Measurement of ethylene glycol (ethane-1,2-diol) in biological specimens using derivatisation and gas-liquid chromatography with flame ionisation detection.

Ethylene glycol in plasma, urine or dialysis fluid is analysed as the phenylboronate derivative by mixing with acetonitrile/acidified 2,2-dimethoxypropane containing phenylboronic acid. After centrifugation, a portion of the supernatant is analysed directly by gas-liquid chromatography using a 3% OV-101 column at 150 degrees C and flame-ionisation detection. Propane-1,3-diol is used as a reactive internal standard. The limit of accurate measurement is at least 0.1 g/L and the linear range extends up to 5.0 g/L. No sources of interference have been identified.