Efficient Purification: From Crude Extracts to High Purity Compounds

Whether you are working with natural products, peptides, or APIs, choosing the right chromatography system is key. Below, we outline the differences between flash and prep systems and show how you can use them most effectively. Either standalone or in combination.

Flash vs Prep – What’s the Difference?

Flash systems like the CombiFlash NexGen 300+ or Torrent are designed for fast pre-purification of larger sample quantities. They use larger particles (around 40 to 50 microns spherical), operate under lower pressure (around 20 bar), and are ideal for quick, robust separations with moderate resolution.

Prep systems like the ACCQPrep HP150 or ACCQPrep SFC offer high-resolution purification using smaller particles (around 5 microns), which require higher pressure (up to 400 bars or 6000 PSI). These systems are ideal for purifying sensitive or complex substances with the highest purity requirements.

Flash systems focus on speed and capacity, while prep systems provide the resolution needed for final purification. Used together, they create an efficient workflow from crude to pure.

Recommendations and Application Tips – Optimizing Your Workflow

Crude purification and final separation (most common one)

Start with the NexGen 300+ for fast and effective crude separation. Up to 330 grams can be processed directly on the device, or up to 3 kilograms using the Large Column Adapter.
For high-purity separations, use the ACCQPrep HP150 (especially for peptides or water-soluble substances) or the ACCQPrep SFC (ideal for APIs and normal phase separations).
Stacked injection is possible on both flash and prep systems and is particularly advantageous for isocratic methods, saving time and solvent.

Scale-up and purity improvement

For frequent large-scale purification, the Torrent supports columns up to 8.6 kilograms and flow rates up to 1 liter per minute.
For occasional scale-up, the NexGen 300+ with Large Column Adapter is a cost-effective and flexible alternative.
Final purification can be carried out on the HP150 or SFC system, where stacked injection again saves time and solvent.

Special applications

• Peptides and water-soluble molecules are best separated on the HP150
• APIs, natural products, and chiral compounds that are soluble in normal phase conditions can be handled on the SFC
• Flash and prep systems can be combined effectively to achieve both throughput and purity

Efficient method development

All systems include a Focus Gradient Generator, allowing rapid method development and optimization. This ensures efficient separations and consistently high product quality.

Which System Is Right for You?

Additional Resources

• Webinar: This link leads to Teledyne LABS’ archived webinars focused on chromatography topics and technologies.
• How-to videos: This YouTube playlist features instructional videos demonstrating the setup and operation of Teledyne LABS equipment.

Interested?

Then write to us for a quote, further documents or advice – by e-mail or simply via the contact form.