Determination of [S,S′]-ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) by high performance liquid chromatography after derivatization with FMOC

The paper describes a new HPLC method for the determination of ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS). EDDS is derivatized with FMOC reagent followed by HPLC separation on a reversed-phase column. The eluents consist of phosphate buffer at pH 6.8 and acetonitrile. Separation was carried out using gradient elution. The FMOC-EDDS derivative is detected with a fluorescence detector with an excitation wavelength of 265 nm and an emission wavelength of 313 nm. The detection limit is 0.01 μM. The method is applicable to the determination of the compound in water, soil solution and plant material at trace levels.