Studies of metalloprotein species by directly coupled high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been directly coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for trace metal speciation studies. The characteristics of HPLC-ICP-MS couplings have been investigated using the number of theoretical plates, peak tailing, rise time and wash-out time as criteria of merit. A short aerosol connection line was found to be optimal. In comparison with an in-line UV monitor, ICP-MS was found to give a comparable number of theoretical plates.