Comparison of Multi-Mode Scherzo SS-C18 and HILIC Mode Column in the Retention of Polar Neurotransmitters

A novel method for the retention and quantification of polar neurotransmitters is presented. A reversed phase method using Scherzo SS-C18 column is compared to a HILIC method using a polyhydroxyethyl column.

When analyzing highly polar compounds by reversed phase HPLC there exists several challenges. The most obvious of which is that polar compounds are difficult to retain using non-polar stationary phases like C18. A common solution is the use of aqueous normal phase or HILIC methods with stationary phases that can be wetted and that retain this aqueous layer on the surface of the particle. The difficulty in using HILIC methods is that the wetting process can often be quite lengthy and maintaining a consistent aqueous surface is difficult.

In the example shown here we seek to provide an alternative to HILIC methods by using a novel multi-mode column called the Scherzo SS-C18. This stationary phase has both reversed phase (C18) and polar components with the addition of a high density of strong anion and cation exchange ligands. This strategy for increasing polar retention is much more predictable run to run and does not require lengthy column pre-treatments.

Experimental Conditions

MRM transitions and running conditions are within chromatograms.

Experimental data courtesy of Dr. D. Koop, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR.

Results and Discussion

Chromatograms of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine using Scherzo SS-C18 and HILIC columns are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, respectively.

Figure 1: Acetylcholine retention on Scherzo SS-C18.

Both columns shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 retain the neurotransmitter acetylcholine well. Two instant observations are peak shape and detection limits. In particular, despite longer retention (~ 20% more), the peak shape on Scherzo SS-C18 is better as evident by peak width at half height which is about 50% of the HILIC column. This observation indicates overall significantly better performance of a Scherzo SS-C18 column and higher peak capacity that leads to better separations. This also contributes to a roughly 2.5X increase in sensitivity with the Scherzo SS-C18 column compared to the HILIC column (125 pg versus 300 pg).

Figure 2: Acetylcholine retention on polyhydroxyethyl.

At approximately 3 min of retention, both methods can be justified for high throughout applications, however, considering the long and kinetically-slow conditioning on the HILIC column, we feel that Scherzo SS C18 is a better choice. In contrast, the HILIC column, while it has comparable run times, requires over 2.5 h conditioning in this application, practically disqualifying this HILIC column for high throughput use. .

Conclusion

The new multi-mode Scherzo SS-C18 column shows great promise in successful retention of small, polar molecules (such as neurotransmitters). The column retains these types of analytes as well or better than a HILIC column, it has excellent sensitivity, eluents are MS-friendly, and, most importantly, it does not need lengthy conditioning. This feature alone significantly reduces overall separations times and operation costs which potentially makes this column an attractive alternative for separation of polar analytes.

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