Elution Conditions for Effective Separation on an Aged Sulfonated Polystyrene-Divinylbenzene (SPD) Column of Organic Acids from Meat

A modified elution condition for organic acids in meat chromatographed by aged sulfonated polystyrene-divinylbenzene (SPD) column was compared to common elution conditions in terms of efficiency, selectivity, resolution, peak shape, precision, and accuracy. The mobile phase concentration (mM), flow rate (mL/min), and column temperature (℃) under common elution conditions (CECs) changed from 10 to 25, 0.6 to 0.2, and 60 to 40 in modified elution (MEC), respectively. A total of 15 peaks were detected in both elution conditions. Seven of them were confirmed with the available authentic organic acid standards including citric, pyruvic, succinic, lactic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acid. A good efficiency, selectivity, resolution, and peak shape were obtained for organic acids chromatographed on aged SPD column with MEC compared to CEC. The analyte was quantified using external standard technique. High response factor, expected correction factor, better calibration sensitivity and repeatability, and also accuracy for organic acids were observed under MEC. In particular, when peak broadening was observed in the aged SPD column, good chromatographic separation could be obtained with MEC in terms of resolution and peak shape was associated with better precision and recovery for organic acids in meat. Graphical Abstract