Elution Strength Research Articles

Effects of nanopillar array diameter and spacing on cancer cell capture and cell behaviors.

While substrates with nanopillars (NPs) have emerged as promising platforms for isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), the influence of diameter and spacing of NPs on CTC capture is still unclear. In this paper, CTC-capture yield and cell behaviors have been investigated by using antibody functionalized NPs of various diameters (120-1100 nm) and spacings (35-800 nm). The results show a linear relationship between the cell capture yield and effective contact area of NP substrates where a NP array of small diameter and reasonable spacing is preferred; however, spacing that is too small or too large adversely impairs the capture efficiency and specificity, respectively. In addition, the formation of pseudopodia between captured cells and the substrate is found to be dependent not only on cell adhesion status but also on elution strength and shear direction. These findings provide essential guidance in designing NP substrates for more efficient capture of CTCs and manipulation of cytomorphology in future.

Enantiomeric Separations of Chiral Sulfonic and Phosphoric Acids with Barium-Doped Cyclofructan Selectors via an Ion Interaction Mechanism

New cyclofructan-6 (CF6)-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) bind barium cations. As a result, the barium-complexed CSPs exhibit enantioselectivity toward 16 chiral phosphoric and sulfonic acids in the polar organic mode (e.g., methanol or ethanol mobile phase containing a barium salt additive). Retention is predominantly governed by a strong ionic interaction between the analyte and the complexed barium cation as well as hydrogen bonding with the cyclofructan macrocycle. The log k versus log [X], where [X] = the concentration of the barium counteranion, plots for LARIHC-CF6-P were linear with negative slopes demonstrating typical anion exchange behavior. The nature of the barium counteranion also was investigated (acetate, methanesulfonate, trifluoroacetate, and perchlorate), and the apparent elution strength was found to be acetate > methanesulfonate > trifluoroacetate > perchlorate. A theory based upon a double layer model was proposed wherein kosmotropic anions are selectively adsorbed to the cyclofructan macrocycle and attenuate the effect of the barium cation. van't Hoff studies for two analytes were conducted on the LARIHC-CF6-P for three of the barium salts (acetate, trifluoroacetate, and perchlorate), and the thermodynamic parameters governing retention and enantioselectivity are discussed. Interestingly, for the entropically driven separations, enantiomeric selectivity can increase at higher temperatures, even with decreasing retention.

Gradient Elution Separation of Main Ingredients from Polygoni Multiflori Extract by HPLC

In this experiment, the main compounds of stilbene glucoside and anthraquinones from polygonum multiflorum extract were separated by HPLC gradient elution. SinoChrom ODS-BP C18 is selected as chromatographic column. The optimal experimental conditions under 254nm wavelength UV detector include the column temperature: 26°C, mobile phase: methanol/water, and flow rate: 1.0ml/mol. The gradient method can be optimized by changing the steepness and shape of gradient elution. Through optimizing gradient method, the separation efficiency is improved within a certain range of gradient elution strength. This article provides important reference for quality control and content determination of fleece-flower root.

Characterization of five chemistries and three particle sizes of stationary phases used in supercritical fluid chromatography

Sub-2-microns particles employed as supporting phases are known to favor column efficiency. Recently a set of columns based on sub-2-microns particles for use with supercritical fluid mobile phases have been introduced by Waters. Five different stationary phase chemistries are available: BEH silica, BEH Ethyl-pyridine, XSelect CSH Fluorophenyl, HSS C18 SB and BEH Shield RP18. This paper describes the characterization of 15 stationary phases, the five different chemistries, and three particle sizes, 1.7 (or 1.8), 3.5 and 5 microns, with the same carbon dioxide–methanol mobile phase and a set of more than a hundred compounds. The interactions established in the 15 different chromatographic systems used in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) are assessed with linear solvation energy relationships (LSERs). The results show the good complementarity of the five column chemistries, and their comparative location inside a classification map containing today around 70 different commercial phases. Among the five different chemistries, the HSS C18 SB phase displays a rather unusual behavior in regards of classical C18 phases, as it displays significant hydrogen–bonding interactions. Besides, it appears, as expected, that the BEH Ethyl–pyridine phase has weak interactions with basic compounds. The effect of particle size was studied because smaller particles induce increased inlet and internal pressure. For compressible fluids, this pressure change modifies the fluid density, i.e. the apparent void volume and the eluting strength. These changes could modify the retention and the selectivity of compounds in the case of method transfer, by using different particle sizes, from 5 down to 1.7μm. A hierarchical cluster analysis shows that stationary phase clusters were based on the phase chemistry rather than on the particle size, meaning that method transfer from 5 to 1.7 microns can be achieved in the subcritical domain i.e. by using a weakly compressible fluid.

