SEPARATION OF CAROTENOIDS BY SUBCRITICAL FLUID CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH COATED, PACKED CAPILLARY COLUMNS AND NEAT CARBON-DIOXIDE

Different packed capillary columns were evaluated for carotenoid separ ation by subcritical fluid chromatography with neat CO2. Packed capill ary columns studied involved the use of silica particles deactivated w ith different methods and particles coated with stationary phases comm only used in gas chromatography, such as SE-54 (95% methyl-, 5% phenyl silicone) and OV-17 (50% methyl-, 50% phenylsilicone). In order to sel ect the appropriate chromatographic conditions to elute carotenoids, a theoretical study of the solubility of beta-carotene was performed. S eparation of lycopene and beta-carotene was obtained with neat CO2 wor king at pressures around 300 atm and at a temperature of 10 degrees C (1 atm=101 325 Pa). Evaluation of the columns used in the present stud y in terms of efficiency and activity was also performed. (C) 1998 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.