Method to predict the bandwidth of elution profile under the linear gradient elution in reversed‐phase HPLC

Solute migration in a chromatographic column is an important consideration when designing batch or continuous chromatographic separation processes. Most design methods for the chromatographic processes are based on the equilibrium theory which concerns only the migration velocity of the solute. However, in real cases, it is important to predict the zone spreading which occurs by axial dispersion and mass transfer resistance. To predict the actual solute profiles in the column or effluent stream, numerical methods to solve nonlinear partial differential equations have been used. However, these methods involve much time and expense. In this work, two different rate factors are considered to predict the characteristics of the solute profiles. The first is solute migration velocity and the second is the zone spreading rate. The zone spreading rate can be estimated by the apparent axial dispersion coefficient which is obtained from the height of the equivalent theoretical plate in particular. Four benzene derivatives (benzene, toluene, p‐xylene, and acetophenone) were used as model solutes, and two mobile phase systems, water/methanol and water/ACN, were used in RP‐HPLC. The bandwidths and retention times of the solutes were predicted under several linear gradient conditions. The predicted and experimental bandwidths and retention times showed good agreement.     

Optimization of the mobile phase composition in gradient elution reversed-phase HPLC by stochastic prediction

Summary Quantitative analysis of more than ten compounds in a sample generally requires complex mobile phases to optimize the separation of the analytes by gradient elution reversed-phase HPLC. For this purpose, CHEOPS, a software package has been developed from the fully stochastic Computer Chromatogram Simulation Method. Calculation principles and optimization criteria are described. Experimental validation is presented with amino acids and steroids.     

A novel silica-based column packing for reversed-phase HPLC of basic compounds

Summary A novel bonded phase for reversed-phase HPLC was synthesized in two steps. Octylamine was first reacted with β-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane (β-ECTS) and then the intermediate product was coupled onto porous silica. The prepared packing was characterized by elemental analysis, solid-state¹³C NMR and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). Chromatographic evaluations were carried out by using a mixture of organic compounds including acidic, basic and neutral analytes and methanol-water as binary mobile phase. The results showed that the stationary phase has excellent chromatographic properties and is resistant to hydrolysis between pH=2≈8. It can be used efficiently for the separation of basic compounds.     

Optimization of stepwise gradient elution in columns chromatography

Summary A general equation for the final retention of a solute chromatographed under conditions of stepwise gradient elution has been derived. The elution process and the distances travelled by solutes as a function of eluent volume were simulated by computer for the optimization of stepwise gradient prorams from isocratic HPLC data. The validity of the equations was experimentally veritied.     

A new approach to the prediction of RP-HPLC retention times in gradient elution from isocratic data

Summary A general chromatographic model has been set up starting from a set of equations based on the concept of the velocity of a solute along the column. The composition of the mobile phase is taken into account solely as a numerical factor entering into suitable equations and totally independent of the chemical-properties of the constituents. A few isocratic experimental runs are necessary as input data, and subsequently a small amount of computational effort is sufficient to make predictions of retention times under gradient elution conditions for solutes of whatever chemical structure. The prediction errors are dependent on the steepness of the linear gradient chosen but are, in any case, acceptably low.     

Some insights on the description of gradient elution in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography

The so‐called “fundamental equation for gradient elution” has been used for modeling the retention in gradient elution. In this approach, the instantaneous retention factor (k) is expressed as a function of the change in the modifier content (φ(t_s)), t_s being the time the solute has spent in the stationary phase. This approach can only be applied at constant flow rate and with gradients where the elution strength depends on the column length following a f(t?l/u) function, u being the linear mobile phase flow rate, and l the distance from the column inlet to the location where the solute is at time t measured from the beginning of the gradient. These limitations can be solved by using the here called “general equation for gradient elution”, where k is expressed as a function of φ(t,l). However, this approach is more complex. In this work, a method that facilitates the integration of the “general equation” is described, which allows an approximate analytical solution with the quadratic retention model, improving the predictions offered by the “linear solvent strength model.” It also offers direct information about the changes in the instantaneous modifier content and retention factor, and gives a meaning to the gradient retention factor.     

