Validated TLC-densitometry method for the simultaneous analysis of pyrethroid insecticides in agricultural and domestic products

Background

For therapeutic monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies of lenalidomide (LND), the potent drug for treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), a specific antibody was required for the development of a sensitive immunoassay system for the accurate determination of LND in plasma.

Results

In this study, a hapten of LND (N-glutaryl-LND) was synthesized by introducing the glutaryl moiety, as a spacer, into the primary aromatic amine site of the LND molecular structure. The structure of the hapten (G-LND) was confirmed by mass, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C spectrometric techniques. G-LND was coupled to each of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) proteins by ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide as a coupling reagent. LND-KLH conjugate was used as an immunogen. Four female 2-3 months old New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with an emulsion of LND-KLH with Freund`s adjuvant. The immune response of the rabbits was monitored by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using LND-BSA immobilized onto microwell plates as a solid phase. The rabbit that showed the highest antibody titer and affinity to LND was scarified and its sera were collected. The IgG fraction was isolated and purified by affinity chromatography on protein A column. The specificity of the purified antibody for LND was evaluated by indirect competitive ELISA using dexamethasone as a competitor as it is used with LND in a combination therapy.

Conclusions

The high affinity of the antibody (IC₅₀ = 10 ng/mL) will be useful in the development of an immunoassay system for the determination of plasma LND concentrations. Current research is going to optimize the assay conditions and validate the procedures for the routine application in clinical laboratories.     

Multiresidue gas chromatographic method for determining synthetic pyrethroid pesticides in agricultural products: collaborative study

Fourteen laboratories from 6 countries and regions participated in an international collaborative study to evaluate a multiresidue gas chromatographic (GC) method for determining 8 synthetic pyrethroid pesticides in grains, fruits, and vegetables. The study design was based on Youden's matched-pairs principle for collaborative tests of analytical methods. Each laboratory analyzed 12 collaborative samples of wheat, oranges, and tomatoes as blind samples. Wheat samples were extracted with acetonitrile-water (2 + 1), while orange and tomato samples were extracted with acetone. Residues were partitioned into hexane, evaporated to dryness with a rotary evaporator, and then dissolved in hexane. The hexane extract was partitioned with acetonitrile and cleaned up on a 5% water-deactivated Florisil column with 6% ethyl ether in hexane as eluant. Residue concentrations were determined by GC with electron capture detection with splitless injection by comparison with single-point calibration standards. The appropriate standard concentration was determined by screening sample extracts before analysis. The multiresidue method was tested over the concentration range of 0.095-1.909 mg/kg depending on the 8 different of pesticides and agricultural products analyzed in the collaborative study. Statistical analysis of data from 13 laboratories showed weighted average recoveries for 8 pyrethroids in wheat, oranges, and tomatoes at 0.105-1.909, 0.095-1.909, and 0.105-0.954 mg/kg, respectively, ranging from 91.8 to 100.2%, from 88.1 to 100.6%, and from 88.2 to 101.5%, respectively. Reproducibility relative standard deviation values ranged from 6.46 to 17.74%, from 5.94 to 18.13%, and from 5.59 to 10.48%, respectively. Repeatability relative standard deviation values ranged from 6.34 to 10.84%, from 5.19 to 11.72%, and from 3.20 to 8.09%, respectively. The multiresidue GC method for determining synthetic pyrethroid pesticides in agricultural products has been adopted first action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.     

Development and validation of a TLC-densitometry method for quantitative analysis of nefopam hydrochloride beside its degradation products

A quantitative densitometric thin-layer chromatographic method for determination of nefopam hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations has been established and validated. Nefopam from the formulations was separated and identified on silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ TLC plates with chloroform-methanol-glacial acetic acid (9: 2: 0.1, v/v/v) as mobile phase. Densitometric quantification was performed at absorbance maximum 266 nm. The method was validated for linearity, sensitivity, precision and recovery in accordance with ICH guidelines. The presented method is selective and specific with potential application in pharmaceutical analysis. Nefopam hydrochloride was subjected to acidic and alkaline hydrolysis at different temperatures. As the method could effectively separate the drug from its degradation products, it can be employed as a stability indicating one.     

