Determination of cyclamate in low-calorie foods by

high-performance liquid chromatography with indirect visible

photometry

Martin M. F. Choi,* Mei Ying Hsu and Siu Lan Wong

Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR,
China. E-mail: mfchoi@net1.hkbu.edu.hk

Received 23rd August 1999, Accepted 22nd November 1999

A rapid and simple method using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography combined with indirect
visible photometry at 433 nm was developed to determine cyclamate in some food samples. Cyclamate was not
detected in these chosen samples as its use is banned in Hong Kong. Cyclamate can easily be detected in spiked
samples using a mobile phase consisting of 30 mmol dm23 Methyl Red and 0.02 mol dm23 phosphate buffer
(pH 7.0)–methanol in a volume ratio of 3+2. The column temperature was set at 23 °C. The detection limit was
0.14 mmol dm23 and the relative standard deviation of the peak area response was 0.58% for a solution
containing 5.0 mmol dm23 of cyclamate (n = 8). This method was successfully applied to the analysis of eight
spiked food samples and the cyclamate recoveries for these samples ranged from 93 to 99%.

Artificial sweeteners play an important role in our society not mentioned or realised. It is possible that the principle of indirect
only for diabetic patients but also for people using low-calorie photometry in conjunction with HPLC can also be applied to a
foods. To date the most commonly used artificial sweeteners are mobile phase containing a visible absorbing ion. The main
saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame and acesulfam. The sodium advantage of using visible light detection is that the latest
and calcium salts of cyclamic acid are used extensively in many optoelectronics including super-bright light emitting diodes
diet and medical products. It has been reported that cyclamate is (LEDs), photodiodes, charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and
a potent carcinogen when it is converted into cyclohexylamine plastic optical fibres can be used to construct a relatively cheap
in the gastrointestinal tract. Some countries such as Canada, and compact detection unit for HPLC.
USA, European countries, India and Hong Kong have banned In this paper, we demonstrate the use of a chromogenic dye,
its use as a food additive but its usage is still permitted in other o-Methyl Red, as a visible absorbing dye dissolved in a mobile
countries including mainland China.1,2 The detection and phase, combined with an octadecylsilica column to determine
quantification of cyclamate in diet foods is still regularly cyclamate in various low-calorie foods.
performed in Hong Kong.
Tremendous efforts over the years have been devoted to the
development of methods for the determination of cyclamate. Experimental
There are many analytical procedures for determining this
sweetener, such as gravimetry,3 volumetric analysis,4 ampero- Materials
metry,5 ion-selective electrode,6 gas chromatography,7 high-
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC),8–12 capillary Aspartame, cyclamate sodium salt and saccharin sodium salt
electrophoresis13 and spectrophotometry or flow injection were obtained from Sigma (St. Louis, MO, USA), o-Methyl
spectrophotometry.14–17 Most of these methods require ex- Red sodium salt from Aldrich (Milwaukee, WI, USA),
tensive or laborious chemical reactions and extraction proce- methanol (HPLC grade) from Acros Organics (Geel, Belgium)
dures. HPLC is one of the most useful and popular techniques as and disodium hydrogen phosphate and monosodium dihy-
it can separate target analytes from a complex mixture in drogen phosphate from Farco Chemical Supplies (Beijing,
samples when an optimum mobile phase and stationary phase China). All other reagents were of analytical-reagent grade and
are employed. Unfortunately, traditional HPLC is not suitable mobile phase solutions were prepared in de-ionised water.
for the determination of cyclamate as cyclamate does not absorb
in the usable ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS) range. This short-
coming has been solved by using indirect UV photometry,8,13
post-column ion-pair extraction,9,10 pre-column derivatisa- Instrumentation
tion11 and conductivity detection.12 Indirect UV photometry has
been shown to be a very sensitive detection method and has the The high-performance liquid chromatograph used was an
advantage of being applicable to conventional HPLC in- HP1050 series consisting of a pumping system, a vacuum
strumentation without any cumbersome modification.18 In this degasser and a variable wavelength detector (Hewlett-Packard,
technique, a fixed concentration of a UV absorbing ion is added Wilmington, DE, USA). The column was an Inertsil ODS-3, 5
into the mobile phase. The absorbance of this mobile phase is mm particle size, 250 3 4.6 mm id (GL Sciences, Tokyo, Japan).
then monitored and solute ions can easily be detected by the The column temperature was controlled by a Model CH-30
change in the baseline absorbance as either negative or positive column heater in conjunction with a Model TC-50 temperature
peaks.19,20 In most indirect photometric methods, UV absorbing controller (Eppendorf Scientific, Westbury, NY, USA). pH
ions are normally used as they are compatible with the UV light measurements were taken on an Orion (Chicago, IL, USA)
sources such as deuterium, mercury arc and xenon lamps used combined pH glass electrode. UV/VIS absorption spectra were
in HPLC. However, the use of chromogenic dyes is seldom measured on a Cary 100 Scan UV/VIS spectrophotometer