A novel fractionized sampling and stacking strategy for online hyphenation of solid-phase-based extraction to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography for ultrasensitive analysis

We have developed a novel ultrasensitive online analytical system which integrated solid-phase-based extraction (SPBE) techniques with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) based on a fractionized sampling and stacking (FSS) strategy. FSS was proposed as a novel peak compression strategy to prevent band broadening and distortion caused by excessive solvents with high elution strength, which has been a main obstacle to conjunction of sample preparation techniques with UPLC. Such a strategy was based on online dividing a sample solution into fractions by plugs of weak mobile phase, followed by head-column stacking process, aiming to obtain a quite sharp sample zone. FSS enables UPLC to tolerate much larger injection volume of solvents with high elution strength, which facilitates hyphenation of SPBE with UPLC without peak distortion or loss of sensitivity. On the basis above, an online SPBE-UPLC system was realized by FSS, and its applicability was preliminarily verified by the successful development of a sensitive solid phase extraction-FSS-UPLC method for the determination of triazines. Subsequently an integrated online system incorporating molecularly imprinted in-tube solid phase microextraction, derivatization and FSS-UPLC was developed for the analysis of ultra trace 24-epibrassinolide. The developed method was ultrasensitive with detection limit as low as 0.7ng/L, and the linear range of the method was 3–5000ng/L. The endogenous 24-epibrassinolide in pollen, flower and seed samples was determined, which showed satisfactory recoveries in the range of 81.2–116% and good precision with relative standard deviation (RSD) values between 4.7 and 9.7%. This online analytical method was sensitive, reliable, rapid and applicable to trace analysis in complex samples.

Enantiomeric separation of proton pump inhibitors on new generation chiral columns using LC and supercritical fluid chromatography

The enantioselectivity of proton pump inhibitors, namely, omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, tenatoprazole, and ilaprazole were studied using new generation chiral packing materials: CHIRALPAK IA, CHIRALPAK IB, and CHIRALPAK IC. Two versatile techniques, HPLC and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) were used in this study. CHIRALPAK IC has shown superior selectivity under both LC and SFC conditions, whereas CHIRALPAK IA has shown good selectivity in SFC when compared to LC under primary screening conditions. The chiral recognition ability in LC and SFC modes were found to be in the order CHIRALPAK IC > CHIRALPAK IA > CHIRALPAK IB. In addition to diode array detection, chiral detection was carried out using a laser polarimeter and the elution orders were found to be the same in both LC and SFC elution modes. Mobile phase modifiers and column temperature effects were also studied. In SFC, modifiers (cosolvent) elution strength was found to be in the order ethanol > methanol > 2-propanol > acetonitrile. In both LC and SFC, a decrease in retention and increase in resolution with an increase in temperature was noticed for all the proton pump inhibitors.

High Submicellar Liquid Chromatography

Surfactant addition above the critical micellar concentration (CMC), in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), was proposed as a way to modify the selectivity and analysis time, giving rise to a chromatographic mode called micellar liquid chromatography (MLC). However, solutions containing only surfactant are too weak and yield poor peak shape. This was remediated by the addition of a small amount of organic solvent. To preserve the existence of micelles, in MLC high contents of organic solvent are avoided. Nevertheless, there is no reason to neglect the potentiality of mobile phases containing a surfactant above its CMC in water and a high organic solvent content (without micelles). This chromatographic mode has been called high submicellar liquid chromatography (HSLC). Several reported procedures show that the combination of stronger elution strength, larger selectivity and improved peak shape, with respect to MLC and conventional RPLC, makes HSLC a promising chromatographic mode to achieve in practical times separations of compounds unresolved or highly retained with other RPLC modes. Some insights on the interactions that occur inside the chromatographic column, the modification of the stationary and mobile phases, retention modeling, and chromatographic performance in HSLC are here offered, in comparison to MLC and conventional RPLC.

