Determination of caffeine by micellar electrokinetic chromatography in different beverages

Caffeine capillary electrophoresis determination in beverages

  • Alexandra Uilăcan Department of Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș
  • Denisa Gabriela Stroia Department of Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș
  • Gabriel Hancu University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Tîrgu Mureș, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Keywords: caffeine, beverages, energy drinks, soft drinks, capillary electrophoresis, micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Abstract

A fast and simple capillary electrophoresis (CE) method was developed for the determination of caffeine in different beverages (energy drinks, soft drinks). Because caffeine is neutral from electrophoretic point of view and migrates with the electroosmotic flow, micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) was chosen as the separation method. The optimum separation conditions consisted of 25 mM sodium tetraborate, 100 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate, pH 9.30, 20°C temperature, 20 kV voltage, 50 mbar/sec hydrodynamic injection, UV detection at 270 nm. Employing the optimized conditions caffeine was quantified in less than 3 minutes. The analytical performances of the method were verified in terms of accuracy, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision and robustness. The method was also applied to detect caffeine in coffee and tea. The advantage of MEKC over other analytical methods, particularly compared with the more frequently used HPLC methods, lies in its lower operating costs and higher environmental friendliness.

Published
2024-09-05
How to Cite
1.
Uilăcan A, Stroia D, Hancu G. Determination of caffeine by micellar electrokinetic chromatography in different beverages. amm [Internet]. 5Sep.2024 [cited 9Oct.2024];70(3). Available from: https://ojs.actamedicamarisiensis.ro/index.php/amm/article/view/552
Section
Original article