OPTIMIZATION OF SEPARATION OF FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS BY SUPERCRITICAL-FLUID CHROMATOGRAPHY USING SERIAL MICROPACKED COLUMNS

The advantages of using two on-line coupled micropacked columns in sup ercritical fluid chromatography for analyzing fat-soluble vitamins are evaluated. A rotatable central composite experimental design is used to optimize the combination of some experimental variables (temperatur e gradient and pressure gradient) involved in the chromatographic sepa ration. Relative standard I deviations obtained under the conditions o f the experimental design giving the highest response are also include d. The analysis of fat-soluble vitamins occurring in real-life samples (a pharmaceutical preparation for newborns and an infant formula) is presented.