On-line preconcentration of niobium(V) and tantalum(V) as 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol-citrate ternary complexes in geological samples by ion interaction high-performance liquid chromatography

4-(2-Pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) and citrate were used as pre-column complexing agents for the determination of Nb(V) and Ta(V) as ternary complexes in geological samples. Aliquots of 2 ml of the standard and sample solutions containing the Nb(V) and Ta(V) complexes were loaded onto a concentrator column (C18, 0.4 cm x 4.6 mm) with a carrier mobile phase comprising 20% (v/v) methanol and containing 5 mM acetic acid, 5 mM citric acid and 10 mM tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr), pH 6.5 at 2 ml/min for 2 min, with the effluent being directed to waste. An automatic switching valve was then switched to flush both complexes from the concentrator column onto a C18 analytical column using a mobile phase comprising 32% (v/v) methanol and containing 5 mM acetic acid, 5 mM citric acid and 3 mM TBABr, pH 6.5 for 2.5 min. The switching valve was then switched back to the original position, and cleaned with methanol for 7 min to eliminate unwanted species still adsorbed to the concentrator column. This procedure prevented later eluting compounds from reaching the analytical column, which reduced the overall run time. The detection limits of Nb(V) and Ta(V) (determined at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, detection wavelength of 540 nm and a 2-ml sample volume) were 0.012 and 0.039 ppb for Nb(V) and Ta(V), respectively. Recoveries of Nb(V) and Ta(V) were 99.4 and 96.2%, respectively. The HPLC results obtained from the reference granite and basalt samples agreed well with inductively coupled plasma MS and certified values, but the HPLC method yielded slightly low values of the Nb/Ta ratio.     

杂质吸附型净化结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定谷物和动物饲料中37种霉菌毒素

建立了谷物和动物饲料中霉菌毒素的高效、快速前处理方法,可同时提取和净化样品中37种理化性质差异较大的霉菌毒素,并采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱（UPLC-MS/MS）进行定性和定量分析。样品粉碎处理后,经84%（体积分数,下同）乙腈水（含0.1%甲酸）溶液振荡提取20 min,MLJ-1杂质吸附型固相萃取柱净化。目标物在BEH RP18色谱柱上分离,以0.1 mmol/L乙酸铵溶液（含0.1%甲酸）和甲醇溶液（含0.1%甲酸）作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,质谱采用电喷雾正、负离子模式和多反应监测模式进行定性和定量分析。结果表明,本方法可在1 min内完成样品净化处理,15 min内完成37种目标化合物的分离分析。37种目标物在各自线性范围内线性关系良好,基质匹配标准曲线的相关系数均大于0.98。除伏马毒素外的所有目标化合物在4个添加水平下的回收率介于80%~120%之间,相对标准偏差（RSD）<20%（n=5）,方法定量限为2~40 μg/kg,能够满足《饲料卫生标准》判定要求。该方法操作简单、快速、准确,适合谷物和动物饲料中多种霉菌毒素同步筛查和确证检测。     

Ultrafast UPLC‐ESI‐MS and HPLC with monolithic column for determination of principal flavor compounds in vanilla pods

In this study, two novel chromatographic methods based on monolithic column high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) were developed for the ultrafast determination of principal flavor compounds namely vanillin, vanillic acid, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, and p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde in ethanolic extracts of Vanilla planifolia pods. Good separation was achieved within 2.5 min using Chromolith RP18e column (100 mm×4.6 mm) for HPLC and Acquity BEH C‐18 (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column for UPLC. Both methods were compared in terms of total analysis time, mobile phase consumption, sensitivity, and validation parameters like precision, accuracy, LOD, and LOQ. Further, system suitability test data including resolution, capacity factor, theoretical plates, and tailing factor was determined for both the methods by ten replicate injections. Monolithic column based HPLC gave better results for most of the selected parameters while UPLC was found to be more eco‐friendly with low mobile phase consumption and better sensitivity. Both methods may be used conveniently for the high throughput analysis of large number of samples in comparison to traditional particulate column.     

