New biochemical separations using precolumn derivatization and microcolumn liquid chromatography.

Microcolumn liquid chromatography with slurry-packed capillary columns has been used to resolve mixtures of biologically important steroids and prostaglandins. In order to enhance detection sensitivity, the samples are first derivatized with a suitable chromophore-yielding agent. Hydroxy steroids were derivatized with either benzoyl chloride or 7-(chlorocarbonylmethoxy)-4-methylcoumarin, while Dns hydrazine was employed to react with the ketonic groups of certain steroidal conjugates. Bile acids can also be derivatized with bromomethylcoumarin to yield fluorescent products. The use of microcolumns permits both a high degree of component resolution and enhanced detection sensitivity.