Liquid chromatographic determination of carotenoids in human serum using an engineered C30 and a C18 stationary phase

A C30 stationary phase was specifically engineered for carotenoid separations, and carotenoid measurements using this column are compared with those obtained using a somewhat more conventional C18 column. Both methods were used to contribute measurements for the certification of carotenoids in Standard Reference Material 968b, Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Cholesterol in Human Serum. Analytes were extracted from the serum into hexane. Measurements on the C18 column were made using a gradient of acetonitrile, methanol, and ethyl acetate, which is described in detail elsewhere. Measurements on the C30 column were made using a gradient of water, methanol, and methyl tert.-butyl ether.