Development of the Tracer-Pulse Method for Adsorption Studies of Analyte Mixtures in Liquid Chromatography Utilizing Mass Spectrometric Detection

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 80; no. 6; pp. 2105 - 2112
• Main Authors: Samuelsson, Jörgen, Arnell, Robert, Diesen, Jarle S, Tibbelin, Julius, Paptchikhine, Alexander, Fornstedt, Torgny, Sjöberg, Per J. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 15.03.2008
• Subjects: Adsorption; Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography; Exact sciences and technology; Fluids; Mass spectrometry; Methods; Other chromatographic methods; Spectrometric and optical methods; Drug; Chemical analysis; Multicomponent analysis; Adsorption; Adsorption isotherm; HPLC chromatography; Mass spectrometry; Chemical enrichment; Tracers
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac702399a

The tracer-pulse method provides the real adsorption data points directly from simple, straightforward calculations and is therefore a superior method for multicomponent adsorption isotherm determination in HPLC. Only one important problem has restricted its use so far:  the tracer peaks are invisible using any conventional detection principle. We present a solution to this problem with an approach with a firm base in analytical chemistry, utilizing stable isotopes and mass spectrometric detection. The new approach was used for the determination of binary adsorption isotherms, and a systematic investigation was made of its main sources of error. With this modification, the tracer method can be a prime choice for future characterizations of multicomponent separation systems and of competitive drug binding studies.