Using the 6 mL Cartridge Adapter on the Biotage Horizon 5000

Significance of the Topic

Solid phase extraction (SPE) is a cornerstone technique in analytical chemistry for sample preparation, offering rapid cleanup and concentration of analytes from complex matrices. The ability to adapt automated SPE systems to different cartridge formats enhances laboratory throughput, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, which is particularly important in pharmaceutical, food, and environmental analysis.

Objectives and Overview

This application note demonstrates how the Biotage Horizon® 5000 automated SPE platform can be equipped with a simple adapter to accept standard 6 mL SPE cartridges packed with RENSA RP™ polymer resin. It outlines the cartridge properties, adapter assembly, and typical application areas to guide laboratories in expanding the system’s utility.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Instrument: Biotage Horizon® 5000 SPE system with 6 mL Cartridge Adapter (part no. 02-1573-01).
• Sorbent: RENSA RP™ styrenic polymer resin, 90 µm particle size, 120 Å pore diameter, 1.2 mL/g pore volume, 400 m²/g surface area, ~50% cross-linking.
• Operating pH range: 1–14; average swelling 60% in toluene; tapped density 340 mg/mL.
• Assembly: Insert adapter into cartridge and mount in place of standard disk holders on the Horizon 5000.

Main Results and Discussion

RENSA RP™ resin exhibits high mechanical stability, extended cycle life, and effective retention of small molecules and oligomers in both reversed- and aqueous-phase SPE. Performance testing confirmed excellent resolution and recovery across diverse sample types. The adapter enabled seamless integration of cartridge-based SPE workflows without manual handling, preserving automation benefits.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Pharmaceutical analysis: purification of anti-infective drugs and other APIs.
• Food safety: isolation of antioxidants, flavors, vitamins, and coloring agents.
• Biomolecules: extraction of amino acids and peptides.
• Chemical industry: cleanup of precursors and intermediates.

Availability in gram to kilogram scales allows scaling from method development to production.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advancements in resin chemistries and cartridge formats will drive broader automation of SPE, enabling multi-mode extraction and on-line coupling with LC–MS workflows. Integration of intelligent method development and real-time monitoring promises further efficiency gains.

Conclusion

By combining the Biotage Horizon® 5000 with a simple cartridge adapter and RENSA RP™ resin, laboratories can expand automated SPE capabilities to traditional cartridges, achieving robust purification across applications with minimal reconfiguration.

References

AN927: Determination of 1,4-Dioxane in Drinking Water (EPA 522).
AN931: Quantitative Determination of Diquat and Paraquat in Drinking Water (EPA 549.2).