NexeraOrganic Acid Analysis System and its Application

Importance of the Topic

Organic acids are key metabolites and quality markers in food, environmental and biochemical analyses, yet their strong polarity and weak UV absorption present retention and detection challenges in conventional reversed-phase HPLC.

Objectives and Study Overview

This work presents the Nexera™ Organic Acid Analysis System, designed to optimize separation and detection of a broad range of organic acids. It demonstrates system performance for 28 standard compounds and real-world samples, and evaluates method repeatability, linearity, sensitivity and robustness under various conditions.

Methodology

The system uses ion-exclusion chromatography on a Shim-pack™ SCR-102H column followed by post-column mixing with a pH-buffered reagent to enhance conductivity detection sensitivity. Separation can be fine-tuned by adjusting column temperature (35–50 °C) or mobile phase concentration. A ready-to-use Mobile Phase Reagents Kit for Organic Acid Analysis simplifies reagent preparation and ensures stable baselines.

Instrumentation

• High-performance liquid chromatograph with dual pumps and mixer modules
• Shim-pack SCR-102H analytical and guard columns (300 × 8.0 mm, 7 μm and 50 × 6.0 mm)
• Conductivity detector with post-column pH buffering kit
• Autosampler injecting 20 μL per run
• Mobile phase: 5 mmol/L p-toluenesulfonic acid; pH buffer: 5 mmol/L p-toluenesulfonic acid, 20 mmol/L Bis-Tris, 0.1 mmol/L EDTA

Main Results and Discussion

– Separation of 28 organic acids achieved within 45 min, with retention indexing stable across 35–50 °C.
– Repeatability: retention time RSD ≤ 0.06 % and peak area RSD ≤ 0.94 % (n=6).
– Linearity: calibration over 5–1000 mg/L yielded r2 ≥ 0.9999 for 10 representative acids.
– Sensitivity: limits of quantification ranged from 0.44 mg/L (formic acid) to 3.96 mg/L (valeric acid), based on S/N=10.
– Robustness confirmed with two mobile phase strengths and temperature variations, showing predictable shifts in retention times.

Benefits and Practical Applications

– High selectivity and sub-mg/L sensitivity for organic acids without derivatization.
– Pre-formulated reagent kits reduce preparation time and variability.
– Demonstrated in diverse matrices: fruit juices, coffee, beer, vinegar, blueberries, spinach, chili sauce, yogurt, plating baths and bath salts.
– Suitable for food quality control, environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical analysis and life science research.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in miniaturized ionic chromatography, automated sample preparation and integration with mass spectrometric detectors may further extend detection scope and throughput. Continuous development of reagent kits and column chemistries will support emerging needs in metabolomics, process monitoring and point-of-care testing.

Conclusion

The Nexera Organic Acid Analysis System offers a robust, high-throughput platform for comprehensive organic acid profiling. Its ease of use, reliable repeatability and broad applicability make it a valuable tool for research and quality assurance across multiple industries.

References

No external literature references were provided in the source document.