Determination of salbutamol by direct chiral reversed‐phase HPLC using teicoplanin as stationary phase and its application to natural water analysis

A direct chiral LC-UV method was optimized for the determination of salbutamol (SAL) β2 -agonist in environmental water. Two commercially available columns were evaluated: teicoplanin Chirobiotic-T™ (150 × 2.1 mm i.d., 5 µm) and vancomycin Chirobiotic-V™ (150 × 2.1 mm i.d., 5 µm). Finally, teicoplanin chiral stationary phase was selected for SAL enantiomer resolution. In order to preserve its integrity and maintain the column performance for longer time, the use of additives such as triethylamine (TEA) in the mobile phase was avoided. Experimental design was applied to simultaneously evaluate the influence of several parameters involved in enantiomer separation and to establish the conditions for acceptable resolution and performance in short analysis time. Optimum mobile phase was methanol-20 mM ammonium acetate buffer at pH 4.5 (98:2, v/v). A solid-phase extraction procedure for sample pre-concentration and clean-up allowed the determination of chiral SAL residues in natural water samples spiked at low concentrations in the range 1.0-20 ng mL(-1) . Reproducible recoveries, between 77 and 98%, were obtained and matrix effect was negligible. Injection of sample solutions at low elution strength permitted the SAL enantioresolution in the natural water complex matrix with satisfactory sensitivity and precision.

“Mixed” anionic and non-ionic micellar liquid chromatography for high-speed radiometabolite analysis of positron emission tomography radioligands

A mixed micellar liquid chromatographic (LC) method, the mobile phase consisting of anionic and non-ionic surfactants, has been developed for the high-speed direct radiometabolite analysis of positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands in plasma. The addition of Triton X-100 on an anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) mobile phase improved elution strength and peak efficiency for many PET radioligands. Several radioligands could be easily separated from their radioactive metabolites with short run time of only 4min using a “pure” (without organic solvent) mixed micellar mobile phase and semi-preparative monolithic C18-bonded silica column by simple isocratic elution without any treatment of plasma. Moreover, the use of “hybrid” mixed micellar mobile phase containing anionic, non-ionic surfactants and organic solvent was effective to further enhance peak efficiency and elute highly retained hydrophobic PET radioligands. These characteristics enabled significant shorting the radiometabolite analysis procedure of PET radioligands and simplifying the experimental setup.

Chromatographic Behavior of Aromatic Diamines in Hydro-Organic, Micellar and Submicellar Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatographic Modes

The chromatographic behavior (retention, elution strength, efficiency, peak asymmetry and selectivity) of some aromatic diamines in the presence of methanol with or without anionic surfactant SDS in the four different reversed phased liquid chromatographic (RPLC) modes, i.e., hydro-organic, micellar (MLC), low submicellar (LSC) and high submicellar (HSC), was investigated. In the three surfactant-mediated modes, the surfactant monomers coat the stationary phase even up to 70 % methanol; this results in the suppression of peak tailing (by masking the silanol groups on the stationary phase). In MLC and HSC, the solute retention decreases by increasing the surfactant concentration, while this situation was reversed in LSC. In the region between MLC and HSC modes (25–50 % methanol), retention of late eluting solutes was increased by increasing methanol content which is seemingly due to disaggregation of SDS micelles. Changes in selectivity were observed after changing the concentrations of SDS and methanol, in a greater extent when concentration of SDS was changed. Among the four studied RPLC modes, HSC showed the best efficiency with nearly symmetrical peaks. Prediction of retention of solutes in HSC based on a mechanistic retention model combined with Pareto-optimality method allowed the full resolution of target diamines in practical analysis times.

