Determination of mutagenic 3-nitrobenzanthrone in diesel exhaust particulate matter by three-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography

Mutagenic 3-nitrobenzanthrone was determined in diesel exhaust particulate matter by three-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography. Nitrophenylethyl, C18 and pyrenylethyl stationary phases were used as the first, second and third dimensions, respectively. Methanol was used as a mobile phase for the first and second dimensions, and dichloromethane was used for the third. Each column was coupled by a 6-port valve with a concentrator column. Effluent from the third dimensional column was detected by a photodiode array detector. The calibration graph showed good linearity in the range of 1-1000 ng ml(-1), and the detection limit (S/N = 3) was 1 ng ml(-1) 3-Nitrobenzanthrone could be detected within 45 min without the requirement of a clean-up procedure. 3-Nitrobenzanthrone in diesel exhaust particulate matter was detected in the range of 27-56 pg mg(-1) extract (n = 3).