Analysis of ubidecarenone (CoQ10) aqueous samples using reversed phase liquid chromatography.

A novel method was developed for the quantitative determination of ubidecarenone (CoQ10) in aqueous media using non aqueous reversed phase liquid chromatography. Standards were prepared by melting the compound in Cremophor EL followed by dilution with distilled water. Samples were then analyzed by a Reverse Phase HPLC method using a Waters Novapak C18, 3.9 x 150 mm column. The mobile phase used was methanol: n-hexane (9:1) at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. Response of the detector to the analyte was linear (r: 0.999) over the range of 2.5-100 micrograms ml-1, with a limit of detection of 0.17 microgram ml-1. Acetone used to solubilize CoQ10 in the surfactant and Cremophor EL did not interfere with sample analysis. This method provided a convenient and alternative approach to the existing methods that require organic solvent extractions prior to analysis. Besides, this method enabled the separation of major photolytic decomposition products of CoQ10.