Improvement in determination of isothiocyanates using high-temperature reversed-phase HPLC

The largely adopted reversed-phase HPLC analysis of the molecular species of isothiocyanates (ITCs) was performed and showed losses during the chromatographic run with eight ITCs. These losses, which obviously impact the accuracy of quantitative determinations, were due to precipitation in the chromatographic system. At 22°C, they ranged from 5.4% for sulforaphane (SFN) to 11.0% for benzyl-ITC when ITCs were injected at 80 μg mL(-1) , but they were up to three times higher at 1 mg mL(-1) reaching 31.9% for benzyl-ITC. The water solubility of the ITCs was a key determinant of the extent of the measured loss. When the column was heated at 60°C, losses in injected ITCs were reduced, in comparison with 22, 40, and 50°C, by two to ten times depending on the ITCconsidered. A reversed-phase HPLC method based on column heating was suggested and its quantitative performance was determined. It was then applied to the separation of methylene chloride extracts of various cruciferous vegetables. Ally-ITC, SFN, and iberin in cabbage; SFN and iberin in cauliflower; and allyl-ITC and phenylethyl-ITC in horseradish could be identified and quantified. The obtained results cast doubt on quantitative determinations of ITCs that are carried out at room temperature using reversed-phase HPLC.     

Analysis of saikosaponins in Bupleuri Radix and Caihu-shugan-san using reversed-phase HPLC with pulsed amperometric detection

A simple and sensitive reversed-phase (RP) HPLC coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) method was developed to determine the saikosaponin content in Bupleuri Radix or Caihu-shugan-san. Four saikosaponins in Bupleuri Radix and Caihu-shugan-san were extracted with a 6:4 solution of 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 8)/100% ethanol. Pulsed amperometric detection of carbohydrates in four major saikosaponins was highly sensitive when used with a water-acetonitrile gradient on an alkaline RP column with a post-column delivery system. The limits of detection (S/N=3) and of quantification (S/N=10) of saikosaponins were 0.01-0.02 and 0.03-0.05 μg/mL, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precision (RSDs) were each <9.7% and the average recoveries were 95.0-97.6% in Bupleuri Radix. This method can be used to analyze saikosaponins in Bupleuri Radix and Caihu-shugan-san.     

梯度洗脱测定植物源调节剂中内源激素方法探讨

建立了梯度洗脱高效液相色谱法同时测定内源激素赤霉素(GA3)、吲哚乙酸(3-IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、细胞分裂素(6-BA)和α-萘乙酸(α-NAA)等5种植物内源激素的方法,采用Hypersil ODS C18柱和紫外检测器,以甲醇、乙腈和0.6%的乙酸为流动相梯度洗脱,分别在各组分的保留时间段设置其最佳检测波长,在12 min内可将上述5种内源激素的各组分分离完全,峰形良好,该方法的回收率可达到90%～96%,线性相关系数(r)大于0.998,检出限在0.02～0.3 μg/g之间.还探讨了各组分的最佳检测条件和梯度洗脱存在的问题及解决方法.     

高效液相色谱法测定四环素类抗生药物中土霉素、强力霉素、四环素和金霉素

利用高效液相色谱,发展了一种快速、灵敏、同时测定土霉素、强力霉素、四环素和金霉素的方法。在反相C18柱上进行梯度洗脱分离,流动相由甲醇和乙酸钠缓冲溶液组成(内含EDTA和氯化钙,pH 8.10),紫外检测波长为386 nm。四环素类药物的质量浓度在8~4 000μg.L-1范围内呈线性关系,回收率为95%~102%,相对标准偏差为1.2%~3.6%,检出限分别为6,13,6和7μg.L-1,方法应用于四环素类抗生药物的分析。     

Resolution of triacylglycerol positional isomers by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The ability of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to separate some positionally isomeric disaturated and monounsaturated triacylglycerols (TAGs) as intact species is demonstrated for the first time. Mobile phases of acetonitrile modified with methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, acetone, or dichloromethane were tested for the separation of POP-PPO, PLP-PPL, PEP-PPE, and PDP-PPD (P-palmitic, O-oleic, L-linoleic, E-eicosapentaenoic, D-docosahexaenoic acid residue) on a single RP-HPLC column. The resolution improved with increasing number of double bonds in the acyl residues. While POP and PPO were only partially resolved, PDP and PPD were fully separated with all tested mobile phases, except those containing methanol. Also separated were the four TAGs having the same equivalent carbon number (ECN = 42), PEP, PPE, PDP, and PPD, on a single RP-HPLC column with mobile phase acetonitrile-2-propanol (70:30, v/v) at 0.8 mL/min. In all cases the isomer with the unsaturated acyl residue in either 1- or 3-position was retained more strongly than the respective 2-isomer.     

