Core–shell column Tanaka characterization and additional tests using active pharmaceutical ingredients

In the last decade, core–shell particles have gained more and more attention in fast liquid chromatography separations due to their comparable performance with fully porous sub‐2 μm particles and their significantly lower back pressure. Core–shell particles are made of a solid core surrounded by a shell of classic fully porous material. To embrace the developed core–shell column market and use these columns in pharmaceutical analytical applications, 17 core–shell C₁₈ columns purchased from various vendors with various dimensions (50 mm × 2.1 mm to 100 mm × 3 mm) and particle sizes (1.6–2.7 μm) were characterized using Tanaka test protocols. Furthermore, four selected active pharmaceutical ingredients were chosen as test probes to investigate the batch to batch reproducibility for core–shell columns of particle size 2.6–2.7 μm, with dimension of 100 × 3 mm and columns of particle size 1.6 μm, with dimension 100 × 2.1 mm under isocratic elution. Columns of particle size 2.6–2.7 μm were also tested under gradient elution conditions. To confirm the claimed comparable efficiency of 2.6 μm core–shell particles as sub‐2 μm fully porous particles, column performances of the selected core–shell columns were compared with BEH C₁₈, 1.7 μm, a fully porous column material as well.     

Characterization and kinetic performance of 2.1 × 100 mm production columns packed with new 1.6 μm superficially porous particles

The overall kinetic performance of three production columns (2.1 mm × 100 mm format) packed with 1.6 μm superficially porous CORTECS‐C₁₈+ particles was assessed on a low‐dispersive I‐class ACQUITY instrument. The values of their minimum intrinsic reduced plate heights (h_min = 1.42, 1.57, and 1.75) were measured at room temperature (295 K) for a small molecule (naphthalene) with an acetonitrile/water eluent mixture (75:25, v/v). These narrow‐bore columns provide an average intrinsic efficiency of 395 000 plates per meter. The gradient separation of 14 small molecules shows that these columns have a peak capacity about 25% larger than similar ones packed with fully porous BEH‐C₁₈ particles (1.7 μm) or shorter (50 mm) columns packed with smaller core–shell particles (1.3 μm) operated under very high pressure (>1000 bar) for steep gradient elution (analysis time 80 s). In contrast, because their permeabilities are lower than those of columns packed with larger core–shell particles, their peak capacities are 25% smaller than those of narrow‐bore columns packed with standard 2.7 μm core–shell particles.     

Characterization of the efficiency of microbore liquid chromatography columns by van Deemter and kinetic plot analysis

The efficiency of miniaturized liquid chromatography columns with inner diameters between 200 and 300 μm has been investigated using a dedicated micro‐liquid chromatography system. Fully porous, core–shell and monolithic commercially available stationary phases were compared applying van Deemter and kinetic plot analysis. The sub‐2 μm fully porous as well as the 2.7 μm core–shell particle packed columns showed superior efficiency and similar values for the minimum reduced plate heights (2.56–2.69) before correction for extra‐column contribution compared to normal‐bore columns. Moreover, the influence of extra‐column contribution was investigated to demonstrate the difference between apparent and intrinsic efficiency by replacing the column by a zero dead volume union to determine the band spreading caused by the system. It was demonstrated that 72% of the intrinsic efficiency could be reached. The results of the kinetic plot analysis indicate the superior performance of the sub‐2 μm fully porous particle packed column for ultra‐fast liquid chromatography.     

Multilayered particle‐packed column: Evaluation and comparison with monolithic and core–shell particle columns for the determination of red azo dyes in Sequential Injection Chromatography

A recently presented new type of “multilayered” organic–inorganic hybrid silica particle packed column YMC‐Triart C₁₈ (50 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used for the development of a sequential injection chromatography method for determination of five azo dyes (Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III, Sudan orange G, and para red) in selected food seasonings. The use of a novel sorbent brings attractive features, reduced backpressure, and broader chemical stability together with high separation performance, which are discussed and compared with that of three types of columns typically used in medium‐pressure flow chromatography techniques (classic monolithic, narrow monolithic, and core–shell particle columns). The separation was performed in gradient elution mode created by the zone mixing of two mobile phases (acetonitrile/water 90:10, 1.5 mL + acetonitrile/water 100:0, 2.3 mL) at a flow rate of 0.60 mL/min and time of analysis <9.5 min. The spectrophotometric detection wavelengths were set to 400, 480, and 500 nm. The high performance of the developed method with multilayered particle column was well documented and the results indicate a broad capability of sequential injection chromatography.     

