Quantitative determination of non-ionic surfactants in protein samples, using ion-exchange guard columns

Quantitative determination of Triton X-100 in buffered, organic modifier-containing solutions was performed by use of strong cation- and anion-exchange HPLC guard columns. Recovery was complete for Triton X-100 concentrations of 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.25% and 0.0125% (wt/wt) in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 5.0 +/- 0.05, pH 4.0 +/- 0.05, pH 3.0 +/- 0.05 and pH 2.0 +/- 0.05) modified with 30% isopropanol. This procedure can be applied to recovery of other nonionic surfactant systems.