Hydrophilic interaction/weak cation-exchange mixed-mode chromatography for chitooligosaccharides separation Original Research Article

A hydrophilic interaction/weak cation-exchange (HILIC/WCX) mixed-mode chromatography was developed for separation of chitooligosaccharides (COS) using a weak cation-exchange column. For better understanding of the retention characteristics of the column, organic solvent content effect was investigated. WCX mode, HILIC mode, and mixed-mode could be performed on this column according to investigating results. COS were separated on the column in mixed-mode. The usage of volatile buffer salt made it favorable for evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD). Mild elution conditions were economical and environment-friendly relative to other conditions used in early reports. This method may offer a possibility for large-scale COS preparation.