Rapid determination of parabens in seafood sauces by high‐performance liquid chromatography: A practical comparison of core–shell particles and sub‐2 μm fully porous particles

In this work, the chromatographic performance of superficially porous particles (Halo core–shell C₁₈ column, 50 mm × 2.1 mm, 2.7 μm) was compared with that of sub‐2 μm fully porous particles (Acquity BEH C₁₈, 50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm). Four parabens, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben, were used as representative compounds for calculating the plate heights in a wide flow rate range and analyzed on the basis of the Van Deemter and Knox equations. Theoretical Poppe plots were constructed for each column to compare their kinetic performance. Both phases gave similar minimum plate heights when using nonreduced coordinates. Meanwhile, the flat C‐term of the core–shell column provided the possibilities for applying high flow rates without significant loss in efficiency. The low backpressure of core–shell particles allowed this kind of column, especially compatible with conventional high‐performance liquid chromatography systems. Based on these factors, a simple high‐performance liquid chromatography method was established and validated for the determination of parabens in various seafood sauces using the Halo core–shell C₁₈ column for separation.     

Evaluation of column length and particle size effect on the untargeted profiling of a phytochemical mixture by using UHPLC coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry is the technique of choice for the untargeted profiling of food matrices. Despite the high potential of high‐resolution mass spectrometry, when dealing with complex mixtures, an efficient separation technique is also needed. The novel core‐shell chromatographic columns packed with sub‐2 μm sized particles are claimed to show very good resolution. However, the analytes retention can be significantly altered when working under ultra‐high performance chromatographic conditions. In this work, an evaluation of four chromatographic systems, with either a single or two in‐series Kinetex™ C₁₈ columns, either packed with 2.6 or 1.7 μm particles, is presented for the targeted analysis of a standard mixture and the untargeted analysis of a strawberry extract. An ultra‐high performance chromatographic system coupled via an electrospray source to a hybrid quadrupole‐Orbitrap mass spectrometer was used. From the extensive comparison, a surprising result was obtained, namely, that the system identifying the largest number of features was the one with two in‐series connected columns with the larger particle size. The inconsistency among the theoretical assumptions and the applicative findings points out the importance of an extensive chromatographic evaluation for the comprehensive untargeted profiling of complex real samples.     

Systematic comparison of a new generation of columns packed with sub‐2 μm superficially porous particles

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibilities/limitations of recent RP‐LC columns packed with 1.6 μm superficially porous particles (Waters Cortecs) and to compare its potential to other existing sub‐2 μm core–shell packings. The kinetic performance of Kinetex 1.3 μm, Kinetex 1.7 μm and Cortecs 1.6 μm stationary phases was assessed. It was found that the Kinetex 1.3 μm phase outperforms its counterparts for ultra‐fast separations. Conversely, the Cortecs 1.6 μm packing seemed to be the best stationary phase for assays with longer analysis time in isocratic and gradient modes, considering small molecules and peptides as test probes. This exceptional behaviour was attributed to its favourable permeability and somewhat higher mechanical stability (ΔP_max of 1200 bar). The loading capacity of these three columns was also investigated with basic and neutral drugs analysed under acidic conditions. It appears that the loading capacities of Cortecs 1.6 μm and Kinetex 1.7 μm were very close, while it was reduced by 2–7‐fold on the Kinetex 1.3 μm packing. However, this observation is dependent on the nature of the compound and certainly also on mobile phase conditions.     

Determination of major phenolic compounds in apples: Part I—Optimization of high‐performance liquid chromatography separation with diode array detection

The separation of seven phenolic compounds including gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, quercitrin, rutin, phloridzin, and phloretin present in apple peel and pulp and differing in elution properties has been optimized using high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Several stationary phases were tested to achieve the efficient separation of phenolic compounds in fruit extracts and C18 was found to be the most efficient. Core–shell and fully porous C18 packings were assessed with respect to the complex composition of the fruit extracts. The developed high‐performance liquid chromatography method comprised gradient elution in which mobile phase A was water at pH 2.8 adjusted with acetic acid and B was acetonitrile. The gradient shape was the following: 0 min 95% A/5% B, 2.5 min 85% A/15% B, 12 min 50% A/50% B, 15 min 95% A/5% B. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, injection volume 10 μL, and UV detection at 255, 280, 320, and 365 nm was applied. Our method was validated for both C18 core–shell and fully porous packings. The resolution 6.2–14.8, symmetry 0.99–1.34, peak capacity 18–60, peak area repeatability 0.45–1.00% relative standard deviation, calibration range 0.125–5 mg/mL (0.25–10 mg/mL for chlorogenic acid and rutin), correlation coefficients of calibration curve 0.9976–0.9997, and accuracy evaluated as recovery 95.56–107.54% were determined for the core–shell column.     

