A Robust HPLC Solution for Preservative Analysis in Complex Food Matrices
Welch Materials introduces the Welchrom PSV C18, an HPLC column specifically developed for the routine analysis of preservatives and colorants in food. It is manufactured using ultra-pure silica matrix, with Welch’s proprietary bonding and end-capping technology, delivering enhanced resistance to contamination and extended operational life.
Key Features
- High fouling resistance: the large silica pores and low surface area reduce particulate adsorption, improving robustness when analysing fatty or heavily pigmented foods.
- Excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility: tight control of stationary phase manufacturing preserves retention times, theoretical plate counts, tailing factors and resolution across lots.
Application Example in Preservative Testing
Method reference: GB 5009.28-2016 (Determination of benzoic acid, sorbic acid and sodium saccharin in food).
To simulate a complex, high-oil matrix, spicy snack strips were used as a representative real sample.
Conditions:
- Column: Welchrom PSV C18, 4.6×250 mm, 5 µm
- Mobile Phase: 20 mmol/L CH3COONH4 : MeOH = 95:5
- Flow Rate: 1.0 mL/min
- Column Temperature: 30℃
- Wavelength: 230 nm
- Volume: 10 µL
- Concentrations for Standards:
- Sorbic acid: 20 µg/mL
- Benzoic acid: 20 µg/mL
- Sodium saccharin: 20 µg/mL

| # | Ret. Time (min) | Area (mV×s) | Height (mV) | Plates | Tailing. | Res. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.798 | 359644 | 33279 | 18348 | 1.105 | |
| 2 | 14.258 | 478505 | 31044 | 19681 | 1.067 | 12.818 |
| 3 | 17.493 | 227884 | 12808 | 21774 | 1.052 | 7.344 |
Result: Under the specified method conditions, Welchrom PSV C18 achieved baseline separation for benzoic acid, sorbic acid and sodium saccharin, meeting the acceptance criteria from the national standard.
Lifetime Evaluation

Protocol: samples were injected in sequence; after every 100 injections the column received a regeneration cycle of 30 min with 10% methanol in water, followed by 30 min with 90% methanol in water and a final 30 min rinse with 10% methanol in water. After regeneration the sample sequence was resumed to continue the lifetime assessment.
Result: the column sustained stable analytical performance for at least 1,000 sample injections under the test regimen—substantially exceeding the life expectancy of typical analytical columns.
Stability Evaluation

| Injection | Pressure (bar) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 97 |
| 100 | 97 |
| 200 | 97 |
| 300 | 97 |
| 400 | 97 |
| 500 | 99 |
| 600 | 99 |
| 700 | 99 |
| 800 | 99 |
| 900 | 99 |
| 1000 | 101 |
| 1100 | 114 |
| 1200 | 130 |
Result: Pressure monitoring recorded only a gradual pressure increase over the course of injections; overall backpressure remained within acceptable operational limits throughout the first 1,000 injections.
Batch Reproducibility
Conditions:
- Specification: 4.6×250 mm, 5 µm
- Mobile Phase: Acetonitrile : water = 65:35
- Flow Rate: 1.0 mL/min
- Column Temperature: 30 °C
- Wavelength: 254 nm
- Volume: 10 µL
- Samples:
- Uracil
- Phenol
- 4-Nitrochlorobenzene
- Toluene

