Validation of the accuracy of the perturbation peak method for determination of single and binary adsorption isotherm parameters in LC.

An analytical validation of the precision and accuracy of the perturbation peak (PP) method for determination of single and competitive thermodynamic isotherm parameters was performed using frontal analysis as a reference. The isotherm parameters of 11alpha-hydroxyprogesterone were determined in an achiral system and the isotherm parameters of (+)-methyl L-mandelate and (-)-methyl D-mandelate were determined in a chiral system, both for the single components and for the competitive binary mixture. The experimental errors in the PP method using different injection techniques were investigated, and we devised a new injection technique for the determination of competitive isotherm parameters that considerably reduced the experimental errors and also made both perturbation peaks detectable. We showed that the PP method with the new injection technique can be used to determine isotherm parameters directly from a racemic mixture. These parameters agreed well with those determined using several enantiomer ratios. Elution-band profiles simulated using the isotherm parameters showed excellent agreement with experimental profiles.