The Chromatography Forum

of Delaware Valley

Downloadable Version

Evaluation of the Polyarc® Detector

Dr. Mary Ellen McNally

Abstract:
The flame ionization detector (FID) is the universal detector in gas chromatography (GC). In principle, as a sample and carrier gas pass from a GC column through an FID, a hydrogen-air flame where ions are created. A polarizing voltage attracts these ions to a collector located near the flame and the current is measured as a recorded signal. The current is proportional to the number of carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon for molecules with other functionalities, this is not always the case and calibration of the detector for the response of each compound is needed. This calibration and re- calibration in a R&D or manufacturing setting is time-consuming from both an instrument and personnel stand-point as well as causes a higher AMPV factor associated with any analytical method execution or development. The Polyarc® detector, a universal carbon detection system, mitigates this calibration by reducing all carbon-containing compounds into methane before they reach the FID detector, regardless of functional groups present. We have examined the use of the Polyarc® detector in direct comparison to the FID detector, not only for equivalent response but for typical validation parameters, i.e., linearity, precision, accuracy and specificity. The results of these experiments will be presented.

Validation Parameters to Measure Method Equivalency

Dr. Erin Ennis Ballinger

Abstract:
A multi-channel method development high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system provides an opportunity to solve complex laboratory challenges quickly while maintaining efficiency. Although primarily utilized for experimental design, this type of instrument would be beneficial for streamlining the analytical process in the crop protection industry for method development, GLP validation, and experimental analysis. This type of walk-up instrument would create a quick work-flow for the analysis of technical samples and formulations with built-in equilibration, column conditioning, green solvent consumption and preparation, and minimal column manipulation. To submit this type of analytical work for regulatory review, the equivalency between a method development multi- channel instrument (complicated) and current laboratory established instruments (simple) must be demonstrated to ensure product quality and compliance with requirements. In this work, we establish the equivalency between the two instruments by performing a method validation and comparing four key chromatographic figures of merit: linearity, accuracy, specificity, and precision (instrument precision and method precision). A statistical analysis is presented for an expanded range of active ingredients, sample types, columns, and methods that have been well established.

Late reservations (after 4 PM on September 6): We still want you to attend, so please call or email Ms. Sheree Gold at 610-742-4981 or sheree@cfdv.org. However, we cannot guarantee your entrée selection for dinner.

Non-weather-related cancellations: The deadline for ‘good weather’ cancellations is 36 hours prior to the meeting, i.e., noon on Monday, September 9 for the meeting on Tuesday, September 10. Cancellations after the deadline cannot be accepted and ‘no shows’ will be billed for dinner if it was not already paid in advance.