Comparison of Maltodextrins by Size Exclusion Chromatography Using Acclaim SEC-1000

Significance of Topic

The determination of cetylpyridinium and the characterization of maltodextrin profiles are essential for quality control in oral care formulations and food ingredients. Size exclusion chromatography provides rapid and sensitive separation of surfactants and polysaccharide fractions.

Aims and Overview

This study evaluates the performance of the Acclaim™ Surfactant Plus SEC-1000 column coupled to a Thermo Scientific™ ICS-3000 system to separate cetylpyridinium and four grades of maltodextrin (M200, M150, M100, M040) with different hydrolysis levels.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Chromatographic system: Thermo Scientific™ ICS-3000 ion chromatography with conductivity detection and UV detection at 220 nm
• Column: Thermo Scientific™ Acclaim™ Surfactant Plus SEC-1000, 3.0 µm, 3.0 × 150 mm
• Mobile phase: Gradient of acetonitrile, 100 mM formic acid and water; flow rate 0.35 mL/min
• Injection volume: 5 µL; column temperature: 25 °C
• Detector settings: Suppressed conductivity (CSRS™ 300, 2 mm, external water 1.0 mL/min, current 8 mA) and UV 220 nm with blank subtraction

Main Results and Discussion

Chromatograms revealed distinct peaks for sodium and cetylpyridinium followed by broad polymer distributions of maltodextrin. Higher hydrolysis grades showed an increased glucose peak and shorter retention times. The column delivered sharp, symmetric peaks and baseline separation between surfactant and polysaccharide fractions, demonstrating minimal interference.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid quantitation of cetylpyridinium in mouthwash and pharmaceutical formulations
• Profiling maltodextrin molecular weight distributions for food and beverage QC
• Combined UV and conductivity detection enables selective and interference-free analysis

Future Trends and Potential Uses

• Integration with mass spectrometry for structural characterization of polymer fractions
• Expansion to other ionic surfactants and specialty polysaccharides
• Development of automated high-throughput workflows for industrial QC

Conclusion

The Acclaim™ Surfactant Plus SEC-1000 column coupled with dual detection provides a robust, sensitive, and rapid method for simultaneous analysis of cetylpyridinium and maltodextrin fractions. This approach supports quality assurance in both oral care and food industries.

Reference

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Comparison of Cetylpyridinium and Maltodextrins by Size Exclusion Chromatography. PB20627_E, 2013.