高效液相梯度洗脱法测定杏香兔耳风中绿原酸和芦丁

建立了反相高效液相色谱法同时测定不同来源的杏香兔耳风中的绿原酸和芦丁。采用Kromasil C18柱(4.6 mm i.d.×250 mm,5μm),以甲醇-0.5%H3PO4的水溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱程序为0 min(30∶70)-15 min(30∶70)-20min(50∶50)-40 min(50∶50);流速0.8 mL/min;检测波长350 nm;柱温25℃;光电二极管阵列检测器(PAD)。绿原酸线性范围为0.654~5.886μg,r=0.9997,样品的平均加标回收率为98.6%,RSD 1.7%;芦丁线性范围为0.218~1.962μg,r=0.9993,样品的平均加标回收率为97.1%,RSD 2.3%。本法可作为杏香兔耳风中绿原酸和芦丁的定量分析方法。     

Comparison of the sequential simplex method and linear solvent strength theory in HPLC gradient elution optimization of multicomponent flavonoid mixtures

Summary Using a camomile flavonoid extract as the sample and four different reversed-phase partition systems, the ability of the Simplex procedure to produce optimum gradient separation of unknown multicomponent mixtures was checked against the linear solvent strength (LSS) gradient elution theory. On the same partition systems the mean solvent strenghts were measured by experimentally determined logk vs. mobile phase composition plots. These mean solvent strengths are compared to those inferred from the optimum gradients and the usefulness of LSS theory in multicomponent mixture gradient elution optimization is discussed.Dadicated to Prof. Dr. A Liberti on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Application of artificial neural networks for gradient elution retention modelling in ion chromatography

Gradient elution in ion chromatography (IC) offers several advantages: total analysis time can be significantly reduced, overall resolution of a mixture can be increased, peak shape can be improved (less tailing) and effective sensitivity can be increased (because there is little variation in peak shape). More importantly, it provides the maximum resolution per time unit. The aim of this work was the development of a suitable artificial neural network (ANN) gradient elution retention model that can be used in a variety of applications for method development and retention modelling of inorganic anions in IC. Multilayer perceptron ANNs were used to model the retention behaviour of fluoride, chloride, nitrite, sulphate, bromide, nitrate and phosphate in relation to the starting time of gradient elution and the slope of the linear gradient elution curve. The advantage of the developed model is the application of an optimized two-phase training algorithm that enables the researcher to make use of the advantages of first- and second-order training algorithms in one training procedure. This results in better predictive ability, with less time required for the calculations. The number of hidden layer neurons and experimental data points used for the training set were optimized in terms of obtaining a precise and accurate retention model with respect to minimization of unnecessary experimentation and time needed for the calculation procedures. This study shows that developed, ANNs are the method of first choice for retention modelling of inorganic anions in IC.     

Test compounds for detecting the silanol effect on the elution of ionized amines in reversed‐phase LC

The effectiveness of several basic compounds for testing silica‐based stationary phases was reviewed by applying them to recent columns for reversed‐phase HPLC. Most octadecylsilylated (C18) stationary phases, prepared as a base‐deactivated material from high‐purity silica gel with endcapping, provided excellent peak shape and column efficiency for the bases including benzylamine and amitriptyline that once caused problems and were subsequently employed for testing silanol activities. However, a cyclic tertiary amine, dextrometorphan, was eluted as an acceptable peak from only a few columns at neutral pH. Such a more sensitive probe is expected to contribute to further improvement of the stationary phase for reversed‐phase HPLC.     

Prediction of HPLC retention times in gradient elution from isocratic data application to a set of non-homologous compounds and different stationary phases

Summary Polymethyloctylsiloxane-coated stationary phases have been prepared for liquid chromatography, by thermal reaction. The influence of the reaction conditions on retention and efficiency of test substances with different structures has been discussed. The materials have good stability in both acidic and basic eluents.