Identification of chemical constituents in Rhizoma Paridis Saponins and their oral administration in rat plasma by UPLC/Q‐TOF/MS

On‐line ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with diode‐array detection (UPLC/DAD) and electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS) were used for separation, identification and structural analyses of saponins in Rhizoma Paridis saponins (RPS) and rat plasma after oral administration of RPS. Thirty steroidal saponins in RPS were identified by comparing their retention time, accurate mass measurement and positive and negative mass spectrometry data with that of reference compounds. The UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS method was proved to be rapid and efficient in that 30 steroidal saponins, including three kinds of saponins (prototype, pennogenyl and diosgenyl saponins) were tentatively characterized within 6 min. After oral administration of RPS, 21 original saponins were absorbed in RPS‐treated rat plasma. Our results indicated that UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS is a rapid and effective tool for identification of a series of saponins at trace level. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High throughput screening of active pharmaceutical ingredients by UPLC

Ultra performance LC (UPLC) was evaluated as an efficient screening approach to facilitate method development for drug candidates. Three stationary phases were screened: C-18, phenyl, and Shield RP 18 with column dimensions of 150 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 microm, which should theoretically generate 35,000 plates or 175% of the typical column plate count of a conventional 250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm particle column. Thirteen different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) were screened using this column set with a standardized mobile-phase gradient. The UPLC method selectivity results were compared to those obtained for these compounds via methods developed through laborious trial and error screening experiments using numerous conventional HPLC mobile and stationary phases. Peak capacity was compared for columns packed with 5 microm particles and columns packed with 1.7 microm particles. The impurities screened by UPLC were confirmed by LC/MS. The results demonstrate that simple, high efficiency UPLC gradients are a feasible and productive alternative to more conventional multiparametric chromatographic screening approaches for many compounds in the early stages of drug development.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定血液中的15种减肥药物

建立了一种专属、灵敏的同时测定血液中咖啡因、盐酸西布曲明等15种减肥药的高效液相色谱-串联质谱(HPLC-MS/MS)分析方法。样品经乙腈沉淀后,进入HPLC-MS/MS中分析检测。以甲醇和含0.1%(v/v)冰醋酸的20 mmol/L醋酸铵溶液作为流动相,采用梯度洗脱方式,以UltimateXB-C18为色谱柱进行HPLC分析;质谱分析采用电喷雾离子源,正负离子快速切换扫描,选择反应监测模式检测。15种减肥药的定量限在0.001～0.05 mg/L内,各种药物的灵敏度较高,各成分的线性相关系数均大于0.99,精密度均小于12.3%,回收率范围为77.3%～110.8%。研究了这15种药物的质谱特征。该方法灵敏、简便、快捷、专属性强,可用于动物实验样品中减肥药物的含量测定,并且对其他药品、食品中目标减肥药物的测定具有借鉴意义。     

Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for the rapid analysis of constituents in the traditional Chinese medical formula Danggui San

In this work, ultra‐performance LC with ESI quadrupole TOF‐MS (UPLC–ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS) and automated MetaboLynx analysis was used to rapidly separate and identify the chemical constituents of Danggui San, a traditional Chinese medical formula. The analysis was performed on a Waters UPLC BEH C₁₈ column using a gradient elution system. A hyphenated ESI and Q‐TOF analyzer was used for the determination of the accurate mass of the protonated or deprotonated molecule and fragment ions in both positive and negative modes. Based on retention times, accurate mass, and the mass spectrometric fragmentation characteristics, a total of 47 compounds distributed over the chemical groups of phthalides, flavonoids, monoterpene glycosides, sesquiterpenoids, phenolics, and alkaloids, were simultaneously separated within 18 min and identified or tentatively elucidated in Danggui San for the first time. UPLC–ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS analysis revealed the complexity of the chemical composition of this formula. The method developed is rapid, accurate, reliable, and highly sensitive to characterize the chemical constituents of Danggui San.     

