Phenomenex Security Guard Cartridge System protects all GPC columns

Phenomenex, a global leader in the research and manufacture of advanced technologies for the separation sciences, has announced the extension of its SecurityGuard family of products to include a cartridge-based system that protects any non-aqueous gel permeation chromatography (GPC) column. The cartridge system replaces traditional guard columns, offering a more convenient and cost-effective system for protecting expensive GPC columns from the damaging effects of contaminants and microparticulates. The unique cartridge design enables the user to visually inspect the surface of the column’s packing material at any time and monitor contaminant build-up. The visual inspection allows for cartridge changes at the right time to maintain optimal column protection and performance.

SecurityGuard is compatible with any manufacturer’s GPC column of any particle or pore size. The SecurityGuard is easy to use and connects directly into the column without the use of additional fittings that can decrease column performance. The cartridges can even be double-stacked for added protection. The new cartridges are offered in economical three-packs.

Contact Details:
Laxmi Cyber City
Gr Floor, ‘B’ Block
Survey no. 10, Kondapur
Hyderabad – 500 084
Tel: 040 – 3012 2400
Fax: 040 – 3012 2411
Email: indiainfo@phenomenex.com

Question & Answer with Schott Glass india

Question: What is glass?

Answer: Glass is a naturally occurring material that consists of around 70 – 80 weight per cent of natural sand (SiO2). As this pure sand (quartz, silica) is too hard and too expensive to melt and be formed into containers, substances that soften the glass and make it easier to convert are added. These substances can be sodium (Na), potassium (K), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg) and / or calcium (Ca). Also, in order to stabilise the glass structure, boron (B) and aluminum (Al) are added to the composition. So far in general all glasses used for pharmaceutical applications contain at least Si, B, Al, Na and Ca. The remaining elements are individual to the glass supplier. The special fact about glass is that it possesses an amorphous structure which means that the atoms in the glass network are not arranged in perfectly symmetrical way but more chaotic. This leads to some unique properties like e.g. a high transparency.

Question: Why do we have to use a type I glass for parenteral applications?

Answer: Many of the new developed drugs are biotechnologically produced drugs that resemble biological molecules. This can be vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, special antibiotics, hormones, enzymes, DNA-recombinant molecules etc. Biological molecules are often quite sensitive to oxygen, water vapor and / or pH shifts in solution which is why a strong interaction with the glass packaging material should be avoided. In worst case these interactions might lead to a degradation or malfunction of the drugs which is not acceptable. Type I glasses have the highest quality not only in terms of chemical stability but also in terms of temperature stability. This is what makes type I glasses the best choice for parenteral packaging.

(To feature in this column, email your queries to Dr Bettine Boltres ,SCHOTT AG: bettine.boltres@schott.com)