Comparison of various reversed-phase columns for the simultaneous determination of ephedrines in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography

Different reversed-phase columns for basic analytes were compared for the simultaneous determination of ephedrines in urine, such as LiChrospher 60 RP-Select B, LiChrospher 100 RP18, Hypersil BDS-C18, Inertsil ODS-2, Spherisorb ODS-B and Symmetry Shield RP8. Symmetry Shield was the only column which did not require the use of high concentrations of buffer and triethylamine. With this column, a good separation of the six ephedrines and the internal standard was achieved using 50 mM phosphate buffer–25 mM triethylamine as a mobile phase. Linearity, precision and accuracy were satisfactory for the levels usually found in urine. Due to these all parameters the developed analytical method was found to be suitable for the application in the doping field.