Determination of flavonoids and saponins in Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, a traditional Chinese herb possessing antitumor and antioxidant activities, has been shown to contain several functional components like saponins and flavonoids. However, their identities remain uncertain. The objectives of this study were to develop an appropriate extraction, purification and HPLC-MS method to determine saponins and flavonoids in G. pentaphyllum. Both flavonoids and saponins were extracted with methanol, followed by purification with a C18 cartridge to elute the former with 50% methanol and the latter with 100% methanol. A total of 34 saponins were separated within 40 min by a Gemini C18 column and a gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water, in which 18 saponins were identified by LC-MS with ESI mode and Q-TOF (LC/MS/MS). Similarly, a total of eight flavonoids were separated within 45 min by the same column and a gradient solvent system of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water, with identification being carried out by a post-column derivatization method and LC-MS with ESI mode. The amounts of flavonoids in G. pentaphyllum ranged from 170.7 to 2416.5 μg g⁻¹, whereas saponins were from 491.0 to 89,888.9 μg g⁻¹.     

HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis and pharmacokinetics of luteoloside,a potential anticarcinogenic component isolated from Lonicera japonica,in beagle dogs

Luteoloside is a potential anticarcinogenic component isolated from Lonicera japonica, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This study details the development and validation of a sensitive and accurate HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS method for the quantification of luteoloside in dog plasma. Sample pretreatment includes simple protein precipitation using methanol–acetonitrile (1:1, v/v). A Phenomenex Gemini C₁₈ column (2.0 × 50 mm, i.d., 3.5 µm) was used to separate luteoloside and internal standard by gradient mode with mobile phase consisting of water containing 0.1% formic acid and methanol containing 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.40 mL/min with a column temperature of 25°C. The detection was performed by positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI) in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The calibration curves were linear (R > 0.995) over the concentration range 1.0–2000 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 1.0 ng/mL. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions (RSD) were all <15%, accuracies (RE) were within the range of ±15%, and recoveries were between 85.0 and 115%. The validated HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS method was successfully applied to determine plasma concentrations of luteoloside after intravenous administration of luteoloside at a dose level of 20 mg/kg. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative determination of chemical constituents from seeds of Nigella sativa L. using HPLC-UV and identification by LC-ESI-TOF

An HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of nine compounds of Nigella sativa L. The separation was achieved within 23 min by using C18 column material, a water-acetonitrile mobile phase, both containing 0.1% acetic acid gradient system and a temperature of 35 degrees C. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, LOD, and LOQ. The LOD and LOQ of nine compounds were in the range of 0.09-10 and 0.3-25 microg/mL, respectively. The wavelength used for quantification with the diode array detector was 205 and 260 nm. LC/MS coupled with electrospray ionization interface method is described for the identification of compounds in N. sativa L. samples. This method involved the use of [M+H]+ and [M+Na]+ ions in the positive ion mode with extracted ion chromatogram.     

在线二维液相色谱-四极杆飞行时间质谱法检测头孢噻吩钠的杂质谱

建立了在线二维液相色谱-四极杆飞行时间质谱检测头孢噻吩钠杂质谱的方法,有效地解决了流动相中含不挥发性磷酸盐的色谱系统不适合用于液相色谱-质谱快速鉴定杂质的难题。一维高效液相色谱(HPLC)以Symmetry C18为色谱柱,以磷酸盐缓冲液(pH 2.5)和乙腈梯度洗脱;二维以ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18为色谱柱,以0.1%(v/v)甲酸水溶液和0.1%(v/v)甲酸乙腈溶液梯度洗脱。以HLB C18为捕集柱,用0.1%(v/v)甲酸水溶液进行捕集和脱盐,采用正离子模式采集数据。对头孢噻吩钠中6个杂质进行了结构鉴定,对其来源进行了分析,并进一步确证了《中国药典》2010年版对头孢噻吩钠杂质A认定有误。采用本方法可以快速、简便、灵敏地对头孢噻吩钠杂质谱进行检测。     

Characterization and identification of multiple constituents in Yinhuang granules by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array and time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection

