Evaporative light scattering detector

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An evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) is a destructive chromatography detector, used in conjunction with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), [1] ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), [2] purification liquid chromatography such as flash or preparative chromatography (using a splitter), countercurrent or centrifugal partition chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). It is commonly used for analysis of compounds that do not absorb UV-VIS radiation significantly, such as sugars, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, fatty acids, lipids, oils, phospholipids, polymers, surfactants, terpenoids and triglycerides. [3] [4]

ELSDs works by nebulizing the column's effluents into a fine aerosol mist, which then passes through a heated drift tube, where the solvent evaporates. Thus, it can be easily used in gradient method of LC and SFC. [5] The remaining non-volatile analyte particles are carried further by a carrier gas to a light scattering cell, where a beam of light illuminates them and they scatter it. The scattered light proceeds to a photodiode which converts it to a signal, which is proportional to the mass of the analyte particles. This is why it is considered as a sort of "universal detector" [6] as it is able to detect all compound which are less volatile than the mobile phase, i.e. non volatile and semi-volatile compounds.

ELSD is related to the charged aerosol detector (CAD), in which the aerosol is charged. Like the CAD, it falls under the category of destructive detectors.

Principles of operation

ELSDs analyze solutes eluting out of the chromatographic column, both in LC and SFC. As the eluent exits the column's outlet into the detector inlet, it is mixed with an inert carrier gas (usually nitrogen) and forced through a nebulizer, which separates the liquid into fine aerosolized droplets. These droplets then pass into a heated drift tube, where the mobile phase solvent is evaporated off. As the mobile phase evaporates, the droplets become smaller and smaller until all that is left is minute particles of dried analyte. These particles are pushed through the drift tube by the carrier gas to the detection region. In this region, a beam of light crosses the column of analyte and the scattering of light is measured by a photodiode or photomultiplier tube. The detector's output is non-linear across more than one order of magnitude and proper calibration is required for quantitative analysis. [7]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">High-performance liquid chromatography</span> Technique in analytical chemistry

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), formerly referred to as high-pressure liquid chromatography, is a technique in analytical chemistry used to separate, identify, and quantify specific components in mixtures. The mixtures can originate from food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biological, environmental and agriculture, etc., which have been dissolved into liquid solutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ion source</span> Device that creates charged atoms and molecules (ions)

An ion source is a device that creates atomic and molecular ions. Ion sources are used to form ions for mass spectrometers, optical emission spectrometers, particle accelerators, ion implanters and ion engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gas chromatography</span> Type of chromatography

Gas chromatography (GC) is a common type of chromatography used in analytical chemistry for separating and analyzing compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition. Typical uses of GC include testing the purity of a particular substance, or separating the different components of a mixture. In preparative chromatography, GC can be used to prepare pure compounds from a mixture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Column chromatography</span> Method to isolate a compound in a mixture

Column chromatography in chemistry is a chromatography method used to isolate a single chemical compound from a mixture. Chromatography is able to separate substances based on differential adsorption of compounds to the adsorbent; compounds move through the column at different rates, allowing them to be separated into fractions. The technique is widely applicable, as many different adsorbents can be used with a wide range of solvents. The technique can be used on scales from micrograms up to kilograms. The main advantage of column chromatography is the relatively low cost and disposability of the stationary phase used in the process. The latter prevents cross-contamination and stationary phase degradation due to recycling. Column chromatography can be done using gravity to move the solvent, or using compressed gas to push the solvent through the column.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry</span> Analytical chemistry technique

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) is an analytical chemistry technique that combines the physical separation capabilities of liquid chromatography with the mass analysis capabilities of mass spectrometry (MS). Coupled chromatography – MS systems are popular in chemical analysis because the individual capabilities of each technique are enhanced synergistically. While liquid chromatography separates mixtures with multiple components, mass spectrometry provides spectral information that may help to identify each separated component. MS is not only sensitive, but provides selective detection, relieving the need for complete chromatographic separation. LC–MS is also appropriate for metabolomics because of its good coverage of a wide range of chemicals. This tandem technique can be used to analyze biochemical, organic, and inorganic compounds commonly found in complex samples of environmental and biological origin. Therefore, LC–MS may be applied in a wide range of sectors including biotechnology, environment monitoring, food processing, and pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and cosmetic industries. Since the early 2000s, LC–MS has also begun to be used in clinical applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization</span> Ionization method

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) is an ionization method used in mass spectrometry which utilizes gas-phase ion-molecule reactions at atmospheric pressure (105 Pa), commonly coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). APCI is a soft ionization method similar to chemical ionization where primary ions are produced on a solvent spray. The main usage of APCI is for polar and relatively less polar thermally stable compounds with molecular weight less than 1500 Da. The application of APCI with HPLC has gained a large popularity in trace analysis detection such as steroids, pesticides and also in pharmacology for drug metabolites.

