Separation of Serotonin, Dopamine, and Related Compounds on Zodiac HST N Column

Catecholamines are a class of compounds derived from the amino acid tyrosine, characterized by the presence of catechol and amine functional groups. Many of these compounds are classified as biogenic amines. Separation and retention of compounds involved in the catecholamine biosynthesis and degradation pathways are successfully achieved using the Zodiac HST N column.

This column operates in mixed-mode HILIC, utilizing a combination of hydrophilic interaction and ion-exchange mechanisms to retain polar and ionizable analytes. The Zodiac HST N column provides sharp, symmetrical peaks for all target analytes. Retention is highly dependent on acetonitrile content, buffer concentration, and pH, offering flexible method development conditions.

This method is applicable for the quantification of various biogenic amines and related metabolites, such as homovanillic acid, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, hydroxytryptophan, and DOPA, in biological samples including urine, blood, and serum.

Further optimization can enhance performance for screening and validation studies. The method enables simultaneous analysis of both amines and organic acids using a single run. Retention is achieved through a combination of polar organic (HILIC), cation-exchange, and anion-exchange mechanisms. The use of volatile or non-volatile buffers such as ammonium formate, ammonium acetate, or sodium phosphate within appropriate pH ranges adds to the method’s versatility.