Validated stability-indicating HPLC-UV method for simultaneous determination of glipizide and four impurities

A selective stability-indicating HPLC-UV method for simultaneous determination of glipizide and four impurities (DPs I-IV) formed under hydrolytic conditions was developed and validated. The drug and impurities were resolved on an XTerra C18 column (250 x 4.5 mm id) in a single gradient run using buffer (0.005 M KH2PO4; pH 3.0)-methanol (60 + 40, v/v; mobile phase A) and (20 + 80, v/v; mobile phase B) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min with 230 nm detection wavelength. The method was linear across concentration ranges of 0.2-100, 0.1-100, 0.5-100, 0.2-100, and 0.1-50 microg/mL for glipizide and DPs I-IV, respectively. The RSD for intraday and interday precision for the drug and impurities was < 1 and < 1.2%, respectively. Satisfactory recoveries (96.58-99.97%) of each of the three concentrations selected across the linearity range of each analyte were obtained, proving the method was sufficiently accurate. The LOD was 0.07, 0.05, 0.16, 0.08, and 0.05 microg/mL and the LOQ was 0.20, 0.14, 0.50, 0.23, and 0.14 microg/mL for the drug and DPs I-IV, respectively. Each peak was resolved with resolution of > 2 from the nearest peak. Insignificant changes in retention time (< 4%) and calculated amount (< 1.65%) of drug and each impurity upon small but deliberate changes in various chromatographic parameters were observed, suggesting the method was robust. The method was applied successfully to stability testing of glipizide tablets.     

Validated HPTLC method for the simultaneous quantification of diterpenoids in Vitex trifolia L.

Vitex trifolia L. is an important Indian medicinal plant with diverse pharmacological properties. In a recent study, we reported the isolation and antitubercular activity evaluation of three new diterpenoids from its leaves; here we have developed a validated rapid, simple, precise, and accurate high‐performance TLC method for the simultaneous quantification of isolated diterpenoids in V. trifolia. Diterpenoids, 6α,7α‐diacetoxy‐13‐hydroxy‐8(9),14‐labdadien ( A ), 13‐hydroxy‐5(10),14‐halimadien‐6‐one ( B ), and 9‐hydroxy‐13(14)‐labden‐16,15‐olide ( C ) were separated on silica gel 60F₂₅₄ high‐performance TLC plates using chloroform/acetone (98:2, v/v) as mobile phase. The quantitation of diterpenoids was carried out using densitometric reflection/absorption mode at 610 nm after postchromatographic derivatization using a vanillin/sulfuric acid reagent. A precise and accurate quantification can be performed for compounds A and B in the linear working concentration range of 333–1000 ng/band and for C in the range of 670–2000 ng/band with good correlations (r = 0.9984, 0.9991, and 0.9994, respectively). The method was validated for peak purity, precision, accuracy, robustness, LOD, and LOQ, as per the ICH guidelines. The method reported here is simple, reproducible and may be applied for the quantitative analysis of the above diterpenoids in the leaves of V. trifolia.     

Rapid preconcentration method for the determination of pyrethroid insecticides in vegetable oils and butter fat and simultaneous determination by gas chromatography-electron capture detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple and rapid solid-phase extraction (SPE)-GC method for the preconcentration and quantification of pyrethroids at low nanogram levels in oils and high fat content samples is presented. The method was studied using seven highly persistent pyrethroid insecticides, viz., cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate, cyfluthrin, allethrin, cyhalothrin and permethrin. Preconcentration was achieved by treating the oil samples with methyltrioctylammonium chloride and subsequent elution of the pyrethroid molecules from a graphitized carbon black SPE cartridge using 5 ml of acetonitrile. Pyrethroid quantification was achieved by GC with electron capture detection. Recoveries of the pyrethroids at fortification levels of 0.05-0.5 ppm were 94-105%. Storage on graphitized carbon black for 30 d lowered the recovery of the pyrethroids by only 3-6%. The method compared well with results obtained by a GC-MS method. The relative standard deviation at a concentration level of 0.05-0.2 microgram ml-1 ranged from 1.31 to 5.16%. The limit of detection achieved was 0.002 microgram ml-1 without any additional clean-up and with little interference from lipids during analysis.     

Effective separation and simultaneous analysis of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in their pharmaceutical formulations by a validated TLC-densitometry method

ABSTRACT: A TLC densitometric method was developed for simultaneous determination of four anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) of testosterone derivatives including testosterone propionate (TP), testosterone phenyl propionate (TPP), testosterone isocaproate (TI) and testosterone deaconate (TD) in their pharmaceutical products. Separation was carried out on Al based TLC plates, pre-coated with silica gel 60F-254 using hexane and ethyl acetate (8.5:1.5, v/v). Spots at Rf 0.31+/-0.01, 0.34+/-0.01, 0.40+/-0.01 and 0.45+/-0.02 were recognized as TPP, TP, TI and TD, respectively. Quantitative analysis was done by densitometric measurements at lambdamax 251 nm for all derivatives. The developed method was validated as per ICH guidelines. Method was found linear over the concentration range of 200-1200 ng/spot with the correlation coefficient of 0.995, 0.993, 0.995 and 0.996 for TP, TPP, TI, TD, respectively. Limit of detection for all derivatives were in the range of 16.7-22.3 ng/spot while limit of quantitation were found to be in the range of 55.7-70.9 ng/spot. The developed TLC method can be applied for the simultaneous routine analysis of testosterone derivatives in their individual and combined pharmaceutical formulations.     

