HPLC Separation of Taurine on Zodiac HST A

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is an organic zwitterionic compound. As a non-essential, sulfur-containing amino acid, taurine functions alongside glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid as a neurotransmitter. It is also incorporated into chenodeoxycholic acid, one of the most abundant bile acids, where it aids in emulsifying dietary lipids in the intestine to promote digestion. Taurine is widely used in food and pharmaceutical formulations. However, its high polarity and zwitterionic nature complicate its analysis by traditional reversed-phase chromatography. Two methods have been developed for the analysis of taurine using mixed-mode columns: retention on the Zodiac HST A column occurs through a HILIC cation-exchange mechanism, while retention on the Zodiac HST RP column occurs through a HILIC anion-exchange mechanism. These methods enable fast and effective quantitation of taurine in various products, including energy drinks. Due to taurine’s lack of UV absorbance, detection by ELSD or LC/MS is required.