YMC K-Prep LAB Preparative Liquid Chromatography System
| Brand | YMC |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Model | K-Prep LAB |
| Application Level | Laboratory-scale |
| Instrument Type | Medium-to-Low Pressure Preparative LC System |
| Flow Rate Range | 1–100 mL/min (LAB-100S/G) / 1–300 mL/min (LAB-300S/G) |
| Flow Accuracy | ±2% (≥10 mL/min for LAB-100 |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 15 MPa (LAB-100 series) / 10 MPa (LAB-300 series) |
| UV Detection Wavelength Range | 195–370 nm |
| Gradient Capability | Dual-pump high-precision gradient formation |
| Sample Loop Capacity | 50 mL or 100 mL (configurable) |
| Injection Volume | Up to 25 mL via syringe (expandable with pump-assisted loading) |
| System Control | PC-based PLC-integrated software with audit trail |
| Compliance | Designed for GLP/GMP environments per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO/IEC 17025-aligned validation protocols |
| Column ID Compatibility | 20–200 mm |
| Packing Particle Size Support | 5–10 µm |
| Dead Volume | Minimized via motor-driven ball valves and low-ID stainless steel/FEP fluidic pathways |
| Power Supply | AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 0.6 kW (single-pump) / 1.1 kW (dual-pump) |
Overview
The YMC K-Prep LAB Preparative Liquid Chromatography System is an engineered solution for laboratory-scale purification of high-value compounds requiring precise, reproducible, and scalable separation performance. Built upon YMC’s decades of expertise in stationary phase development and chromatographic system integration, the K-Prep LAB implements a robust medium-pressure preparative LC architecture grounded in dual-piston reciprocating pump technology, motor-driven low-dead-volume flow path switching, and fully integrated PC-based control via industrial-grade PLC logic. Unlike analytical or semi-preparative systems, the K-Prep LAB is specifically optimized for purifying thermally sensitive, low-yield, or structurally complex molecules—including peptides, recombinant proteins, natural product isolates, pharmaceutical intermediates, agrochemical precursors, and fermentation-derived metabolites—using conventional 5–10 µm silica- or polymer-based packings in columns ranging from 20 mm to 200 mm internal diameter. Its 15 MPa maximum pressure rating (LAB-100 series) enables efficient operation with sub-10 µm particles under controlled backpressure, while its modular fluidic design ensures minimal band broadening and carryover across multi-step fractionation workflows.
Key Features
- High-precision dual-piston solvent delivery with servo-motor actuation, delivering flow accuracy of ±2% at ≥10 mL/min (LAB-100) or ≥30 mL/min (LAB-300), and pulse-free output enabled by linear cam displacement mechanics.
- Modular valve architecture featuring motor-driven stainless steel ball valves with <10 µL internal dead volume, supporting rapid, contamination-resistant mobile phase switching and column routing without manual intervention.
- Configurable sample introduction: standard 50 mL or optional 100 mL loop capacity, compatible with 25 mL glass syringes (or larger via pump-assisted loading), enabling flexible injection volumes without hardware modification.
- Dual-channel (LAB-100S) or quad-channel (LAB-100G/LAB-300G) gradient mixing capability using synchronized dual-pump modules, permitting linear, step, or custom-programmed solvent gradients with <0.5% compositional deviation.
- UV detection over 195–370 nm with real-time spectral logging, baseline stabilization algorithms, and pressure-synchronized data acquisition at user-defined intervals (default: 0.1 s resolution).
- 20-position fraction collector with pneumatic actuation, drop-sensing logic, and infinite-drip collection mode—designed to minimize cross-contamination and maximize recovery yield during extended runs.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The K-Prep LAB accommodates diverse sample matrices including crude fermentation broths, synthetic reaction mixtures, cell lysates, and natural extract fractions. Its chemically resistant FEP inlet tubing (2–3.9 mm ID) and 316 stainless steel high-pressure manifolds (0.8–2.0 mm ID) ensure compatibility with aggressive solvents (e.g., TFA, DCM, THF) and pH extremes (1–12). Column temperature control is supported via external chiller integration (not included). For regulated environments, the system supports full GxP compliance: automated electronic records with immutable timestamps, role-based user authentication (login ID + password), configurable audit trails for all method changes and run events, and built-in validation support for IQ/OQ/PQ documentation per ASTM E2500 and EU Annex 11 guidelines. Software-generated run logs meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic signatures and record retention.
Software & Data Management
Control and monitoring are executed through a Windows 7–10 native application interfacing directly with embedded PLC firmware. The GUI employs tile-based navigation for intuitive access to pump parameters, detector settings, valve sequencing, fraction collection logic, and real-time chromatogram overlay. All operational data—including UV absorbance, system pressure, flow rate, valve status, and fraction triggers—are logged synchronously into timestamped binary files (.kplab) with SHA-256 checksums. Export options include CSV, ASCII, and CDF formats compatible with third-party analysis tools (e.g., Empower, Chromeleon, MATLAB). Raw data files are write-once/read-many (WORM) by default; modifications require administrative override with full traceability. Method templates can be version-controlled and deployed across multiple instruments via network share or USB import.
Applications
- Purification of synthetic and recombinant peptides (e.g., GLP-1 analogs, antimicrobial peptides) using C18 or ion-exchange media.
- Isolation of monoclonal antibody fragments (Fab, scFv) and bispecific constructs from mammalian cell culture supernatants.
- Separation of enantiomeric intermediates in chiral API synthesis under isocratic or gradient conditions.
- Recovery of bioactive alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids from plant extracts with minimal degradation.
- Clean-up and concentration of pesticide metabolites prior to GC-MS or LC-HRMS quantification.
- Scale-down modeling for process transfer from lab to pilot-scale continuous chromatography platforms.
FAQ
What column dimensions and packing materials is the K-Prep LAB validated for?
The system is validated for columns with internal diameters from 20 mm to 200 mm and supports common reversed-phase (C4, C8, C18), ion-exchange, size-exclusion, and chiral stationary phases with particle sizes of 5–10 µm.
Does the system support method transfer from analytical HPLC methods?
Yes—scaling rules based on constant linear velocity and constant sample load per unit column volume are embedded in the software; users may input analytical method parameters to auto-generate preparative equivalents.
Can the K-Prep LAB operate unattended overnight?
Absolutely—the system includes watchdog timers, automatic shutdown on pressure excursion or solvent depletion, and resume-from-interruption logic for scheduled multi-run sequences.
Is remote monitoring or cloud-based data backup supported?
Local network access is enabled via TCP/IP; cloud integration requires customer-supplied middleware compliant with IEC 62443-3-3 security standards—YMC provides OPC UA interface specifications upon request.
What validation documentation is provided with the instrument?
Factory-issued IQ/OQ protocols, calibration certificates for pumps and UV detector, and a complete software verification report aligned with GAMP5 Category 3 are supplied as part of the delivery package.