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography method development for separation of omeprazole and related substances on core‐shell columns using a Quality by Design approach

An updated and improved method for analysis of omeprazole/esomeprazole and related substances on core‐shell columns was developed using Fusion LC Method Development?. The method was optimized with respect to column type, column temperature, mobile phase pH level, and gradient time. Four different core‐shell columns were examined to develop a method suitable for both high performance‐ and ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography using a Quality by Design approach. The final method offers two alternative columns: Poroshell EC C18 (3.0 × 100 mm, 2.7 µm) or Poroshell HPH (3.0 × 100 mm, 2.7 µm) with the same gradient elution condition and mobile phase composition. Total run time is 18 min with 12 min of gradient elution. Phosphate buffer (15 mM, pH 7.8) is selected as the aqueous mobile phase and acetonitrile as the organic mobile phase. Column temperature is set at 40°C and ultraviolet detection at 302 nm. Furthermore, by studying parameters in a systematic way, an understanding of the effect of the input parameters enhances the method robustness and should allow for regulatory flexibility in terms of post‐approval changes. Compared to the current United States Pharmacopeia method, the updated method is faster, more efficient and performs well above acceptance criteria.     

Directly‐coupled‐column ultra‐fast liquid chromatography with diode array detection method for the rapid quantification of allergenic disperse dyes in water preconcentrated by magnetic solid‐phase extraction

A directly‐coupled‐column ultra‐fast liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection method for the determination of 12 allergenic disperse dyes in river water at sub‐ppb levels has been developed and successfully validated. The analytical method is based on the use of two different reversed‐phased columns connected through a two‐position switching valve. A baseline separation was achieved by proper selection of stationary phases, mobile phases, and the use of a gradient elution in both dimensions. Furthermore, an easy‐to‐handle magnetic solid‐phase extraction procedure was developed for the preconcentration of 12 allergenic disperse dyes from river water. An enrichment factor of 100 times was obtained. The results showed excellent performance in terms of trueness (76.8–99.0%), precision (intraday: 2.2–8.0%, interday: 3.3–8.2%), and sensitivity (limits of determination, 0.027–1.46 μg/L). Twenty real samples collected from the outfalls in the Yaojiang, Yongjiang and Fenghuajiang estuary were analyzed, and three of the studied compounds were found in one collected sample (12.6 μg/L for disperse blue 7, 11.6 μg/L for disperse blue 106, and 0.22 μg/L for disperse blue 3).     

Investigation of mass transfer properties and kinetic performance of high‐efficiency columns packed with C18 sub‐2 μm fully and superficially porous particles

Three columns packed with 2.0 μm superficially porous particles, 1.7 μm fully porous particles, and monodisperse 1.9 μm fully porous particles with narrow particle size distribution have been deeply characterized from a kinetic point of view. The 1.9 μm column showed excellent kinetic performance, comparable to that of the superficially porous one. These two columns also exhibit flatter c‐branches of the van Deemter curve compared to the 1.7 μm fully porous particles column, resulting in smaller loss of efficiency when they are operated at higher flow rates than the optimal ones. The independent evaluation of each contribution to band broadening has revealed that the difference in kinetic performance comes from the very small eddy dispersion contribution on the 1.9 μm column, surprisingly even lower than that of the superficially porous one. This finding suggests a very good packing of the monodisperse 1.9 μm column. On the other hand, the potential of 1.7 μm fully porous particles is completely broken down by the strong frictional heating effect already arising at relatively low flow rates.     

