HPLC assay of underivatized free amino acids with column switching and evaporative light-scattering detection

In this communication the authors report the HPLC SEPARATION OF 20 amino acids without derivatization. Separation was achieved by column swithing using a C-8 reversed-phase column and a cationic ion-exchange column. Detection of the underivatized amino acids was accomplished by means of an evaporative laser light-scattering (ELS) detector. The influence of the temperature of the diffusion tube and nebuolzation gas pressure on detector response is reported. The relationship of peak areas vs. mass show a good log-log linearity within a 1:10 range. Detechtion limit is in the order of 200 pmol for most amino acids under the conditions used.