LCGC0717 - LCGC Millipore - 3
LCGC0717 - LCGC Millipore - 3
LCGC0717 - LCGC Millipore - 3
Water Purification
in the
Chromatography Lab
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TOC
Table of contents
Water Purification in the
Chromatography Lab
Ionic Contamination
Why and How to Avoid Ionic Contamina-
tion in Water Used for LC–MS Analyses
Anastasia Khvataeva-Domanov and Stephane
Mabic
4
Hormone Analysis
Hormone Analysis by LC–
MS and Water Impact
A Q&A with Joseph Plurad
12
(b) 96:4 1 ppm Na+ in ultrapure water/ (b) 50:50 1 ppb Na+ in ultrapure water–acetonitrile
acetonitrile
(c) 50:50 100 ppb Na+ in ultrapure water–acetonitrile
MS), where it is used extensively in the data analysis more challenging and
workflow. Contaminants in the water can complicated. Metal ions may come from
affect the quality of data and instrument several possible sources (3) such as
performance; therefore, it is recommended solvent reservoirs, gloves, the analyst,
and prudent to use only the highest purity and the solvents used in preparing the
solvents. Organic contamination of the mobile phase. Therefore, using ultrapure
water used in high performance liquid water free of metal ions will contribute to
chromatography (HPLC) is an important the success of any LC–MS analysis.
issue and has been addressed accordingly
(1), but the ionic purity of the water should Experimental
also be considered, especially when MS Experiments to Evaluate the Effect of
is used as a detection technique (2). Ionic Ionic Contamination in Water on MS
contaminants lead to adduct formation Data
and reduced analytical signals because of Two compounds, bradykinin fragment
ion suppression. 1-7 and Glu1-fibrinopeptide B, were
Electrospray ionization (ESI) remains used to investigate the effect of ionic
the most popular MS technique. In contamination on LC–MS analyses.
positive-ion analyses, it is ideal to have Different samples of peptides were
only protonated peaks of the parent ion prepared and infused directly to a mass
or its fragments in the mass spectrum. spectrometer. The experimental details
The presence of metal adduct peaks, for peptide analyses are described in
such as sodium adducts (M+Na), makes Table I.
Intensity (cps)
2.5 105
[M+H]+ 2 105
2 105
1.5 105
1.5 105 [M-115+Na]+
[M-202]+
1 105 m/z 703 ???
1 10 5
[M-202]+
0.5 104 [M+Na]+
0.5 104
0 0
500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900
m/z (amu) m/z (amu)
Figure 1: Mass spectra of bradykinin (fragments 1-7). Direct infusion, ESI+, using (a) 96% fresh ultrapure water, 4%
acetonitrile and (b) 96% 1 ppm Na+, 4% acetonitrile.
796.826 807.815
771.571 787.835 799.605
827.631 818.805 859.603
0
760 765 770 775 780 785 790 795 795 800 805 810 815 820 825 830 835 840 845 850 855 860
m/z
(b) 0 ppb of sodium in the water–acetonitrile mixture TOF MS ES+
100 785.820 2.20e5
786.315
786.822
%
787.339 787.835
0
785 786 787 788 789 790
m/z
1 ppb of sodium in the water–acetonitrile mixture TOF MS ES+
100 785.820 2.20e5
786.326
%
786.832
787.349 787.845
0
785 786 787 m/z 788 789 790
100 ppb of sodium in the water–acetonitrile mixture TOF MS ES+
100 785.830 2.20e5
786.326
%
786.832
787.339 787.835
0
785 786 787 m/z 788 789 790
1000 ppb of sodium in the water–acetonitrile mixture TOF MS ES+
100
785.830 786.326 2.20e5
%
786.832
787.339 787.835
0
785 786 787 788 789 790
m/z
(c) 0 ppb of sodium in the water–acetonitrile mixture TOF MS ES+
100 4.21e4
%
797.325 799.605
797.835 798.335 800.616
0
796 797 798 799 800 801
m/z
100 ppb of sodium in the water–acetonitrile mixture TOF MS ES+
100 796.826 4.21e4
797.325
%
Figure 2: (a) Mass spectra of protonated molecular ion [M+2H] of Glu1-fibrinopeptide B sample, (b) and (c) extracted ion
chromatograms of [M+Na+H] ion as examples of the effect of ionic concentration on MS detection.
