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Short answer: ÄKTA (often typed “akta”) is the name of Cytiva’s family of liquid chromatography systems for purifying proteins, peptides and nucleic acids. This page compares two documented members, ÄKTA start (bench or cold-room, up to 5 mL/min) and ÄKTA pure (modular, 25 or 150 mL/min versions), using Cytiva’s own datasheets.
Definition and scope
“Akta” is an ambiguous search term. The same spelling is used by an unrelated streaming-technology company, a television series and others. In laboratory use it means the ÄKTA brand from Cytiva: automated, pump-driven chromatography instruments of the kind described on FPLC chromatography, where liquid is pumped through a packed column while UV absorbance and conductivity are monitored and fractions are collected. Cytiva’s ÄKTA pure datasheet describes the ÄKTA pure system as the product of over 50 years of expertise in protein research and three decades of experience developing ÄKTA purification systems. Other ÄKTA models exist (for example ÄKTA go, avant, process and ready); this page covers only start and pure, the two whose datasheets were read for it.
How an ÄKTA system is used in practice
A system is an instrument plus control software, a column and a fraction collector. Both datasheets describe the same working loop: buffers and sample are drawn by the pump through valves and a mixer, pass the column, and the UV and conductivity monitors record the run as the outlet valve directs the flow to a fraction collector or to waste. Runs are defined as methods in UNICORN software; ÄKTA start can also be driven from its touchscreen, and the datasheet notes that results can be saved to a USB flash drive and opened in UNICORN start. “Akta login” searches usually mean this software, which is installed and used with the instrument; the datasheets describe no web account.
For where this step sits in a purification workflow, see protein purification; for how the pressure and media differ from analytical HPLC, see HPLC vs FPLC.
ÄKTA start compared with ÄKTA pure
All values below come from the Cytiva datasheets for ÄKTA start and ÄKTA pure, read 2026-11-07.
| Item | ÄKTA start | ÄKTA pure 25 | ÄKTA pure 150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Described purpose | Preparative system for laboratory-scale protein purification; stand-alone with a simple flow path | Broad range of research applications in a multiuser environment | Routine large-scale preparative purification |
| Flow rate | 0.5 to 5 mL/min operating; 10 mL/min for washing | Up to 25 mL/min | Up to 150 mL/min |
| Maximum pressure | 5 bar (0.5 MPa, 72 psi) | 200 bar (20 MPa, 2900 psi) | 50 bar (5 MPa, 725 psi) |
| Pump | Single-channel peristaltic, four-roller head | Two system pumps, always included | Two system pumps, always included |
| Weight | 8 kg | 48 kg basic; 53 kg fully equipped | |
| Cold-room or cold-cabinet use | Operating range +4 to +35 °C; described as suitable for cold-room operation | Dimensions fit a standard cold cabinet | |
| UV detection | LED-based, fixed 280 nm | LED-based monitors; the U9-T model reads 280 and 260 nm at once | |
| Software | UNICORN start | UNICORN | |
| Fraction collectors named | Frac30, four tube sizes | F9-R, F9-T and F9-C | |
ÄKTA pure is modular: the datasheet states it always includes two system pumps, a system pressure monitor, a mixer, an injection valve, a conductivity monitor and a UV monitor, with optional modules added to the empty positions on the front. ÄKTA start has ten fixed modules on its wet side.
Where it matters for labs: a pre-installation checklist
Each item below follows from a figure in the table above.
- Pressure against the column. ÄKTA start tops out at 5 bar and the pure 150 at 50 bar, while the pure 25 reaches 200 bar. A column or packed bed rated below the system limit needs the pressure limit set in the method; Cytiva describes the pure system’s pressure monitor as connected to the pumps so flow is adjusted automatically to avoid a defined pressure limit.
- Space and handling. 8 kg versus 48 to 53 kg decides whether one person can move the instrument between bench and cold room.
- Cold work. Check the stated temperature range or cabinet fit, and log the room itself using a method such as cold-room temperature mapping.
- Fraction collection. Match the collector to the tubes or plates you use. Frac30 takes four tube sizes; the F9 collectors cover tubes and deep-well plates.
- Records. Where runs are used in regulated work, the run data and audit trail question is the same one covered in chromatography data system audit trails.
- Operating practice. Cytiva publishes “Good ÄKTA system practice” cue cards for these systems.
Common misunderstandings
- “ÄKTA” is not one instrument. Start and pure differ widely in flow, pressure and weight.
- It is not HPLC. The family belongs to the FPLC tradition of lower-pressure biomolecule purification; the pure 25 reaches 200 bar, but the start stays at 5 bar.
- The ASCII spelling is not the brand’s spelling. The Cytiva datasheets write ÄKTA with the umlaut; searches without it return unrelated companies and titles.
FAQ
What does “akta” mean?
In the lab context it is the Cytiva product name ÄKTA, written with an umlaut, applied to a family of chromatography systems. This page does not give an etymology because the datasheets do not.
Is ÄKTA the same as FPLC?
ÄKTA systems are examples of FPLC-style protein purification instruments; FPLC is the technique category and ÄKTA is one manufacturer’s brand. See FPLC chromatography.
Can an ÄKTA run in a cold room?
Per the datasheets, ÄKTA start is described as suitable for cold-room operation within +4 to +35 °C, and ÄKTA pure fits a standard cold cabinet.
What software controls it?
UNICORN (UNICORN start for ÄKTA start), per the datasheets.
Sources
- Cytiva, ÄKTA start chromatography systems datasheet (document digi-16705), https://cdn.cytivalifesciences.com/api/public/content/digi-16705-original, read 2026-11-07.
- Cytiva, ÄKTA pure chromatography systems datasheet (document digi-16276), https://cdn.cytivalifesciences.com/api/public/content/digi-16276-pdf, read 2026-11-07.
This is general equipment information, not operating instructions or a purchasing recommendation. Follow the manufacturer’s documentation for your instrument.