| # | Ret. Time | Plates | Tailing. | Res. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.879 | 21743 | 1.08 | 6.49 |
| 1 | 6.865 | 21049 | 1.05 | 6.45 |
| 1 | 6.883 | 21513 | 1.04 | 6.47 |
Conclusion: Three independent batches of the stationary phase were evaluated for retention time consistency, theoretical plate number, tailing factor and resolution. All measured parameters remained consistent across batches, supporting reliable method transfer and minimizing revalidation work when switching column lots.
Brand: Welchrom
Phase: Wel-PSV C18
Particle Size: 5µm
Pore Size: 150Å
USP Classification: L1
Separation Mode: Reversed Mode
pH Range: 2.0-9.0
Surface Area: 230m2/g
Carbon Load: 13%
Max.Pressure: 30Mpa
Endcapped:
Max.Temp.: 60°C
Particle Shape: Spherical
Column Cross Reference:
(Please kindly note that columns among brands are never 100% the same. The below cross reference list indicates alternatives column(s) that will likely give a similar selectivity. Inevitable differences in retention time, resolution and theoretical plate count exist and may affect the results for certain circumstances.)
A Robust HPLC Solution for Preservative Analysis in Complex Food Matrices
Welch Materials introduces the Welchrom PSV C18, an HPLC column specifically developed for the routine analysis of preservatives and colorants in food. It is manufactured using ultra-pure silica matrix, with Welch’s proprietary bonding and end-capping technology, delivering enhanced resistance to contamination and extended operational life.
Key Features
- High fouling resistance: the large silica pores and low surface area reduce particulate adsorption, improving robustness when analysing fatty or heavily pigmented foods.
- Excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility: tight control of stationary phase manufacturing preserves retention times, theoretical plate counts, tailing factors and resolution across lots.
Application Example in Preservative Testing
Method reference: GB 5009.28-2016 (Determination of benzoic acid, sorbic acid and sodium saccharin in food).
To simulate a complex, high-oil matrix, spicy snack strips were used as a representative real sample.
Conditions:
- Column: Welchrom PSV C18, 4.6×250 mm, 5 µm
- Mobile Phase: 20 mmol/L CH3COONH4 : MeOH = 95:5
- Flow Rate: 1.0 mL/min
- Column Temperature: 30℃
- Wavelength: 230 nm
- Volume: 10 µL
- Concentrations for Standards:
- Sorbic acid: 20 µg/mL
- Benzoic acid: 20 µg/mL
- Sodium saccharin: 20 µg/mL

| # | Ret. Time (min) | Area (mV×s) | Height (mV) | Plates | Tailing. | Res. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.798 | 359644 | 33279 | 18348 | 1.105 | |
| 2 | 14.258 | 478505 | 31044 | 19681 | 1.067 | 12.818 |
| 3 | 17.493 | 227884 | 12808 | 21774 | 1.052 | 7.344 |
Result: Under the specified method conditions, Welchrom PSV C18 achieved baseline separation for benzoic acid, sorbic acid and sodium saccharin, meeting the acceptance criteria from the national standard.
Lifetime Evaluation

Protocol: samples were injected in sequence; after every 100 injections the column received a regeneration cycle of 30 min with 10% methanol in water, followed by 30 min with 90% methanol in water and a final 30 min rinse with 10% methanol in water. After regeneration the sample sequence was resumed to continue the lifetime assessment.
Result: the column sustained stable analytical performance for at least 1,000 sample injections under the test regimen—substantially exceeding the life expectancy of typical analytical columns.
Stability Evaluation

| Injection | Pressure (bar) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 97 |
| 100 | 97 |
| 200 | 97 |
| 300 | 97 |
| 400 | 97 |
| 500 | 99 |
| 600 | 99 |
| 700 | 99 |
| 800 | 99 |
| 900 | 99 |
| 1000 | 101 |
| 1100 | 114 |
| 1200 | 130 |
Result: Pressure monitoring recorded only a gradual pressure increase over the course of injections; overall backpressure remained within acceptable operational limits throughout the first 1,000 injections.
Batch Reproducibility
Conditions:
- Specification: 4.6×250 mm, 5 µm
- Mobile Phase: Acetonitrile : water = 65:35
- Flow Rate: 1.0 mL/min
- Column Temperature: 30 °C
- Wavelength: 254 nm
- Volume: 10 µL
- Samples:
- Uracil
- Phenol
- 4-Nitrochlorobenzene
- Toluene

| # | Ret. Time | Plates | Tailing. | Res. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.879 | 21743 | 1.08 | 6.49 |
| 1 | 6.865 | 21049 | 1.05 | 6.45 |
| 1 | 6.883 | 21513 | 1.04 | 6.47 |
Conclusion: Three independent batches of the stationary phase were evaluated for retention time consistency, theoretical plate number, tailing factor and resolution. All measured parameters remained consistent across batches, supporting reliable method transfer and minimizing revalidation work when switching column lots.
Brand: Welchrom
Phase: Wel-PSV C18
Particle Size: 5µm
Pore Size: 150Å
USP Classification: L1
Separation Mode: Reversed Mode
pH Range: 2.0-9.0
Surface Area: 230m2/g
Carbon Load: 13%
Max.Pressure: 30Mpa
Endcapped:
Max.Temp.: 60°C
Particle Shape: Spherical
Column Cross Reference:
(Please kindly note that columns among brands are never 100% the same. The below cross reference list indicates alternatives column(s) that will likely give a similar selectivity. Inevitable differences in retention time, resolution and theoretical plate count exist and may affect the results for certain circumstances.)