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
Figure 3: Signal intensities of 500 pmol Glu1-fibrinopeptide B in 50:50 (v/v) acetonitrile–water. The mixture was spiked with
different amounts of sodium ions and injected directly into the mass spectrometer.
out contaminants from the container Table II: Freshly produced ultrapure water sources
even though the water may have been Experiment Water purification system used
of very high purity immediately after Bradykinin direct infu- Elix + Milli-Q Advantage A10 (Q-
sion and ICP-MS Gard and Quantum TEX cartridge,
production. For example, standard glass Millipak final filter)
bottles leach out alkali, contaminating Glu1-fibrinopeptide B Milli-Q Integral (Quantum TEX
direct infusion cartridge)
ultrapure water and leading to a higher
count of adducts. Since the quality of characterize the ionic purity of water.
bottles can vary strongly from one to Thus, at 25 °C, conductivity of 0.055 µS/
another, the nature of ions selected cm, or resistivity of 18.2 MΩ·cm, implies
to report in the certificate of analysis that the water is ultrapure, whereas at 1
depends on the quality of the bottle ppb of Na+ in ultrapure water, resistivity
used to store the water. Table III decreases to 17.6 MΩ·cm, and at 5 ppm,
compares the specifications for some dramatically drops down to 0.093 MΩ·cm;
metal ions in ultrahigh-pressure liquid these values can be calculated based on
chromatography (UHPLC)–MS-grade, the concentration of sodium, its charge, and
LC–MS-grade bottled waters from three mobility (7). Therefore, when fresh ultrapure
vendors, and in fresh ultrapure water. water of 18.2 MΩ·cm resistivity measured
Because ionic impurities present in via an in-line monitor was used to dissolve
water increase its conductivity, the a peptide sample (bradykinin fragment 1-7),
conductivity parameter, or alternatively and infused directly to a mass spectrometer,
its inverse, resistivity, can be used to the resulting spectrum was clean (Figure 1a).
Table III: Specifications for some metal ions in UHPLC–MS-grade or LC–MS-grade water and fresh ultrapure water produced by a
laboratory water purification system specifically for LC–MS practice*
Maximum Concentration (ppb)
UHPLC–MS Grade LC–MS Grade Water LC–MS Grade Water Fresh Ultrapure Water for
Metal Ion
Water Brand X Brand Y Brand Z LC–MS Analyses
Aluminum 20 500 10 1
Calcium 50 100 100 1
Iron 30 100 5 1
Potassium 50 100 10 1
Magnesium 20 100 20 1
Sodium 50 100 200 1
*Specifications of different sources of laboratory water dedicated for MS analyses were collected from official websites of manu-
facturers but their names are not provided to avoid direct comparison.
The parent and fragment peaks represented Specifically, the presence of 1 ppb of
only protonated species. However, when the Na+ decreased the [M+2H] signal intensity
water used was contaminated with sodium by 5%. But the decrease in signal was
ions, the spectrum was more complex 20% with 100 ppb Na+, and 30% when it
with the presence of sodium adduct peaks was 1000 ppb. Altogether the presence
(Figure 1b). of sodium results in more complex
The presence of metal ions can suppress spectra, leading to difficulties in data
the signal of the protonated ion peak of characterization, analyte quantification,
interest. The effect of the sodium ion on the and subsequently more time spent on
signal intensity of Glu1-fibrinopeptide B was data analysis. Therefore, using water in LC–
analyzed by varying the ion concentration in MS analyses that is free of ions is of high
the water–acetonitrile mixture that was used importance. In addition, there are a few
to dissolve the peptide. It was observed key considerations to keep in mind when
that signal intensity of the [M+2H] molecular choosing the source of ultrapure water,
ion decreased with the increase of sodium and also when handling it to minimize
ion concentration in the water. In parallel, contamination.
it was observed that signal intensities of
the sodium adducts increased with the Five Tips to Avoid Ionic
increase in Na+ concentration (Figures 2a, Contamination in LC–MS Practice
2b, and 2c). 1. Choose the Best
Further signal intensities of Glu1- Source of Ultrapure Water
fibrinopeptide B such as the [M+2H], Common choices are freshly produced
[M+Na+H], [M+2Na], and [M+3Na-H] ions ultrapure water from a laboratory water
were recorded for each analyzed sample purification system, and bottled water,
and presented as a function of Na+ such as UHPLC–MS grade or LC–MS
concentration in water (Figure 3). grade. Fresh ultrapure water produced
Table IV: Concentration of sodium ions in fresh ultrapure water It is also recommendable to have
and in the same ultrapure water that was stored in a glass bot-
tle for one day
dedicated glassware for LC–MS practice,
Sample Na+ (ppb) and glassware should be cleaned
Freshly produced ultrapure water 0.020 thoroughly before use.
