Separation of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline, cholesterol and their degradation products by high-performance liquid chromatography on a perfluorinated stationary bonded phase

The behaviour of a perfluorinated stationary phase, Fluofix, has been inves tigated for HPLC of lipid compounds. The lipid compounds investigated were those usually composed of liposomes, including dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl cho line (DPPC), cholesterol, their impurities and degradation products. Some o ther phospholipids and lipids of interest like aliphatic amines and deterge nts were included. Because of the specific behaviour of the perfluorinated bonded phase towards hydrogenated compounds, a great variety of lipids can be separated using simple ethanol-water mobile phases. This method separate s DPPC and cholesterol from their degradation products and also separates p hospholipids differing by their polar head group or their fatty acid residu es. It could a very useful tool for chromatographic analysis, stability stu dies and formulation characterisation of liposome suspensions. (C) 1999 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.