HPLC separations with micro-bore columns using high-temperature water and flame ionization detection.

Previous work demonstrates that a flame ionization detector (FID) may be used as a detector for high-temperature water separation. However, the relatively high flow rate of the eluent required by standard high-performance liquid chromatography columns causes instability of the FID. In this work, micro-bore columns are packed with poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (PRP-1) or Daiso gel octadecylsilane-bonded phase particles. Because micro columns require low volume flow rates, the eluent used in high-temperature water chromatography does not cause instability of the FID. Separation of carbohydrates, amino acids, and other organic acids and bases is performed on two micro-bore columns using a homemade high-temperature water chromatograph with FID. Both isothermal and programmed temperatures are used in this work. The limit of detection and the linear range are also determined for amino acids tested.