Ultrapure water in a glass bottle after one day 0.212
Table V: Water purification technologies used in the production of ultrapure water from tap water
Pretreatment (filter, activated carbon) • Filtration
• Removal of oxidizing agents
Reverse osmosis • Removal of the bulk of contaminants (95–99%): organics, ions, microorganisms, particulates
Electrodeionization • Further removal of ions, and charged organic species
UV (254 nm) • Prevents bacterial contamination
Virgin ion-exchange resins • Removal of trace amounts of ions
Synthetic activated carbon • Removal of trace levels of organics
UV (185, 254 nm) • Photo-oxidation to further remove organics
Point-of-use end filters • Prevents particle and bacterial contamination
• Allows removal of trace levels of organics
important to avoid interference with the today? And how did you pick the water
analytes you’re measuring or identifying samples you chose to analyze?
as well as for optimizing instrument PLURAD: In the last 20 years, a lot of
operation. attention has been given to “persistent
organic pollutants” in drinking water
LCGC: Which specific contaminants sources. Much of the original focus
can affect the LC–MS process? in this area was on organic molecules
PLURAD: The most obvious are organics, and species that came from so-called
and in LC–MS, that’s typically what you’re chemical sources such as pesticides and
looking for. Reduction to trace levels is solvents.
key, particularly if the organics are similar With advances in health care, however,
to what you’re analyzing. pharmaceutical sources of these
Water that’s heavy with organics can persistent organic pollutants have
also cause issues with column efficiency become more significant. As many of our
by coating the separation media, resulting listeners may remember, we were once
in poor peak resolution and shifting told to dispose of our expired or unused
peaks. Ions can be a problem. Certain pharmaceuticals by flushing them down
metals can create adducts resulting in the toilet, which in retrospect was not
noisy mass spectra. the best idea because this water, now
Particle-free water is important to carrying these drugs, eventually finds
ensure proper flow through the system. its way back into the municipal drinking
With shrinking columns and tubing, as water supply.
well as improvements and changes to With the escalation of use of hormone-
separation media and higher pressures, based therapies such as topical steroids,
the impact of particles clogging an LC– birth control, and hormone-replacement
MS becomes even more magnified. therapies, there may be long-term effects
Bacterial contamination is a two-headed if these therapeutics exist in our drinking
monster. Bacteria behave as particles, so water, such as effects on human fertility
you run the risk of blocking and clogging and actual embryo development, as well
tubing or columns. But as bacteria die off, as endocrine and other general health
they leech out and reintroduce various issues.
organic and ionic contaminants into the Consequently, there’s extremely high
previously clean water. interest in identifying what’s in the water
and at what levels to determine imminent
LCGC: Regarding the work or long-term health risks. Because our
MilliporeSigma recently completed, lab water systems rely on potable tap
why is there so much interest in water as a feed source and are used
analyzing for hormones in water throughout the world, we felt it was
Joe Plurad: In the chromatography achieve the water quality that you need
world, there are generally three classes for your application. From tap water we
of contaminants. The first is particles, or would recommend a pre-treatment to
bacteria as particles in this case. These remove the larger particles.
particles can clog frits, fittings, pre- Once you’ve gone through that
columns, and the columns themselves. prefiltration, we recommend reverse
This will result in column damage; osmosis, which is really the workhorse
damage will occur if you try to over- in water purification. This removes 95%
pressurize the system. of all the contaminants in the incoming
Another contaminant is organics. Trace tap water and across all classes, whether
organics in ultrapure water can foul inorganic, organic, or particulate.
