Peak capacity analysis

The limitations of one-dimensional (ID) chromatography in the analysis of complex mixtures are even more evident if a statistical method of overlap (SMO) is applied. The work of Davis and Giddings (26), and of Guiochon and co-workers (27), recently summarized by Jorgenson and co-workers (28) and Bertsch (29), showed how peak capacity is only the maximum number of mixture constituents which a chromatographic system may resolve. Because the peaks will be randomly rather than evenly distributed, it is inevitable that some will overlap. In fact, an SMO approach can be used to show how the number of resolved simple peaks (5) is related to n and the actual number of components in the mixture (m) by the following ... 

This present chapter will not focus on the statistical theory of overlapping peaks and the deconvolution of complex mixtures, as this is treated in more detail in Chapter 1. It is worth remembering, however, that of all the separation techniques, it is gas chromatography which is generally applied to the analysis of the most complex mixtures that are encountered. Individual columns in gas chromatography can, of course, have extremely high individual peak capacities, for example, over 1000 with a 10 theoretical plates column (3), but even when columns such as these are... 

Although the ability to generate separation systems with significantly enhanced peak capacities is the most obvious practical usage of two-dimensional GC, there are several ancillary benefits which are often also achieved when analysis is performed using this approach. 

The above theoretical analysis of the total number of resolvable components in a complex mixture has shown that in LC, relative to the maximum peak content or peak capacity for closely spaced peaks, a random chromatogram will never contain more than about 37% of its potential peaks and furthermore that only 18% of such components will emerge as single-component peaks having a minimum specified resolution with respect to the neighbouring peaks. 

A practical method for enhancing the peak capacity, and thus the resolution of analytes in multicomponent complex mixtures, can be achieved by changing the mode of the separation during the chromatographic analysis, employing a column switching system in order to optimize a separation. 

Electrodriven techniques are useful as components in multidimensional separation systems due to their unique mechanisms of separation, high efficiency and speed. The work carried out by Jorgenson and co-workers has demonstrated the high efficiencies and peak capacities that are possible with comprehensive multidimensional electrodriven separations. The speed and efficiency of CZE makes it possibly the best technique to use for the final dimension in a liquid phase multidimensional separation. It can be envisaged that multidimensional electrodriven techniques will eventually be applied to the analysis of complex mixtures of all types. The peak capacities that can result from these techniques make them extraordinarily powerful tools. When the limitations of one-dimensional separations are finally realized, and the simplicity of multidimensional methods is enhanced, the use of multidimensional electrodriven separations may become more widespread. 

Comprehensive two-dimensional GC has also been employed for the analysis of pesticides from serum, which, although not strictly a forensic analytical problem , provides an example of the promise of this technique to forensic applications, such as the analysis of drugs of abuse (40). Two-dimensional gas chromatograms of a 17-pesticide standard and an extract from human serum are shown in Figure 15.13. The total analysis time of about 5 min, high peak capacity and the separation of all... 

The confident analysis of moderate to complex mixtures requires a very large peak capacity and, therefore,... 

This book is organized into five sections (1) Theory, (2) Columns, Instrumentation, and Methods, (3) Life Science Applications, (4) Multidimensional Separations Using Capillary Electrophoresis, and (5) Industrial Applications. The first section covers theoretical topics including a theory overview chapter (Chapter 2), which deals with peak capacity, resolution, sampling, peak overlap, and other issues that have evolved the present level of understanding of multidimensional separation science. Two issues, however, are presented in more detail, and these are the effects of correlation on peak capacity (Chapter 3) and the use of sophisticated Fourier analysis methods for component estimation (Chapter 4). Chapter 11 also discusses a new approach to evaluating correlation and peak capacity. 

Liu, Z., Patterson, D.G., Lee, M.L. (1995). Geometric approach to factor analysis for the estimation of orthogonality and practical peak capacity in comprehensive two-dimensional separations. Anal. Chem. 67, 3840-3845. 

Polymer monolithic columns with small diameter have been successfully employed for proteome analysis. Karger and coworkers reported MALDI-TOF of separated fractions spotted on a plate from a polymeric reversed-phase column that showed high peak capacity (Chen et al., 2005). Huber and coworkers reported separation and detection of about 200 peaks within 5 min by using a PSDVB column (Premstaller et al., 2001). 

Elution with salt pulses A multiple step elution is performed by the introduction of, for example, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, and 100% of 1.5 M sodium chloride in 19 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) containing 5% methanol. Each step is for 10 min and run at 0.5 mL/min. This elution method compromises analytical system dimensionality, as the peak capacity of the ion-exchange chromatography (IEX) step is equal at most to the number of salt steps. However, in the second dimension only one or two columns are needed and there is no particular limitation in the second dimension separation time as peptides are eluted in portions in a controlled manner. However, the number of salt steps is limited by the total analysis time. In this case the multidimensional system is relatively simple. 

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