Fast liquid chromatographic determination of radiochemical and chemical purity of [ 11 C]methionine by UPLC technique

Ultra-performance liquid chromatographic technique was applied for the first time for determination of radiochemical and chemical purity of [ 11 C]methionine with measurement time less than 2 min. The pH and eluent strength of mobile phase were optimized to achieve a gradient elution for separation of non-radioactive impurities as well as radioactive ingredients. The developed method was validated according to the following parameters: linearity, repeatability, recovery, limit of quantitation. The novel chromatographic procedure with reduced measurement time could be uniquely applied for the quality control of [ 11 C]methionine to considerably shorten the release time and avoid radioactivity loss of radiopharmaceutical.