Underivatized amylose and cellulose as new stationary phases for hydrophilic interaction chromatography.

Two polysaccharide stationary phases have been newly suggested for application in hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC). Both columns (amylose-silica, 250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm and cellulose-silica, 250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) demonstrated a satisfactory retention of polar compounds. The influence of the mobile-phase composition (acetonitrile content, pH, salt concentration) on the retention was in agreement with the HILIC concept. The phases showed a very similar behavior, typical efficiency of about 50,000 plates/m, cellulose retained test compounds somewhat more strongly. Under the experimental conditions, electrostatic (non-HILIC-type) interactions due to the dissociation of silanol groups on the silica surface did not influence the retention, noticeably. The applicability of polysaccharide stationary phases for the chromatography of polar compounds was proven by the separation of mixtures of sugars (fructose, glucose, saccharose, maltose, trehalose) or vitamins (nicotinamide, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine, nicotinic acid, ascorbic acid).