Comparison of a new high‐resolution monolithic column with core‐shell and fully porous columns for the analysis of retinol and α‐tocopherol in human serum and breast milk by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography†

The reduction of analysis time, cost, and improvement of separation efficiency are the main requirements in the development of high‐throughput assay methods in bioanalysis. It can be achieved either by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) using stationary phases with small particles (<2 μm) at high back pressures or by using opposite direction—monolithic stationary phases with low back pressures. The application of new types of monolithic stationary phases for UHPLC is a novel idea combining these two different paths. The aim of this work was to test the recently introduced second‐generation of monolithic column Chromolith® HighResolution for UHPLC analysis of liposoluble vitamins in comparison with core‐shell and fully porous sub‐2 μm columns with different particle sizes, column lengths, and shapes. The separation efficiency, peak shape, resolution, time of analysis, consumption of mobile phase, and lifetime of columns were calculated and compared. The main purpose of the study was to find a new, not only economical option of separation of liposoluble vitamins for routine practice.     

Simple,rapid, and environmentally friendly method for the separation of isoflavones using ultra‐high performance supercritical fluid chromatography

Isoflavones are natural substances that exhibit hormone‐like pharmacological activities. The separation of isoflavones remains an analytical challenge because of their similar structures. We show that ultra‐high performance supercritical fluid chromatography can be an appropriate tool to achieve the fast separation of 12 common dietary isoflavones. Among the five tested columns the Torus DEA column was found to be the most effective column for the separation of these isoflavones. The impact of individual parameters on the retention time and separation factor was evaluated. These parameters were optimized to develop a simple, rapid, and green method for the separation of the 12 target analytes. It only took 12.91 min using gradient elution with methanol as an organic modifier and formic acid as an additive. These isoflavones were determined with limit of quantitation ranging from 0.10 to 0.50 μg/mL, which was sufficient for reliable determination of various matrixes.     

Development of an improved online comprehensive hydrophilic interaction chromatography × reversed‐phase ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography platform for complex multiclass polyphenolic sample analysis

In this study, an improved online comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography platform coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the analysis of complex polyphenolic samples. A narrowbore hydrophilic interaction chromatography column (150 × 2.0 mm, 3.0 μm, cross‐linked diol) was employed in the first dimension, while a reversed‐phase column based on monodisperse sub‐2 μm fully porous particles (50 × 3.0 mm, 1.9 μm d.p.) with high surface area (410 m²/g) was employed in the second dimension. The combination of a trapping column modulation interface with the high retentive fully porous monodisperse reversed‐phase column in the second dimension resulted in higher peak capacity values (1146 versus 867), increased sensitivity, sharper and more symmetrical peaks in comparison with a conventional loop‐based method, with the same analysis time (70 min). The system was challenged against a complex polyphenolic extract of a typical Italian apple cultivar, enabling the simultaneous separation of multiple polyphenolic classes, including oligomeric procyanidins, up to degree of polymerization of 10. Hyphenation with an ion trap time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer led to the tentative identification of 121 analytes, showing how this platform could be a powerful analytical tool for the accurate profiling of complex polyphenolic samples.     

Rapid identification of erythrocyte phospholipids in Sprague–Dawley rats by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive, and reliable approach for analyzing five kinds of erythrocyte phospholipids in Sprague–Dawley rats was provided by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry with MassLynx^TM MassFragment. Improving conventional high performance liquid chromatography techniques, ultra high performance liquid chromatography integrated with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry offers high sensitivity and increased analytical speed by using columns packed with sub‐2 μm particles (1.7 μm), which allows a faster separation to be achieved. Through this method, 83 phospholipids were tentatively characterized based on their mass spectra and tandem mass spectra, as well as by matching the in‐house formula database within a mass error of 5 ppm, including 40 phosphatidylcholines, 24 phosphatidyl ethanolamines, three phosphatidylinositols, six phosphatidylserines, and ten sphingomyelins. Our present results proved that the established method could be used to qualitatively analyze complex erythrocyte phospholipids in Sprague–Dawley rats and provide a useful data base for pharmacology and phospholipidomics to seek potential biomarkers of disease prediction.     

A new and fast strategy based on semiautomatic microextraction by packed sorbent followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography for the analysis of drugs and their metabolites in human urine

A novel analytical approach has been developed for the determination of selected drugs (milrinone, enalapril, carvedilol, spironolactone, acenocumarol, ticlopidine, cilazapril) and their metabolites (2‐oxoticlopidine, cilazaprilat, canrenone, 5′‐hydroxycarvedilol, O‐desmethyl‐carvedilol, enalaprilat) in human urine, based on a miniaturized extraction technique; semiautomatic microextraction by packed sorbent, using a new digitally controlled syringe, followed by ultra high pressure liquid chromatography separation combined with UV detection. During method optimization, the extraction parameters as the type of sorbent material, type and volume of elution solution, number of extraction cycles, volume and pH of sample, type and volume of washing solution were studied. The chromatographic separation of the target analytes was performed with a core–shell analytical column using 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid in water and acetonitrile in gradient elution mode. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.016 to 0.045 μg/mL. Under the optimized conditions, extraction efficiency was higher than 70.1% for drugs and their metabolites. Due to its simplicity and speed, this method was successfully applied to the quantitation of selected compounds in urine samples.     

