Comparative Performance of Different HPLC Systems with Electrochemical Detection

For suitable compounds, HPLC with electrochemical detection offers excellent sensitivity with relatively good selectivity; but accurate and reliable operation, particularly at levels of a few pmol, relies upon both correct selection and good matching of equipment and its operation. Often the detection of trace compounds requires the instrumentation to give satisfactory results at signal-to-noise ratios of below 10 at fmol levels. The ability of some commercially available detectors, a number of different pumps, and various electrodes to meet these requirements has been investigated in connection with measuring the levels in plasma of catecholamines and a number of thiols including thiol drugs.