Reversed phase liquid chromatographic determination of organic acids using on-line complexation with copper(II) ion

•A simple RPLC-UV method for the analysis of organic acids was developed.•Organic acids on-line complexed with Cu(II) ion were detected at 240 nm.•The method successfully measured organic acids in juice and vinegar samples.•Organic acids can be analyzed without interferences from coexisting substances.

We describe a simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of organic acids using on-line complexation with copper(II) ion. Organic acids complexed with copper(II) ion were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column and detected by UV absorption at 240 nm. The copper(II) ion concentration in the mobile phase had a great influence on separation and sensitivity. A mobile phase consisting of 10 mM copper(II) sulfate in 5 mM sulfuric acid (pH 2.3) was used to separate nine organic acids (tartaric, malic, malonic, lactic, acetic, citric, maleic, succinic and fumaric acids). The detection limits of the examined organic acids calculated at S/N = 3 ranged from 0.6 to 100 μM. The detector signal was linear over three orders of magnitude of organic acid concentration. The method successfully measured organic acids in juice and vinegar samples.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide