlinear methods were based on firm adsorption theory and involved determination of adsorption isotherms followed by calculations with a new numerical tool, adsorption energy distribution, on probe components at different pH values. The linear methods involved the hydrophobic subtraction model and selected probe components retention factors as a function of pH. The combined analysis indicated that both complementary and confirmative information can be achieved regarding the actual model systems.

Characterization of an unusual adsorption behavior of racemic methyl-mandelate on a tris-(3,5-dimethylphenyl) carbamoyl cellulose chiral stationary phase

An interesting adsorption behavior of racemic methyl mandelate on a tris-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)carbamoyl cellulose chiral stationary phase was theoretically and experimentally investigated. The overloaded band of the more retained enantiomer had a peculiar shape indicating a type V adsorption isotherm whereas the overloaded band of the less retained enantiomer had a normal shape indicating a type I adsorption behavior. For a closer characterization of this separation, adsorption isotherms were determined and analyzed using an approach were Scatchard plots and adsorption energy distribution (AED) calculations are combined for a deeper analysis. It was found that the less retained enantiomer was best described by a Tóth adsorption isotherm while the second one was best described with a bi-Moreau adsorption isotherm. The latter model comprises non-ideal adsorbate-adsorbate interactions, providing an explanation to the non-ideal adsorption of the more retained enantiomer. Furthermore, the possibility of using the Moreau model as a local model for adsorption in AED calculations was evaluated using synthetically generated raw adsorption slope data. It was found that the AED accurately could predict the number of adsorption sites for the generated data. The adsorption behavior of both enantiomers was also studied at several different temperatures and found to be exothermic; i.e. the adsorbate-adsorbate interaction strength decreases with increasing temperature. Stochastic analysis of the adsorption process revealed that the average amount of adsorption/desorption events increases and the sojourn time decreases with increasing temperature.

MS for investigation of time-dependent protein adsorption on surfaces in complex biological samples

Aim: This study aims at developing a nondestructive way for investigating protein adsorption on surfaces such as biomaterials using mass spectrometry. Methods: Ventricular cerebrospinal fluid in contact with poly carbonate membranes were used as adsorption templates and on-surface enzymatic digestion was applied to desorb proteins and cleave them into peptides. Mass spectrometric analysis provided both protein identification and determination of protein specific adsorption behavior. Results: In general, the adsorption increased with incubation time but also protein-specific time-resolved adsorption patterns from the complex protein solution were discovered. Conclusion: The method developed is a promising tool for the characterization of biofouling, which sometimes causes rejection and encapsulation of implants and can be used as complement to other surface analytical techniques.