Abstract: | The accuracy and reproducibility of steroid and steroid conjugate determinations using capillary GC are evaluated. It is possible to analyze many unconjugated steroids, steroid sulfates, and some steroid glucuronides simultaneously, simply by using group fractionation based on successive hydrolysis and solvent extraction steps. However, a reliable determination of corticosteroid glucuronides can only be obtained after previous isolation of the glucuronides as a group, with ion exchange chromatography. In complex chromatograms, the combined use of nitrogen specific detection and flame ionization detection facilitates peak identification. |