HP- FFAP

HP- FFAP

WAX GC Columns

Agilent J&W HP-FFAP is a highly specialized high-polarity GC column engineered for the analysis of organic acids, free fatty acids (FFAs), and acidic impurities in complex matrices. The FFAP (Free Fatty Acid Phase) stationary phase is chemically modified with acid to provide exceptional inertness toward carboxylic acids, enabling accurate quantitation even when samples are dissolved in water or contain reactive acidic species.

This targeted phase chemistry eliminates the strong adsorption and peak tailing typically observed when analyzing organic acids on standard WAX or PEG phases. As a result, HP-FFAP provides sharp, symmetrical peaks, reliable retention-time stability, and high-quality quantitation across a broad range of C1–C24 fatty acids and related acidic analytes.

A key advantage of HP-FFAP is that derivatization is not required. Free fatty acids up to C24 can be injected directly, removing the need for complex sample preparation steps and significantly reducing method time and cost. Unlike some traditional acidic phases, HP-FFAP does not require priming with multiple acid injections before analysis—allowing users to achieve accurate results immediately after installation or method startup.

With its superior inertness, low bleed, and robust performance for acidic species, HP-FFAP is widely used in food analysis, FFA profiling, industrial chemical testing, and QC workflows that require precise quantitation of acidic components without derivatization.

Key Definitions â–¸
FFAP (Free Fatty Acid Phase)
A chemically modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) stationary phase designed specifically for analyzing organic acids and free fatty acids. The acid-modified surface minimizes adsorption and peak tailing, improving accuracy and peak shape for highly acidic analytes.
Organic Acids
A class of compounds containing carboxylic acid functional groups, commonly analyzed in food, environmental, and chemical samples. Examples include formic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids, all of which benefit from the enhanced inertness of FFAP phases.
Free Fatty Acids (FFAs)
Long-chain carboxylic acids found in foods, oils, biofuel precursors, and biological samples. HP-FFAP allows direct injection of FFAs up to C24 without derivatization, simplifying analysis compared to standard WAX columns.
Derivatization-Free Analysis
A capability of HP-FFAP that allows direct injection of organic acids and FFAs without chemically modifying the sample. This reduces preparation time, lowers cost, and helps maintain method simplicity.
Acid-Modified PEG Phase
A specialized PEG formulation treated with acidic functionality to suppress adsorption of carboxylic acids. This treatment provides enhanced inertness and sharper peak shapes for highly polar and reactive acidic analytes.
Frequently Asked Questions â–¸
What types of compounds are best analyzed using HP-FFAP GC columns?
HP-FFAP is optimized for organic acids, free fatty acids (FFAs), and other strongly acidic compounds. Its acid-modified PEG phase minimizes adsorption, allowing excellent peak shape and accurate quantitation for a wide range of C1–C24 acids, esters, and acidic impurities.
Do samples require derivatization before injection on an HP-FFAP column?
No. One of the major benefits of HP-FFAP is derivatization-free analysis. Free fatty acids up to C24 can be injected directly, helping reduce preparation time and cost while delivering reliable chromatographic results.
Does HP-FFAP require priming with acidic injections before use?
No. Unlike some legacy acidic phases, HP-FFAP does not require conditioning or multiple acid injections before achieving stable performance. The column is ready for accurate quantitation immediately after installation.
Can HP-FFAP be used for GC/MS applications?
Yes. HP-FFAP exhibits lower bleed than many traditional acidic PEG phases, making it suitable for GC/MS workflows. It provides clean baselines and strong sensitivity for acidic analytes, although bonded WAX phases may still be preferred for ultra-trace MS work.
Which industries commonly use HP-FFAP columns?
HP-FFAP is widely used in food and beverage testing, edible oil profiling, environmental analysis, chemical manufacturing QC, and any workflow requiring accurate measurement of organic acids or free fatty acids without derivatization.