LC determination of trace short-chain organic acids in wheat root exudates under aluminum stress

A novel and reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic method for trace short-chain organic acids measurement in wheat root exudates under aluminum stress has been optimized and validated. The chromatographic separation of the short-chain organic acids (citric, oxalic, malonic, succinic, tartaric, malic, and acetic acids) was achieved with Bio-rad Aminex HPX-87H cation exchange resin column. These seven organic acids were identified and quantified in 25 min. Well-shaped peaks were obtained for trace organic acids using dilute sulfuric acid as mobile phase. Under optimum conditions, Bio-rad Aminex HPX-87H column showed distinct advantages of the ability to well separate different short-chain organic acids (especially for tartaric and malic acids, as well as malonic and acetic acids) in wheat root exudates under aluminum stress, and offered accurate and precise results for the analysis of these organic acids. This HPLC method can efficiently eliminate the aluminum's interference and is quite suitable to the trace detection of trace organic acids in wheat root exudates under aluminum stress.