Fast chromatography of complex biocide mixtures using diode array detection and multivariate curve resolution

Use of Multivariate Curve Resolution Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS) is evaluated in the analysis of complex biocide environmental sample mixtures by liquid chromatography with diode array detection (LC-DAD). Chromatographic coelution problems caused either because of the presence of unknown matrix interferences or because of using short chromatographic columns to reduce analysis times are investigated. Under such circumstances, lack of chromatographic resolution and lack of spectral selectivity of UV–VIS diode array detection is compensated by chemometric resolution using Multivariate Curve Resolution. Resolution of complex environmental mixtures and quantitative calibration curves for two types of chromatographic columns (25 and 7.5 cm) with different resolution and analysis times are shown. The limits of the proposed approach are investigated in the analysis of complex environmental samples with short LC columns and UV–VIS diode array detection.