Short communication performance of octadecylsilylated monolithic silica capillary columns of 530 microm inner diameter in HPLC

Monolithic silica capillary columns were successfully prepared in a fused silica capillary of 530 microm inner diameter and evaluated in HPLC after octadecylsilylation (ODS). Their efficiency and permeability were compared with those of columns pakked with 5-microm and 3-microm ODS-silica particles. The monolithic silica columns having different domain sizes (combined size of through-pore and skeleton) showed 2.5-4.0-times higher permeability (K= 5.2-8.4 x 10(-14) m2) than capillary columns packed with 3-mm particles, while giving similar column efficiency. The monolithic silica capillary columns gave a plate height of about 11-13 microm, or 11 200-13 400 theoretical plates/150 mm column length, in 80% methanol at a linear mobile phase velocity of 1.0 mm/s. The monolithic column having a smaller domain size showed higher column efficiency and higher pressure drop, although the monolithic column with a larger domain size showed better overall column performance, or smaller separation impedance (E value). The larger-diameter (530 microm id) monolithic silica capillary column afforded a good peak shape in gradient elution of proteins at a flow rate of up to 100 microL/min and an injection volume of up to 10 microL.     

Practical comparison of LC columns packed with different superficially porous particles for the separation of small molecules and medium size natural products

Commercial C(18) columns packed with superficially porous particles of different sizes and shell thicknesses (Ascentis Express, Kinetex, and Poroshell 120) or sub-2-μm totally porous particles (Acquity BEH) were systematically compared using a small molecule mixture and a complex natural product mixture as text probes. Significant efficiency loss was observed on 2.1-mm id columns even with a low dispersion ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography system. The Kinetex 4.6-mm id column packed with 2.6-μm particles exhibited the best overall efficiency for small molecule separations and the Poroshell 120 column showed better performance for mid-size natural product analytes. The Kinetex 2.1-mm id column packed with 1.7-μm particles did not deliver the expected performance and the possible reasons besides extra column effect have been proved to be frictional heating effect and poor column packing quality. Different column retentivities and selectivities have been observed on the four C(18) columns of different brands for the natural product separation. Column batch-to-batch variability that has been previously observed on the Ascentis Express column was also observed on the Kinetex and Poroshell 120 column.     

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.     

A comparison of performance of various analytical columns in pharmaceutical analysis: conventional C18 and high throughput C18 zorbax columns

New improved types of analytical columns Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 (75 mm x 4.6 mm i.d., 3.5 microm) and Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 (50 mm x 4.6 mm i.d., 1.8 microm) have been tested for determination of estradiol (active substance), methylparaben, propylparaben (preservatives) and estrone (degradation product) and compared with the conventional C18 columns (250 mm x 3.0 mm i.d., 5.0 microm). The Zorbax columns differ with their particle size, column length and ODS (octadecylsilica) type as well. Higher flow-rates (up to about 2.5 ml min(-1)) could be applied regardless to back-pressure. The analysis - previously done at 40 degrees C - could be performed even at ambient temperature. Analytical run was shortened to 3.5 min (from 12 min used for the conventional C18 column) with the same or better retention characteristics. System suitability data for all Zorbax columns show the advantages of these columns for the practical use in routine quality control of pharmaceuticals, particularly from the point of view of speed of analysis and solvent consumption.     

Axial development and radial non-uniformity of flow in packed columns

Flow inhomogeneity and axial development in low-pressure chromatographic columns have been studied by magnetic resonance imaging velocimetry. The columns studied included (a) an 11.7-mm I.D. column packed with either 50 microm diameter porous polyacrylamide, or 99 or 780 microm diameter impermeable polystyrene beads, and (b) a 5-mm I.D. column commercially packed with 10 microm polymeric beads. The packing methods included gravity settling, slurry packing, ultrasonication, and dry packing with vibration. The magnetic resonance method used averaged apparent fluid velocity over both column cross-sections and fluid displacements greater than one particle diameter and hence permits assessment of macroscopic flow non-uniformities. The results confirm that now non-uniformities induced by the conical distributor of the 11.7-mm I.D. column or the presence of voids at the column entrance relax on a length scale of the column radius. All of the 11.7-mm I.D. columns examined exhibit near wall channeling within a few particle diameters of the wall. The origins of this behavior are demonstrated by imaging of the radial dependence of the local porosity for a column packed with 780 microm beads. Columns packed with the 99-microm beads exhibit reduced flow in a region extending from ten to three-to-five particle diameters from the wall. This velocity reduction is consistent with a reduced porosity of 0.35 in this region as compared to approximately 0.43 in the bulk of the column. Ultrasonicated and dry-packed columns exhibit enhanced flow in a region located between approximately eight and 20 particle diameters from the wall. This enhancement maybe caused by packing density inhomogeneity and/or particle size segregation caused by vibration during the packing process. No significant non-uniformities on length scales of 20 microm or greater were observed in the commercially packed column packed with 10 microm particles.     

