Automation of multiple sephadex LH-20 column chromatography for the simultaneous separation of plasma corticosteroids.

An automated method of Sephacex LH-20 chromatography has been developed for the simultaneous and complete separation of corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, aldosterone, cortisone and cortisol from a small plasma sample prior to radioimmunoassay. Using a controlled elution flow-rate of 40 ml/h and automated programme tape-controlled collection of the eluates from six columns eluted simultaneously, excellent reproducibility of elution patterns with minimal day-to-day and column-to-column variations could be achieved. The method can be easily extended and permits the reliable, rapid and easy routine separation of individual steroids from a single plasma or tissue extract on a multi-column scale.