Vitamins and minerals analysis

[danw9]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone has an idea on what detectors I will need to analyse b vitamins, vitamin e and minerals using hplc if it's possible?

[Blazer]

A UV detector will work fine for the vitamins. Consult the USP for monographs.

[Markus Laeubli, Metrohm]

Use ion chromatography for anions and cations of minarals.

[danw9]

Sorry if I sound bit silly but ion exchange hplc will use variance in pH to separate each mineral?

I have no experience of many complex separations as we only have an old system but but looking to invest in one to possibly do this and many other methods too

[Markus Laeubli, Metrohm]

No ion chromatography separates anions and cations respectively on ion exchanger column due to the different ion exchange constants.
In most of the cases no gradient and therefore also no pH change is required.

[danw9]

Thank you very much for your help its helped me understand it better. What detectors would be required? I'm guessing mass spec

[tom jupille]

What detectors would be required? I'm guessing mass spec

You *could* use MS, but that would be like using a sledge hammer to swat a fly. Assuming the matrix is either food or a dosage form, the vitamins would be best done with a UV absorbance detector; the minerals with a conductivity detector.

As an aside, before going too far I suggest you take a step back and get more information about LC in general. I can recommend Mike Dong's book "Modern HPLC for Practicing Scientists". Here's a link to it on Amazon:
http://tinyurl.com/7dnm8dw

I'll also put in a plug for the "Fundamentals of HPLC" course I'm teaching on-line next week:
http://lcresources.com/training/trfund.html

[danw9]

Thanks for the information Tom. The company I work for are looking for a new system so looking at many options so trying to cover all bases of all the analysis we want to cover which we can't do on our old system

[James_Ball]

If it is possible the list of minerals or metals will grow over time to include contaminates and not only nutritional metals it would be good to look into getting an ICP OES or ICP MS depending on the metals you will be needing and the price range you can afford. With those you can run from low ppb to high ppm concentrations and you can run a sample in about 5 minutes tops.

If it is in food related products I am not sure how you would completely extract the minerals in a LC friendly manner but simple acid digestion will work for ICP.

[danw9]

Hi James

I wasn't sure if lc would work it was just an idea as It would make it cost effective as it wouldn't be a test we would run regular.