[Determination of choline chloride and trimethylamine in feedstuff by ion chromatography]

A method was developed for the determination of choline chloride (CC) and trimethylamine (TMA) in feedstuff by ion chromatography. The separation of eight ions including Li+, Na+, NH4+, K+, TMA, choline, Mg2+ and Ca2+ was achieved by using an IonPac CS12 column (250 mm x 4 mm i.d.) and 8.5 mmol/L H2SO4 as eluent. Cations were detected by suppressed conductivity detection. The limits of detection of CC and TMA were 0.1 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L, respectively. The method recoveries were between 99.25% and 102.5%. The method was sensitive, selective, and simple. The results of sample analysis showed that the method was very useful for the authenticating of choline chloride in feedstuffs.