the media of the columns. It will coat The next step is EDI, or
the columns, reducing efficiency. If you electrodeionization, which is similar to
reduce the efficiencies of the columns, our Elix technology. EDI technology uses
they won’t be as good at separating your membranes and ion exchange media and
targets. This results in shifting baselines, electrical current to remove additional
or even tailing and masked peaks. ions from the water purification stream. It
The last contaminant is ions. Within the builds on the work that reverse osmosis
world of ion chromatography, you don’t did and pulls out additional ions. This is
want your target ions in the water that going to provide additional benefit for
you’re using. However, in LC and LCMS, sodium as well as difficult-to-remove ions
alkali metals, and specifically sodium, can like silica.
form adducts that will suppress signals The next step is to pass the water
in the mass spec. Sodium is a particular through ion exchange media again to
concern in water purification and any continue to remove more ions from that
purification has to work extra hard to purified water, and hit the water with UV
reduce sodium levels prior to dispensing photo oxidation to remove organics. This
ultrapure water. will impart a charge to them that can be
removed by downstream ion exchange
LCGC: What technologies in water media. The UV photo oxidation will also
purification can address these deactivate bacteria, and remove them
contaminants? from the equation in the ultrapure water.
Joe Plurad: At EMD Millipore, we want After UV photo oxidation, we will
to educate people that the best way chase it with additional ion exchange
to manage water is to own 100% of media to do its final polishing to get
the process at the point of use. Take to that ultrapure water quality. And
tap water, and bundle or sequence the finally, at the point of use, where you’re
best series of purification techniques to dispensing the water, we recommend a
final stage purification that is specific to you actually collect it for use. Depending
your analytes and your application. At on how often the system is used, we
EMD Millipore, we have specific activated recommend flushing a few liters from
carbon cartridges that are designed to the system if it hasn’t been used in a few
remove volatile organic carbons as well as days. If you are using a water purification
a separate activated carbon filter that is system daily, or several times a day, as
designed for endocrine disruptors. little as 250–500 mL of water can be
Other options include a C-18 reverse- flushed from the system to ensure the
phase silica cartridge, a .2 micron filter freshest, most recently purified water.
at the dispensing point an ultrafilter at The goal is to be prudent about what
the point of use. However, the downside you’re picking in terms of purifying water
to ultrafiltration, is that it generally does and immediately be using it as it’s being
leach out trace organics, which are the made. In doing so, you will most likely get
nature of the membrane. the best results in your chromatography.
The best combination of techniques
specific to what you’re looking for and the EMD Millipore is the U.S. Life Science
specific chromatography technique that subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
you’re using will determine which are the Germany. Headquartered in Billerica,
best techniques for a specific application. Massachusetts, the global business has
around 10,000 employees, operations in
LCGC: What else can be done to 66 countries, and 2014 revenues of $2.92
optimize results? billion.
Joe Plurad: Step one is again to use the
best technologies to purify specifically for
the analyte in your application. One thing
that we can do is as simple as producing
the right amount of water at the time
you’re about to use it.
Another practical technique includes
trying to avoid plastic containers for Joseph Plurad,
North America Field
sample preparation. Plastics typically Marketing Manager,
MilliporeSigma
use organics as release agents in their
molding process and these release
agents stick to the sides of the containers.
So very fresh glassware, very clean
glassware, is preferred.
Finally, as a point of practice, flush a
little bit of water from your system before
Tips and Tricks for Handling High Purity Water in the LC-MS Laboratory
Anastasia Khvataeva-Domanov#, Stephan Altmaier§, Martin Lange§, and Stéphane Mabic#
# Merck Millipore, Lab Water, Lab Solutions, 1 rue Jacques Monod, Guyancourt, France, 78280; § Merck Millipore, Advanced Analytics, Lab Solutions, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt, Germany, 64293
Introduction
Ultrapure water is highly prone to contamination, e.g. it easily leaches contaminants out of container surfaces and absorbs contamination from the laboratory environment. As ultrapure water is the most frequently used solvent in any LC-MS laboratory, its purity plays a critical role in analyses. There are a number of high purity water handling pitfalls
that result in degradation of its quality. To help analysts critically evaluate the potential risks involved in poor ultrapure water handling, we discuss here (I) the effect of laboratory environment and long high purity water storage, (II) the effect of the container material used to collect ultrapure water, (III) the effect of laboratory ware and equipment
cleaning, and (IV) the effect of poor practices of water purification system usage.
