A simple method for preparation of pure Ga-acetate precursor for formulation of radiopharmaceuticals: Physicochemical characteristics of the Ga eluate of the SnO based- Ge/ Ga column generator.

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