Should I develop a new LC method on a column that is used or old? - WKB81959

ENVIRONMENT

• LC method development
• LC columns

ANSWER

No

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If the method will be performed for many years, the column used to develop the chromatographic conditions should be a fresh, new column. An old or used column may not produce the same separation when transferred to a fresh new column of the same part number (SKU).

An old or used column can produce a separation that might give a good result but cannot be repeated on any other column. In addition, a second column should be used to verify that the method development did not alter the stationary phase, changing it so that the final chromatographic separation cannot be achieved on a new, fresh column of the same part number (SKU). 

For additional information, see the HPLC Troubleshooting Guide and Why would a new C18 column show longer retention than an older, used column of the same part number when running an isocratic method?