Computer assisted scale up from analytical HPLC to preparative MPLC for the separation of phenolic compounds

Abstract

A computer assisted method for the scale up of a column liquid chromatographic separation from the analytical to preparative scale is successfully proposed to make the up-scaling process easier and faster. The test sample consisting of six phenolic compounds was chromatographed on an analytical HPLC column using two different gradient runs. Based on the chromatographic data achieved from these initial analyses, elution behaviour of compounds could be simulated for alternative conditions using the DryLab program. A simulative replacement of the analytical column with a preparative scale medium pressure LC (MPLC) column allowed the determination of gradient profile to allow sufficient separation in the preparative scale. A test run carried out in suggested simulated conditions matched well with expected elution times. Furthermore, this upscaling procedure was successfully applied to a plant extract.