Recent advancements in amino acid analysis using capillary electrophoresis

Recent advances in the analysis of amino acids using capillary electrophoresis are addressed. This area of research continues to receive increased attention as is evident from the 62 references reviewed. This review discusses current detection strategies including UV absorbance, laser-induced fluorescence, electrochemical, and others. Separation methodologies for both derivatized and underivatized amino acids are reviewed. Both direct and indirect enantiomeric resolution of amino acids are addressed. Applications utilizing capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of amino acids are discussed. This review covers literature published in 1997 and 1998.     

Performance and selectivity of polymeric pseudostationary phases for the electrokinetic separation of amino acid derivatives and peptides

Two polymeric pseudostationary phases, one an acrylamide polymer and the second a siloxane polymer, have been investigated for the separation of naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA)-derivatized amino acids and small peptides. The dervatized amino acids were detected by UV absorbance and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. The polymers provided very high efficiency and good selectivity for the separation of the amino acids. The separation selectivity using the polymers was significantly different from that of SDS micelles, and there were subtle differences in selectivities between the polymers. Although very good detection limits were obtained with LIF detection, a significant background signal was observed when the polymers were not washed to remove fluorescent impurities. The polymers did not separate the peptides very well. It is postulated that the fixed covalent structure of the polymers prevents them from interacting strongly or efficiently with the peptides, which are large in relation to the analytes typically separated by electrokinetic chromatography using polymers.     

Enantioselective micellar electrokinetic chromatography of dl‐amino acids using (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)‐ethyl chloroformate derivatization and UV‐induced fluorescence detection

Chiral analysis of dl ‐amino acids was achieved by micellar electrokinetic chromatography coupled with UV‐excited fluorescence detection. The fluorescent reagent (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate was employed as chiral amino acid derivatizing agent and sodium dodecyl sulfate served as pseudo‐stationary phase for separating the formed amino acid diastereomers. Sensitive analysis of (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate‐amino acids was achieved applying a xenon‐mercury lamp for ultraviolet excitation, and a spectrograph and charge‐coupled device for wavelength‐resolved emission detection. Applying signal integration over a 30 nm emission wavelength interval, signal‐to‐noise ratios for derivatized amino acids were up to 23 times higher as obtained using a standard photomultiplier for detection. The background electrolyte composition (electrolyte, pH, sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration, and organic solvent) was studied in order to attain optimal chemo‐ and enantioseparation. Enantioseparation of 12 proteinogenic dl ‐amino acids was achieved with chiral resolutions between 1.2 and 7.9, and detection limits for most derivatized amino acids in the 13–60 nM range (injected concentration). Linearity (coefficients of determination > 0.985) and peak‐area and migration‐time repeatabilities (relative standard deviations lower than 2.6 and 1.9%, respectively) were satisfactory. The employed fluorescence detection system provided up to 100‐times better signal‐to‐noise ratios for (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate‐amino acids than ultraviolet absorbance detection, showing good potential for d ‐amino acid analysis.     

CE detector based on light-emitting diodes

CE detectors based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources are receiving considerable attention due to their exceptionally high stability, high intensity, low cost, and a variety of wavelengths in the UV and visible spectrum. This article is a comprehensive review on CE methods using LED-based detectors with absorbance and fluorescence detection, and several applications on the determination of riboflavin, bacteria, drug, and amino acids in biological samples are described.     

LC-Fluorescence Detection Analysis of Amino Acids from Stellera chamaejasme L. Using 2-[2-(Dibenzocarbazole)-ethoxy] Ethyl Chloroformate as Labeling Reagent

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of amino acids using the tagging reagent 2-[2-(dibenzocarbazole)-ethoxy] ethyl chloroformate (DBCEC) followed by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been developed. Identification of DBCEC-amino acids derivatives was by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS–MS). DBCEC can easily and quickly label amino acids, and derivatives are stable enough to be efficiently analyzed by LC. Separation of the derivatized amino acids had been optimized on Hypersil BDS C₁₈ column. A perfect baseline separation for 20 amino acid derivatives was achieved with a ternary gradient elution program. The chromophore of dibenzocarbazole group, which comprise a large rigid planar structure with p–π conjugation system, resulted in a sensitive fluorescence detection for amino acid derivatives. The derivatized amino acids were detected with fluorescence detector with excitation maximum and emission maximum at 300 and 390 nm, respectively. Excellent linear responses were observed with coefficients of >0.9993, and detection limits were in the range of 0.78–5.13 fmol (signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The mean accuracy ranged from 83.4 to 98.7% for fluorescence detection. The mean inter-day precision for all standards was <4.2% of the expected concentration. Therefore, the proposed method was a highly sensitive and specific method for the quantitative analysis of amino acids from biological and natural environmental samples.     