Analyst, 2000, 125, 217–220 217

This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2000
(Varian Australia, Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia) using 10 mm change even on addition of methanol to the buffer and is
matched cuvettes. consistent with the results obtained by other researchers.23 An
intense absorption band with a peak maximum of 520 nm is
observed if the pH is lowered to 3.8 because of the formation of
Chromatographic procedures the red protonated form of Methyl Red.24 In principle, the red
protonated form of Methyl Red can also be used as the visible-
Mobile phases were prepared from solvent mixtures of absorbing ion in the mobile phase for indirect photometric
methanol and solutions of Methyl Red dissolved in phosphate detection.25 Unfortunately, the light intensity of our HPLC
buffers (pH 7.0). The mobile phase compositions were varied detection system at 520 nm is not strong enough for photometric
with different volume ratios of methanol and phosphate buffers measurement. Therefore, the pH of the eluent was kept at 7.0 in
and also concentrations of Methyl Red in the buffers. All mobile order to ensure that all the Methyl Red was in its anionic form.
phases were filtered through a 0.45 mm filter and degassed in an pH values higher than 7.0 are not recommended as there is a
ultrasonic bath prior to use. Normally, the column was pre- possibility of the dissolution of silica material in the column at
conditioned for 1–2 h by pumping through a mobile phase at a high pH values.
flow rate of 1.0 cm3 min21 and the column effluent was
monitored at 433 nm. The chromatographic separation was then
begun after a steady baseline response of the detector had been Selection of buffer and its concentration
attained. The calibration standards were dissolved in the mobile
phases and injected into a Rheodyne sample injector having a The use of buffer is essential to keep the eluent pH constant as
sample loop volume of 20 mm3. Spiked samples were prepared Methyl Red can exist in different forms at different pH values.
by either dissolving in or diluting with the mobile phases, if not There are many buffer systems that can be tried, such as sodium
stated otherwise. hydrogen carbonate–carbonic acid, ammonium chloride–aque-
ous ammonia and sodium phosphate buffers. However, the last
one is the most appropriate choice because phosphate buffer has
Results and discussion the advantage of reducing any other mixed mechanisms that
lead to peak tailing. Phosphate salt can effectively compete for
Selection of wavelength for detection the electrostatic sites by hindering the ionic interactions
between sample solutes and uncapped silanol groups of the
o-Methyl Red is a well known chromogenic dye which has a packing materials.26 Second, a wide pH range from 4 to 12 can
strong UV/VIS absorption spectrum. The UV/VIS absorption easily be prepared when a phosphate buffer is used.
spectrum of a chromogenic dye may shift on changing the Different concentrations of phosphate buffers (0–0.2
solvent system used. Therefore, the UV/VIS absorption spec- mol dm23) at pH 7.0 were used to prepare 3+2 buffer–methanol.
trum of Methyl Red in mobile phases of various compositions It was found that a lower concentration of buffer gave a very
were determined and are displayed in Fig. 1. The UV/VIS unstable baseline for detection. However, too high a concentra-
absorption spectrum does not shift much when the volume ratio tion of buffer will build up a high column back-pressure, which
of buffer to methanol is varied from 4+1 to 1+1. The absorption can damage the operation of an HPLC pump. There is also a risk
peak maximum is at 433 nm and was used throughout the of precipitating the phosphate salt if a high concentration of
chromatographic separation. buffer is used. From our experience, an optimum concentration
of phosphate buffer of 0.02 mol dm23 was chosen throughout
the remainder of the experiments.
Selection of eluent pH