Simple automated liquid chromatographic system for splitless nano column gradient separations

A simple splitless gradient liquid chromatographic system for micro and nano column separations has been assembled and tested. It consists of an OEM programmable syringe pump equipped with a glass microsyringe and ten-port selector valve. Gradient of mobile phase was created in the syringe barrel due to turbulent mixing. Capability of suggested system to create various gradient profiles was verified using 50-μl, 100-μl, and 250-μl glass syringes. Acetone, thiourea, and uracil were tested as gradient markers and finally, uracil was proved to be an excellent way of water–acetonitrile gradient tracing. It was found that up to 80% of the total syringe volume is available as a linear gradient section. In context to micro and nano column chromatography, the best results were obtained using the 100-μl syringe. Separations were performed on the capillary monolithic column Chromolith CapRod RP-18e (150mm×0.1mm) and system performance was evaluated using a test mixture of six alkylphenones as well as tryptic digest of bovine serum albumin. Results proved that suggested system is able to create uniform gradients with high repeatability of retention times of test solutes (RSD<0.3%). Repeatability of injection of sample volumes in the range of 0.1–3μl was evaluated using on-column preconcentration technique which means that sample was diluted in mobile phase of low eluting strength. Repeatability of the peak areas was measured and statistically evaluated (RSD<5%).

Measurement of the elution strength and peak shape enhancement at increasing modifier concentration and temperature in RPLC

Two approaches are proposed to measure the effect of different experimental factors (such as the modifier concentration and temperature) on the elution strength and peak shape in reversed-phase liquid chromatography, which quantify the percentage change in the retention factor and peak width (referred to the weakest conditions) per unit change in the experimental factor. The approaches were applied to the separation of a set of flavonoids with aqueous micellar mobile phases of the surfactant Brij-35 (polyoxyethylene(23)dodecanol), in comparison with acetonitrile-water mixtures, using an Eclipse XDB-C18 column. The particular interaction of each flavonoid with the oxyethylene chains of Brij-35 molecules (adsorbed on the stationary phase or forming micelles) changed the elution window, distribution of chromatographic peaks and partitioning kinetics, depending on the hydroxyl substitution in the aromatic rings of flavonoids. At 25 °C, peak shape with Brij-35 mobile phases was significantly poorer with regard to acetonitrile-water mixtures. At increasing temperature, the efficiency of Brij-35 increased, approaching at 80 °C the values obtained at equilibrium conditions, already reached with acetonitrile at 25 °C.

When Other Separation Techniques Fail: Compound-Specific Carbon Isotope Ratio Analysis of Sulfonamide Containing Pharmaceuticals by High-Temperature-Liquid Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry

Compound-specific isotope analysis (CISA) of nonvolatile analytes has been enabled by the introduction of the first commercial interface to hyphenate liquid chromatography with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (LC-IRMS) in 2004, yet carbon isotope analysis of unpolar and moderately polar compounds is still a challenging task since only water as the eluent and no organic modifiers can be used to drive the separation in LC. The only way to increase the elution strength of aqueous eluents in reversed phase LC is the application of high temperatures to the mobile and stationary phases (HT-LC-IRMS). In this context we present the first method to determine carbon isotope ratios of pharmaceuticals that cannot be separated by already existing separation techniques for LC-IRMS, such as reversed phase chromatography at normal temperatures, ion-chromatography, and mixed mode chomatography. The pharmaceutical group of sulfonamides, which is generally mixed with trimethoprim in pharmaceutical products, has been chosen as probe compounds. Substance amounts as low as 0.3 μg are sufficient to perform a precise analysis. The successful applicability and reproducibility of this method is shown by the analysis of real pharmaceutical samples. The method provides the first tool to study the pharmaceutical authenticity as well as degradation and mobility of such substances in the environment by using the stable isotopic signature of these compounds.

Rapid narrow band elution for on-line SPE using a novel solvent plug injection technique

Determination of trace constituents in biological and environmental samples usually requires a pre-concentration step. While solid-phase extraction (SPE) has been widely used, it is slow, labor intensive and adversely affected by analytical errors from handling. On-line SPE eliminates some of the flaws but often suffers from solvent compatibility problems with the subsequent chromatography separation. In this study, we are presenting a technical solution for overcoming some of these compatibility issues, by utilizing a fully automated, focused SPE sample transfer technique utilizing narrow-band solvent plugs, for seamless hyphenation with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or flow injection mass spectrometry (MS). A wide range of pharmaceutical compounds was studied in different sample matrices. Short plugs of high elution strength solvent were generated by means of an electrically actuated sample loop and enrichment and transfer steps monitored using on-line SPE-MS. The impact of the solvent plugs on chromatographic separation was studied using hyphenated SPE-LC-MS. By carefully examining elution profiles of solvent plugs of different compositions, optimum conditions for quantitative elution within well-defined volumes were found for all substances. In addition, the highly focused elution bands resulted in excellent retention time and peak area reproducibilities when injected on-line onto HPLC columns. Finally, to demonstrate proof-of-principle, the fully integrated on-line SPE-LC-MS system was applied to the analysis of spiked urine and river water samples.

