[IK]

Dear All,

I want to identify a pure non-ionic surfactant using the HPLC-UV method. Most of the non-ionic surfactants that can be used for UV detection are the commercial non-ionic surfactants such as Triton X-100 and tweens. I have not been able to find a pure non-ionic surfactant that will give me one peak rather than several peaks.

Is there a pure non-ionic surfactant that can be identified using the HPLC-UV method?

[Arkcon]

You seem to be running the process backwards.  Typically, we select a detergent for its other properties, then try to develop a good method for analyzing it via HPLC-UV.  Often a detergent won't have a good absorbance in the UV, and we'll resort to MS, or ion chromatography.  What have you tried so far, and what exactly is the problem?

[IK]

Thank you for your reply. I am trying develop a method on the HPLC to determine protein and surfactant from different mixed protein and surfactant samples. I have chosen bovine serum albumin as my protein and now trying to select a non ionic surfactant which can be detected using the acclaim 120 c18 column I have. I only have a UV detector available in my lab.

I have tried triton X-100 surfactant and get several peaks instead of one making it difficult to calibrate.

[Arkcon]

I can see what you mean, this reference here: http://www.dionex.com/en-us/webdocs/87422-PO-HPLC-Surfactant-Analysis-08July10-LPN2525-1.pdf confirms that Triton-X does appear as multiple peaks on reverse phase HPLC.  However, I don't see why this is a calibration problem, can't you just use the sum of the areas of the multiple peaks, taken from a pure sample, for calibration.  I can't view this reference, so I don't know if it gives one peak: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16242286

[IK]

Thank you. the article give one peak for triton x-100 using different solvents.