Optimization of reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography by over-pressurized thin-layer chromatography III. Over-pressurized thin-layer chromatography using 10-camphor sulfonic acid as ion-pair reagent

Summary The use of over-pressurized thin-layer chromatography in ion pair system using acidic type pairing reagent has been studied. The most important aspect when reversed phase ion-pair TLC system is used to apply a suitable procedure for pre-treatment of the sorbents. Because of the acidic type of ion pair reagents cannot be bounded to the surface of the layer by immersion or pre-development with the reagent solution, double coating technique was used for the pre-treatment, the plate was firstly immersed in an ethanolic solution of cetrimide, then the immersion has been repeated by an ethanolic solution of acidic ion pair reagent. The necessary coating of the sorbents can be achieved by this technique. To find the optimal conditions for reversed phase ion pair TLC separation of organic amines, 10-camphor sulfonic acid as reagent, different aliphatic, aromatic amines and diamines and heterocyclic nitrogen compounds, respectively as model compounds were selected. The dependence of the selectivity and efficiency of the separation on the sorbents, on the concentrations of reagents (cetrimide and camphor sulfonic acid) applied for both immersion and in the eluent were investigated in detail. Presented at the 15th International Symposium on Chromatography, Nürnberg, October 1984     

Fluorescence analysis of p-hydroxymethamphetamine in urine by thin-layer chromatography.

A highly-sensitive analytical method for the detection of p-hydroxymethamphetamine (pOHMA) in urine is presented. The proposed method combines liquid-liquid extraction with acetonitrile and solid-phase extraction by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with oxidation using potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) and sodium hydroxide to detect the fluorophor of pOHMA. The detection limit for pOHMA is 10 ng (n = 3). The analysis of pOHMA in forensic samples is successfully performed, without interference from endogenous fluorophors, yielding concentrations in the appropriate range for methamphetamine abusers.     

Characterisation and quantitation of morphine in urine using high-pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A simple and rapid method for the identification and quantitation of morphine in urine samples is described. The procedure, which involves conversion of the drug a fluorescent product followed by liquid chromatography, is shown to be highly sensitive and specific. Levels down to 0.01 mug/ml of morphine can be quantitatively detected in urine. A large number of drugs have been tested and shown not to interfere.     

An improved derivatization method for sensitive determination of fatty acids by high-performance liquid chromatography using 9-(2-hydroxylethyl)-carbazole as derivatization reagent with fluorescence detection

Summary Tagging techniques with reagents used for fluorescent detection for short and long-chain fatty acids using high-performance liquid chromatography are evaluated in terms of the tagging reactions, handing, flexibility, stability of the reagents. Emphasis is given to the applications of the tagging techniques to relatively high molecular mass fatty acids. The fatty acids or carboxylic compounds were derivatized to their corresponding esters with 9-(2-hydroxy ethyl)-carbazole (HEC) in acetonitrile at 60°C with N, N′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) as a coupling agent in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). A mixture of esters of C₁−C₂₀ fatty acids was completely separated with 45 min using gradient elution on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column. The maximum fluorescence emission for the derivatized fatty acids is at 365 nm (λ_ex 293 nm). Studies on derivatization conditions indicated that fatty acids react rapidly and smoothly with HEC in the presence of CDI and DMAP in acetonitrile to give the corresponding sensitively fluorescent derivatives. The application of this method to the analysis of long chain fatty acids in plasma is also investigated. The LC separation shows good selectivity and reproducibility for fatty acids derivatives. The relative standard deviations (n=6) for each fatty acid derivative are <5.0%. The detection limits are at 38–57 fmol levels for C₁₄−C₂₀ fatty acids and lower levels for <C₁₄ fatty acids.     

Detection of tobacco-related biomarkers in urine samples by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy coupled with thin-layer chromatography

The nicotine metabolites, cotinine and trans-3′-hydroxycotinine (3HC) are considered as superior biomarkers for identifying tobacco exposure. More importantly, the ratio of 3HC to cotinine is a good indicator to phenotype individuals for cytochrome P450 2A6 activity and to individualize pharmacotherapy for tobacco addiction. In this paper, a simple, robust and novel method based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy coupled with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was developed to directly quantify the biomarkers in human urine samples. This is the first time surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used to detect cotinine and 3HC in urine samples. The linear dynamic range for the detection of cotinine is from 40 nM to 8 μM while that of 3HC is from 1 μM to 15 μM. The detection limits are 10 nM and 0.2 μM for cotinine and 3HC, respectively. The proposed method was further validated by quantifying the concentration of both cotinine and 3HC in smokers’ urine samples. This TLC-SERS method allows the direct detection of cotinine in the urine samples of both active and passive smokers and the detection of 3HC in smokers.