Abstract
A rapid method based on reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described for the separation and quantitation of N-(2-propyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (IPPD) and N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DBPD) in urine. Sample preparation is based on a simple extraction procedure and analysis is carried out on a chromatographic system using a LiChrosorb RP 18 column and buffered aqueous methanol as the mobile phase. The relationship between peak heights and amount injected was linear over a range of 0.05–5 μg for both compounds. Retention times and peak heights were highly reproducible. Detection was very sensitive, allowing quantitation of 5 ng of either compound. The application of the techniques for biomonitoring body fluids as an indicator of exposure to aromatic amines is discussed.