The use of core-shell high-performance liquid chromatography column technology to improve biogenic amine quantification in wine

BACKGROUND: HPLC column technology has been improved, providing better resolution of closely eluting compounds, better analyte sensitivity, and shorter analysis times. The core-shell technology columns offer a faster analysis through the use of shorter columns without compromising resolution. The aim of this work was to improve the methods for determination of biogenic amines (BAs) in wine using the new HPLC PFP core-shell column technology. RESULTS: Two different elution programs were designed to quantify BAs with the core-shell PFP column. Program I flow rate was 2 mL min(-1). The total elution time was 10 min. In elution program II, the flow rate was 0.8 mL min(-1) and the total elution time was 25 min. The two elution programs used with the core-shell PFP HPLC column showed differences related mainly to the histamine peak. The chromatograms showed that when a temporary isocratic elution was added in the gradient (program II), the histamine peak was eluted later, causing its isolation, and therefore its quantification was easier. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the previous C-18 HPLC column for the BAs determination in wine, the main advantage of the presented technique is the reduction of the run times and solvent volumes, and has a better sensitivity and selectivity as peaks are higher and sharper. (C) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry