Varian ProStar Prep HPLC System
| Origin | Canada |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported Instrument |
| Model | ProStar Prep |
| Price Range | USD 13,500 – 40,500 (FOB) |
| Product Category | Chromatography |
| Operational Age | 5–7 years |
| Warranty | 6 months limited parts and labor |
Overview
The Varian ProStar Prep HPLC System is a high-performance preparative liquid chromatography platform originally engineered by Varian, Inc. (now part of Agilent Technologies), designed for scalable purification of organic compounds, natural products, pharmaceutical intermediates, and synthetic peptides. Built on the robust ProStar architecture, this system employs low-dispersion dual-piston reciprocating pumps, precision flow control via active solvent compressibility compensation, and UV-Vis detection with real-time spectral acquisition. It operates on classical reversed-phase, normal-phase, and ion-exchange chromatographic principles—enabling gradient elution, fraction collection synchronization, and method transfer from analytical to preparative scale. This refurbished unit has undergone full functional validation—including pressure stability testing (up to 400 bar), flow accuracy verification (±0.5% RSD at 1–50 mL/min), and baseline noise assessment (< ±0.5 mAU at 254 nm)—in accordance with ASTM E2659-20 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 calibration traceability protocols.
Key Features
- Two Varian ProStar 210 High-Pressure Solvent Delivery Modules: Dual independent pump heads with integrated pulse dampeners, programmable flow rates (0.001–50.000 mL/min), and gradient mixing capability (binary or ternary via external manifold)
- Varian ProStar 2550 Variable Wavelength UV-Vis Detector: Wavelength range 190–700 nm, photodiode array option available, 10-mm pathlength flow cell, data acquisition at up to 20 Hz
- Varian ProStar 420 Autosampler: 120-position vial capacity (standard 4 mL glass vials), injection volume range 0.1–5000 µL with <1% RSD precision, temperature-controlled sample compartment (4–40 °C)
- Integrated system controller with ProStar Workstation software (v6.x), supporting method storage, sequence definition, and real-time chromatogram display
- Refurbishment includes replacement of all high-wear components: pump seals, check valves, injector rotor seals, detector lamp, and fluidic tubing; verified leak-free operation at maximum rated pressure
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ProStar Prep HPLC accommodates a broad range of sample matrices—including crude reaction mixtures, fermentation broths, plant extracts, and formulated drug substances—when paired with compatible columns (e.g., 10–50 mm ID, 5–25 µm particle size). Column oven integration supports temperature-controlled separations (ambient to 80 °C). All refurbished units comply with ICH Q5A(R2) guidance for impurity profiling and meet essential requirements for GLP-compliant laboratories under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when configured with audit-trail-enabled software and electronic signature modules. System documentation includes full refurbishment report, performance qualification (PQ) summary, and certificate of conformance per ISO 9001:2015.
Software & Data Management
Controlled via Varian ProStar Workstation software (Windows XP/7 compatible), the system supports method development, sequence execution, peak integration, and fraction triggering. Raw data files (.raw) are stored in vendor-native format with embedded metadata (instrument ID, operator, timestamp, method parameters). Export options include ASCII, CSV, and AIA (.cdf) formats for third-party analysis tools (e.g., Chromeleon, OpenChrom, MATLAB). For regulated environments, optional 21 CFR Part 11 compliance packages provide user access control, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails—fully validated per GAMP 5 guidelines.
Applications
- Purification of small-molecule APIs and chiral compounds prior to NMR or X-ray crystallography
- Isolation of bioactive fractions from botanical extracts for pharmacological screening
- Removal of catalyst residues and side-products in fine chemical synthesis
- Desalting and buffer exchange of oligonucleotides and synthetic peptides
- Method development support for QC release testing in pharmaceutical manufacturing (aligned with USP and EP 2.2.46)
FAQ
What documentation accompanies the refurbished system?
A complete package includes: Refurbishment Certificate, PQ Summary Report, Electrical Safety Test Record, UV-Vis Lamp Usage Log, and Software License Transfer Confirmation.
Can this system be upgraded with modern detectors or fraction collectors?
Yes—its analog/digital I/O ports and RS-232/IEEE-488 interfaces allow integration with contemporary fraction collectors (e.g., Gilson FC204), mass spectrometers (via analog signal output), and diode array detectors (with appropriate interface module).
Is remote diagnostics supported?
Basic remote access is possible via VNC or TeamViewer when installed on a secure lab network; however, no built-in telemetry or cloud connectivity is present in the original ProStar architecture.
What consumables are included in the standard refurbishment?
One set of pump seals, two injector rotor seals, one UV lamp, 2 meters of PEEK tubing (0.005″ ID), and a calibration test mixture (caffeine/acetaminophen/acetylsalicylic acid) are provided.
How does SpectraLab Scientific ensure long-term serviceability?
All units retain full mechanical and electrical compatibility with Agilent’s post-acquisition ProStar spare parts catalog; we maintain inventory of critical wear items and offer extended warranty and annual maintenance contracts.
