Alkaloids analysis using off-line two-dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography × ultra-high performance liquid chromatography.

In this study, an off-line two-dimensional (2-D) supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) × ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method with high orthogonality was developed for the analysis of the practical amide alkaloids fraction from P. longum L. The effects of SFC parameters such as column type, organic modifier, temperature and back-pressure on separation were systematically evaluated. Different selectivity was observed for different columns (BEH, BEH 2-EP, XAmide and CSH FP). An investigation was then carried out of the orthogonality of different columns and systems following a geometric approach with a set of amide alkaloid samples. The orthogonality between a CSH FP column and a BEH column reached 50.79%, which was much higher than that for the other columns. While the orthogonality between SFC and UHPLC based on an XAmide column and an HSS T3 column reached 69.84%, which was the highest of all the combinations. At last, the practical amide alkaloids fraction was analyzed with an off-line 2-D chromatography SFC × UHPLC system. In total, at least 340 peaks were detected by this method. Rapid separation in these two dimensions and easy post treatment of SFC facilitated this 2-D system for the separation of complex samples.