Separation of flavonoids on different phenyl-bonded stationary phases-the influence of polar groups in stationary phase structure.

Four phenyl-bonded stationary phases, differing in polar embedded group between spacer and phenyl ring, were used for the separation of flavonoids in reversed-phase conditions. In addition, the work was focused on the comparison of these stationary phases in terms of retention and nature of interactions between flavonoid solutes and both, mobile and stationary phases. The differences and similarities between the columns and between individual flavonoids were evaluated by a statistical analysis. The retention over the wider range of mobile phase composition was described using well known model suggested for partition chromatographic systems. Due to differences in polarity of flavonoids, gradient elution had to be applied to achieve appropriate conditions for the successful separation. A chromatographic optimization software was employed for establish the appropriate profiles of gradient separations using UV detection at 275 nm. The most appropriate conditions for the separation of flavonoids were apparent on the phenyl and phenoxy columns.