Chromatography is an invaluable analytical technique used in many scientific disciplines, from chemistry and pharmaceuticals to environmental science and environmental analysis. When using chromatography as part of its process, high-quality vials and closures are crucial in maintaining sample integrity and avoiding contamination; but laboratories frequently ask if reused vials and closures compromise analytical results and data accuracy; in this article we will explore factors affecting this reusability as well as best practices for their proper handling.

Vials & Closures in Chromatography: Their Importance for Analysis

Chromatography vials and closures serve as primary containers for samples during analysis. As such, they must adhere to stringent specifications in order to protect sample safety, maintain purity, and block external influences from interfering with results. Vials come in different materials such as glass or inert plastic to accommodate various sample types and techniques of analysis while closures protect vials against evaporation, contamination or possible leakage of their content.

Many chemists and researchers ask if chromatography vials and closures can be re-used after an appropriate cleaning by laboratory dishwashers ( particularly for the washing of lab glassware).

To make this important question clear, two of experts in the United States and the UK conducted a research study and presented the results of Using Re-washed Vials and Closures in a technical note 20670.

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Comparing the use of washed chromatography vials and closures with new vials using gas chromatography and HPLC instruments,They describe problems with numerous images and tables,also did full mass range scans of the vials.Really interesting, The photos of re-used vials showing glue remnants from labels, screw thread damage, and clouding of the glass . But, the really fascinating were of the 100x magnifications showing the abraded surfaces of clear and amber glass vials before use and after cleaning of a used vial.

Some conclusions about chromatography vials and closures include the following findings:

· Additional components were found in the GC-MS blanks in all the test cases.

· Downtime for the GC instrument was increased due to an increased rate of injection liner replacement.

· Even small volume injections showed the introduction of additional peaks in the UV mode for the HPLC instrument testing.

· Contamination of the injection from the vials was measurably increased when re-using septa plus increased evaporative losses.

In a word,Experts recommendation: “Cost of Time spent in retests and chemical analysis failure that far greater than any perceived benefits of re-using chromatography vials and closures.”

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4 Factors Influencing Reusability of Vials & Closures

Multiple factors play an integral role in determining whether chromatography vials and closures can be safely reused:

1. Material Integrity

The choice of vial and closure materials plays a pivotal role in their reusability. Glass vials, known for their resilience and chemical resistance, tend to be better at being reused than plastic ones; inert closure materials like PTFE or silicone also offer improved performance across multiple uses.

2. Cleaning Efficiency
For successful vial and closure reuse, effective cleaning procedures are absolutely crucial. Thorough removal of previous sample residues and contaminants guarantees uncompromised analyses, while validated cleaning protocols must be employed for optimal results.

3. Sterilization Methods

Sterilization is vital to avoiding contamination of reused vials and closures, so autoclaving, chemical sterilization or other approved techniques must be used depending on material compatibility requirements and any special instructions from regulatory bodies.

4. Application Suitability

Ultimately, reused vials and closures depend heavily on their intended use. While certain analyses can withstand minimal contamination levels in repurposed containers for results accuracy, other applications involving sensitive assays or trace level studies require clean containers in order to deliver precise results.

Then for better and precise analysis,re-using chromatography vials or closures is not a good choice, Any need of chromatography vials,closures and other accessories just contact us.

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