Gallium-68 radioisotope is an excellent source in clinical positron emission tomography application due to its ease of availability from germanium-68 (68 Ge)/gallium-68 (68 Ga) generator having a shelf life of 1 year. In this paper, a modified method for purification of the primary eluate of 68 Ge-68 Ga generator by using a small cation exchange resin (Dowex-50) column has been described. The breakthrough of 68 Ge before and after purification of 68 Ga eluate was 0.014% and 0.00027%, respectively. The average recovery yield of 68 Ga after purification was 84% ± 8.6% (SD, n = 335). The results of the physiochemical studies confirmed that the 68 Ga-acetate obtained is suitable for labeling of radiopharmaceuticals.
Keywords: 68Ga-acetate; 68Ge-68Ga generator; Dowex-50 resin; Post purification; SnO2 column.
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