HPLC with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric detection for the analysis of inositol phosphates

The use of inductively coupled plasma optimal emission spectroscopy as a detector for the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of inositol phosphates is studied. It is found that separation of different inositol phosphates with a mobile phase consisting of tetraethylammonium (0.14%, w/v), methanol (5%, v/v), and formic acid (0.18%, w/v) may be obtained on a PRP-1 column with an analysis time of 18 min. In addition, high specificity and sensitivity of the detection system used permits detection of the inositol phosphates from bi- to hexaphosphate free from interference of other chromatographic peaks, which could be from the sample or mobile phase. Additionally, it is possible to use less sample because of the high sensitivity of the detection system.