(I) Laboratory Environment and Water Storage (II) Container Material Avoid Plastic Containers (IV) Water Purification System Usage
Avoid long water storage and water exposure to Utilization of plastic devices such as bottles or funnels during Flush before Water Collection
laboratory atmosphere handling and storing of water leads to leaching of ubiquitous
additives (anti-static agents, stabilizers and plasticizers) and Water stagnating in the water purification system may degrade with time. Also contaminants
causes ghost peaks and increased background noise (Figure 3). present in the lab environment can become absorbed by the final polisher membrane and
Different types of contamination are present in laboratory environment (organics, alkali
It is recommended to collect ultrapure water in either surface contaminate water during its collection. Thus, it is recommended to properly flush a system
metals, bacteria, particles), thus water exposure to the lab atmosphere and usage of various
treated brown glass bottles or in borosilicate glass. In standard prior to water collection, e.g. with several liters after the weekend or ~ 250-500 mL when
decanting steps results in water quality degradation. The practice of long-time storage of
glass bottles silica and alkali dissolve and form adducts (see system is used every day.
ultrapure water increases the risk of water contact with the lab environment. This results
in contamination leading to high MS background noise (Figure 1), adduct formation and sodium effect in Figure 2).
signal suppression (Figure 2).
Figure 3. Effect of using polypropylene bottles for ultrapure water storage.
The analyses were performed via direct injection of the solvents into the
Bruker Esquire 3000+ ion trap MS operated in ESI+ mode.
Technical Effects
• Ghost peaks and signal suppression in LC-MS Figure 5A. Effect of ultrapure water collection without water purification system flushing when a system
• Decrease in sensitivity and increase of LOD was not used for several days (e.g. after the weekend).
• Increased background noise
• Complexity of MS spectra MS profile of Milli-Q® water collected from an unflushed water purification system directly after the weekend.
Implications of contaminated
Technical Effects high purity water Technical Effects
• Complexity of MS spectra • Complexity of MS spectra
• Decrease in sensitivity • Difficulties in MS data interpretation, e.g. quantification • Decrease in sensitivity
• Noisy MS background • Decrease of chromatography column lifetime • Noisy MS background
• Signal suppression • Increased maintenance of LC-MS instrument • Signal suppression
• Adduct formation • Waste of sample, reagents and solvents • Increase of LOD
Figure 1. Effect of using ultrapure water stored and exposed to the lab atmosphere and its comparison to
• Increase of LOD • Risk of repeated experiments
freshly produced ultrapure water. Figure 5B. Effect of flushing the water purification system prior to ultrapure water collection.
MS profile (top) of LC-MS grade water from competitor stored for four weeks and opened to atmosphere MS profile of freshly produced Milli-Q® water collected from properly flushed water purification system.
several times before analysis and MS profile (bottom) of freshly produced Milli-Q® water analyzed on the
day of water collection.
Analyses: Bruker Esquire 3000+ ion trap MS system, ESI+, 0.2 mL/min via syringe pump at 25°C. Technical Effects
• Decrease in sensitivity and increase of LOD
• Increased background noise
• Complexity of MS spectra
• Ghost peaks in LC-MS
• Adduct formation
Figure 4. Effect of dishwashers on glassware cleanness. Figure 5C. Effect of water purification system handling in the laboratory.
Comparison of MS spectra and TICs of Milli- Q® water Comparison of TICs of Milli-Q® water samples collected at different points in time. *Analyses presented in
Figure 2. Effect of Na+ presence on increased adduct formation and signal suppression.
stored in borosilicate bottles cleaned: 1- in dishwasher Figures 5A, 5B, 5C were performed using Bruker Esquire 3000+ ion trap MS system, ESI+, 0.2 mL/min via
1, 2- in dishwasher 2, 3- with a mixture of LC-MS grade syringe pump at 25°C.
A solution of 500 pmol Glu-Fibrinopeptide in 50/50 ACN/water (v/v) was spiked with different amounts
water and ACN. The mixture was analyzed via direct
of sodium (as NaCl) and the mixture was analyzed via direct injection (10 μL/min) into the Synapt® HDMS
injection into the MS, ESI+ mode.
system operated in ESI+ mode.