Physical properties and structure of fine core–shell particles used as packing materials for chromatography: Relationships between particle characteristics and column performance

The recent development of new brands of packing materials made of fine porous-shell particles, e.g., Halo and Kinetex, has brought great improvements in potential column efficiency, demanding considerable progress in the design of chromatographic instruments. Columns packed with Halo and Kinetex particles provide minimum values of their reduced plate heights of nearly 1.5 and 1.2, respectively. These packing materials have physical properties that set them apart from conventional porous particles. The kinetic performance of 4.6 mm I.D. columns packed with these two new materials is analyzed based on the results of a series of nine independent and complementary experiments: low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LTNA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inverse size-exclusion chromatography (ISEC), Coulter counter particle size distributions, pycnometry, height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP), peak parking method (PP), total pore blocking method (TPB), and local electrochemical detection across the column exit section (LED). The results of this work establish links between the physical properties of these superficially porous particles and the excellent kinetic performance of columns packed with them. It clarifies the fundamental origin of the difference in the chromatographic performances of the Halo and the Kinetex columns.     

Monolithic silica columns with various skeleton sizes and through-pore sizes for capillary liquid chromatography

Reduction of through-pore size and skeleton size of a monolithic silica column was attempted to provide high separation efficiency in a short time. Monolithic silica columns were prepared to have various sizes of skeletons (approximately 1-2 microm) and through-pores (approximately 2-8 microm) in a fused-silica capillary (50-200 microm I.D.). The columns were evaluated in HPLC after derivatization to C18 phase. It was possible to prepare monolithic silica structures in capillaries of up to 200 microm I.D. from a mixture of tetramethoxysilane and methyltrimethoxysilane. As expected, a monolithic silica column with smaller domain size showed higher column efficiency and higher pressure drop. High external porosity (> 80%) and large through-pores resulted in high permeability (K = 8 x 10(-14) -1.3 x 10(-12) m2) that was 2-30 times higher than that of a column packed with 5-mirom silica particles. The monolithic silica columns prepared in capillaries produced a plate height of about 8-12 microm with an 80% aqueous acetonitrile mobile phase at a linear velocity of 1 mm/s. Separation impedance, E, was found to be as low as 100 under optimum conditions, a value about an order of magnitude lower than reported for conventional columns packed with 5-microm particles. Although a column with smaller domain size generally resulted in higher separation impedance and the lower total performance, the monolithic silica columns showed performance beyond the limit of conventional particle-packed columns under pressure-driven conditions.     

Analysis of phenolic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography and ultra performance liquid chromatography

Two novel chromatographic methods both based on utilization of sub-2-micron particle columns were developed for the analysis of phenolic compounds in this work. An HPLC system was equipped with C(18) silica-based analytical column (50 mm x 4.6 mm, 1.8 microm) and a UPLC system with ethylene-bridged hybrid C(18) analytical column (100 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 microm). In total 34 phenolic substances were divided into groups of phenolic acids, flavonoids, catechins and coumarins and were analysed in sequence using different gradient methods. System suitability test data, including repeatability of retention time and peak area, mean values of asymmetry factor, resolution, peak capacity and the height equivalent of a theoretical plate were determined for each gradient method by 10 replicate injections. The developed methods were applied in the analysis of real samples (grape wines, teas).     

High-efficiency liquid chromatography on conventional columns and instrumentation by using temperature as a variable I. Experiments with 25 cm x 4.6 mm I.D., 5 microm ODS columns

High plate numbers were obtained in conventional LC by coupling columns and by using temperature to reduce the viscosity of the mobile phase. At 80 degrees C up to eight columns of 25 cm x 4.6 mm I.D. packed with 5 microm ODS particles could be coupled generating 180,000 effective plates while the pressure drop was only 350bar. For routine work, a set of four columns is preferred. The analysis times on one column operated at 30 degrees C and 1 mL/min flow rate and on four columns at 80 degrees C and 2 mL/min flow rate are the same in isoeluotropic conditions while the resolution is doubled. Multicolumn systems were successfully applied in isocratic and gradient mode for the analysis of pharmaceutical and environmental samples.     

