Seqens is constantly adding new capabilities to its Analytical Services Department so it can continue to grow the number of analytical techniques that can be done in house and under cGMP. Seqens recently purchased the Dionex ICS-1100 system since a number of new API projects currently under development will require the analysis of several specific anions as part of their release specifications. Ion chromatography in general is mainly used for the measurement of major cations and anions in analytical samples. This technique is capable of measuring the concentrations of major anions, such as fluoride, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, and sulfate as well as major cations such as lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium down to levels in the parts-per-billion (ppb) range. Ion chromatography utilizes a process that allows the separation of ions and polar molecules based on their individual ionic charges. The system measures the concentrations of specific ionic species by separating them based on their interaction with a functionalized resin in a column. As in traditional chromatography ionic species separate differently depending on the species type and size.
Seqens’s new Dionex ICS-1100 Ion Chromatography system is equipped with dual-piston pumping and electrolytic suppression. These features allow high method sensitivity and ease of operation. The unit is also equipped with certain options that can help its functionality, such as vacuum degasser and column heater. A vacuum degasser and a column heater can be used either together or separately to improve baseline stability and produce lower detection limits.
Compared with the conventional wet-chemical methods such as titration, photometry, gravimetric anlaysis, trubidity, and colorimetry, Ion Chromatography can provide rapid results, with a high degree of sensitivity right down to the low ppm level. In addition the system provides very accurate and reproducible data, with high a degree of selectivity, while simultaneously detecting for different ions.