Steroid profiles determined by capillary electrochromatography, laser-induced fluorescence detection and electrospray-mass spectrometry

Macroporous, monolithic capillary electrochromatography (CEC) columns, feat uring a hydrophobic stationary phase, have been applied to the separations of steroids with good column efficiency. Using isocratic and gradient eluti on runs, mixtures of neutral or conjugated steroids could be resolved. Whil e dansylated ketosteroids were detectable through laser-induced fluorescenc e at attomole levels, the CEC columns coupled to electrospray-ion-trap mass spectrometry featured femtomole detection limits. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.