Analysis of overlapped chromatographic peaks by multi-channel electrochemical detection

Quantitative deconvolution of unresolved chromatographic peaks by multi-channel electrochemical detection was successfully performed. An electrochemical detector with four cells was employed. A regenerated current-voltage spectrum of three analyte components was obtained and used for peak deconvolution of the unresolved chromatographic peak. The overlapped peaks of three components, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5HIAA), deoxyepinephrine (DEP) and 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acids (DHCA), was deconvoluted into the respective peaks of the components. The recoveries were 100.2% (5HIAA), 99.2% (DEP) and 99.7% (DHCA). This method could be used for the analysis of overlapped peaks in high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.