Comparison of liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for amino acid analysis with derivatisation by 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-carbamate: Applications for analysis of amino acids in skin

The analysis of nineteen amino acids found in collagen was optimised using 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-carbamate (AQC) as a derivatisation reagent. The analysis and detection of nineteen AQC-amino acids using fluorescence and mass spectrometry were compared at different mobile phase pH’s and column temperatures. The pH range of the mobile phase was set between 2.7 and 6.0 and column temperatures, 15–60 °C. The majority of amino acids produced a mono-derivatised product with AQC, except cystine, lysine and hydroxylysine which were di-derivatised. Hydroxylysine’s retention time was affected most by changes in the pH, whilst hydroxyproline’s retention time was more affected by column temperature. Hydroxylysine was detected as two diastereomers which were completely resolved. The relative standard deviation of the retention times of AQC-amino acids was less than 1% and the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were ranged from (0.05–0.23) µM and (0.07–0.76) µM on fluorescence and (0.02–0.10) µM and (0.06–0.33) µM on mass spectrometry respectively. This method was successfully applied for the quantitation of amino acids in different animal skins.     

Advances in amino acid analysis

Amino acids are important targets for metabolic profiling. For decades, amino acid analysis has been accomplished by either cation-exchange or reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to UV absorbance or fluorescence detection of pre-column or post-column-derivatized amino acids. Recent years have seen great progress in the development of direct-infusion or hyphenated mass spectrometry in the analysis of free amino acids in physiological fluids, because mass spectrometry not only matches optical detection in sensitivity, but also offers superior selectivity. The advent of cryo-probes has also brought NMR spectroscopy within the detection limits required for the analysis of free amino acids. But there is still room for further improvement, including expansion of the analyte spectrum, reduction of sample preparation and analysis time, automation, and synthesis of affordable isotope standards. Figure Fully automated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of amino acids.     

Separation of Nile Blue-labelled fatty acids by CE with absorbance detection using a red light-emitting diode

The separation of fatty acids derivatised with Nile Blue (NB) by CE with detection using a red light-emitting diode (LED) was examined. NB was selected as the derivatisation agent due to its high molar absorption coefficient of 76,000 M(-1) cm(-1) at 633 nm, making it well suited for sensitive absorbance detection using a red 635 nm LED. NB-labelled fatty acids were separated by both MEKC using SDS micelles, i-PrOH and n-BuOH and by NACE in a number of solvents including MeOH, EtOH and ACN. The sensitivity of NACE was superior to MEKC, with detection limits of 5x10(-7)-7x10(-7) M obtained for each acid, approximately 20 times lower than the MEKC method. The NACE detection limits are approximately 100 times lower than previous reports on the separation of fatty acids by CE using indirect absorbance detection, ten times lower than using indirect fluorescence detection and are inferior only to those obtained using precapillary derivatisation and direct fluorescence detection. The efficiency of the NACE method was also superior to MEKC and allowed the separation of unsaturated fatty acids to be examined, although it was not possible to baseline-resolve linoleic (C18:2) and linolenic (C18:3) acids in a reasonable time. The method was used to analyse the fatty acid profile of two edible oils, namely sunflower and sesame oils, after alkali hydrolysis, where it was possible to identify both the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in each sample.     

Nonionic micellar liquid chromatography coupled to immobilized enzyme reactors

Immobilized enzyme reactors are used as post-column reactors to modify the detectability of analytes. An immobilized amino acid oxidase reactor was prepared and coupled to an immobilized peroxidase reactor to detect low level of amino acids by fluorescence of the homovanilic dimer produced. A cholesterol oxidase reactor was prepared to detect cholesterol and metabolites by 241 nm UV absorbance of the enone produced. The preparation of the porous glass beads with the immobilized enzymes is described. Micellar liquid chromatography is used with non-ionic micellar phases to separate the amino acids or cholesterol derivatives. It is demonstrated that the non ionic Brij 35 micellar phases are very gentle for the enzyme activity allowing the reactor activity to remain at a higher level and for a much longer time than with hydro-organic classical chromatographic mobile phases or aqueous buffers. The coupling of nonionic micellar phases with enzymatic detection gave limits of detection of 32 pmol (4.8 ng injected) of methionine and 50 pmol (19 ng injected) of 20alpha-hydroxy cholesterol. The immobilized enzyme reactors could be used continuously for a week without losing their activity. It is shown that the low efficiency obtained with micellar liquid chromatography is compensated by the possibility offered by the technique to easily adjust selectivity.     

