Experiment 1: HPLC, LC-MS, IC
Introduction:
HPLC stands for High Pressure (or Performance) Liquid Chromatography. Primarily used
for separations of compound mixtures. HPLC can be used for measurements of identification,
quantification, and purity. It uses a column separation technique, where the analyte is
separated by mobile and stationary phases under intense pressure. A detector provides
retention times with a chromatogram of the samples. LC-MS is Liquid Chromatography–Mass
Spectrometry. This instrument uses a similar column separation technique employed in HPLC,
differing by using mass spectrometry. After separation, at the end of the column, solvent is
removed and the sample is ionized. A mass detector then scans the molecules and produces a
spectrum identifying the compounds within the sample. IC stands for Ion Chromatography,
used in the separation of ions and polar molecules based on charge. Typical examples are water
analysis and quality control analysis. A sample is placed into the column that contains a gel
matrix. The analyte is then detected by conductivity or UV/Vis absorbance. A graph is then
created with peaks to specific ions in solution.
Day One
Objective:
Use of the HPLC and LC-MS in the standardization of caffeine samples for later testing of tea samples.
Equilibrate and run a standard on IC for later testing of water samples.
Procedure:
LC-MS
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HPLC
Ensure everything is turned on. Turn on Nitrogen (40psi).
Click Analyst Software icon on desktop.
Click hardware configuration>LC-MS>Activate Profile.
Click Build Acquisition Batch>method Caffeine10>add set> add sample> Select # of samples and
vial positions>submit twice.
Click View>Sample Queue
Click Ready>Start Sample
View results: Click Open Data File and find set name.
Right Click on graph and click list data. Find peak list tap and click to view.
Click hardware configuration>LC-MS>Deactivate profile
Turn off Nitrogen in gas room.
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Check levels of methanol and water.
Check pump lines A and B for air bubbles, prime lines if needed.
Turn detector on.
Select HPLC on desktop>Shimadzu>Methods>TSW.met
Select Parameters>download>ok
Inject when program says “waiting for trigger”
Click analyze to show retention times and peak areas.
Click Report icon>Area%
Turn method to LOWFLOW.met and download.
Turn detector off, and ensure methanol and water levels.
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Check Helium gas and set to 80psi
Check bottles on instrument, refill if necessary.
Open Chromeleon program on desktop
Click File>Open>Change to control panel>MyPannels>Open ICS-90
Equilibrate for 20 to 30 mins
Click File>New>Sequence>Next
Set injection parameters>Next
Click Batch Menu>Edit>Add. Inject sample.
Click File>Open>Select Sequence> sample name. Name peaks by sheet in drawer.
Close program when done, check fluid levels. Refill if necessary.
IC
Data:
*Note: Chromatograms, and Peaks from IC are contained in Lab Notebook.*
Standard solutions were diluted from 1000ppm to 50, 80, 100, 500ppm respectively (HPLC and LC-MS).
Calibration Curve (HPLC)
14000000
12000000
A
r
e
a
10000000
8000000
6000000
y = 28389x - 272711
R² = 0.989
4000000
2000000
0
0
100
200
300
400
Concentration (ppm)
500
600
Standard solution was obtained from lab bench.
Calibration Curve (IC)
Peak Height (micro-S)
55
50
y = 5.6397x - 9.9185
R² = 0.4714
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
4
5
6
7
8
9
Retention Time
Calculations:
Dilution factors:
50ppm: 𝑉 =
50𝑝𝑝𝑚×100𝑚𝐿
1000𝑝𝑝𝑚
V=5mL
80ppm: V=8mL
100ppm: V=10mL
500ppm: V=50mL
Day Two
Objective:
Prepare tea samples. Repeat of day one procedures in running tea samples on HPLC and LC-MS. Run
water samples on IC.
Procedure:
1. Repeat Procedures from Day one.
2. Brew Teas and dilute for HPLC.
Data:
From HPLC Standards Calibration Curve:
-Caffeinated English tea:
Y=28389x-272711
For 1mL 𝑥 =
x=concentration
255815+272711
28389
y=area
x=18.62ppm
For 2.5mL x=32ppm
For 5.0mL x=35.7ppm
-Caffeinated Organic Lab Tea:
For 1mL x=12.5ppm
For 2.5mL x=27.1ppm
For 5.0mL x=62.7ppm
-Decaffeinated English Tea:
Undiluted sample =24.1ppm
Conclusion:
HPLC yielded better results overall in the three instruments used. Sample size was an issue, standards
over 550ppm plateaued and became useless. Caffeinated tea samples yielded good results, caffeine is
definitely present. Decaffeinated yielded some caffeine results as was expected. This concentration fell
between diluted sample sizes.
LC-MS yielded poor results in the standards, all had extreme background noise except for the 1000ppm
sample. A calibration curve was impossible. However the sample data yielded great results showing
caffeine present, but without a calibration curve, the concentration remains unknown.
IC was not successful. It required a long preparation time and a long sample run. We were only able to
obtain a standard and one sample. The cambell hall sample yielded decent results with 3 peaks present.