The use of charged aerosol detection with HPLC for the measurement of lipids.

A gradient HPLC-charged aerosol detection method was applied to the measurement of different lipids including: free fatty acids, fatty alcohols, glycerides, steroids, phospholipids, and fat-soluble vitamins. An algal oil sample is used as an example. Charged aerosol detection offers a new approach to the routine analysis of any nonvolatile lipid. It shows low ng (on column) sensitivity, a dynamic range of over four orders of magnitude, good reproducibility, gradient compatibility, and similar analyte response for nonvolatile species, independent of chemical structure. Furthermore, charged aerosol detection uses mobile phases that are fully compatible with LC-MS--enabling both detectors to be used in a "lipidomics platform."