Quote from Chief Pharmacist on October 27, 2024, 8:44 am

Possible HPLC Columns Problems:

• Peak tailing due to frit blockage, a column void, sample interaction with active sites, an interfering peak, the wrong mobile phase pH, or a column that needs to be replaced.

 

• Peak fronting due to low temperature, using the wrong sample solvent, overloading the sample, or a bad column that needs to be replaced.

 

• Split peaks due to contamination in the column inlet or on the guard or incompatibility of the sample solvent with the mobile phase.

 

• Distortion of large peaks due to overloading the sample.

 

• Distortion of small peaks due to using the wrong injection solvent.

 

• Extra peaks due to the presence of ghost peaks or a late eluting peak from a prior injection (carryover).

 

• Baseline noise due to leaks, air trapped in the system, contamination, incomplete mobile phase mixing, inadequate degassing of the mobile phase, detector issues, temperature issues, pulsation of the pump, or the use of other electronic equipment on the same line.

 

• Broad peaks due to issues with the mobile phase, leaks, contamination in the column or guard column, temperature issues, low buffer concentration, issues with detector settings, high detector time constant, or avoidance at the column inlet.

 

• Loss of resolution due to contamination of the mobile phase, obstruction of the analytical or guard column, or a column that needs to be replaced.