A simple HPLC method for the simultaneous analysis of insulin and ovomucoid

An analytical HPLC method is reported for the simultaneous determination of insulin and its enzyme inhibitor, chicken ovomucoid. Verapamil was used as an internal standard. The elution was achieved using a gradient technique (10-15% B for 4 min, 15-35% B from 5th to 11th min and 35-10% B from 12th to 22nd min). The mobile phase used was 0.05% v/v trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water and 0.05% v/v TFA in acetonitrile with a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min. The analytes were detected at 210 nm after resolution using a reversed phase C-18 column. Insulin, ovomucoid and verapamil (IS) were eluted at 11.9, 14.2, and 18 min, respectively, free from any interfering endogenous peaks during a run time of 22 min. Linear relationships were observed between the detector response and the concentrations of the analytes (0.05-1 I.U/ml for insulin (r2 = 0.9975) and 5-100 microg/ml for the chicken ovomucoid (r2 = 0.9993)). The assay was found to be highly selective and sensitive due to the absence of any interfering peaks. The lower C.V and % error values of the assay indicates that the assay could accurately and precisely quantitate both insulin and ovomucoid in the examined concentration range. This method can be used for the simultaneous quantitation of insulin and chicken ovomucoid.