HPLC-FLD for the simultaneous determination of primary and secondary amino acids from complex biological sample by pre-column derivatization

A rapid, sensitive, and reproducible pre-column derivatisation procedure has been established for the simultaneous determination of 20 amino acids by high-performance liquid chromatography using fluorescence detection. The amino acids were derivatized using o-phthalaldehyde and 9-fluorenylmethyl-chloroformate reagents. The optimal conditions for simultaneous separation and detection of both primary and secondary amino acids were investigated. The developed method has several advantages, namely automated pre-column derivatization, short analysis time with optimal separation, a simple and economical mobile phase, high level of precision for peak area and retention time, and higher sensitivity with more reliability of peak identification. The biological media development is the key parameter for macromolecule drug discovery. Biological media amino acids in three consecutive discovery batches were determined and the results showed a good agreement with hypothetical value. The method appears suitable for application to measure biological media amino acids at various stages of macromolecule drug discovery.     

An interface chip connection between capillary electrophoresis and thermal lens microscope

A thermal lens microscope (TLM) detection of capillary electrophoresis (CE) utilizing microchip technology was developed. Fused-silica capillaries with an inner diameter of 50 microm were directly connected to a microchannel in a microchip. The detection limit by TLM was estimated as 2.8 x 10(-7) absorbance by measuring pure water. The detection limit of derivatized amino acids determined by CE-TLM was estimated as 2.4 x 10(-8) M, which was 100 times lower than that of conventional absorbance detection.     

N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-fluorescein-O-acetate for precolumn fluorescence derivatization of amino acids and oligopeptides in liquid chromatography

A new fluorescent derivatizing reagent, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-fluorescein-O-acetate, is used for the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of amino acids and oligopeptides. This reagent has the advantages of high-detection sensitivity in the visible region, specifically with amino groups, mild derivatization conditions, and little interference induced. The fluorescence properties of the reagent and its derivatives with amino acids and oligopeptides are studied. The conditions of the derivatization are investigated in detail. In the mobile phase of methanol-water (42:58, v/v) containing a 10 mM pH 5.0 citric acid-Na2HPO4 buffer, six amino acids and oligopeptides are separated in 20 min with fluorescence detection at excitation and emission wavelengths of 492 and 513 nm, respectively, with the detection limits for injected standards ranging from 0.64 to 12 fmol.     

Colorimetric determination of amino acids using genipin from Gardenia jasminoides

Genipin, a hydrolysate of geniposide from gardenia fruits, produces blue pigments on reaction with amino acids. The colorimetric detection of amino acids using this genipin reaction was evaluated and compared with the well-known ninhydrin reaction. The molar absorptivities of the blue pigments, the reaction products of genipin with various amino acids, were greater than those of the respective ninhydrin reaction products. When asparagine was reacted with genipin, the molar absorptivity was about 14 times higher than with ninhydrin. The absorbance of the genipin–amino acids increased linearly with increase of amino acid concentration, indicating that genipin could be a useful reagent for quantitation of amino acids. Thin layer chromatographic analysis showed that the genipin reaction produces clear and stable colored spots. The blue ninhydrin reaction spots were usually bleached in 24 h at room temperature, while the genipin reaction spots remained unchanged for several months. The addition of 0.1 mM Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ decreased the absorbance of Gly–ninhydrin pigment by 50% and 98%, respectively, but those metal ions did not affect the absorbance of the Gly–genipin pigment.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of cortolic and cortolonic acids as pyrenyl ester derivatives

A new procedure is described for the detection of the acidic metabolites of cortisol (cortoic acids) as the pyrenylmethyl-21-oic esters. The derivatizing reagent, diazomethylpyrene, was prepared by an improved procedure. The reagent was used at room temperature, required no catalyst, and was not restricted by stoichiometric requirements. The steroid esters were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and analyzed simultaneously by their ultraviolet absorbance and fluorescence characteristics. Identities of the products were confirmed using the photodiode array detector to determine spectral profiles, absorbance maxima, and absorbance ratios. Further confirmation of identity of the cortoic acid esters used mass spectrometry under normal and collision-activated dissociation conditions. With the method described, a linear spectral response was obtained between 8 and 1680 fmol. Application of the technique to the analysis of steroid acids in human urine indicated the presence of cortoic acids.     

High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Amino Acids in Biological Samples by Precolumn Derivatization with O-Phthaldialdehyde

Abstract

A suitable gradient system has been developed for rapid analysis of amino acids in biological samples using O-phthaldialdehyde as a precolumn derivatizing agent and fluorescence detection. Resolution of 21 amino acids has been accomplished with 3 μm Ultrasphere ODS column by using a multi-step gradient system of two solvents (0.1M sodium acetate, pH 7.2/methanol:tetrahydrofuran) in less than 1 hour. Within-assay and between-assay coefficients of variation of retention times and fluorescence yield show good reproducibility. The fluorometric detection response is linear from 25 to 500 pmoles with a minimum detection limit of less than 1 pmol. High resolution, rapid analysis and high sensitivity of this method facilitates amino acid analysis in samples of less than 1 mg of tissue.     