Comparison of commercial organic polymer‐based and silica‐based monolithic columns using mixtures of analytes differing in size and chemistry

Commercially available silica‐based monolithic columns Chromolith RP‐8e, Chromolith RP‐18, and Chromolith HR RP‐18, and polymer‐based monolithic columns ProSwift RP‐1S, ProSwift RP‐2H, and ProSwift RP‐3U varying in pore size and bonded phase have been tested for the fast separation of selected sets of analytes. These mixtures of analytes included small molecules (uracil, caffeine, 1‐phenylethanol, butyl paraben, and anthracene), acylated insulins, and intact proteins (ribonuclease A, cytochrome C, transferrin, apomyoglobin, and thyroglobulin), and covered wide range of chemistries and sizes. Small molecules were well separated with a height equivalent to theoretical plate of 11–26 μm using silica‐based monolithic columns, while organic polymer‐based monoliths excelled in the fast sub 1 min baseline separations of large molecules. A peak capacity of 37 was found for separation of acylated insulins on Chromolith columns using a 3 min gradient at a flow rate of 3 ml/min. Poor recovery of proteins from Chromolith columns and significant peak tailing of small molecules using ProSwift columns were the major obstacles in using monolithic columns in those applications.     

Improved efficiency of reversed‐phase carbon/nanodiamond/polymer core–shell particles for HPLC using carbonized poly(divinylbenzene) microspheres as the core materials

Here, we report efficiencies up to 112 000 plates per meter (a reduced plate height, h, of 2.22) for RP, carbon/nanodiamond/aminopolymer particles using conventional injection conditions in HPLC. This efficiency greatly exceeds our best previously reported value of 71 000 N/m (h = 3.52). The carbon cores used in this study were derived from carbonized poly(divinylbenzene) spheres that were either made in‐house by a two‐step polymerization procedure or obtained commercially. The resulting particles showed good uniformity and were oxidized in nitric acid to increase their dispersability. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms particle oxidation and subsequent aminopolymer deposition. Layer‐by‐layer (LbL) growth of poly(allyamine) and nanodiamond was demonstrated to produce core–shell particles. After LbL growth, the particles were functionalized, sieved, and packed into columns. The column functionalization and packing were reproducible. Van Deemter curves indicated that the commercially obtained poly(divinylbenzene) spheres outperformed those synthesized in our laboratory. The columns appear to be stable at 120°C in a pH 11.3 mobile phase. Longer columns (2.1 × 50 mm) than previously reported were packed. Four essential oils were separated by gradient elution.     

High efficiency,narrow particle size distribution,sub-2 μm based macrocyclic glycopeptide chiral stationary phases in HPLC and SFC

State of the art chiral chromatography still employs 3–5 μm bonded or immobilized chiral selectors in 10–25 cm columns. With the availability of 1.9 μm narrow particle size distribution (NPSD) silica, it is now possible to make ever shorter, high efficiency columns practical for sub-minute chiral separations. Three macrocyclic glycopeptides (teicoplanin, teicoplanin aglycone, and vancomycin) were bonded onto 1.9 μm NPSD particles. Such packed columns had ∼80% lower backpressure as compared to polydisperse (PD) 1.7 μm silica materials when using the same mobile phase. The decreased backpressure allowed for diminution of frictional heating and allowed for the use of the 1.9 μm NPSD particle based columns at high flow rates. The 1.9 μm NPSD particle based columns showed up to 190,000 plates m⁻¹ for chiral molecules and 210,000 plates m⁻¹ for achiral probes. Representative enantiomeric separations are shown for wide classes of compounds, including different types of amino acids, β-blockers, and pharmaceutically important heterocyclic compounds such as oxazolidinones. Applications in three liquid chromatography modes, namely, reversed phase, polar organic mode and normal phase chiral separations were shown with resolution values ranging from 1.5 to 5.7. Additionally, the same columns were used with supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) for ultrafast separations.