Gradient Elution of Biogenic Amines and Derivatives in Reversed Phase Ion-Pair Partition Chromatography with Electrochemical and Fluorometric Detection

Abstract

The compatibility of gradient elution and reversed phase ion-pair partition systems combined with electrochemical and fluorometric detection was investigated. The phase system consisting of buffers with perchlorate counter-ions as mobile phases and tri-n-butylphosphate as stationary phase allows the use of pH and and counter-ion gradients. It appeared that use of gradients is time saving and favorable with respect to detection limits and dual electrode detection may offer a solution to the problem of gradient-induced baseline shifting in electrochemical detection. Native fluorometric detection allows monitoring at the nanogram level in gradient runs. The method described is applied to biological samples, i.e., rat brain tissue (striatum).