Abstract: Objective: To conduct the possibility assessment for lutein quantification by hight performance liquid chromatographyevaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD). Method: ELSD conditions on C30-HPLC were as follows: drift temperature 45 ℃,sprayer temperature 40 ℃ and gain1. According to the peak area of all E-lutein on ELSD chromatogram,carrier gas flow rate (represented with pressure) was optimized. Under fixed chromatographic conditions,a regression of injection amount with peak area by ELSD was assessed for lutein. Additionally,the detection limit was determined. Results: Under optimized carrier gas pressure (30 psi),a linear correlationship between injection amount (in the range of 10～100μg) of all E-lutein and peak area by ELSD appears at a confidence level. Conclusion: It is possible for ELSD to be applied in lutein quantification by HPLC according to the linear relationship between peak area by ELSD and injection amount in a lutein amount range.

Key words: ELSD, lutein