Conclusion Reference: LW_P 91 EMD Millipore is a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. EMD
Properly installed and well-maintained Milli-Q® water purification systems meet stringent LC-MS requirements for solvent purity. The best results are obtained when using freshly collected ultrapure water without long storage Millipore, the M mark and Milli-Q are registered trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. All
or exposure to the lab environment. Alternatively, ultrapure water should be collected in clean borosilicate glass not processed in a dishwasher. other trademarks are the property of their owners.
www.emdmillipore.com/labwater © 2014 EMD Millipore Corporation, Billerica, MA, USA. All rights reserved.
purification power or benefit at all, which centimeter resistivity with TOCs less than
can happen relatively quickly. UV lamps five parts per billion are fine for most
should also be replaced when they’re chromatographic techniques.
unable to oxidize organics or kill bacteria,
and depending on the manufacturer, LCGC: What are some best practices
replacement could be required every two for handling the purified water once it’s
years. Finally, make sure you’re regularly been dispensed from the system?
monitoring and reading the water quality Joseph Plurad: One thing to remember
prior to collecting the water for use; both is that water is a universal solvent so it
resistivity, which gives you an idea of the will absorb contaminants from the air
ionic removal, and Total Organic Carbon as well as the container you put it in. To
(TOC), which measures trace organics in minimize impact on experiments, a few
water, can put the system and subsequent things need to be considered. First, only
experiments at risk. Generally, freshly dispense what is needed for a particular
produced water that is 18.2 Mega-ohm/ experiment or “run” to minimize the total
Reservoir Calcium 9,0 2,0 1,0 5,0 1,0 1,0 can be obtained by locating the filter outlet in a delivered (L) (CFU/ml) (CFU/ml) (CFU/ml) (CFU/ml)
0,22 µm filter sterile area such as a laminar flow hood. 0,0 73 5 35 86
Magnesium 1,7 0,3 < 0,1 0,4 0,3 0,3
0,5 22 1 2 25
Monitoring the water quality Potassium 2,0 <1 <1 3,0 <1 <1
Rinsing the cartridges High purity water 1,0 0 0 2 3
Flushing the system Sodium 8,0 <1 <1 4,0 <1 <1 3,0 0 0 0 0
Careful storage of purified water HDPE 1 PP
Figure 4: Total organic carbon (TOC) extractables from Table 1: Ionic extractables from polyethylene and polypropylene.
Selection of sampling containers polyethylene and polypropylene. Flushing the water system
Rinsing the cartridges Monitoring the water quality Ultrapure water is an excellent solvent. It has a high affinity for chemicals in its surroundings and can absorb chemicals
Tap water RO cartridge 2
Water purification cartridges often are manufactured with preservatives
RO cartridge 1 RO cartridge 3 readily from storage containers, as well as chemical vapors from the laboratory air. Figure 9 shows that the polyethylene
Monitoring water quality ensures experiment repeatability and quality results. Commonly used monitoring tools are carboys and wash bottles commonly used to store water in laboratories can leach organic molecules into ultrapure
for long-term storage. In particular, this is the case for reverse-osmosis
conductivity and total organic carbon (TOC) meters. water. Glass containers leach less organics, however they may leach inorganic compounds. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
(RO) cartridges.
TOC (ppb)
• Conductivity measures the flow of electrons through a fluid, which is proportional to the concentration of and fluoropolymers (PFA) are also commonly used sample containers. Table 3 shows that many compounds may leach
Figure 1 shows the importance of rinsing a newly- installed RO cartridge. from these polymers into ultrapure water, as seen by ICP-MS. Figure 10 shows that chemicals present in laboratory
ions, their charge and mobility.
Initial organic contamination (TOC levels) is high (~500 ppb), then decreases air may also be absorbed by ultrapure water and affect LC-MS results.
• TOC measurement indicates the total amount of organic material present in water.
with time as rinsing occurs (~95 ppb after 300 min).
Polishing cartridges, containing ion-exchange resins and activated carbon, It is therefore important to use freshly produced ultrapure water and to select a sample container compatible with
Many organic molecules do not ionize readily and, as a result, do not influence the conductivity of water. Therefore, the analyses to be done
also must be rinsed initially. Figures 2 and 3 demonstrate the decrease in Time (min)
Figure 1: Initial rinsing of reverse-osmosis purified water may contain some organic compounds and have an excellent resistivity reading. Similarly, a low TOC
resistivity level and TOC level with rinsing time.
cartridges: evolution of TOC levels of permeate value only indicates that there are no organic molecules present in water without indicating the levels of metals or
with time. salts. Combining these two monitoring tools reflects the level of water purity more precisely.
