Solvent exchange using hollow fiber prior to separation and determination of some antioxidants by high performance liquid chromatography

This study presents a simple and rapid solvent exchange procedure using a hollow fiber. Antioxidants (Irganox 1010, Irganox 1076 and Irgafos 168) and solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), carbon tetrachloride and toluene were selected as model compounds and sample solvents, respectively. After injection of the sample solution into the hollow fiber and solvent evaporation, the precipitated analytes in lumen and pores of the fiber were washed with methanol (the mobile phase for separation and determination by HPLC-diode array detection) and good chromatographic peaks were obtained. The effect of different parameters such as fiber length, volumes of sample and washing solvents were investigated and the optimum conditions were selected. The repeatability of the method was tested and it was found that the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was less than 10% for all analytes. Also enrichment factors of 3.03, 2.21 and 1.19 times were obtained for Irganox 1010, Irganox 1076 and Irgafos 168, respectively, when 200 μL sample and 50 μL methanol (washing solvent) were used.