title: Analysis of microcystins by capillary high performance liquid chromatography using a polymethacrylate-based monolithic column.
abstract: A polymethacrylate-based monolithic column was prepared and its application to the separation of three kinds of similar microcystins (MCs) in capillary high performance liquid chromatography (capillary-HPLC) with ultraviolet detection was studied. The monolithic matrix contains both hydrophobic and cation-exchange interaction sites. Factors influencing the separation performance have been investigated. A baseline separation could be achieved by means of Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer of mildly alkaline pH and acetonitrile as the mobile phases in less than 5 min. The calibration curves were linear with a correlation coefficient r>0.9990 over a range of 0.25-18.00 mg/L. This method was successfully applied to the separation of microcystins from other compounds in spiked uncontaminated lake water after performing solid-phase extraction. The whole procedure provided low LODs, e. g. the LODs for MC-LR, MC-YR, and MC-RR were found to be 0.49, 0.67, 0.30 microg/L, respectively. The LODs, precision, efficiency, and the results obtained for the real samples demonstrate the potential of polymethacrylate-based monolithic columns as fast separation tools for routine use in the monitoring of microcystins in real water samples.
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Congying
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jinping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Nenghu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D052998:Microcystins / Q000032:analysis*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D052998:Microcystins; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water; C030613:polymethacrylic acid