"Sweet space" strategy for solvent system selection in countercurrent chromatography: A case study on separation of polyunsaturated fatty acids from borage oil.

ABSTRACT

This study presents a comprehensive strategy for the selection and optimization of solvent systems in countercurrent chromatography (CCC) for the effective separation of compounds. With a focus on traditional organic solvent systems, the research introduces a "sweet space" strategy that merges intuitive understanding with mathematical accuracy, addressing the significant challenges in solvent system selection, a critical bottleneck in the widespread application of CCC. By employing a combination of volume ratios and graphical representations, including both regular and trirectangular tetrahedron models, the proposed approach facilitates a more inclusive and user-friendly strategy for solvent system selection. This study demonstrates the potential of the proposed strategy through the successful separation of gamma-linolenic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid from borage oil, highlighting the strategy's effectiveness and practical applicability in CCC separations.