The use of o-Methyl Red as an indicator for acid–base titrations Composition of mobile phase
in aqueous solutions is based on the observation that the
indicator changes its colour in the pH range 4.2–6.3.21 The acid The volume ratio of a buffer–methanol mixture as the mobile
dissociation constant of o-Methyl Red is pKa = 5.1.22 It is phase was investigated for chromatographic separation of
obvious that different forms of Methyl Red exist in different pH artificial sweeteners. When a volume ratio of 9+1 of buffer to
ranges. In Fig. 1, broad absorption bands at 350–500 nm are methanol was used as the mobile phase, there was no
observed due to the formation of the yellow anionic form of background absorption signal on the detector. Methyl Red was
Methyl Red at pH 7.0. This dominant anionic form does not completely retained in the column since the mobile phase is too
hydrophilic. However, when 100% methanol was pumped
through the column again, all the Methyl Red was desorbed
from the column, giving a very high background absorption
signal. Lower volume ratios of buffer–methanol mixtures as
mobile phases (4+1 to 1+1) were subsequently tested. It was
found that at 4+1 and 7+3 volume ratios of buffer to methanol,
the saccharin, cyclamate and aspartame peaks were not
satisfactorily separated. When the volume ratio was set at 3+2,
all the solute peaks were completely separated within 12 min.
Fig. 2 shows a typical chromatogram for the separation of a
mixture of saccharin, cyclamate and aspartame using buffer–
methanol (3+2) as the mobile phase and o-Methyl Red as the
visible-absorbing anion. The first negative peak was assigned as
the injection peak arising from a decrease in absorbance
because of all the unretained solutes and the eluent dilution
resulting from the injected sample solvent. This observation
was confirmed by the injection of a solvent without cyclamate
Fig. 1 Absorption spectra of Methyl Red (30 mmol dm23) in various into the column. A similar negative peak at the same retention
volume ratios of 0.02 mol dm23 phosphate buffer (pH 7.0)–methanol: (1) time was found in the chromatogram. The second, third and
4+1; (2) 7:3; (3) 3+2; (4) 1+1. fourth positive peaks were identified as saccharin, cyclamate

218 Analyst, 2000, 125, 217–220

and aspartame, respectively. The retention mechanisms for tration in the mobile phase from 10 to 50 mmol dm23. A series
these sweeteners are complicated processes. It has been of cyclamate standards were injected into the column. The peak
mentioned that dynamic modification of a hydrophobic surface area was plotted against the concentration of cyclamate and the
of a reversed stationary phase to a charged double layer can be results for the regression analysis are given in Table 1. The
achieved by the sorption of a hydrophobic ionic modifier from higher the concentration of the Methyl Red in the mobile phase,
the eluent on its hydrophobic surface.27 In the present mobile the higher was the sensitivity for the detection of cyclamate.
phase system, it is probable that Methyl Red with its counter-ion However, at a higher dye concentrations, it would generate a
(Na+) is adsorbed on the octadecylsilica surface to form a higher background absorption signal, which in turn would
charged double layer. Below pH 7.0, cyclamate and aspartame increase the noise level of the detection. It has been suggested
are present in anionic form whereas saccharin is in neutral form. that the photometric error would be smaller if the absorbance
The retention of cyclamate and aspartame can be explained by range can lie between 0.2 and 0.8.30 Therefore, the eluent ion
the anion exchange mechanism between the analyte and the concentration (10–30 mmol dm23) chosen should have a
surface adsorbed Methyl Red ions.28 However, the retention of background absorption that lies within this range. The limit of
saccharin is possibly based on the displacement of the sodium– detection can be determined as three times the standard
Methyl Red ion-pair from the stationary phase. deviation of the peak area of the blank and from results for the
In general, the sample elution peaks can be either positive or linear regression equations in Table 1.31 The limits of detection
negative according to their charge and retention relative to the for 10, 30 and 50 mmol dm23 Methyl Red solvent systems were
UV/VIS-absorbing ion. The injection of a sample with the same 0.80, 0.14 and 0.30 mmol dm23, respectively. Consequently, a
charge as the visible-absorbing ion (in the present system) gives concentration of Methyl Red of 30 mmol dm23 was chosen for
a positive peak if the capacity factor of the sample is smaller most chromatographic separations so as to maximise the
than the visible-absorbing ion.25 In addition to the sample solute sensitivity of detection, minimise the photometric error and
peaks, a small positive system peak eluting close to the lower the limit of detection for cyclamate.
aspartame peak was also observed. This system peak is
considered to arise from the elution of neutral eluent molecules
desorbed from the column surface during sample injection. The
occurrence of this system peak can be explained by reversed- Effect of column temperature
phase and dye-displacement mechanisms.29 Apparently, the
present eluent still contained a very small amount of neutral It has been mentioned that careful temperature control of the
molecules. If the eluent pH is raised to a level where the eluent whole chromatographic system is required for good stability of
is completely ionised, then the system peak can be eliminated.20 the mobile phase absorbance when indirect photometry is
However, the pH of the present mobile phase cannot be raised applied.25 The effect of column temperature from 23 to 32 °C on
further as dissolution of the packing material occurs, as the sensitivity for the detection of cyclamate was therefore
mentioned above. investigated. A series of cyclamate standards were injected into
When the composition of the mobile phase was changed to the HPLC system at different column temperatures. The peak
1+1 buffer–methanol, a standard mixture of saccharin, cycla- area was then plotted against the concentration of cyclamate and
mate and aspartame could also be completely separated within the results for the regression analysis are given in Table 2. The
7 min. However, the sensitivity for detection of cyclamate is sensitivity increases with increase in temperature up to 32 °C.
lower than that when using a mobile phase of 3+2 buffer– The sensitivities at 27 and 32 °C are very close to each other.
methanol. Hence the sample analysis of low-calorie foods was Although higher temperatures can improve the sensitivity
only carried out using 3+2 buffer–methanol. slightly, it was found that the limit of detection was worse at
higher column temperatures (0.14, 0.35 and 0.40 mmol dm23
cyclamate at 23, 27 and 32 °C, respectively). Therefore, the
Effect of Methyl Red concentration column temperature was set at 23 °C for the determination of
cyclamate in food samples.
The effect of Methyl Red concentration on the sensitivity for the
detection of cyclamate was investigated by varying its concen-
Table 1 Linear regression analysis for concentration of cyclamate
standard against peak area using various Methyl Red concentrations in 3+2
buffer–methanol as mobile phase at a column temperature of 23 °C
(n = 7)