Development of a multi-residue/multi-matrix method for pesticide analysis in agricultural products

Summary Many pesticides can be determined in one analytical run after extraction from a variety of agricultural products with acetone, a GPC clean-up step followed by GC-MS as detection technique.     

Validated HPTLC method for simultaneous estimation of levofloxacin hemihydrate and ornidazole in pharmaceutical dosage form

A simple, rapid, and accurate high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method is described for the simultaneous determination of levofloxacin hemihydrate and ornidazole in tablet dosage form. The method is based on the HPTLC separation of the two drugs followed by densitometric measurements of their spots at 298 nm. The separation is carried out on Merck TLC aluminium sheets of silica gel 60 F254 using n-butanol-methanol-ammonia (5:1:1.5, v/v/v) as mobile phase. The linearity is found to be in the range of 50-250 and 100-500 ng/spot for levofloxacin hemihydrate and ornidazole, respectively. The method is successively applied to pharmaceutical formulation because no chromatographic interferences from the tablet excipients are found. The suitability of this HPTLC method for the quantitative determination of the compounds is proved by validation in accordance with the requirements laid down by International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.     

Reaction-rate method for the determination of phosphorus in agricultural products

A new automated reaction-rate method for the quantitative determination of phosphorus in grains and feeds is presented. The chemical methodology has been investigated, resulting in a high analytical throughput with precise, accurate results. The phosphomolybdenum blue reaction is used for the reaction-rate determination. After digestion of the samples by the official AOAC block digestion procedure, automated instrumentation is used for precise and rapid combination of the reactants and transfer of the mixed solution to an automated spectrophotometer. The rate of formation of the product during 5 sec is automatically determined and compared with rates obtained for phosphorus standards to determine the phosphorus content of the sample. Relative standard deviations of about 0.3% are obtained and results for determinations of phosphorus in grains and feeds are accurate as indicated by comparison with the average obtained by all laboratories participating in the AAFCO check sample programme.     

Validated liquid chromatography method for assay of tizanidine in drug substance and formulated products

A new isocratic stability indicating HPLC method for determination of tizanidine in drug substance and formulated products is described. Chromatographic separation of tizanidine from the related substances and degraded products was achieved with a Hypersil CN column ( mm, 5 μm) using a mobile phase comprising a mixture of an ion-pairing solution of heptanesulphonic acid sodium salt (HAS), methanol and acetonitrile (50:57:18 (v/v)) within 10 min. The flow-rate was 1.0 ml/min and detection was made at 227 nm. The method has good selectivity towards tizanidine, related substances and degraded products. Limits of quantitation for tizanidine and its synthetic intermediates were determined, ranging from 0.051 to 0.54 μg/ml. The linearity range was found to be 2-20 μg/ml (r=0.9998, n=5). Mean recovery for tizanidine from the tablets was from 99.5 to 99.8%. Precision of the method was 1.0% (n=9). The method can be used for routine analysis and the quality control of tizanidine drug substance and its formulated products.     

A solution for isomerization of pyrethroid insecticides in gas chromatography

Isomerization of pyrethroid insecticides was observed during extraction and gas chromatography (GC) analysis. An improvement in sensitivity was noted for pyrethroids in sediment extracts in comparison to pure solvent. Stability of pyrethroids using different solvents and analyte additives were investigated, and GC injection conditions were optimized. Polar solvents enhanced pyrethroid isomerization, while hexane was the best choice as an analytical solvent. Acetic acid was used successfully as an isomer-stabilizing agent for GC analysis of pyrethroids. Acidified (0.1% acetic acid) hexane prevented pyrethroid isomerization, increased peak intensity up to 1.9 times, and calibration curve linearity (relative standard deviation for response factors) 0.8-12.5 times compared to hexane alone.     