Comparison between the efficiencies of columns packed with fully and partially porous C18-bonded silica materials

The chromatographic performance of a new brand of shell particles is compared to that of a conventional brand of totally porous silica particles having a similar size. The new material (Halo, Advanced Materials Technology, Wilmington, DE) is made of 2.7 microm particles that consist in a 1.7 microm solid core covered with a 0.5 microm thick shell of porous silica. The other material consists of the porous particles of a conventional 3 microm commercial silica-B material. These two columns have the same dimensions, 150 mm x 4.6mm. The reduced plate heights of two low molecular weight compounds, naphthalene and anthracene, two peptides (lys-bradykinin and bradykinin), and four proteins, insulin, lysozyme, beta-lactoglobulin, and bovine serum albumin were measured in a wide flow rate range and analyzed on the basis of the Van Deemter equation and of modern models for its terms. The Halo column provides a smaller axial diffusion coefficient B and a smaller eddy dispersion term A than the other column, a result consistent with its lower internal porosity (in(p)=0.19 versus 0.42) and with the narrower size distribution of its particles (sigma=5% versus 13%). The two columns have similar C terms for the two low molecular weight compounds and for the two peptides. However, the C term of the proteins that are not excluded is markedly lower on the column packed with the Halo particles than on the other column. A recent theoretical analysis of the mass transfer kinetics in shell particles predicts a C term for moderately retained proteins (3相似文献   

Effect of extra-column volume on practical chromatographic parameters of sub-2-μm particle-packed columns in ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography

Effects of extra-column volume on apparent separation parameters were studied in ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography with columns and inlet connection tubings of various internal diameters (id) using 50-mm long columns packed with 1.8-μm particles under isocratic conditions. The results showed that apparent retention factors were on average 5, 11, 18, and 41% lower than those corrected with extra-column volumes for 4.6-, 3.0-, 2.1-, and 1.0-mm id columns, respectively, when the extra-column volume (11.3 μL) was kept constant. Also, apparent pressures were 31, 16, 12, and 10% higher than those corrected with pressures from extra-column volumes for 4.6-, 3.0-, 2.1-, and 1.0-mm id columns at the respective optimum flow rate for a typical ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography system. The loss in apparent efficiency increased dramatically from 4.6- to 3.0- to 2.1- to 1.0-mm id columns, less significantly as retention factors increased. The column efficiency was significantly improved as the inlet tubing id was decreased for a given column. The results suggest that maximum ratio of extra-column volume to column void volume should be approximately 1:10 for column porosity more than 0.6 and a retention factor more than 5, where 80% or higher of theoretically predicted efficiency could be achieved.     

Crystalline degradation products of vancomycin as chiral stationary phase in microcolumn liquid chromatography

The ability of crystalline degradation products (CDPs) of vancomycin as a chiral stationary phase was reported in a previous study for enantioselective separation of drugs, amino acids and agrochemical toxins by conventional LC column (250 x 4.6 mm). In this work, the potential of CDP of vancomycin for the enantiomeric separation in micro-LC (200 x 1 mm) has been studied. The obtained separation results are better than in our previous study with conventional LC columns. The enantiomers of D,L-phenylalanine, D,L-alanine, methyldopa, atropine and propranolol were used for this evaluation. Experiments have been carried out in a stainless steel tube that was packed with chiral silica particles of 3 and 12 microm diameters. Also, three different ratios of 3 and 12 microm silica particles were used for packing material of chiral columns and the effect on aspect ratio and resolving powers was compared.     