Methyl Red
concentration/mmol Slope/area unit
dm23 mmol21 dm3 y-Intercept/area unit r2

10 39.33 ± 0.60 24.73 ± 5.19 0.9988

30 101.64 ± 0.28 8.32 ± 2.40 0.9999
50 153.57 ± 0.91 22.52 ± 7.94 0.9998

Table 2 Linear regression analysis for concentration of cyclamate

standard against peak area using various column temperatures with 3+2
buffer–methanol containing 30 mmol dm23 Methyl Red as mobile phase
(n = 7)

Column Slope/area unit y-Intercept/

temperature/°C mmol21 dm3) area unit r2
Fig. 2 Chromatogram showing the separation of saccharin (4.9
mmol dm23), cyclamate (5.0 mmol dm23) and aspartame (3.4 mmol dm23) 23 101.64 ± 0.28 8.32 ± 2.40 0.9999
using a mobile phase of 3+2 buffer (pH 7.0)–methanol and 30 mmol dm23 27 117.70 ± 0.79 9.05 ± 6.82 0.9998
Methyl Red at a column temperature of 23 °C. (1) Injection peak; (2) 32 115.92 ± 0.88 15.15 ± 7.62 0.9997
saccharin; (3) cyclamate; (4) aspartame; (5) system peak.

Analyst, 2000, 125, 217–220 219

Repeatability oped. The method was applied to the analysis of real samples
with satisfactory results. There is great potential for employing
In order to investigate the repeatability of the proposed method, indirect visible photometry in HPLC since the latest optoelec-
a 5.0 mmol dm23 cyclamate standard was injected eight times tronics, including super-bright LEDs, CCDs, photodiodes and
into the HPLC system using optimum conditions of 30 optical fibres, can easily be incorporated to assemble a compact
mmol dm23 Methyl Red, 3+2 buffer–methanol and 23 °C. The and inexpensive detection system for HPLC instrumentation.
relative standard deviation was found to be 0.28%. Our
proposed HPLC method demonstrates good repeatability.

Analysis of food samples Acknowledgement

Eight commercial samples were bought from a local super- The research described in this paper was made possible in part
market in Hong Kong and analysed using the optimum by the HKBU (project No. FRG/97-98/II-05).
experimental conditions. No detectable cyclamate was found in
these samples. Recovery tests were also used to test the validity
of our method by adding a fixed amount of cyclamate to the
food samples. A typical chromatogram of a spiked sample (Diet References
Seven-up) is shown in Fig. 3. A small positive peak that eluted
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Paper a906852j

220 Analyst, 2000, 125, 217–220