Separation of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography using sodium taurodeoxycholate modified with organic solvents

The usefulness of a bile acid salt, sodium taurodeoxycholate (STDC), as a surfactant and organic solvents as organic modifiers for the separation of 16 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the U.S. EPA priority pollutant list by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) was investigated. The best resolution of analytes was obtained with a phosphate-borate buffer containing 50 mM STDC and 30% acetone. Short capillaries effected rapid (<6 min) partial PAH separation, an approach that has potential use in screening studies. The capability of the developed separation system was demonstrated in the analysis of ambient air extracts.