Hydrophilic interaction electrokinetic chromatography using bio-based nanofillers.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Hydrophilic interaction (HI)-based separation, such as hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), is crucial for analyzing hydrophilic biological samples.
• Conventional HILIC faces challenges including high organic solvent consumption and column degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an improved HI-EKC method using bio-based nanomaterials as hydrophilic pseudostationary phases.
• To overcome the limitations of conventional HILIC, focusing on reduced organic solvent use and enhanced column stability.

Main Methods:

• Bio-based nanomaterials (cellulose, chitin, chitosan) were processed into nanofibers (NFs) and nanowhiskers (NWs).
• HI-EKC was employed using these nanomaterials as hydrophilic pseudostationary phases for separation.
• The interactions of oligosaccharides and sulfonated aromatic compounds were analyzed using different nanomaterial types and charges.

Main Results:

• Cellulose NFs demonstrated HILIC-mode interaction with oligosaccharides, showing high retention factors.
• Chitosan NFs exhibited ion-exchange interactions with sulfonated aromatic compounds.
• Chitin and chitosan NWs showed distinct HI behaviors, with HBS interacting more strongly than BS, indicating structural influence on separation modes.

Conclusions:

• The developed HI-EKC using cellulose, chitin, and chitosan nanomaterials provides a viable and potentially greener alternative to conventional HILIC.
• The structural characteristics of nanofibers versus nanowhiskers significantly influence both ion-exchange and HILIC interactions.
• This approach offers a versatile platform for analyzing diverse hydrophilic biological samples and charged analytes.