JASCO LC2000 Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Chromatography System (SFE/SFC)
| Brand | JASCO |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Product Origin | Imported |
| Model | LC2000 |
| Max. Temperature | 200 °C |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Extraction Vessel Volume | 4 L |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 30 MPa |
| Flow Rate Range | 0.001–10 mL/min |
| CO₂ Delivery Flow Capacity | up to 120 mL/min |
| Column ID | 30 mm |
| Fraction Collector | 8-position automated fraction collector |
| Detection Compatibility | UV-Vis, Chiral Polarimetric, Mass Spectrometric, and Refractive Index detectors |
| Operating Modes | Constant Flow or Constant Pressure |
| Cooling | Integrated electronic pump-head cooling (≤ –4 °C) |
| System Dead Volume | < 10 µL |
| Application Scope | Laboratory-scale R&D, chiral separation, natural product isolation, and preparative purification |
Overview
The JASCO LC2000 Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Chromatography System (SFE/SFC) is an integrated, high-precision platform engineered for laboratory-scale supercritical fluid processing and analytical-to-preparative chromatographic separations. Built upon the thermodynamic properties of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂), the system leverages its tunable solvent strength—modulated via pressure and temperature—to achieve selective extraction and efficient chiral or non-chiral compound separation. Unlike conventional liquid chromatography, SFC offers faster mass transfer, lower viscosity, higher diffusivity, and near-zero organic solvent consumption. The LC2000 is designed for full compliance with modern green chemistry principles: it eliminates hazardous solvent waste, reduces energy demand relative to rotary evaporation, and enables direct coupling to downstream analytical instrumentation without solvent exchange.
Key Features
- Integrated electronically cooled CO₂ delivery pump with real-time temperature regulation (≤ –4 °C at pump head), minimizing CO₂ gas-phase nucleation and ensuring stable, pulse-free flow across the full range of 0.001–10 mL/min.
- SSQD (Stable Solvent Quantity Delivery) technology guarantees exceptional flow reproducibility (< 0.1% RSD) under variable backpressure conditions, critical for method transfer and regulatory compliance.
- Patented low-dead-volume (< 10 µL) fluidic architecture—including capillary routing, zero-dead-volume fittings, and a compact back-pressure regulator—preserves chromatographic integrity and minimizes band broadening.
- Dual-mode operation: user-selectable constant-flow or constant-pressure control, supporting both dynamic extraction kinetics and isocratic/elution-gradient SFC methods.
- Modular detector interface accommodating UV-Vis (190–800 nm), polarimetric (for enantiomeric excess determination), mass spectrometric (LC-MS compatible), and refractive index detection—enabling structural confirmation and quantitative analysis in a single run.
- Preparative-capable configuration with 30-mm I.D. columns and an 8-position automated fraction collector, supporting isolation of 100 mg to 5 g quantities per run while maintaining resolution and recovery yield.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The LC2000 accommodates thermally labile, non-volatile, and chiral compounds—including pharmaceutical actives, natural product isolates, lipids, polymers, and nutraceuticals—without derivatization or thermal degradation. Its operating envelope (up to 200 °C and 30 MPa) permits expansion into subcritical and near-critical fluid regimes for broader solvation tuning. The system meets fundamental requirements for GLP-compliant laboratories: audit-trail-enabled software logging, electronic signatures (21 CFR Part 11 ready), and traceable calibration records. It supports method validation per ICH Q2(R2), ASTM D7808 (for SFC method development), and ISO 17025 documentation frameworks. All wetted parts are electropolished stainless steel or Hastelloy C-276, ensuring chemical inertness toward CO₂, methanol, ethanol, and other common modifiers.
Software & Data Management
Control and data acquisition are managed via JASCO’s ChromNAV SFC Edition—a validated, Windows-based platform compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11. The software provides intuitive sequence programming, real-time pressure/temperature/flow monitoring, automated gradient optimization, and synchronized fraction triggering. Raw chromatograms and spectral overlays are stored in open-format .cdf files, enabling third-party processing (e.g., Chromeleon, OpenChrom). Batch reporting includes peak purity assessment, enantiomeric ratio calculation, and mass balance tracking across fractions—essential for process development and tech transfer. All system events (startup, shutdown, parameter changes, alarms) are time-stamped and logged with operator ID, satisfying internal QA and external audit requirements.
Applications
- Chiral resolution of racemic APIs and intermediates using polysaccharide-based chiral columns (e.g., Chiralpak AD-H, AS-H).
- Extraction of bioactive constituents (e.g., curcuminoids, cannabinoids, carotenoids) from botanical matrices with minimal co-extraction of chlorophyll or waxes.
- Purification of synthetic oligonucleotides and peptide conjugates where residual acetonitrile or TFA must be avoided.
- Green replacement for flash chromatography in medicinal chemistry support, reducing solvent use by >90% and accelerating cycle times by 3–5×.
- Method scouting and scale-up studies—from analytical screening (2.1-mm I.D. columns) to preparative isolation (30-mm I.D.)—within identical fluidic and thermal constraints.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable CO₂ flow rate for extraction mode?
The system supports total CO₂ delivery up to 120 mL/min when configured with the high-capacity extraction pump module—distinct from the analytical SFC pump (0.001–10 mL/min)—and optimized for 4-L vessel operation.
Can the LC2000 perform simultaneous extraction and chromatography?
Yes. Using sequential valve switching and dual-pump synchronization, the system executes online SFE-SFC coupling: extracted analytes are transferred directly from the extraction cell to the chromatographic column without intermediate collection or solvent exchange.
Is the system compatible with non-CO₂ supercritical fluids?
While optimized for CO₂ due to its favorable critical point (31.1 °C, 7.38 MPa), the LC2000’s pressure-rated components and modifier delivery system permit safe operation with N₂O or ethane under engineering review and adherence to local safety protocols.
How is method transfer ensured between different LC2000 units?
Through hardware standardization (same pump design, BPR geometry, and thermal mass), SSQD flow control, and ChromNAV’s method export/import functionality—including all instrument parameters, timing tables, and detector settings—ensuring retention time reproducibility within ±0.3% RSD across installations.
Does the system include validation documentation?
JASCO provides IQ/OQ documentation templates aligned with ASTM E2500 and ISO/IEC 17025. Full PQ execution requires site-specific testing; optional on-site validation support is available through certified field application engineers.