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) is a mode of liquid chromatography in which non-polar stationary phase and polar mobile phases are used for the separation of organic compounds. The vast majority of separations and analyses using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in recent years are done using the reversed phase mode. In the reversed phase mode, the sample components are retained in the system the more hydrophobic they are.

Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is a form of normal phase chromatography that uses a supercritical fluid such as carbon dioxide as the mobile phase. It is used for the analysis and purification of low to moderate molecular weight, thermally labile molecules and can also be used for the separation of chiral compounds. Principles are similar to those of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); however, SFC typically utilizes carbon dioxide as the mobile phase. Therefore, the entire chromatographic flow path must be pressurized. Because the supercritical phase represents a state whereby bulk liquid and gas properties converge, supercritical fluid chromatography is sometimes called convergence chromatography. The idea of liquid and gas properties convergence was first envisioned by Giddings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thermospray</span>

Thermospray is a soft ionization source by which a solvent flow of liquid sample passes through a very thin heated column to become a spray of fine liquid droplets. As a form of atmospheric pressure ionization in mass spectrometry these droplets are then ionized via a low-current discharge electrode to create a solvent ion plasma. A repeller then directs these charged particles through the skimmer and acceleration region to introduce the aerosolized sample to a mass spectrometer. It is particularly useful in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Sample preparation for mass spectrometry is used for the optimization of a sample for analysis in a mass spectrometer (MS). Each ionization method has certain factors that must be considered for that method to be successful, such as volume, concentration, sample phase, and composition of the analyte solution. Quite possibly the most important consideration in sample preparation is knowing what phase the sample must be in for analysis to be successful. In some cases the analyte itself must be purified before entering the ion source. In other situations, the matrix, or everything in the solution surrounding the analyte, is the most important factor to consider and adjust. Often, sample preparation itself for mass spectrometry can be avoided by coupling mass spectrometry to a chromatography method, or some other form of separation before entering the mass spectrometer. In some cases, the analyte itself must be adjusted so that analysis is possible, such as in protein mass spectrometry, where usually the protein of interest is cleaved into peptides before analysis, either by in-gel digestion or by proteolysis in solution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two-dimensional chromatography</span>

Two-dimensional chromatography is a type of chromatographic technique in which the injected sample is separated by passing through two different separation stages. Two different chromatographic columns are connected in sequence, and the effluent from the first system is transferred onto the second column. Typically the second column has a different separation mechanism, so that bands that are poorly resolved from the first column may be completely separated in the second column. Alternately, the two columns might run at different temperatures. During the second stage of separation the rate at which the separation occurs must be faster than the first stage, since there is still only a single detector. The plane surface is amenable to sequential development in two directions using two different solvents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atomic emission spectroscopy</span> Analytical method using radiation to identify chemical elements in a sample

Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is a method of chemical analysis that uses the intensity of light emitted from a flame, plasma, arc, or spark at a particular wavelength to determine the quantity of an element in a sample. The wavelength of the atomic spectral line in the emission spectrum gives the identity of the element while the intensity of the emitted light is proportional to the number of atoms of the element. The sample may be excited by various methods.

A monolithic HPLC column, or monolithic column, is a column used in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The internal structure of the monolithic column is created in such a way that many channels form inside the column. The material inside the column which separates the channels can be porous and functionalized. In contrast, most HPLC configurations use particulate packed columns; in these configurations, tiny beads of an inert substance, typically a modified silica, are used inside the column. Monolithic columns can be broken down into two categories, silica-based and polymer-based monoliths. Silica-based monoliths are known for their efficiency in separating smaller molecules while, polymer-based are known for separating large protein molecules.

A chromatography detector is a device that detects and quantifies separated compounds as they elute from the chromatographic column. These detectors are integral to various chromatographic techniques, such as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography, and supercritical fluid chromatography among others. The main function of a chromatography detector is to translate the physical or chemical properties of the analyte molecules into measurable signal, typically electrical signal, that can be displayed as a function of time in a graphical presentation, called a chromatograms. Chromatograms can provide valuable information about the composition and concentration of the components in the sample.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Direct electron ionization liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry interface</span>

