Evaluation of a liquid chromatography method for quality control of methylated cyclodextrins

Halo C18 column (fused core particles) and Chromolith RP18 column (monolith) were evaluated in liquid chromatography in order to analyze methylated-β-cyclodextrins (Me-β-CD) with various degrees of substitution, DS such as the number of methyl groups per cyclodextrin ring. Chromolith RP18 enables a performing analysis of Me-β-CD with low DS but is not suitable for dimethyl-β-cyclodextrins (DM-β-CD). On the other hand, Halo C18 column allows an improved fingerprint of CDs having a DS from 4.9 up to a value major than 14 and avoiding the use of various chromatographic systems. Thus, liquid chromatography performed with this column and an evaporative light scattering detector can be used as a generic system for methylated CD analysis. Moreover, fused core particles of Halo C18 column enables a rapid analysis and liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray-mass spectrometry appears as a powerful tool to determine co-elution and to characterize various isomers of complex methylated-β-cyclodextrin mixtures.