“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.