CHRONECT Symbiosis | Plus
Flexible online SPE-UHPLC system for routine and research
The CHRONECT Symbiosis Plus version reduces sample preparation time and enables LC peak focusing with mixed-mode SPE cassettes.
This configuration contains two SPE clamps using 250 bar clamps and SPE cartridges. With the second clamp, the system is suitable for rapid SPE method development or 2D/orthogonal SPE using two different types of SPE cartridges in series. Simple breakthrough testing reduces method development time. The system allows selection of different SPE methods for optimal purification of sample extracts. Peak focusing, as a built-in standard mode, and selectable mixed- mode SPE cartridges and methods can also be used to extract your samples. With two SPE clamps, you can purify your sample on second SPE cartridge while simultaneously eluting your analytes into LC-MS from the previously prepared first SPE cartridge. The total sample run time, including SPE sample preparation, is then determined by the LC-MS analysis time. Also with this system, you can perform direct UHPLC injection without reconfiguring your system hardware.
CHRONECT Symbiosis is controlled by CHRONOS Symbiosis
CHRONOS organizes the connection to the LC-MS. All CHRONECT Symbiosis systems are able to process multiple batches/assays quickly and reliably with maximum analytical performance without supervision.


Key Features
- Fully automated and unattended switching between HPLC-MS and SPE-HPLC-MS
- Simultaneous SPE sample cleanup and online SPE-LC-MS analysis, so sample preparation time is zero
- Standardized and rapid SPE method development
- Easily optimized SPE method protocols that reduce LC-MS ionization suppression and sample carryover
- Injection volume variable, standard: 100 µL
- LC peak focusing mode using mixed-mode SPE protocols for efficient and cleaner sample preparation
- Automatic UHPLC solvent compressibility compensation and automatic purge and aspiration functions
- Quickly wash the syringe, aspirate and dispense
- Internal standard addition
Specifications
Injection | Direct UHPLC injection (LC mode) |
ACE single cartridge clamp (SPE-LC mode) | 250 bar clamp & cartridges (10x 2mm ID), 4 UHPLC valves |
HPD Mix 1x SSM | 7 SPE solvents to select |
HPD syringe volume steps | 10 µL to 2 mL |
HPD SPE syringe flow rates | 100 µL/min up to 10 mL/min |
SPH1299 UHPLC gradient pump (binary gradient) | 1300 bar, including degasser, 2×2 solvent selection for four different binary gradients, automatic purge and prime valves |
Mistral Cool column oven | 4 °C to 90 °C |
Specifications of options
Mistral CS Cool UHPLC | 5 columns plus drain, 4 °C to 75 °C, 1000 bar |
Sample cooling with Peltier Stacks 2DW or 6DW | 2 or 6x 54 2 mL vials, 4 °C to 40 °C |
Vortexer | 2 mL / 10 mL / 20 mL, one slot for custom vials, mixing with up to 2000 rpm |
Agitator | 6 positions for 20 mL vials, adapters for 2 or 10 mL vials (optional), temperature range 40 to 100 °C, agitation speed 250-750 rpm |
PAL Symbiosis standard specifications
PAL3 | LSI, 1 tray plate with 3 racks VT54: racks for 3×54 2 mL vials |
Injection Valves | 2 Valco injection valves |
Syringe | 1 – 250 μL syringe (fixed needle, gauge 22, PST3, different syringes up to 1mL available) |
Standard | 100 μL sample loop, various loops available |
Wash | Fast Wash module with pump and reservoirs for 2 solvents |
Special features of the
CHRONECT Symbiosis solutions
SPE cartridges
The online SPE cartridge for Symbiosis ACE systems has been specially developed for online elution to the HPLC column. The dimensions are optimized to combine high extraction capacity with small elution volumes. Standard are 10 mm length and 2 mm inner diameter. Of course, these cartridges resist the typical HPLC system pressures (max. 300 bar). All cartridges are also available in 10 x 1 mm; then the maximum pressure is 1,000 bar. These versions are manufactured with PEEK instead of PVDF. The materials for the sorbents are the same for both cartridge types.
Traceability
Each cartridge is marked with a code indicating the brand, type and batch of SPE sorbent. In addition, 96 car-tridges each are provided in a rack that is inserted directly into the CHRONECT Symbiosis system for process-ing: No cartridge needs to be touched! Each tray contains an RFID chip that transmits cartridge type, lot number, production number (unique) and expiry date to Symbiosis. This information is displayed on the PC screen and is attached to the analysis report. After processing, the Symbiosis system transmits data about used/unused positions to the RFID chip. Racks can thus be stored safely without the need to label or remove used cartridges.
Method development
The systems are delivered with standard methods. These can be modified and adapted to the respective ap-plications at any time. When developing your own methods, many publications, application notes or scientific posters will help you.
Cartridge Packaging Program
A cartridge packaging program allows you to use your specific sorbents. In a first phase, it is possible to produce a smaller test batch with customer-supplied materials. This requires 10 g of sorbents for 25 cartridges. A safety data sheet must be available for the materials provided. If the results meet the expectations, a batch with at least 10 racks per order can be produced.
High-performance solid phase extraction based on Spark technology
Standard configuration of all CHRONECT Symbiosis solution
CHRONECT Symbiosis
Sketched Configurations
Target
Applications
More than 400 publications, scientific posters and application notes can be found at chronect-symbiosis.com
These documents cover various application areas, including:
- Acid herbicides
- Drugs in water
- Pharmaceuticals in water
- Microcystins in water
- Pesticides
- PAHs
- Phenolic compounds
- Carbamates
- Antibiotics in water
- Glyphosate in food
- Aflatoxins
- Glycoalkaloids
- Chlormequat, mepiquat
- Mycotoxins in foodVitamins
- …
Many assays are being developed and there are EPA methods such as:
- EPA 521 – Nitrosamines
- EPA 535 –Acetamide
- EPA 555 – Chlorinated acids
- EPA 1694 – Pharmaceuticals
- EPA 8270 – Semi-volatile substances
System Components

SPE Cartridges


DeCapper Module

Pipette-Tool

2D Barcode Reader



Sample Storage