Development of a high-throughput method for the determination of organochlorinated compounds, nitromusks and pyrethroid insecticides in indoor dust

Investigation of chemical exposure inside the homes and offices where people spend the majority of their lives has only recently begun. These chemicals are degraded much more slowly than outdoor because they are more protected from sunlight, severe environmental conditions and microbial activity. Hence, indoor dust has been recognized as an important exposure pathway for organic contaminants. Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides widely used in domestic environment for numerous applications and also in agriculture. Chlorobenzenes are a family of compounds used as intermediates in the production of a wide range of household consumer products. Nitromusks are a kind of synthetic musks used in the production of cleaning agents, detergents, and personal care products. A high-throughput method for the determination of these compounds in indoor dust samples has been developed. Microwave-assisted solvent extraction was used as the extraction technique whereas quantification of compounds was carried out by gas chromatography with micro-electron-capture detection. Several cleanup procedures were tested and finally a non-classical "on batch" procedure was selected, which allows increasing the throughput of the analysis while decreasing sample manipulation. Extraction conditions were optimized using a multifactorial experimental design approach. Quantitative recovery (84-103%) was achieved for all compounds and method precision was satisfactory. Limits of detection ranged from 0.22 ng g(-1) for lindane to 40 ng g(-1) for 1,4-dichlorobenzene. Standard reference material SRM 2585 was analyzed and the obtained values were in good agreement with the reported reference values for organochlorinated compounds and nitromusks. Pyrethroids and polychlorobenzenes have been analyzed for the first time in this reference material and some of them have been found. In addition, real samples collected in houses of north-western Spain have been analyzed by the proposed method and 17 of the 22 target compounds have been detected in the samples.     

Multiresidue method for the analysis of multiclass pesticides in agricultural products by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method is described for determining 55 organophosphorus and organochlorinated compounds and pyrethroids commonly used in crop protection. Pesticide residues are extracted from samples with a mixture of ethyl acetate and sodium sulfate, obtaining a final preconcentration of I mg sample (ml extract)(-1). No additional clean-up steps are necessary. Analysis is performed by gas chromatography by using a combination of positive chemical ionisation (PCI) and electron impact (EI) ionisation modes and tandem mass spectrometry (GC-PCI/EI-MS-MS). Good sensitivity and selectivity of the method are obtained with limits of detection (LODs) ranging from 0.07 to 4.21 microg kg(-1) in all the cases, except for methamidophos, permethrin, cypermethrin and difenconazol. Average recoveries between 52 and 114% are obtained and good linearity is observed in the studied ranges (r > or = 0.994). The RSD values are < or = 29% in all the cases. The method has been applied to the analysis of 178 vegetable samples, as a part of the monitoring programme of the Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables of Almería (COEXPHAL) and quality control systems applied during the assays have demonstrated a good performance and stability with time.     

Diastereoselective and enantioselective chromatography of the pyrethroid insecticides allethrin and cypermethrin

Summary Liquid and gas chromatographic separations of the pyrethroid insecticides allethrin and cypermethrin have been investigated with various achiral and chiral stationary phases. Diastercomeric and enantiomeric selectivity was observed for cypermethrin on a Pirkle-type chiral LC stationary phase, but very strong interactions and therefore long retention times prevented the separation of allethrin on this phase. Trans-allethrin isomers were separated on a chiral -cyclodextrin RP-HPLC column while cypermethrin showed some difficulties on this phase due to isomerization. Diastereomeric but no enantiomeric selectivity by GC was achieved for cypermethrin with an apolar DB 5 capillary. GC separation of the diastereomers was used to study the selective photodegradation of cypermethrin isomers after forestry applications. Chiral -cyclodextrin-based GC phases showed some enantioselectivity for cis- and trans-allethrin isomers. A separation of the eight isomers into six partially resolved peaks was achieved by GC with a coupled column consisting of chiral permethylated -cyclodextrin and DB 1701 as stationary phases. This combination was used to characterize allethrin formulations intended for indoor use and to investigate allethrin products formed by ozonolysis of thin films of the insecticide.     

Development of a matrix solid-phase dispersion method for the simultaneous determination of pyrethroid and organochlorinated pesticides in cattle feed

A matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) method was developed for the simultaneous extraction of 36 common pesticides and breakdown products (mostly pyrethroids and organochlorines) in cattle feed. Different parameters affecting the extraction efficiency (such as dispersing phase, clean-up adsorbent and elution volume) were investigated. The experimental procedure was optimized using a multivariate statistical approach and the final analyses were carried out by GC-muECD. Several protocols for extract purification were also studied. As far as we know, this is the first application of MSPD for the extraction of most of the target pesticides from animal feed. Using the optimized extraction conditions, the method was validated in terms of accuracy, and precision (within-a-day and among-days), using a certified reference material (CRM 115) as well as spiked cattle feedingstuffs at different concentration levels. A matrix effect study was also carried out using various real samples. The recoveries were satisfactory (>75% in most cases) and the quantification limits, at the sub-ngg(-1) or low-ngg(-1) level, complied with the regulated maximum residue levels (MRLs) in animal feed and in main crops used in the preparation of cattle feeding materials. Finally, the MSPD-GC-muECD methodology was applied to the analysis of real cattle feed samples collected in farms of dairy cattle from NW Spain.     

