Analysis of vanilla extract by reversed phase liquid chromatography using water rich mobile phases

► An improved RPLC method for the characterization of vanilla extract, a key component in food, has been developed. ► Using water rich mobile phases, better and faster separations can be obtained than from methanol-water or acetonitrile-water mobile phases. ► Constituents in vanilla extract that hitherto were undetected have been identified using the new RPLC method. ► Hydrophobic alcohols have advantages over methanol or acetonitrile for the separation of weakly retained compounds on alkyl bonded phases.