Characterization of Packing Columns For the Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Corticosteroids in Human Plasma

Abstract

Commercially available columns were characterized by examining the retentions of steroid hormones in liquid chromatography. The phase systems used were dichloromethane-ethanol for silica gel, acetonitrile-water for ODS and CN bonded columns. Solvent compositions were optimized so as to make the retention times of standard steroids less than sixty minutes. Retention data were obtained and reproducibility of the retention times was examined by repetitive injections of the standard samples. These chromatographic phase systems were applied to determine steroid hormones in human plasma following extraction by dichloromethane. CN columns showed the best reproducibility and resolution. Changes in the standing of corticosteroids in plasma under general anesthesia were investigated using CN column systems.