HPLC Analysis of Pseudoephedrine and Citric Acid on Heritage N Column

Application description

Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic medication in the phenylamine and amphetamine class of drugs. It is a stimulant. Pseudoephedrine is a part of numerous drug formulations used as cough suppressants. It is used as a precursor and starting material in the illicit production of methamphetamine and methcathinone. Pseudoephedrine is polar and basic in nature. Citric acid is an organic acid containing three carboxylic groups. It is an intermediate in the citric acid cycle. Citric acid naturally occurs in citrus fruits. It is used widely as an acidifier, preservative, flavoring and chelating compound. Citric acid is also used as a cleaning agent. It is often added to drug formulations for stability. Citric acid is polar and strongly acidic compound. We have developed a HILIC/cation-exchange anion exclusion method for the separation of these two polar compounds on the Heritage N HILIC column. The retention time is controlled by the amount of ACN and amount of buffer. No ion-pairing reagent is required. Various buffers can be used depending on your detection technique