In the present study, we describe the development of a fast, 2-step salt gradient
for analysis of chondroitin sulfate disaccharides. Using salt gradients, which is
somewhat unusual in HILIC-based separations, provides relatively fast chromatography
with excellent sensitivity (15 min cycle time, 10–20 fmol/µL detection, 30–50 fmol/µL
quantitation limit), and good linearity. The efficiency of the new method is demonstrated
by measuring human tissue slices of healthy, cirrhotic, and cancerous liver samples.
Preliminary results show major differences among the quantity and sulfation pattern
of the various sample types.
