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Home / Our applications / Natural products

Natural Products

Natural products include traditional medicines (TM), therapeutic natural products (TNP), traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and herbal medicines.

All natural products begin as mixtures – often very complex mixtures – with other compounds from natural sources from which the product of interest must be isolated and purified.

The production of pure TNP involves two main aspects: (1) the actual purification process used for TNP isolation, i.e., the semipreparative-scale analytical method used; (2) the assessment of the purity of the isolated TNP, including the analytical method used for purity assessment.

The ease with which the active agent can be isolated and purified depends on the structure, stability and quantity of the natural product. The methods of isolation and purification applied are distinct but generally involve extraction, precipitation, adsorption, chromatography and sometimes crystallization.

Zeochem offers a wide variety of products particularly suitable for an efficient analytical and preparative isolation and purification of TNP.

  • ZEOprep (irregular shape) and ZEObeads (microbeads): excellent phases for Normal-Phase, Reversed-Phase, continuous chromatography and SFC applications. Phases are available in a wide range of pore and particle sizes as well as modifications.
  • ZEOsphere (spherical shape): Due to unique product characteristics, this product is particularly suitable for high-end purifications. ZEOsphere products are available in classical Normal- and Reversed-Phase and in ZEOsphere DRP Mixed-Mode for enhanced selectivity (especially for charged compounds). Phases are available in a wide range of pore and particle sizes as well as modifications.

Downloads

  • Reversed Phase Chromatography for Cannabinoid Purification
    Reversed Phase Chromatography for Cannabinoid Purification
  • Purification of Cannabinoids by Preparative HPLC using ZEOsphere Silica Gel
    Purification of Cannabinoids by Preparative HPLC using ZEOsphere Silica Gel
  • Prep-scale separation of Delta 9 THC using Zeochem Chromatography Silica gel, be confident in meeting regulatory requirements
    Prep-scale separation of Delta 9 THC using Zeochem Chromatography Silica gel, be confident in meeting regulatory requirements

Applications

Recent studies find CBDA (acid precursor to CBD) more effective than CBD in treating nausea or epilepsy. Furthermore, it has been discovered that CBDA has the same binding mechanism as most common anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

All that makes CBDA very interesting to the Pharmaceutical and health Care industry.

Most of the standard methods used for analysis of cannabinoids are based on the heating of the sample, and that has left the world in the dark in terms of the benefits of their acidic precursors. However, Chromatographic purification offers the possibility to purify and determine the original composition (acidic forms) of plant cannabinoids, thus giving access to a more potent version of CBD to the fast-developing world of Cannabinoid therapeutics.

zechem plant

Custom Solutions

Zeochem's technical service team, engineers and chemists have decades of experience and are here to answer questions, troubleshoot and find solutions to your most challenging problems.

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Classical Normal Phase – CN

Normal Phase Silica phases are suitable for separations of polar and basic organic compounds, such as vitamins, steroids, as well as pharmaceuticals.

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Classical Normal Phase – Diol

Normal Phase Silica phases are suitable for separations of polar and basic organic compounds, such as vitamins, steroids, as well as pharmaceuticals.

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Classical Normal Phase – NH2

Normal Phase Silica phases are suitable for separations of polar and basic organic compounds, such as vitamins, steroids, as well as pharmaceuticals.

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Classical Reversed Phase – C18

ZEOsphere C18 phases are the most preferred as they offer an excellent range of hydrophobic separation power along with high surface area coverage.

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Classical Reversed Phase – C4

ZEOsphere C4 is commonly used to separate large macromolecules such as proteins

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Classical Reversed Phase – C8

An excellent range of hydrophobic separation power along with high surface area coverage, but when less retention compared to a C18 is needed.

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Classical Reversed Phase – CN

Common applications based on Cyano phases include the separation of flavonoids, extraction of polar compounds from non-polar samples as well as analytes with a wide range of hydrophobicity.

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Classical Reversed Phase – Phenyl and Derivatives

Classic reversed phase material based on 100Å and 120Å Ultra-pure silica with high surface area. ZEOsphere Phenyl as reverse phase or in HILIC mode shows alternative selectivity to C18 and C8 column

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Spheroidal Shape

ZEObeads 50 C18 / 20-30µm

Spheroidal shape alkyl-bonded silica used in reversed-phase chromatography, preferably where superior flow performance and selectivity are needed.

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ZEObeads 50 C8 / 20-30µm

ZEObeads 50 C8 / 20-30um is a spheroidal shaped silica with a reduced alkyl chain length, slightly less hydrophobic in reverse phase chromatography. The shorter alkyl chain length allows in some cases a better interaction with the target compound.

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ZEObeads 50 Diol / 20–30µm

ZEObeads 50 NH2 / 20-30um is a spheroidal shaped amine bonded silica. It is used in normal phase chromatography for target compounds with more alkaline pH and as an excellent metal scavenger under conditions of superior flow performance.