A fast high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with diode-array detection (DAD) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF/MS) has been developed for the analysis of multi-constituent in Yinhuang granules, a well-known combined herbal remedy prepared from the extract mixtures of Flos Lonicerae and Radix Scutellariae. The fast HPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent ZorBax SB-C(18) column (4.6×50 mm, 1.8 μm) and 0.2% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile was the optimum mobile phase for gradient elution in 17 min, which is five times faster than the performance of conventional columns packed with 5.0 μm particles. With various fragmentor voltages in TOF/MS, accurate mass measurements (<5 ppm error) for molecular ions and characteristic fragment ions represented reliable identification criteria for different constituents. A total of 28 compounds, including nine phenolic acids, three iridoid glycosides and nine saponins from Flos Lonicerae and seven flavonoids from Radix Scutellariae, were identified or tentatively characterized in the extract of Yinhuang granules. The established fast HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS method turns out to be useful and efficient for quality control of this commonly used Chinese herbal preparation.     

Simultaneous quantitation of 15 bioactive components in Yupingfeng granules by LC–MS/MS

Yupingfeng granules (YPFG) is commonly used in the treatment of immunological diseases, inflammations, and pulmonary diseases. Several studies have found that chromones, flavones, and saponins were the major bioactive compounds of YPFG. However, few studies have reported accurate quantification methods of these compounds. This study aimed to establish a simple and rapid method by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to determine 15 bioactive compounds in YPFG. The experimental parameters including extraction methods, extraction solvents, extraction time, solid–liquid ratio, and LC–MS/MS condition were optimized. The linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery of the established method were evaluated. The contents of 15 bioactive compounds in seven batches of YPFG samples were analyzed by the established method and the results were compared with the values determined by HPLC. The optimal extraction condition was to extract 0.1 g of YPFG by ultrasound with 50 mL 50% ethanol for 30 min. A Waters ACQUITY UPLCBEH C18 column using the 0.1% formic acid water solution and acetonitrile as mobile phase with a gradient elution was applied to the chromatographic separation. The linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery of the method were within acceptable ranges. Compared with HPLC analysis methods in Chinese Pharmacopoeia and literature, the established method was faster, simpler, more accurate, and more reliable. The method of simultaneous determination of 15 components in YPFG by LC–MS might provide a basis for the study of the bioactive compounds and the improvement of the quality standard of YPFG.     

Differentiating the gum resins of two closely related Indian Gardenia species, G. gummifera and G. lucida, and establishing the source of dikamali gum resin using high-performance thin-layer chromatography and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-UV/MS

Dikamali is a gum resin obtained from the leaf buds of Gardenia lucida or G. gummifera. There is controversy regarding the botanical source of this gum resin with some stating it to be from G. lucida while others claim it to be from G. gummifera. Analytical methods including UPLC and HPTLC were developed for the qualitative analysis of Gardenia species and various commercial samples. The separation using a UPLC method was achieved within 12.0 min by using C18 column material, a water/acetonitrile mobile phase, both containing formic acid, a gradient system, and a temperature of 40 degrees C. Extensive studies of dikamali collected from various parts of India in comparison with the gum resins collected from G. lucida and G. gummifera clearly indicated that the botanical source of commercially available dikamali is G. lucida, not G. gummifera. The marker compounds isolated from a market sample of dikamali were present only in the gum resin of G. lucida and the compounds isolated from G. gummifera were not present in any of the dikamali samples, confirming the botanical source of dikamali. This work is of utmost importance, given the ambiguity regarding the botanical source of the gum resin dikamali. LC/MS coupled with electrospray ionization is described for the identification and confirmation of nine compounds from various samples of the gum resin. An HPTLC method was also developed for the fast chemical fingerprint analysis of Gardenia samples.     

