It is highly recommended to use a guard column in order to capture any remaining matrix compounds prior to the analytical column.
Most of the time, it is recommended to match the phase-type of the guard with the phase-type of the analytical column. However, with the new GARD column protection system from Pickering Laboratories the same cation exchange GARD can be used for nearly all cation-exchange applications.
The new GARD uses a proprietary material to prevent matrix compounds from passing through (and thereby protecting the analytical column), but allows the analytes of interest to pass unimpeded through the GARD and onto the analytical column.
The new GARD significantly prolongs column life without band spreading or added pressure. It has been demonstrated, by means of performance comparison for amino acid analysis, that the use of a GARD will effectively protect the analytical column and be more cost-effective for the laboratory. It is easy to exchange and universal to cation-exchange applications and most importly has zero band spreading.
GARD is already part of some Pickering application kits.
