When Science Met Sunshine at ISC 2010
In September 2010, something extraordinary happened in Valencia, Spain. The city famous for paella, futuristic architecture, and sunshine became the global epicenter of chromatography—the science of separation.
For five vibrant days, from September 12-16, nearly 600 scientists from around the world transformed the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Valencia into a bustling hub of scientific exchange, debate, and discovery 1 7 . This was the 28th International Symposium on Chromatography (ISC 2010), an event that combined cutting-edge science with the warm camaraderie of a community united by their passion for understanding how chemicals mix, match, and ultimately, how they can be told apart.
Ensuring the safety and quality of our food supply
Verifying the potency and purity of medicines
Monitoring pollutants and protecting ecosystems
Chromatography, in its many forms, touches virtually every aspect of our modern lives. It ensures the safety of our food and water, verifies the potency of our medicines, and monitors the health of our environment.
With approximately 500 scientific communications presented—including 122 oral presentations across four parallel sessions—the symposium showcased the incredible dynamism of a field that continues to evolve and reinvent itself decades after its inception 1 . It was here, amidst the whirlwind of ideas, that scientists shared breakthroughs that would go on to shape the future of analytical chemistry.
The ISC 2010 was organized by the Spanish Association of Chromatography and Related Techniques (SECyTA) and marked a homecoming for the prestigious international symposium, returning to Spain after 36 years 1 . The numbers alone tell a story of a vibrant, expanding scientific discipline.
Registered Participants
Scientific Communications
Oral Presentations
Exhibiting Companies
| Technique | Specific Focus Areas | Application Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Chromatography | New stationary phases, fast separations, column technology | Analysis of pharmaceuticals, food compounds, environmental pollutants |
| Gas Chromatography | New ionic liquid stationary phases, comprehensive GC | Characterization of complex mixtures like crude oils |
| Multidimensional Methods | Coupling of different separation techniques | Enhanced resolution of complex biological or environmental samples |
| Electrodriven Separations | Capillary electrophoresis, microchip formats | Separation of chiral compounds, biomolecules |
| Hyphenated Techniques | Coupling to mass spectrometry, NMR | Identification and quantification of unknown compounds |
Beyond the technical sessions, the symposium served as a platform for recognizing scientific excellence. The prestigious M. J. E. Golay Award and the Tswet & Nernst Prize on Science for Life were awarded, alongside the EuSSS Award for a scientist under 35.
The scientific presentations at ISC 2010 reflected a field deeply engaged with solving real-world problems. The special emphasis on food and feed analysis was evident throughout the program and was clearly reflected in the subsequent special issue of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry entitled "Advances in Analytical Separations" 1 .
Detection of ochratoxin A in wine, quinolones in milk/eggs, soy isoflavones, carotenoids
Significance: Protects consumers from toxins and ensures product authenticity and nutritional value 2
Analysis of pharmaceuticals in wetlands, perfluorinated compounds in sewage sludge, pesticides in soil
Significance: Tracks pollution sources and assesses environmental impact of chemicals 2
Characterization of heterocycles in crude oils, analysis of mannosylerythritol lipid biosurfactants
Significance: Improves fuel processes and develops sustainable industrial materials 2
New ionic liquid stationary phases for GC, monolithic titania columns, optimal experimental design
Significance: Provides scientists with more powerful, efficient, and reliable separation tools 2
One particularly compelling line of research focused on monitoring pharmaceutical residues in the environment. In a study of a Mediterranean wetland, researchers used LC-MS/MS to assess the occurrence and distribution of pharmaceuticals, highlighting how analytical methods can reveal the subtle footprints of human activity on fragile ecosystems 2 .
To truly appreciate the scientific work presented at ISC 2010, let us examine one specific experiment in detail. Among the many notable presentations was a study on a new extraction sorbent based on aptamers for the determination of ochratoxin A in red wine 2 .
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic compound produced by certain molds that can contaminate grapes and, consequently, wine. It poses a potential health risk to consumers, and its presence is strictly regulated in many countries.
