Since the first online detectors for HPLC systems became available, the world of liquid chromatography has come a long way. Refractive index and conductivity detectors were all that was available around 60 years ago, but neither supplied the sensitivity that would meet the requirements of most LC applications.
It was only 20 years later that some of the sensitivity issues were addressed when UV detectors were introduced. Sadly, not all molecules are UV-active and while derivatization to add on chromophores is a way to avoid this problem, it is not always feasible to do so.
Figure 1. Schematic of how a charged aerosol detector works. Image courtesy of Thermo Scientific. Image Credit: Jordi Labs
The Corona charged aerosol detector (CAD) has been growing in popularity in the past few years due to its universal and high-sensitivity detection for non-volatile analytes. This new technique is most frequently employed for the analysis of impurities in pharmaceuticals.
Jordi Labs has successfully applied CAD to analytes ranging from small molecules to polymers. There will be pros and cons to be learned, but Jordi Labs LC experts, who can attest to its sensitivity and non-discriminating, quantitative detection ability are pleased with the results so far.
Jordi Labs is one of the few contract analytical labs that provides charged aerosol detection. It has 30 years of liquid chromatography experience to serve as a partner for HPLC-CAD analyses, to perform quantitative analyses more efficiently and with greater economy than was previously possible.
References and Further Reading
- M. V. N. Kumar Talluri. “Recent Advances in Analytical Methodologies for the Determination of Impurities in Drugs”. Pharma Focus Asia. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274958467_Recent_Advances_in_Analytical_Methodologies_for_the_Determination_of_Drug_Impurities_Pharma_Focus_Asia_16_2012_48-53. Accessed Dec 29, 2014.
- R. McCarthy, P. Gamache and D. Asa. “Development and evaluation of Corona Charged Aerosol Detection (CAD): a new universal detector for HPLC”. LabPlus International, June 2005.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Jordi Labs.
For more information on this source, please visit Jordi Labs.