Development of a class selective immunoassay for the type II pyrethroid insecticides

A general and broad class selective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for the type II pyrethroid insecticides, such as cypermethrin, deltamethrin, cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, fenvalerate, esfenvalerate and fluvalinate. Polyclonal antibodies were generated by immunizing with a type II pyrethroid immunogen ((RS)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (RS)-cis,trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-carboxyl-cyclopropanecarboxylate) conjugated with thyroglobulin. Antisera were screened against nine different coating antigens. The antibody-antigen combination with the most selectivity for type II pyrethroids such as cypermethrin was further optimized and tested for tolerance to co-solvent, pH and ionic strength changes. The IC₅₀s of the optimized immunoassay were 78 μg l⁻¹ for cypermethrin, 205 μg l⁻¹ for cyfluthrin, 120 μg l⁻¹ for cyhalothrin, 13 μg l⁻¹ for deltamethrin, 6 μg l⁻¹ for esfenvalerate, 8 μg l⁻¹ for fenvalerate and 123 μg l⁻¹ for fluvalinate. No cross-reactivity was measured for the type I pyrethroids such as permethrin, bifenthrin, phenothrin, resmethrin and bioresmethrin. This assay can be used in monitoring studies to distinguish between type I and II pyrethroids.     

Development of a simultaneous extraction and cleanup method for pyrethroid pesticides from indoor house dust samples

An efficient and reliable analytical method was developed for the sensitive and selective quantification of pyrethroid pesticides (PYRs) in house dust samples. The method is based on selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) of the dust-bound PYRs into dichloromethane (DCM) with analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Various adsorbents and combinations of extraction solvents and temperatures were evaluated to achieve a high-throughput sample preparation that eliminates the post-extraction cleanup step. The final method used sulfuric acid-impregnated silica (acid silica) and neutral silica together in the extraction cell with the dust sample to provide both extraction and cleanup simultaneously. The optimal ratio of dust/acid silica/silica was 1:0.8:8. The extraction was performed at 2000 psi, at 100 °C with DCM for 5 min in three cycles. Method precision and accuracy were evaluated by the analysis of triplicate aliquots of the dust samples and the samples fortified with the target PYRs. The accuracy measured as the recoveries of the PYRs in the fortified samples ranged from 85% to 120%. The precision measured as the relative standard deviation of replicate samples was within ±25%. The SPLE method was applied to 20 house dust samples collected from households that participated in two field studies regarding exposures to pesticides and other pollutants. Similar concentrations of target PYRs were obtained for the SPLE and a stepwise extraction/cleanup procedure. The SPLE procedure reduces organic solvent consumption and increases the sample throughput when compared with a traditional stepwise extraction and cleanup procedure. This study demonstrates that the SPLE procedure can be applied to complex dust matrices for analysis of PYRs for large scale exposure or environmental monitoring studies.     

Development of a liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous analysis of benzoxazolinones and their degradation products

A new method for the simultaneous analysis of some benzoxazolinones, aminophenoxazinones and malonamic acids was developed based on liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), using electrospray ionization (ESI) and operating in positive mode. Different ESI-MS parameters, such as fragmentor voltage, capillary voltage, drying gas flow, nebulizer gas pressure and drying gas temperature, were optimized in order to obtain structural information and to achieve maximum sensitivity. Chromatographic separation was performed by a reversed-phase LC column using a linear gradient of water and methanol. Quality assurance of the developed method was assessed by measuring parameters as linearity, sensitivity, repeatability and reproducibility. Quantification method based on the use of internal standard was developed, selecting synthetic 2-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one as internal standard. Good correlations were obtained for all analytes relative to this compound in the range of 0.05-1.5 ng/microL. Instrumental detection limits were between 0.02 and 0.2 ng/microL. Repeatability and reproducibility studies showed acceptable coefficient of variation values.     

New clean-up method for gas chromatographic analysis of pyrethroid residues

Summary A fast and efficient method has been developed for clean-up of fenpropathrin and fluvalinate for gas chromatographic determination of their residues in crops, grain and soil. Charcoal (Darco-G-60) was used as adsorbent and the pyrethroids recovered by washing the adsorbent with hexane-acetone (9∶1). The method provides a clear filtrate with no interfering peaks in the chromatogram. Recoveries ranged 91.00–100%.