Optimization of selectivity and resolution in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with a mixed micellar system of sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium cholate.

Selectivity and resolution were studied for the separation of seven corticosteroids by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) using a mixed micellar solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium cholate (SC), buffered with 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) or 3-[(1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid (AMPSO). The changes in selectivity were compared for the AMPSO-SDS-SC system by varying the pH and the concentrations of AMPSO, SDS and SC. The experimental design started with the central composite design and continued in a sequential manner. The optimum selectivity for the separation of the corticosteroids was calculated from the analyte migration times and the analyte velocities, by using empirical quadratic regression models. Satisfactory regression fits and coefficients of determination for prediction were obtained with cross-validated models. To optimize the resolution, the physical parameters of capillary length and analysis time were varied under the conditions optimal for the selectivity. In both the selectivity and the resolution, optimization the overall optimum was determined by using the desirability function technique. Analysis times were controlled by using 1,3-diaminopropane to influence the electroosmotic flow velocity (veo). The voltage was kept constant, which resulted in higher electric field strength in shorter capillaries. No changes in the selectivity were observed when 1,3-diaminopropane was used to control the electroosmotic flow velocity. Such an optimization technique, where the chemical and physical factors affecting the separation are treated independently, seemed to be effective for finding the best possible resolution for the corticosteroids.