Analysis of mannitol in pharmaceutical formulations using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detection.

This study demonstrates the use of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) for the separation of both active and inactive ingredients in pharmaceuticals from a single injection. Excipients commonly used in parenteral formulations were separated using a gradient method employing increasing aqueous composition. An evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD) provided direct detection of inactive excipients and inorganic salts lacking UV chromophores.