A direct electron ionization liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry interface is a technique for coupling liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based on the direct introduction of the liquid effluent into an electron ionization (EI) source. Library searchable mass spectra are generated. Gas-phase EI has many applications for the detection of HPLC amenable compounds showing minimal adverse matrix effects. The direct-EI LC-MS interface provides access to well-characterized electron ionization data for a variety of LC applications and readily interpretable spectra from electronic libraries for environmental, food safety, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and other applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asymmetric flow field flow fractionation</span>

Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) is most versatile and most widely used sub-technique within the family of field flow fractionation (FFF) methods. AF4 can be used in aqueous and organic solvents and is able to characterize nanoparticles, polymers and proteins. The theory for AF4 was conceived in 1986 and was established in 1987 and first published by Wahlund and Giddings. AF4 is distinct from symmetrical Flow FFF because it contains only one permeable wall so the cross-flow is caused only by the carrier liquid. The cross-flow is induced by the carrier liquid constantly exiting by way of the semi-permeable wall on the bottom of the channel.

Ion suppression in LC-MS and LC-MS/MS refers to reduced detector response, or signal:noise as a manifested effect of competition for ionisation efficiency in the ionisation source, between the analyte(s) of interest and other endogenous or exogenous species which have not been removed from the sample matrix during sample preparation. Ion suppression is not strictly a problem unless interfering compounds elute at the same time as the analyte of interest. In cases where ion suppressing species do co-elute with an analyte, the effects on the important analytical parameters including precision, accuracy and limit of detection can be extensive, severely limiting the validity of an assay's results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atmospheric-pressure photoionization</span> Soft ionization method

Atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) is a soft ionization method used in mass spectrometry (MS) usually coupled to liquid chromatography (LC). Molecules are ionized using a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light source operating at atmospheric pressure, either by direct absorption followed by electron ejection or through ionization of a dopant molecule that leads to chemical ionization of target molecules. The sample is usually a solvent spray that is vaporized by nebulization and heat. The benefit of APPI is that it ionizes molecules across a broad range of polarity and is particularly useful for ionization of low polarity molecules for which other popular ionization methods such as electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) are less suitable. It is also less prone to ion suppression and matrix effects compared to ESI and APCI and typically has a wide linear dynamic range. The application of APPI with LC/MS is commonly used for analysis of petroleum compounds, pesticides, steroids, and drug metabolites lacking polar functional groups and is being extensively deployed for ambient ionization particularly for explosives detection in security applications.

The charged aerosol detector (CAD) is a detector used in conjunction with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) to measure the amount of chemicals in a sample by creating charged aerosol particles which are detected using an electrometer. It is commonly used for the analysis of compounds that cannot be detected using traditional UV/Vis approaches due to their lack of a chromophore. The CAD can measure all non-volatile and many semi-volatile analytes including, but not limited to, antibiotics, excipients, ions, lipids, natural products, biofuels, sugars and surfactants. The CAD, like other aerosol detectors, falls under the category of destructive general-purpose detectors.

References

  1. Dreux, M.; Lafosse, M. (1995-01-01), El Rassi, Ziad (ed.), "Chapter 13 Evaporative Light Scattering Detection of Carbohydrates in HPLC", Journal of Chromatography Library, Carbohydrate Analysis, vol. 58, Elsevier, pp. 515–540, doi:10.1016/s0301-4770(08)60518-7 , retrieved 2023-10-21
  2. Varache, Mathieu; Ciancone, Mathieu; Couffin, Anne-Claude (2019). "Development and validation of a novel UPLC-ELSD method for the assessment of lipid composition of nanomedicine formulation". International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 566: 11–23. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.05.038 .
  3. "2424 Evaporative Light Scattering Guide" (PDF). Waters Corporation.
  4. Douville, V.; Lodi, A.; Miller, J.; Nicolas, A.; Clarot, I.; Prilleux, B.; Megoulas, N.; Koupparis, M. (2006-08-01). "Evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD): a tool for improved quality control of drug substances". Pharmeuropa Scientific Notes. 2006 (1): 9–15. ISSN   1814-2435. PMID   17694640.
  5. Rashan, Joseph; Chen, Raymond (2007-05-09). "Developing a versatile gradient elution LC/ELSD method for analyzing cellulose derivatives in pharmaceutical formulations". Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 44 (1): 23–28. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2007.01.015. ISSN   0731-7085.
  6. http://www.cromlab.es/Articulos/Columnas/HPLC/Thermo/Acclaim/P1/87448-PO-HPLC-Universal-Detection-30June2010-LPN2562-01.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  7. Mourey, Thomas H.; Oppenheimer, Larry E. (1984-11-01). "Principles of operation of an evaporative light-scattering detector for liquid chromatography". Analytical Chemistry. 56 (13): 2427–2434. doi:10.1021/ac00277a039. ISSN   0003-2700.