Element (ppt) PFA bottle PVC bottle
B (11) 16,768 68,347
Large amounts of sucrose were added to pure water. Figure 7 shows that it was first retained by the activated carbon
Na (23) 0,782 110,460
of the polishing unit, then broke through the purification system. Resistivity levels remained unchanged, although Mg-2 (24) 0,295 0,800
Resistivity cell (MOhm.cm)
amount of exposure the water gets to or even dust and plastic fines that result
the air and to the container. Stored high from the manufacturing package or
purity water will degrade with simple storage processes. However, if using glass
absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere, containers, surface-treated amber glass
and if the container itself isn’t well bottles or borosilicate glass containers
managed, organics and particles can are recommended. Regular glass bottles
enter the bottle. Letting water stand for can leach silica and alkali metals which will
days in between runs should be avoided cause problems. So basically, anything
since it introduces the risk of bacteria and that can be done to minimize storage and
other contamination. Also, be mindful exposure to contamination risks should
of the container used. The last podcast become best practice.
discussed avoiding plastic containers.
Plastic containers, depending on the LCGC: Is there anything else you can
material of construction, could include do to minimize the recontamination of
anti-static agents, plasticizers, stabilizers ultra-pure water?
Joseph Plurad: Finding ways to reduce used. The CoA is no longer effective one
exposure is always the best practice. In the lid is removed, and the result is the
addition to picking the right size and same risk of contamination compared to
material of construction, you should water from any water purification system.
really try to use the smallest container
possible should be used to help minimize About EMD Millipore
exposure and contamination and to EMD Millipore is the Life Science division
keep everything clean. Another thing of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany
to consider is to minimize exposure and offers a broad range of innovative,
and contamination from the tubing performance products, services and
used to introduce ultra-pure water into business relationships that enable
the container, especially if transferring our customers’ success in research,
caps and moving from one container development and production of biotech
to the next. For example, bench top or and pharmaceutical drug therapies.
atmospheric contaminants can easily Through dedicated collaboration on new
be introduced if tubing or caps are scientific and engineering insights, and as
left on the countertop. If experimental one of the top three R&D investors in the
work is sensitive to CO2, bottled Life Science Tools industry, EMD Millipore
vent filters or organic traps should be serves as a strategic partner to customers
considered. Container cleaning should and helps advance the promise of life
also be avoided if possible, especially science. EMD Millipore is known as Merck
in automatic glassware washers. Most Millipore outside of the U.S. and Canada.
commercially available detergents utilize
strong bases that can etch the glass
and dissolve alkali and silica which will
be absorbed into the water. Traces of
surfactants and detergents, which are
organic, could also remain on the surface
of the glassware, only to be leached
off with the ultra-pure water dispensed
into the bottle. The same risks exist for Joseph Plurad
North America Field
bottled water. The certificate of analysis Marketing Manager
EMD Millipore
(CoA) lists the condition of the water
when it was bottled, not necessarily when
such as RNases and DNases. Bacteria contaminants that can alter biological
and byproducts need to be removed experiments such as cell cultures. Bacteria
from laboratory water sources because byproducts such as pyrogens and
they are sources of ions and organic nucleases can affect cell operation and
molecular biology mechanisms. Bacteria Other gases can dissolve in rain water
also effect chromatography in much the and contribute to its acidification,
same way as organic contaminants. including sulfide dioxide (SO2, from
Dissolved gases are also natural combustion plants, industrial processes,
water contaminants. The primary transportation, and natural origins),
gases dissolved in water are typically nitrates (originating primarily from road
the main constituents of the air that is transportation and combustion plants),
in equilibrium with the water source: and ammonia (NH3, typically originating
oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide from agriculture activities). Removing
(which is in equilibrium with carbonic dissolved gases from water may be
acid). The solubility of these gases is required for certain experiments to
a function of temperature. Another avoid the formation of bubbles. Bubble
common dissolved gas contaminant is formation can affect the measure of
radon, a water-soluble gas produced optical density or result in outgassing,
by the decay of radium isotopes. It which can cause pump and detector
is naturally found in ground water problems in chromatography.
and results from granite formations,
phosphate deposits, and uranium Water Monitoring Techniques
deposits. In addition to being a Conductivity is the most accepted means
contaminant, radon may also cause of determining the purity of the water.
