Liquid-chromatographic method for determination of homovanillic acid in plasma, with electrochemical detection.

We describe a sensitive, simple method for measuring homovanillic acid in human plasma. The method is based on liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Sensitivity was 125 pg of homovanillic acid per injection. Samples were deproteinized and extracted with organic solvent before chromatography. Quantification was by the standard-additions technique. Analytical recovery of added HVA was 44.8 (SD 6.2%). We confirmed specificity by using serial amperometric detectors.