Florisil® Ready-to-Use Glass Columns

Significance of the Topic

Florisil® adsorbent is widely used for sample cleanup in various chromatographic applications due to its high selectivity, particularly in environmental analysis such as determination of hydrocarbon oil index in water matrices.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note presents the features and routine use of ready-to-use glass SPE columns packed with activated Florisil® and sodium sulfate for efficient sample preparation, focusing on the elimination of labor-intensive column preparation and improving reproducibility for pesticide residue analysis, antibiotic and alkaloid isolation, vitamin assays, and hydrocarbon oil index determination according to DIN EN ISO 9377-2:2000.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The columns contain defined amounts of activated Florisil® (1–10 g) and anhydrous sodium sulfate (1–2 g) housed in inert glass or PTFE components to prevent analyte interaction and contamination. Unfilled glass columns (105 or 180 mm length, 17 mm diameter) and accessories such as stainless steel needles and glass fiber filters enable customization. Parallel and automated workflows are supported by the EluVac vacuum manifold and the FREESTYLE SPE system with optional GPC and evaporation modules.

Main Results and Discussion

• Ready-to-use columns eliminate manual packing and cleaning, reducing preparation time and storage needs.
• Glass container materials prevent leaching and background interferences common with plastic SPE columns.
• High throughput is maintained via large outlets compatible with Luer adapters, facilitating method-consistent flow rates.
• Quality control of each Florisil® lot ensures consistent performance in accordance with ISO specifications.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Method

• Consistent and reproducible sample cleanup for environmental, pharmaceutical, and food analysis.
• Flexibility across a range of sample loads from trace to highly contaminated matrices.
• Seamless integration into manual, parallel, or fully automated SPE workflows.
• Reduction of laboratory labor and potential for cross-contamination.

Used Instrumentation

• Elufix Ready-to-Use Glass SPE Columns with defined Florisil® and sodium sulfate packing.
• Unfilled glass columns (Fiolax®) and inert accessories (needles, fiber filters, caps).
• EluVac Vacuum Manifold for parallel processing of up to 20 samples.
• FREESTYLE SPE Robotic System with optional GPC and evaporation modules.

Future Trends and Opportunities

The trend towards fully automated and high-throughput SPE platforms will continue, driving development of integrated systems for complex sample matrices. Advances in sorbent materials and multimodal phases may further enhance selectivity and robustness. Implementation of environmental footprint reduction by minimizing solvents and single-use plastics is another emerging focus.

Conclusion

Ready-to-use glass SPE columns packed with Florisil® and sodium sulfate streamline sample preparation by offering inert, preconditioned devices that ensure reproducible cleanup, reduce labor, and adapt to manual or automated workflows. Their application in hydrocarbon oil index determination and other analytical assays demonstrates their versatility and reliability.