human health problems, including cancer. By definition, conductivity is a material’s
UV Tank
Progard ®
Reverse EDI Lamp for
for RO Osmosis (Elix )
®
254 Type 2
protection cartridge Module nm Water
Active layer (1 m)
Porous
Support
Mechanical
Backing
SEM Picture of a RO
membrane cut through
to the size and electric charge of the 15 L/hour to the drain and recycles 27 L/
contaminants. The reverse osmosis hour upstream of the reverse osmosis
membrane therefore effectively rejects cartridge. As a result, the system only
ions, organics (even if they are not needs an additional 20 L/hour of tap
electrically charged), particulates, colloids water to provide the 47 L/hour required
and bacteria. to feed the reverse osmosis cartridge.
The rejection performance of the reverse At the outlet of the reverse osmosis
osmosis membranes depends on the cartridge, a conductivity meter measures
nature of their material; most are made the quality of the water produced and
of cellulose acetate or polyamide. the reverse osmosis cartridge rejection
Rejection performance also depends on efficiency.
the manufacturer’s process and quality. The permeate water then enters the
For instance, in the RiOs™ 5 water Elix® module, which removes most of
purification system, the reverse osmosis the remaining ions in order to produce
cartridge is fed by a flow rate of 47 L/hour Type 2 (pure) water with a resistivity
to produce 5 L/hour permeate water. greater than 5 MOhm/cm, and a TOC
Consequently, the cartridge rejects 42 L/ greater than 30 ppb. A resistivity
hour. However, of the 42 L/hour rejected meter at the outlet of the EDI module
by the cartridge, the system sends only measures the quality of the water
MILLIPORE
Ultra
Pure
Water
Pure
Water Recirculation
produced by the Elix®. Elix®’s capabilities The water then moves through a
are based on electrodeionization Quantum™ cartridge, which contains
technology developed and patented activated carbon and an ion-exchange
by EMD Millipore that uses permanent resin to remove the remaining traces of
regeneration by a weak electric current. inorganic and organic ions to produce
Elix® modules can last for several years Type 1 (ultrapure) water. The synthetic
and the water does not need to be activated carbon, produced from the
softened upstream. The resulting Type 2 pyrolysis of styrene beads, has a small
(pure) water is stored in a reservoir and (<150 Å) pore size, has a surface area of
can be either used directly or further 1100m2/g, and is relatively homogeneous.
processed to produce Type 1 (ultrapure) Consequently, adsorption kinetics are
water. rapid for low-molecular-weight organics,
The production of Type 1 (ultrapure) water and very few mineral ions are released.
from Type 2 (pure) water is achieved using Activated carbon cartridges are used
the system outlined in Figure 6. The Type in these polishing cartridges mainly to
2 (pure) water first flows through a 185 nm remove trace organics. Small organic
UV lamp module to oxidize organics into molecules diffuse inside the pores and
electrically charged organic ions and to link to binding sites by weak van der
destroy bacteria. Waals forces. The quality of the Type 1
the original capital expenditure—should and tackling some of the world’s most
be considered. Finally, impact on the pressing scientific challenges.
environment should be considered. As Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s
During routine operation, storage of Type Life Science business, EMD Millipore is
1 (ultrapure) water should be avoided, as proud to be part this legacy of discovery
it can be quickly and easily contaminated. and innovation. With the company’s
For best results, avoid storing water other businesses in the United States,
in carboys. Produce water on demand we’re celebrating our collective 125-year
to prevent container extractables U.S. history and the boundless curiosity
and bacteria buildup. Unnecessary behind our past—and future—success.
connections—such as tubing at the outlet We invite you to join us in this
after the consumable filter—should be celebration and learn how you can be
avoided. Manufacturer-recommended part of our journey of discovery. Because
maintenance schedules should be Smarter, Together describes how we
followed for consumable replacements to collaborate not only internally, but
reproducibly obtain high water quality. also with our customers, vendors and
Since purified water is the most common partners across the global life science
reagent found in most laboratory industry.
facilities, a properly configured and
maintained laboratory water system is
critical to the success of almost every
laboratory experiment. The appropriate
grade of water is essential for everything
from washing glassware to buffer
preparation and cell culture analyses to
complex analytical techniques such as
HPLC or LC-MS. Appropriate purified Jean-Francois Pilette