Analysis of serotonin and derivatives by reversed-phase ion-pair partition chromatography with fluorometric and electrochemical detection

A flexible and efficient system is described for reversed-phase ion-pair partition-chromatographic analysis of serotonin, its precursors tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan, its main metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and tryptamine. The chromatographic system consists of tri- n-butylphosphate as stationary phase and buffered water-methanol mixtures, containing perchlorate, as mobile phases. Retention can be selectively influenced by means of the pH, the perchlorate concentration, and the methanol content of the mobile phase, as well as the temperature of the phase system. The compounds of interest can be separated within 10 min and no interference from catecholamines and derivatives was observed. Compared with electrochemical detection, fluorometric detection yielded more favourable detection limits and was more selective when supernatants of brain tissue homogenates were directly injected. Both detection systems showed inadequate selectivity if urine samples were directly injected, but 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid could readily be assayed.