Basic Principles of MLC

Micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) is an efficient alternative to conventional reversed-phase liquid chromatography with hydro-organic mobile phases. Almost three decades of experience have resulted in an increasing production of analytical applications. Current concern about the environment also reveals MLC as an interesting technique for “green” chemistry because it uses mobile phases containing 90% or more water. These micellar mobile phases have a low toxicity and are not producing hazardous wastes. The stationary phase is modified with an approximately constant amount of surfactant monomers, and the solubilising capability of the mobile phase is altered by the presence of micelles, giving rise to a great variety of interactions (hydrophobic, ionic, and steric) with major implications in retention and selectivity. From its beginnings in 1980, the technique has evolved up to becoming in a real alternative in some instances (and a complement in others) to classical RPLC with aqueous-organic mixtures, owing to its peculiar features and unique advantages. The addition of an organic solvent to the mobile phase was, however, soon suggested in order to enhance the low efficiencies and weak elution strength associated with the mobile phases that contained only micelles.

Reversed-phase HPLC/FD method for the quantitative analysis of the neurotoxin BMAA (β-N-methylamino-l-alanine) in cyanobacteria

A method has been developed and optimized in order to detect and quantify the non-protein amino acid β-N-methylamino-l-alanine(BMAA) in cyanobacteria. The novelty of the method is that we have used methanol instead of acetonitrile as the eluent. The method includes extraction with 0.1 M trichloroacetic acid (free BMAA) or protein hydrolysis with 6 M hydrochloric acid (total BMAA), derivatization with AQC (6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate) and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis with fluorescence detection (HPLC/FD). Detection limits ranged from 0.35 to 0.75 pg injected, while quantification limits ranged from 1.10 to 2.55 pg injected for total and free BMAA hydrolysis, respectively. The linear response range was up to 850 pmol in both methods, embracing three orders of magnitude. The method was successfully applied to a lyophilized estuarine species of Nostoc (LEGE 06077). All previous published methods for BMAA quantification, using HPLC/FD, have reported the usage of acetonitrile. This is the first report using methanol as the mobile phase. Although the elution strength differs with both solvents, the final method proved efficient for the quantification of BMAA in this complex sample. The method resulted effective, low-priced, and simple, being suitable for routine monitoring of BMAA in cyanobacteria.

A general strategy for performing temperature-programming in high performance liquid chromatography—Further improvements in the accuracy of retention time predictions of segmented temperature gradients

In the present work it is shown that the linear elution strength (LES) model which was adapted from temperature-programming gas chromatography (GC) can also be employed for systematic method development in high-temperature liquid chromatography (HT-HPLC). The ability to predict isothermal retention times based on temperature-gradient as well as isothermal input data was investigated. For a small temperature interval of Δ T = 40 ° C , both approaches result in very similar predictions. Average relative errors of predicted retention times of 2.7% and 1.9% were observed for simulations based on isothermal and temperature-gradient measurements, respectively. Concurrently, it was investigated whether the accuracy of retention time predictions of segmented temperature gradients can be further improved by temperature dependent calculation of the parameter S T of the LES relationship. It was found that the accuracy of retention time predictions of multi-step temperature gradients can be improved to around 1.5%, if S T was also calculated temperature dependent. The adjusted experimental design making use of four temperature-gradient measurements was applied for systematic method development of selected food additives by high-temperature liquid chromatography. Method development was performed within a temperature interval from 40 °C to 180 °C using water as mobile phase. Two separation methods were established where selected food additives were baseline separated. In addition, a good agreement between simulation and experiment was observed, because an average relative error of predicted retention times of complex segmented temperature gradients less than 5% was observed. Finally, a schedule of recommendations to assist the practitioner during systematic method development in high-temperature liquid chromatography was established.

