Isocratic vs. gradient analysis

Most HPLC separations are performed under isocratic conditions in which the same mobile phase is used throughout the elution of the entire sample. Although isocratic analysis is good for simple mixtures, gradient analysis, in which the strength of the mobile phase is increased with time during sample elution, is preferred for more complex samples containing analytes of diverse polarities.1-5 

There are several additional parameters in gradient analysis23 not present in isocratic HPLC that need to be optimized. These are initial and final mobile phase composition, gradient time or duration (tG), flow (F), and sometimes gradient curvature (linear, concave, and convex). Optimization of all these parameters is not intuitive but can often be readily accomplished by software simulation programs.2 

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An excellent and comprehensive review has covered HPLC analysis of AOs and light stabilisers up to 1990 [576]. Normal vs. reversed-phase and isocratic vs. gradient-elution HPLC separation of synthetic mixtures of additives and of solvent extracts from polymers were discussed. 

Analytical methods for the determination of one antidepressant and/or its metabolite(s) were usually performed in isocratic mode, with total run times from seconds to a few minutes. However, as previously mentioned, multianalyte procedures are preferable, particularly if the method is intended for clinical or forensic analysis. Gradient separation was usually applied when the most common antidepressants were included in the methodology however, total chromatographic run times varied widely, from 5 to 40 min [57, 76], depending on column length, extraction technique (offline vs. online techniques), biological matrix or the specific application of the method. 

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