Unimicro Technologies Prep EasySep-1050 Semi-Preparative High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph

Overview

The Unimicro Technologies Prep EasySep-1050 is a semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system engineered for robust method development, analytical-scale purification, and routine quality control in regulated and research environments. Built on a modular architecture, it integrates a high-pressure binary gradient pump, a 120-position autosampler with precise micro-volume injection capability, a thermostatically controlled column compartment, and a dual-beam UV-Vis detector featuring a deuterium lamp source and direct digital signal output. The system operates on the principle of differential partitioning of analytes between a mobile phase (liquid solvent gradient) and a stationary phase (packed chromatographic column), enabling high-resolution separation of complex mixtures—including small molecules, natural products, pharmaceutical intermediates, and synthetic compounds—based on polarity, size, or charge characteristics. Its design emphasizes mechanical stability, thermal consistency, and signal integrity—critical for reproducible retention time alignment, peak area precision, and compliance-ready data generation.

Key Features

• High-precision binary gradient pump with floating plunger assembly ensuring coaxial alignment between plunger rod and seal—extending seal lifetime and minimizing maintenance intervals.
• Short-stroke cam-driven plunger mechanism reducing pulsation amplitude to ≤0.2 MPa, delivering stable flow profiles essential for baseline stability and quantitative accuracy.
• Microprocessor-controlled microstepping motor drive enabling smooth, low-noise operation and fine flow resolution down to 0.001 mL/min.
• UV-Vis detector with optimized optical path geometry and wavelength calibration traceable to NIST standards; achieves ±1 nm wavelength accuracy and <0.1 nm repeatability.
• Digital signal acquisition architecture eliminating analog-to-digital conversion losses—reducing baseline noise to ≤±1×10⁻⁵ AU and drift to ≤2×10⁻⁴ AU/h under standard conditions.
• Integrated column oven supporting temperature control from ambient to 60 °C (±0.5 °C), improving retention time reproducibility and method transferability.
• 120-position autosampler with programmable injection volumes from 0.1 to 250 µL, supporting both loop- and needle-in-loop injection modes for flexibility across analytical and semi-prep workflows.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Prep EasySep-1050 accommodates a broad range of sample matrices—including aqueous buffers, organic solvents (acetonitrile, methanol, THF), and mildly acidic or basic mobile phases—compatible with reversed-phase (C18, C8), normal-phase, ion-exchange, and size-exclusion columns (up to 250 mm length, 10–30 mm ID). It supports ASTM D7097 (hydrocarbon analysis), USP (chromatography), ISO 17025 (testing laboratory competence), and ICH Q2(R2) validation guidelines for method suitability. All hardware modules meet CE electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and safety directives. Data acquisition firmware supports audit trail functionality and user access control—laying foundational compliance for GLP and GMP environments where 21 CFR Part 11 adherence is required via optional software upgrades.

Software & Data Management

The system is operated via Unimicro’s proprietary ChromaControl Suite—a Windows-based platform offering real-time monitoring, gradient programming, peak integration, calibration curve generation, and report export in PDF, CSV, and XML formats. Raw data files are stored in vendor-neutral .cdf format (compatible with OpenChrom and ACD/Labs), facilitating long-term archival and third-party reprocessing. The software includes built-in system suitability testing (SST) templates aligned with pharmacopeial requirements, automated pressure and flow deviation alerts, and configurable electronic signatures for multi-user laboratories. Communication occurs over RS-232 serial interface with optional USB-to-serial bridge support—ensuring interoperability with legacy LIMS installations and modern networked lab infrastructures.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical QC/QA: Assay of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), related substances testing, dissolution profile analysis, and stability-indicating method validation.
• Natural product isolation: Fraction collection and purity assessment of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, and polyphenols from plant extracts.
• Chemical synthesis monitoring: Reaction progress tracking, intermediate purification, and chiral separation using polysaccharide-based columns.
• Food & beverage analysis: Detection of preservatives (e.g., benzoates, sorbates), artificial colors, mycotoxins, and pesticide residues.
• Environmental testing: Quantification of PAHs, PCBs, and phenolic pollutants in water and soil extracts.
• Academic research: Method development for novel stationary phases, coupling with mass spectrometry (via post-column splitting), and preparative fractionation prior to NMR characterization.

FAQ

What is the maximum column backpressure the Prep EasySep-1050 can sustain?
The system is rated for continuous operation up to 42 MPa (6090 psi), with programmable upper and lower pressure limits and automatic shutdown upon threshold violation.
Can the UV detector be used for gradient elution without baseline disturbance?
Yes—the detector employs real-time digital filtering and dual-beam compensation, maintaining baseline stability even during steep acetonitrile/water gradients.
Is the autosampler compatible with 2 mL vials and 96-well plates?
It accepts standard 12×32 mm screw-thread or crimp-top vials and supports customizable plate mapping for 96-well microtiter formats via optional tray adapters.
Does the system support external triggering for fraction collection?
Yes—TTL-compatible trigger output is provided for synchronization with fraction collectors, mass spectrometers, or other auxiliary devices.
What validation documentation is supplied with the instrument?
Each unit ships with Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) reports, IQ/OQ protocols, and a Certificate of Conformance referencing ISO/IEC 17025 calibration procedures for pump flow, detector wavelength, and temperature modules.