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Spheroidal Shape

ZEObeads 50 NH2 / 20-30µm

ZEObeads 50 NH2 / 20-30um is a spheroidal shaped amine bonded silica. It is used in normal phase chromatography for target compounds with more alkaline pH and as an excellent metal scavenger under conditions of superior flow performance.

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 60 C18 / 40-63µm

Alkyl-bonded silica for reversed-phase chromatography is a robust and reliable packing material, widely used in industrial separations as well as...

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 60 C8 / 40–63µm

Alkyl-bonded silica with shorter chain length and slightly reduced hydrophobicity which is used in reversed-phase chromatography. The shorter alkyl length...

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ZEOprep 60 CN / 40-63µm

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 60 Diol / 40-63µm

Diol-bonded silica, more polar than C18/C8 types. Used in reversed- as well as in normal-phase chromatography, it is the product...

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 60 NH2 / 40-63µm

Amine-bonded silica is mostly used in normal-phase chromatography and serves as an efficient metal scavenger in batch applications, best for...

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 60 NH2P / 40–63µm

Primary, secondary amine-bonded silica and is more polar than C18/C8 phases. It is used in reversed-phase as well in normal-phase...

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 60 SAX / 40-63µm

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ZEOprep 60 SH / 40-63µm

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 90 C18 / 40-63µm

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 90 C18 / 60-200µm

Alkyl-bonded silica with 90 angstrom pore size and a larger particle size distribution which provides a higher flow rate under...

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 90 C8 / 40-63µm

Alkyl-bonded silica with 90 angstrom pore size with shorter alkyl chain length and slightly reduced hydrophobicity. It is used in...

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Irregular Shape

ZEOprep 90 CN / 40–63µm

Cyan-bonded silica with 90 angstrom pore size, more polar than C18/8 bonding but mostly used in reversed-phase chromatography for polar...

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ZEOprep 90 NH2 / 40-63µm

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Irregular Shape

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • The larger the molecular weight of the target molecule to be separated, the larger the pore size needs to be. The sample molecules need to be able to interact with the pores of the particle to create an efficient separation mechanism. If the pores are smaller than your target molecule, it will not be retained and elutes immediately.
  • The larger the average pore size of the material, the smaller will be the effective surface area. If you have less surface area available, your separation is generally less efficient. It is important to choose the right pore size for your target molecule.
  • Size and distribution of the silica particles affect the packing efficiency of the columns and, therefore, process performance.
  • The higher the packing density, the higher the surface area, the more interaction between eluent and separation material, resulting in higher efficiency separation. However, the higher the packing density, the smaller the mean particle size is, and therefore the higher the backpressure will be.

Bonding different chemical groups onto the surface of bare silica results in functionalized silicas, which give higher selectivity towards specific molecules.

  • Bare/Silica has a high polar surface, it is the most popular stationary phase, ideal for conventional applications (normal phase separations, non-polar target molecules, pharmaceuticals, natural products)
  • C4; suited to molecules with large hydrophobic regions, peptides, proteins. Usually combined with a large pore size for big biomolecules (>1000Da)
  • PHE/phenyl; moderately nonpolar for aromatic compounds, aflatoxins, caffeine, phenols.
  • C8; highly hydrophobic pesticides, peptides, drugs
  • C18; more apolar than C8 and in reversed phase chromatography higher retention than C8. Has a non-polar surface, ideal for pharmaceuticals, steroids, fatty acids, peptides, proteins, pesticides, PCB’s
  • Amino/NH2has a medium polar surface, ideal for carbohydrates and nitrogen containing heterocycles and amines. Scavenger applications.
  • Diolhas a less polar surface (than bare silica) and still many hydroxy-groups, ideal for lipids; Our best option for many SFC applications.
  • Cyano/CN unique selectivity for polar analytes with widely different chemistry, e.g., Cyclosporine, carbohydrates
  • Thiol/SH; Mainly used for scavenging
  • SCX/SO4–:Ion Exchange for strong cation
  • SAX/TMA; Ion exchange for weak anion
  • NH2P; Ion exchange for scavenging
  • Morphology of the silica particles, meaning bead shape
  • Surface area: this is a function of particle- and pore size
  • Surface functionalisation
  • Particle size distribution in terms of range and actual distribution of particles within the range (D10/D50/D90)
  • Irregular silica beads to be used in low- to medium-pressure systems
  • Spheroidal Silica beads can be used in low to high-pressure systems
  • Spherical silica beads are primarily used for high-resolution, high-pressure systems
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  • Our Products
      • Overview
      • Molecular Sieves
      • Deuterium Labeled Compounds
      • Odor Control Zeolites
      • Chromatography Gels
  • Our Applications
      • Overview
      • Medical Oxygen Generation
      • Ethanol Dehydration
      • Biopharmaceuticals
      • Industrial Oxygen Generation
      • Refining
      • Health Science Diagnostics
      • PSA Hydrogen Purification
      • Petrochemicals
      • Analytical
      • Molecular Sieve Regeneration
      • Solvent Drying & Treating
      • Natural Products
      • Industrial Drying
      • Food & Beverage
      • Environmental
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      • Electronics
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      • Deuterated APIs
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Natural Products