Detecting OTA is challenging because it is typically present at very low concentrations (in the parts-per-billion range) and is hidden within the incredibly complex matrix of red wine, which contains numerous pigments, tannins, and other compounds that can interfere with analysis 2 .
Low concentration detection in complex wine matrix
The research team, led by Florence Chapuis-Hugon and Valérie Pichon, developed a novel solid-phase extraction sorbent that used aptamers as the capture mechanism 2 . Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that fold into specific three-dimensional shapes, allowing them to bind to a target molecule (in this case, OTA) with high affinity and specificity, much like an antibody.
The designed DNA aptamers, specific for OTA, were chemically grafted onto a solid sorbent material packed into a cartridge.
A prepared sample of red wine was passed through the aptamer-based extraction cartridge.
As the wine flowed through, the OTA molecules were selectively recognized and bound by the aptamers, while the majority of the interfering wine components passed through and were washed away.
The captured OTA was then released from the aptamers using a small volume of a suitable solvent, resulting in a purified and concentrated sample.
This final sample was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) to accurately determine the OTA concentration.
The results were compelling. The aptamer-based sorbent demonstrated a high selectivity for OTA, effectively isolating it from the complex matrix of red wine. This selectivity far surpassed that of traditional immunoaffinity columns. The method proved to be robust, with good recovery of OTA from spiked wine samples, and sensitive enough to detect OTA at the levels required by food safety regulations 2 .
Aptamer-based method shows superior selectivity compared to traditional approaches
This experiment was significant for several reasons. Practically, it provided a powerful new tool for ensuring the safety of wine, benefiting consumers and regulators alike. Scientifically, it showcased the power of aptamers as versatile and stable recognition elements in analytical chemistry.
The research presented at Valencia, including the OTA experiment, relied on a sophisticated array of reagents, materials, and instruments. These are the essential components of the separation scientist's toolkit.
| Tool/Reagent | Primary Function | Specific Example from ISC 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Aptamer-Based Sorbents | Selective capture of target analytes from complex mixtures | Extraction of ochratoxin A from red wine 2 |
| Ionic Liquids | Serve as highly stable and selective stationary phases in Gas Chromatography | Evaluation of new ionic liquids for separating complex organic mixtures 2 |
| Monolithic Columns | Provide a porous polymer or silica matrix for rapid separations under high pressure | Capillary monolithic titania columns for miniaturized LC of organophosphorous compounds 2 |
| Surfactant-Mediated Phases | Modify mobile phase properties to improve separation of ionizable compounds | Analysis of quinolones in milk and eggs 2 |
| Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) | Hyphenated technique for separating, identifying, and quantifying compounds | Determination of pharmaceuticals in wetland ecosystems and perfluorinated substances in sewage sludge 2 |
Single-stranded DNA/RNA molecules with high specificity for target compounds
Salts in liquid state with unique properties as GC stationary phases
Continuous porous separation media for high-efficiency chromatography
The "chromatographic party" in Valencia was far more than a simple academic meeting. It was a catalyst for progress. The symposium facilitated the cross-pollination of ideas between established leaders and the rising stars of the field 1 . It solidified chromatography's central role in addressing pressing global challenges related to food safety, environmental health, and sustainable industry.
The symposium fostered international collaboration between 570+ scientists from diverse backgrounds and specializations, creating networks that would continue to drive innovation in separation science for years to come.
With 500 scientific communications and 122 oral presentations, ISC 2010 served as a critical platform for sharing cutting-edge research and training the next generation of separation scientists.
The participation of 22 exhibiting companies demonstrated the vital connection between academic research and commercial innovation, with new products like Thermo Scientific Syncronis HPLC columns launched at the event 8 .
Over a decade later, the legacy of ISC 2010 endures. It reinforced the importance of international collaboration and face-to-face scientific exchange. It celebrated past achievements while eagerly anticipating the "new analytical advances in the coming years" 1 . For the 570 scientists who gathered in that sun-drenched Spanish city, it was a powerful reminder that science, at its best, is a collective endeavor—a true party of the mind, dedicated to the subtle and powerful art of separation.