Comparison of the column performance of narrow-bore and standard-bore columns for the chromatographic determination of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol

Abstract

A comparison of the performance of narrow-bore (2.1 -mm i.d.) and standard-bore (4.6-mm i.d.) analytical silica columns having the same length is completed for the resolution of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol. The studies are performed on high-performance liquid chromatographic equipment with minimum extracolumn contribution. Column permeabilities are 1.16 × 10-9 and 2.48 × 10-9 cm2 for narrow and standard bore, respectively. The narrow-bore column gives up to a 7 times increase in sensitivity compared with a standard-bore column at equivalent running times for the analytes. Approximately one-third solvent savings can be achieved with the narrow-bore column. Theoretical plates of the standard-bore column are higher than that of the narrow-bore column.