Evaluation of low-pressure gas chromatography linked to ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry for the fast trace analysis of multiclass pesticide residues

A rapid multiresidue method for the analysis of 72 pesticides has been developed using a single injection with low-pressure gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LP-GC/MS/MS). The LP-GC/MS/MS method used a short capillary column of 10 m x 0.53 mm i.d. x 0.25 microm film thickness coupled with a 0.6 m x 0.10 mm i.d. restriction at the inlet end. Optimal LP-GC conditions were determined which achieved the fastest separation in MS/MS detection mode. Also MS/MS conditions were optimized in order to increase sensitivity and selectivity. The analytical parameters of the LP-GC/MS/MS method were compared with those obtained by GC/MS/MS using a conventional capillary column (30 m x 0.25 mm i.d. x 0.25 microm film thickness). Better precision and sensitivity values were obtained with the LP-GC/MS/MS approach. The limits of detection (LOD) of the compounds ranged from 0.1 to 14.1 microg L(-1) for LP-GC/MS/MS, lower than those obtained for conventional GC/MS/MS that ranged from 0.1 to 17.5 microg L(-1). The peak widths obtained with the short column in LP-GC are similar to those obtained using conventional capillary GC columns, and the peaks can be successfully identified by MS/MS detection with the conventional scan speed of ion-trap instruments. In addition, the analysis time was significantly reduced with LP-GC/MS/MS (32 min) versus GC/MS/MS (72 min), allowing the number of samples analyzed per day in a routine laboratory to be doubled.     

Characteristics of superficially-porous silica particles for fast HPLC: some performance comparisons with sub-2-microm particles

Columns of 2.7-microm fused-core (superficially porous) Type B silica particles allow very fast separations of small molecules at pressures available in most high-performance liquid chromatography instruments. These highly-purified particles with 1.7-microm solid silica cores and 0.5-microm-thick shells of 9 nm pores exhibit efficiencies that rival those of totally porous sub-2-microm particles but at one-half to one-third of the column back pressure. This presentation describes other operating features of fused-core particle columns, including sample loading characteristics and packed bed stability. The superior mass transfer (kinetic) properties of the fused-core particles result in much-improved separation efficiency at higher mobile phase velocities, especially for > 600 molecular weight solutes.     

Radial heterogeneity of some analytical columns used in high-performance liquid chromatography

An on-column electrochemical microdetector was used to determine accurately the radial distribution of the mobile phase velocity and of the column efficiency at the exit of three common analytical columns, namely a 100 mm × 4.6 mm C18 bonded silica-based monolithic column, a 150 mm × 4.6 mm column packed with 2.7 μm porous shell particles of C18 bonded silica (HALO), and a 150 mm × 4.6 mm column packed with 3 μm fully porous C18 bonded silica particles (LUNA). The results obtained demonstrate that all three columns are not radially homogeneous. In all three cases, the efficiency was found to be lower in the wall region of the column than in its core region (the central core with a radius of 1/3 the column inner radius). The decrease in local efficiency from the core to the wall regions was lower in the case of the monolith (ca. 25%) than in that of the two particle-packed columns (ca. 35–50%). The mobile phase velocity was found to be ca. 1.5% higher in the wall than in the core region of the monolithic column while, in contrast, it was ca. 2.5–4.0% lower in the wall region for the two particle-packed columns.     

Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography of porphyrins in clinical materials: column and mobile phase selection and optimisation

Ultra high-performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) systems on columns packed with materials ranging from 1.9 to 2.7 μm average particle size were assessed for the fast and sensitive analysis of porphyrins in clinical materials. The fastest separation was achieved on an Agilent Poroshell C(18) column (2.7 μm particle size, 50 × 4.6 mm i.d.), followed by a Thermo Hypersil Gold C(18) column (1.9 μm particle size, 50 × 2.1 mm i.d.) and the Thermo Hypersil BDS C(18) column (2.4 μm particle size, 100 × 2.1 mm i.d.). All columns required a mobile phase containing 1 m ammonium acetate buffer, pH 5.16, with a mixture of acetonitrile and methanol as the organic modifiers for optimum resolution of the type I and III isomers, particularly for uroporphyrin I and III isomers. All UHPLC columns were suitable and superior to conventional HPLC columns packed with 5 μm average particle size materials for clinical sample analysis.     