Direct determination of amino acids and carbohydrates by high-performance capillary electrophoresis with refractometric detection

This is an initial report to propose a novel approach in high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) for the direct detection of compounds without natural absorbance in the UV and visible spectral range, such as amino acids and carbohydrates. A refractometry detector with the 2 nl cell (Applied Systems, Minsk, Belarus) was employed to identify amino acids and carbohydrates without derivatization. The first results are provided on separation of seven free amino acids in the phosphate running buffer and three free carbohydrates in the borate-sodium dodecyl sulfate running buffer and detection by refractometer. Fused capillaries of 50 or 75 microm internal diameter and separation voltage (10-23 kV) were applied. Detection limits ranged typically from 10 to 100 fmol and the response was linear over two orders of magnitude for most of the amino acids and carbohydrates. The HPCE system demonstrated good long-term stability and reproducibility with a relative standard deviation, less than 5% for the migration time (n=10).     

Spectroscopic studies into the influence of UV radiation on elastin in the presence of collagen

An investigation into the influence of UV irradiation on elastin hydrolysates in the presence of collagen was carried out using UV-Vis spectroscopy and spectrofluorometry. It was found that the absorbance of elastin hydrolysates in solution increased during irradiation more than the absorbance of the elastin/collagen blend. The fluorescence of elastin hydrolysates was observed at 305nm and at 380nm after excitation at 270nm. For the elastin/collagen mixture in solution, fluorescence spectrum shows only one maximum at 305nm. UV irradiation caused fluorescence fading at 305nm. For irradiated elastin the fluorescence at 305nm decreased faster than for the irradiated elastin/collagen mixture. The maximum of the fluorescence peak was shifted for elastin by 4nm, whereas for the elastin/collagen blends the shift was only 1-2nm. All the obtained results point out the ability of mixing elastin and collagen, and suggest that the elastin/collagen mixture in solution is less sensitive to UV irradiation than elastin hydrolysates alone.     

Analysis of amino acids in human vascular endothelial (ECV-304) cells by microchip electrophoresis with fluorescence detection

A rapid and sensitive method was developed for the analysis of amino acids by microchip electrophoresis with Hg-lamp excitation fluorescence detection. Fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC) was chosen to estimate the sensitivity of this system, and the detection limit (S/N = 3) with FITC was 1.7 nM, which showed that the system was sensitive as well as simple. Two derivatizing agents, FITC and ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) were employed to label amino acids and were compared in the same fluorescence detection system with an Hg lamp as the excitation source. The separation parameters were optimized in detail. Optimum separation of OPA-labeled amino acids was obtained in less than 200 s with 20 mM borate buffer (pH 9.0) containing 20% acetonitrile and 10 mM beta-cyclodextrin. Detection limits for amino acids (alanine (Ala), taurine (Tau), glycine (Gly), glutamic acid (Glu), and aspartic acid (Asp)) of 0.38-1.0 muM were achieved. The method was successfully applied to analysis of amino acids in human vascular endothelial cells (ECV-304). The average amount of amino acids in single ECV-304 cells is estimated to be 5.84 fmol for Ala, 2.78 fmol for Tau, 1.15 fmol for Gly, 3.10 fmol for Glu, and 1.30 fmol for Asp.     

Unnatural amino acid mutagenesis of green fluorescent protein

Unnatural amino acid mutagenesis has been used to selectively substitute tyrosine 66 of green fluorescent protein (GFP) with five novel amino acids: p-amino-L-phenylalanine, p-methoxy-L-phenylalanine, p-iodo-L-phenylalanine, p-bromo-L-phenylalanine, and L-3-(2-naphthyl)alanine. The absorbance and emission maxima of the resulting mutant GFPs span the range from 375 to 435 nm and 428 to 498 nm, respectively. The spectral properties of the mutant GFPs, including the absorbance and fluorescence maxima and quantum yields, correlate with the structural and electronic properties of the substituents on the amino acids.     

Precolumn derivatization for improved detection in liquid chromatography-photolysis-electrochemistry

Precolumn, homogeneous chemical derivatization with Sanger's reagent (2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene) is utilized to improve the chromatographic and detection properties of amino alcohols and amino acids. The 2,4-dinitrophenyl derivatives are separated using reversed-phase liquid chromatography and are detected using the hybrid photolysis-electrochemical (hv-EC) detector in tandem with UV absorbance detection. Following optimization of reaction, chromatographic, and detection variables, the derivatization-detection approach provides limits of detection in the low parts-per-billion range, with a linearity of roughly three orders of magnitude. Selectivity is based on retention times as well as dual electrode response ratios and a "lamp on/off" responsiveness criterion unique to the hv-EC detector. The method is applied to the determination of serine in beer.