Enhancing detection sensitivity in gradient liquid chromatography via post-column refocusing and strong-solvent remobilization

We developed earlier the post-column refocusing strategy for isocratic separations, which employs trapping target analytes after an analytical separation and additionally focusing them using a strong remobilization solvent prior to detection, and have now extended it to high-speed gradient LC. A gradient separation of antibiotics and its metabolites, applying a linear aqueous acetonitrile gradient from 2 to 65% (v/v) ACN containing 0.1% FA in 10 min, performed on an analytical column was selected as an application. Eluted heart-cut fractions were directed from the analytical silica C18 column to a trap column packed with Hypercarb particles. The remobilization of the target analytes was performed in back-flush mode using solvent mixtures tuned to maximize the solvent strength by mixing isopropanol into the remobilization solvent containing acetonitrile. Additionally, a viscosity-calibration experiment showed that the viscosity difference between trapping and remobilization solvents should be smaller than 0.15 mPa·s to prevent viscous fingering. To keep the viscosity difference below this limit, during the gradient separation performed on the analytical column, the composition of the remobilization solvent was changed in time. An empirical equation is provided that allows for the selection of the optimal remobilization-solvent composition. To maximize the signal enhancement, the loading time of target analytes on the trap column should be optimized. Peak dispersion was further minimized by applying a flow rate that corresponded to the optimal van-Deemter flow rate of the trap column (20 μL/min). Finally, decreasing the diameter of the trap column from 1 mm to 0.3 mm led to a significant enhancement of the detection sensitivity with more than one order of magnitude. Using an optimized trap configuration and elution/remobilization conditions, a signal enhancement of a factor of 14 was achieved for sulfaguanidine (early-eluting compound in the gradient separation) and 7.3 for furazolidone (late-eluting compound).