Characterization of a 2.6 μm Kinetex porous shell hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column in supercritical fluid chromatography with a comparison to 3 μm totally porous silica

The first systematic study of the performance of a porous shell, hydrophylic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is presented. Observed efficiency on 2.6-μm porous shell particles exceeded all reports using UHPLC on 100-mm long columns packed with <2-μm totally porous particles. A Kinetex 4.6 × 150 mm, 2.6 μm HILIC column significantly outperformed a 3 μm Luna totally porous silica of the same length and diameter. A 17 component, low molecular weight test mix, consisting of a range of small drug-like molecules was separated isocratically on each column, with similar selectivity, but the porous shell column required ½ the time (≈2 min vs. 4 min), with almost 50% higher efficiency. Even little retained compounds (k < 0.5) exhibited more than 30,000 plates under some conditions. Reduced plate heights were higher than previously reported on porous shell particles in both HILIC and rHPLC, with the lowest value of 1.62. Significant fronting was sometimes observed. The cause of the fronting was not determined. The least symmetrical peaks showed the highest apparent efficiency. Pressure drop at optimum velocity (2.5 ml/min) and low modifier concentrations was <60 bar, and only exceeded 250 bar at near double optimum flow and 65% modifier. Peak widths were mostly just over 0.01 min (20 Hz) wide. There was a loss of efficiency when the injection volume was increased. The chromatograph was shown to have extremely low extra-column dispersion, on the order of 5–10 μL², which is also the lowest reported in an SFC, in spite of using standard components. This is likely due to turbulent flow in the tubing and fittings.     

Comparison of sub-2-microm particle columns for fast metabolite ID

The use of sub-2-microm particle columns for fast high throughput metabolite ID applications was investigated. Three LC-MS methods based on different sub-2-microm particle size columns using the same analytical 3 min gradient were developed (Methods A, B, and C). Method A was comprised of a 1.8 microm particle column coupled to an MS, methods B and C utilized a 1.7 microm particle column (BEH 50 x 2.1 mm2 id) and 1.8 microm particle column coupled to a Q-TOF MS. The precision and the separation efficiency of the methods was compared with repeated standard injections (N=10) of reference compounds verapamil (VP), propranolol, and fluoxetine. Separation efficiency and MS/MS spectral quality were also evaluated for separation and detection of VP and its two major metabolites norverapamil (NVP) and O-demethylverapamil (ODMVP) in human-liver microsomal incubates. Results show that 1.8 microm particle columns show similar performance for separation of VP and its major metabolites and comparable spectral quality in MS(E) mode of the Q-TOF instrument compared to 1.7 microm particle columns. Additionally, the study also confirmed that sub-2-microm particle size columns can be operated with standard analytical HPLC but that performance is maximized by integrating column in UPLC method with reduced void volumes. All the methods are suitable for the determination of major metabolites for compounds with high metabolic turnover. The high throughput metabolite profile analysis using 384-well plate format of up to 48 compounds in incubates of human-liver microsomes was discussed.     

Application of an in-situ thermo-polymerized porous polymer: creation of an on-column frit for a packed capillary HPLC column.

A 3-mm length of a porous monolithic polymer was prepared in a 0.32-mm inner-diameter fused-silica capillary by an in-situ thermo-polymerization method and used as an on-column frit for a packed capillary HPLC column. The on-column frit can resist high pressure up to 400 bar. A 5-microm packing material was packed in the capillary with the on-column frit by a slurry method. At pressure driving mode, separation of samples was performed using the capillary HPLC column. The in-situ frit preparation method has the advantages of easy preparation, easy control of the location of the frit and a mild preparing reaction condition.     

High throughput qualitative analysis of polyphenols in tea samples by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to UV and mass spectrometry detectors

The analysis of polyphenols in tea extracts is important due to their potential health benefits. Therefore, efficient and high throughput analytical methods have been developed for the separation of seven predominant polyphenols, also known as catechin derivatives, present in tea extracts. Columns packed with sub-2-μm particles operating at elevated pressure (UHPLC strategy) were selected to improve chromatographic performance. The potential of UHPLC–UV was demonstrated with baseline resolution of all standard catechins in only 30 s using a 50-mm column packed with 1.7-μm particles. When dealing with real samples such as tea extracts, however, longer columns of up to 150 mm in length were employed to enhance the separation of catechin derivatives and other constituents within the tea samples while maintaining an acceptable analysis time. Two strategies based on 2-D experiments were proposed to clearly identify catechins. Firstly, a liquid–liquid extraction procedure was added prior to the UHPLC–UV analysis to decrease the complexity of the sample. Secondly, UHPLC was coupled to ESI-MS/MS to attain sufficient sensitivity and selectivity between catechin derivatives and other constituents of tea extract. These two strategies were found extremely promising as a clear discrimination of catechins from the matrix could be attained.