Classification and replacement test of HPLC systems using principal component analysis Original Research Article

Theoretical plate numbers and symmetry factor values have been measured for three solutes (benzoic acid, N,N-dimethyl-aniline and Vancomycin) in various chromatographic systems (stationary phases and different mobile phase compositions) with the aim of grouping the systems and studying the possibilities for replacement of columns and eluent compositions. The mobile phases consisted of acetonitrile or methanol modifier and KH2PO4–H3PO4 or triethylamine–H3PO4 aqueous buffer. The organic content of mobile phases was adjusted so that the log ks (logarithms of retention factor) of tested compounds vary in the range of 0.1–1.3 in case of all chromatographic systems and test compounds. Plate numbers and symmetry factors at all retention factor values (between log k = 0.1–1.3 with 0.1 units) were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). The input data were arranged in 13 × 28 data-matrices in case of all compounds separately for plate numbers and symmetry factors. Two principal components were retained in the model, which carry not less than 98% of the total variance. Principal component analysis showed which chromatographic systems (stationary and mobile phases) gave the same (similar) chromatographic parameters using three different kinds of compounds.