A general strategy for performing temperature-programming in high performance liquid chromatography—Prediction of segmented temperature gradients

In the present work it is shown that the linear elution strength (LES) model which was adapted from temperature-programming gas chromatography (GC) can also be employed to predict retention times for segmented-temperature gradients based on temperature-gradient input data in liquid chromatography (LC) with high accuracy. The LES model assumes that retention times for isothermal separations can be predicted based on two temperature gradients and is employed to calculate the retention factor of an analyte when changing the start temperature of the temperature gradient. In this study it was investigated whether this approach can also be employed in LC. It was shown that this approximation cannot be transferred to temperature-programmed LC where a temperature range from 60 °C up to 180 °C is investigated. Major relative errors up to 169.6% were observed for isothermal retention factor predictions. In order to predict retention times for temperature gradients with different start temperatures in LC, another relationship is required to describe the influence of temperature on retention. Therefore, retention times for isothermal separations based on isothermal input runs were predicted using a plot of the natural logarithm of the retention factor vs. the inverse temperature and a plot of the natural logarithm of the retention factor vs. temperature. It could be shown that a plot of ln k vs. T yields more reliable isothermal/isocratic retention time predictions than a plot of ln k vs. 1/ T which is usually employed. Hence, in order to predict retention times for temperature-gradients with different start temperatures in LC, two temperature gradient and two isothermal measurements have been employed. In this case, retention times can be predicted with a maximal relative error of 5.5% (average relative error: 2.9%). In comparison, if the start temperature of the simulated temperature gradient is equal to the start temperature of the input data, only two temperature-gradient measurements are required. Under these conditions, retention times can be predicted with a maximal relative error of 4.3% (average relative error: 2.2%). As an example, the systematic method development for an isothermal as well as a temperature gradient separation of selected sulfonamides by means of the adapted LES model is demonstrated using a pure water mobile phase. Both methods are compared and it is shown that the temperature-gradient separation provides some advantages over the isothermal separation in terms of limits of detection and analysis time.

General Strategy for Performing Temperature Programming in High Performance Liquid Chromatography: Prediction of Linear Temperature Gradients

This paper describes how an empirical retention model is transferred from temperature-programmed gas chromatography (GC) to high temperature liquid chromatography (HT-HPLC). In order to evaluate the retention prediction, a temperature range from 50 to 180 °C was investigated using two test mixtures consisting of steroids and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In this temperature range, heating rates from 1.5 °C min(-1) up to 30 °C min(-1) were applied using four different high temperature stable HPLC columns with inner diameters of 1.0, 2.1, 3.0, and 4.6 mm. Temperature lag phenomena in the HPLC column as well as in the column oven are discussed, and it is shown that the linear elution strength (LES) model can be applied without any mathematical extension in order to take a temperature-dependent delay time into account. On the basis of this approximation, it is possible to perform a systematic method development using linear temperature gradients in liquid chromatography. Furthermore, it is shown that only two initial temperature gradient runs are necessary to predict the retention times of the analytes with a maximal relative error of less than 2%.

Effects of the gradient profile, sample volume and solvent on the separation in very fast gradients, with special attention to the second-dimension gradient in comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography

Gradient elution provides significant improvement in peak capacity with respect to isocratic conditions and therefore should be used in comprehensive two-dimensional LC × LC, both in the first and in the second dimension, where, however, gradients are limited to a short time period available for separation, usually 1 min or less. Gradient conditions spanning over a broad mobile phase composition range in each second-dimension fraction analysis are used with generic “full in fraction” (FIF) gradients. “Segment in fraction” (SIF) gradients cover a limited gradient range adjusted independently to suit changing lipophilicity range of compounds transferred to the second dimension during the first-dimension gradient run and to provide regular coverage of the two-dimensional retention space. Optimization of the gradient profiles is important tool for achieving high two-dimensional peak capacity and savings of the separation time in comprehensive LC × LC. Calculations based on the well-established gradient-elution theory can be used to predict the elution times and bandwidths in fast gradients, taking into account increased probability of pre-gradient or post-gradient elution. The fraction volumes transferred into the second dimension may significantly affect the second-dimension bandwidths, especially at high elution strength of the fraction solvent, which may cause even band distortion or splitting in combined normal-phase (HILIC)–RP systems, but also in some two-dimensional RP–RP systems. In the present work, the effects of the fast gradient profile, of the sample volume and solvent on the elution time and bandwidths were investigated on a short column packed with fused-core porous-shell particles, providing narrow bandwidths and fast separations at moderate operating pressure.