UPLC

1. (UPLC)
ULTRA PERFORMANCE LIQUID
CHROMATOGRAPHY
GANESH SAI MYNENI
M. PHARMACY
(Pharmaceutics)
121925101004

2. Introduction
UPLC is a modern technique which gives a
new direction for liquid chromatography. UPLC
refers to ultra performance liquid chromatography,
which enhance mainly in three areas: “speed,
resolution and sensitivity. Ultra performance liquid
chromatography (UPLC) applicable for particle
less than 2μm in diameter to acquire better
resolution, speed, and sensitivity compared with
high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

3. In twenty first centenary pharmaceutical industries
are focusing for new ways to in economy and shorten
time for development of drugs. UPLC analysis at the
mean time gives the better quality of their products and
analytical laboratories are not exception in this trend.
The separation and quantification in UPLC is done under
very high pressure (up to 100M Pa). As compare to
HPLC, under high pressure it is observed that not any
negative influence on analytical column and also other
components like time and solvent consumption is less in
UPLC.

4. Principle
High performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC) has proven to one of the most and
predominant technology used in analytical
laboratories for the analysis of drugs worldwide
during the past 30- plus years [1,2]. One of the
basic concerns for the growth of this technique is
the packing material which effects the
separations. In this separation mechanism the
principal apply is Van Deemeter equation, with
which any student of chromatography is
intimately familiar.
H=A+B/v +Cv

5. The above equation is an empirical formula
that describes the relationship between linear
velocity (flow rate) and plate height (HETP, or
column efficiency). And, since particle size is one
of the variables, a Van Deemeter curve can be
used to investigate chromatographic
performance. Where A, B and C are constants
and v is the linear velocity, the carrier gas flow
rate.
 A= Eddy mixing
 B =Axial diffusion
 C=Solute’s mass transfer

6. Comparison between HPLC &
UPLC

7. Instrumentation
 A. Sample Injection
 B. UPLC Columns
 C. Detectors

9. Sample Injection
In UPLC, sample introduction is critical.
Conventional injection valves, either automated
or manual, are not designed and hardened to
work at extreme pressure. To protect the column
from extreme pressure fluctuations, the injection
process must be relatively pulse free and the
swept volume of the device also needs to be
minimal to reduce potential band spreading. A
fast injection cycle time is needed to fully
capitalize on the speed afforded by UPLC, which
in turn requires a high sample capacity. Low
volume injections with minimal carryover are also
required to increase sensitivity. There are also
direct injection approaches for biological samples.

10. UPLC Columns
Resolution is increased in a 1.7μm particle
packed column because efficiency is better.
Separation of the components of a sample requires a
bonded phase that provides both retention and
selectivity. Four bonded phases are available for
UPLC separations:
 (i) ACQUITY UPLCTM BEH C8 (straight chain alkyl
columns),
 (ii) ACQUITY UPLCTM BEH C18 (straight chain alkyl
columns),
 (iii) ACQUITY UPLC BEH Shield RP18 (embedded
polar group column) and
 (iv) ACQUITY UPLC BEH Phenyl (phenyl group
tethered to the silyl functionality with a C6 alkyl),

11. Detectors
The detectors are use in UPLC analysis is
UV/Visible detector. Detection of analytes is
conventionally based on absorbance that is
concentration sensitivity detectors. In UPLC the flow
cell volume would have to be reduced to maintain
concentration and signal. Based on Beer’s Law,
smaller volume conventional flow cells would also
reduce the path length upon which the signal strength
depends. A reduction in cross-section means the light
path is reduced, and transmission drops with
increasing noise. Therefore, if a conventional HPLC
flow cell were used, UPLC sensitivity would be
compromised. The ACQUITY Tunable UV/Visible
detector cell consists of a light guided flow cell

12. Light is efficiently transferred down the flow
cell in an internal reflectance mode that still
maintains a 10mm flow cell path length with a
volume of only 500mL. Tubing and connections in
the system are efficiently routed to maintain low
dispersion and to take advantage of leak
detectors that interact with the software to alert
the user to potential problems.

13. Advantages of UPLC
 Require less run time and enhance sensitivity.
 Provides the selectivity, sensitivity, and dynamic range
of LC analysis.
 In chromatogram resolved peaks are obtained.
 Multi residue methods are applied.
 Speedy analysis, quantify accurately analytes and
related products.
 Uses of fine particle (2μm) for packing of stationary
phase make analysis fast.
 Time and cost both are reduced.
 Consumption of solvents is less.
 More products are analyzed with existing resources

14. Disadvantages of UPLC
In UPLC analysis the main disadvantage
occurs are life of columns, during analysis high
pressure developed because the particle size.
Increase pressure reduces the life of the
columns. Due to increased pressure requires
more maintenance and reduces the life of the
columns of these types. Using stationary phase of
particle size 2μm perform better analysis without
the adverse effects of high pressure.

15. Application of UPLC
 From injection of a poly-drug reference standard and
whole blood extract, separation and identification of
amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine,
pseudoephedrine, MDA, MDMA, MDEA and ketamine
in less than 3 min using the UPLC method.
 UPLC is used for studying hydrolysis kinetics of CL-
20 and related energetic compounds.
 Simultaneous Determination of Tetracycline’s and
Quinolones Antibiotics in Egg can be done by Ultra-
Performance Liquid Chromatography–Electro spray
Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
 Determination of Coumarone in Food can also be
done using Ultra-Performance Liquid
Chromatography-Electro spray-Tandem Mass
Spectrometry.