No. We shouldn't.
Why not?
Because (a) it is totally pointless and (b) will damage your column.
You may wish to backflush your column for two reasons:
1) Very high backpressure.
2) Suspected contamination at the head of the column.
Alas, backflushing the column will not help you. Instead, backflushing will:
1) Not fully remove any particulate matter stuck in the column frit.
2) Not remove trace contaminants inside the column. This is because those contaminants will be irreversibly bound to the column packing, before you notice a decline in the column's performance.
In both these cases, it's too late for your column. And you have only one choice - get a new column.
So. The sensible alternatives to backflushing are:
- Filter your mobile phase and your sample. Always. Use a 0.2um membrane filter. 0.45um will not do with modern HPLC columns. Check the membrane's chemical compatibility first.
- Use a guard column. Always.
Unless you have an unlimited lab budget, please take these really simple precautions to get the most out of your LC column.
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Resource Person: SK Srinivas
