Evaluation of different column chemistries for fast urinary metabolic profiling

Fast analytical methodologies are mandatory for large scale metabolic profiling. Here, we present a thorough evaluation of different column chemistries in combination with different mobile phases for fast LC–MS urinary metabolic profiling. Three porous HILIC materials were investigated, next to core–shell C18-, XB-C18- and PFP-RPLC material. The performance of the selected column chemistries was tested in a non-targeted manner with pooled urine samples and in a targeted manner with a set of 54 common urinary metabolites. In order to evaluate the differential behaviour of the tested columns in a targeted manner, we applied a peak scoring algorithm. This algorithm takes into account several quality criteria such as retention time, dead time, peak height and peak shape. In general, HILIC columns generate more retention for polar metabolites. Our results show that the diol-HILIC column outperforms the RPLC columns. However, because of their opposite nature, comprehensive behaviour is observed as well, which was shown by investigating gender differences in a small urinary sample set. All applied column chemistries enabled sufficient peak capacity within a short gradient time.

► Comprehensive column chemistry evaluation for urinary metabolomics.
► Evaluation based on relevant analyte standards and pooled urine samples.
► Application of automated peak score evaluation and feature detection.
► Application to small sample set of urine specimen.
► Conclusion: superior behaviour of diol-HILIC material under specified conditions.