Molecular fraction collector
Fraction collector (Gerstel Preparative Fraction Collector) coupled to a gas chromatograph (Agilent 6890 N) and an autosampler (Gerstel MPS 2)
Instrument description:
Autosampler (Gerstel MPS 2): The autosampler takes a few µL of the fraction in solution in an organic solvent and introduces it into the gas chromatograph injector.
Gas chromatograph (Agilent 6890 N): Molecular biomarkers are separated by molecular weight and polarity in a capillary column under helium flow, as the chromatography oven heats up.
Fraction collector (Gerstel Preparative Fraction Collector): at the end of the capillary column, molecular biomarkers are collected in liquid nitrogen-cooled tubes. 7 fractions can be collected.
The system is used to purify, separate and collect molecular biomarkers (lipids, sugars, amino acids, etc.) extracted from geological and archaeological matrices (soils, sediments, peat, ceramics etc.), and then determine their age by carbon-14 dating. Extracted molecular biomarkers may first be fractionated into chemical families (alkanes, ketones, alcohols, etc.). Depending on the concentration of molecular biomarkers and the quantity of carbon required for dating, the operation may be repeated several dozen times, until sufficient material for 14C measurement is obtained (at least 10 µgC).
Analyses performed on the instrument:
Purification, separation and collection of molecular biomarkers
Contacts:
Caroline Gauthier : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Emmanuelle Casanova : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jérémy Jacob : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Christine Hatté : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.