Determination of the chemical constituents of the different processed products of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Rhizomes by high‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

In this work, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a hybrid quadrupole time of‐flight mass spectrometry (Q‐TOF‐MS/MS) was used to study chemical compositions of different processed products of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (RA). A Grace Alltima^TM C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) was used for separation. Mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile, using gradient elution. ESI‐MS data was acquired in both positive and negative mode. The experiment was established on the basis of a series of reference substances (two xanthone and seven saponins) to qualitatively identify the chemical compounds of different processed products of RA by MS analysis. There was no difference in the type of chemical constituents between different processed products of RA. A total of 25 compounds were identified, including four xanthones, 21 steroidal saponins and eight pairs of isomers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of udenafil and its active metabolite, DA-8164, in human plasma and urine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A rapid, sensitive, and simple ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) method for the determination of udenafil and its active metabolite, DA-8164, in human plasma and urine using sildenafil as an internal standard (IS) was developed and validated. Udenafil, DA-8164 and IS from a 100 microL aliquot of biological samples were extracted by protein precipitation using acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was carried on an Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) column (50 x 2.1 mm, i.d., 1.7 microm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and containing 0.1% formic acid (75:25, v/v) at flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, and total run time was within 1 min. Detection and quantification was performed by the mass spectrometer using multiple reaction-monitoring mode at m/z 517 --> 283 for udenafil, m/z 406 --> 364 for DA-8164 and m/z 475 --> 100 for IS. The assay was linear over a concentration range of 1-600 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 1 ng/mL in both human plasma and urine. The coefficient of variation of this assay precision was less than 13.7%, and the accuracy exceeded 92.0%. This method was successfully applied for pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of udenafil 100 mg to healthy Korean male volunteers.     

虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素-Ⅴ去折叠过程的色谱分析

 将纯化的天然虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素-Ⅴ经盐酸胍变性30 min后,在pH 3.0、反应温度为37 ℃的条件下与三羧甲基磷酸(TCEP)反应12 min,用反相高效液相色谱分离得到其全部去折叠中间体,通过基体辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF MS)进行鉴定,并利用烷基化反应对这些去折叠中间体予以进一步确证。 根据其保留时间,分析虎纹毒素-Ⅴ各去折叠中间体的色谱行为,初步探讨了多肽或蛋白质构象异构体反相色谱行为的多样性。     

Ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry performance evaluation for analysis of antibiotics in natural waters

An ultra performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of 17 antibiotics in natural waters in one single extraction and chromatographic procedure. Gradient separation conditions were optimised for 17 compounds belonging to five different antibiotic groups: quinolones (oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, pipemidic acid, flumequine), fluoroquinolones (enoxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, lomefloxacin), sulphonamides (sulphamethoxazole, sulphamethazine), nitro-imidazole (ornidazole) and diaminopyrimidine (trimethoprim). The separation of all compounds, obtained using a 1.7 μm particle size column (100 mm?×?2.1 mm), was achieved within 10 min time. Water samples were adjusted to pH 7 and extracted using Oasis hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) solid phase extraction cartridges. After elution with methanol and concentration, extracts were injected in a C18 column (Acquity UPLC BEH C18) and detected by tandem mass spectrometry. Average recovery from 100 ng L^?1 fortified samples was higher than 70% for most of the compounds, with relative standard deviations below 20%. Performances of the method (recoveries, detection limit, quantification limit and relative standard deviation) and matrix effects were studied, and results obtained showed that method was suitable for routine analysis of antibiotics in surface water. Samples analysis from Seine River (France) confirmed the interest of antibiotic contamination evaluation in that area.

高效液相色谱法定量测定中药千层塔提取物中的石杉碱甲

建立了高效液相色谱快速定量测定中药千层塔提取物中石杉碱甲含量的分析方法。千层塔提取物经甲醇/水/甲酸(10/90/0.2, v/v/v)提取并定容后,过滤膜后直接分析。色谱分离选用XCharge C18色谱柱(150 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm),以水(含0.1%三氟乙酸)和乙腈(含0.09%三氟乙酸)为流动相进行梯度洗脱,流速为2 mL/min,于310 nm波长下检测,可在10 min内完成石杉碱甲的快速分离分析。结果表明,石杉碱甲在2.12～106 mg/L范围内线性关系良好(相关系数为0.9999);平均加标回收率为102.34%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.46%;日内及日间精密度均小于2%,满足定量要求。该方法简便、快速,结果可靠,重现性好,可作为千层塔提取物质量评价的依据。