What is used to elute the 68Ga from the 68Ge/68Ga generator?

The elution of 68Ga from a 68Ge/68Ga generator utilizes mild HCl acid, which effectively helps to wash the gallium-68 from the generator column. The generator operates on a principle where germanium-68 decays to gallium-68, and because gallium is chemically bound to the column material, a suitable acid is required to dislodge it.

Mild HCl is particularly effective for this purpose because it creates a favorable chemical environment that allows the gallium ions to be released into the solution without causing extensive damage or altering the chemical integrity of the generator or the eluted product. Other options like distilled water, organic solvents, or saline solutions do not provide the necessary chemical action needed to elute 68Ga effectively from the generator matrix. Distilled water might not disrupt the ionic bonds adequately, organic solvents could disrupt the chemistry unfavorably, and saline solutions may not provide the right ionic environment for proper elution.