HPLCUHPLC

HPLCUHPLC is not a formal standalone technique in chromatography. It is a portmanteau sometimes used to describe platforms, methods, or discussions that span both High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC). The term may appear in vendor literature or academic writing to emphasize compatibility or transition between conventional HPLC and UHPLC modes rather than to denote a distinct method.

Background and distinctions. HPLC traditionally operates with particle sizes of around 3–5 micrometers and supports pressures in the range of several hundred bar. UHPLC uses smaller, sub-2-micron particles and can sustain much higher pressures, typically up to about 1,000–1,500 bar (roughly 15,000 psi or more). UHPLC generally provides faster separations and higher resolution on the same column chemistry, though method transfer between the two approaches requires consideration of backpressure, column stability, and detector compatibility.

Practice and applications. In practice, instruments marketed as “HPLC/UHPLC capable” are designed to run conventional HPLC methods (longer columns, larger particles) or fast UHPLC methods (sub-2-µm columns) on the same system. This flexibility is valuable in pharmaceutical analysis, environmental monitoring, food safety, and research where both validation and rapid screening are desirable. Method development often leverages UHPLC’s speed to refine separation, then verifies robustness on standard HPLC conditions.

Limitations and considerations. Users should consider column compatibility, backpressure limits, solvent delivery, detection options, and maintenance when using systems described as HPLCUHPLC capable. While the term signals versatility, it does not designate a unique analytical technique.