Ion chromatographic determination of taurine in medicine, nutrient capsule and human urine with electrochemical detection

A very simple and sensitive method for the determination of taurine by ion chromatography with electrochemical integrated pulsed amperometry is firstly described. Taurine was determined using 160 mmol/l NaOH as eluent and a Dionex CarboPac™ PA1 separation column (250×4 mm I.D.) without the interference with ten kinds of common amino acids. The peak area response of taurine was linear in the range 0.1–20 μg/ml, the detection limit was 0.034 μg/ml. The method has been applied successfully in the determination of taurine in medicinal granule, nutrient capsule and human urine. The content determined in medicinal granule is consistent with that marked by the manufacturer.