Phanquinone as a suitable derivatization reagent in micellar electrokinetic chromatography and HPLC analysis of amino acids

Phanquinone (chemically: 4,7-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) was applied as an original precolumn derivatization reagent for amino acids followed by separation using MEKC with UV detection (240 nm). The derivatization reaction was carried out at 68 degrees C in the presence of aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) and it was found to be complete after 30 min. Twelve derivatized standard amino acids were separated in about 22 min under MEKC conditions using sodium cholate (250 mM) as the surfactant in phosphate buffer (20 mM, pH 9.0). The developed method was validated for the analysis of D,L-phosphoserine (D,L-p-Ser) and L-glutamine (L-Gln); good linearity (r > 0.999) was achieved in the calibration range of 0.25-2.5 micromol/mL. The sensitivity of the MEKC method (LOD 0.1 micromol/mL; LOQ 0.25 micromol/mL, RSD% <5.0%, n = 3) was found to be adequate for quantitation of amino acids in pharmaceuticals. Quantitative applications of the validated MEKC method were carried out by the analysis of commercially available oral polyaminoacid formulations (tablets and extemporaneous solutions) containing L-Gln and D,L-p-Ser; the obtained results were found to be in agreement with those from a validated reference RP-HPLC method.     

High-performance ligand-exchange chromatography of amino acids on chiral stationary phases

Three chiral stationary phases, obtained by grafting silica gel with (-)-trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine, were studied for the resolution of α-amino acids by ligand-exchange chromatography. The packings were prepared by bonding the chiral ligand to silica gel via different hydrocarbon spacers. Separation of the optical isomers was accomplished by eluents containing a constant concentration of copper(II) acetate (0.05mM). The elution sequence of amino acids was found to be dependent on the grafting reaction selected to prepare the chiral packings.     

Enantioselective CD analysis of amino acids based on chiral amplification with a stereodynamic probe

The condensation between stereolabile 1,8-bis(3′-formyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)naphthalene, 1, and two amino acid molecules results in the formation of chiral diimines exhibiting strong CD signals. This reaction has been used to develop a chiroptical sensing method for the determination of the absolute configuration and enantiomeric composition of unprotected amino acids. This sensing approach is based on distinctive chiral amplification due to central-to-axial chirality induction within the diimine scaffold formed and does not require the use of an enantiopure ligand or metal complex.     

An integrated microfluidic device in polyester for electrophoretic analysis of amino acids

A precolumn reaction chamber was integrated into a polyester microfluidic device with a miniaturized detection system. The reaction chamber was designed to be a zigzag channel, 70 microm in width, 8 mm in length, followed by a wider straight channel, 150 microm in width, 2 mm in length. The detection system is composed of an embedded light-emitting diode (LED), an integrated optical fiber, and a photomultiplier tube (PMT). A success in amino acid analysis using the integrated microchemical analysis device proved that the precolumn reaction chamber was compatible with the integrated detection system. Three kinds of amino acids, arginine, glycine, and phenylalanine, mixed and reacted with 7-fluoro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-F) in the precolumn reaction chamber to produce fluorescent products, were separated by micellar eletrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) and detected by LED-excited fluorescence. The detection limits for arginine, glycine, and phenylalanine were 1, 1, and 0.5 mM, respectively, which can be improved by further optimizations of the reaction system and detection system.     

Resolution of sulphur-containing amino acids by chiral phase gas chromatography

Summary Methyl esters of the pentafluoropropionyl-amino acid derivatives of the tetrafunctional, sulphur-bridged, stereoisomeric lanthionines, cystathionines and -methyl-lanthionines were resolved on glass capillaries coated with the chiral stationary phase N-propionyl-L-valine-N-tert-butylamide-polysiloxane (Chirasil-Val) within 35min. Interestingly, L-cystathionine elutes before its D-enantiomer in contrast to the usual order of emergence on an L-phase. The method was applied to the polypeptide antibiotic nisin, which contains mesolanthionine and 2S,3S,6R-3-methyl-lanthionine.N-Pentafluoropropionyl-S-alkylthiocysteine methyl esters (R=methyl, ethyl, n- and iso-propyl, n- and sec-butyl, n-octyl, neo-pentyl, cyclohexyl-, benzyl-, tolyl-) were separated on Chirasil-Val within 30min. The identity of all derivatives was shown by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.     

胶束电动力学毛细管电泳分离和测定牡蛎中的氨基酸

采用胶束电动力学毛细管电泳,在25mmol／L Na2HPO4-NaH2PO4(pH7．0),40mmol／L十二烷基硫酸钠和3mol／L尿素的实验条件下,在28min内实现了牡蛎中8种游离丹酰化氨基酸的分离和测定。在一定浓度范围内,氨基酸的峰面积与其浓度呈良好的线性关系,相关系数0．9955～0．9984之间。对于8种氨基酸,标准加入回收率在99．5％～100．7％之间。     

New chiral derivatization reagent for the resolution of amino acids as diastereomers by TLC and HPLC

Summary The applicability of a new chiral reagent to the resolution of amino acid enantiomers has been investigated. The new reagent, S(-)-N-1-(2-naphthylsulphonyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarbonyl chloride (NSP-C1), was synthesized by the chlorination of S(-)-N-1-(2-naphthylsulphonyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid which was prepared by the reaction of 2-naphthalene sulphonyl chloride with L-proline. Derivatization of the amino acids proceeds rapidly at ambient temperature and no racemization takes place during the reaction. The resolution of the diastereomeric amides was performed by TLC and normal phase HPLC. Complete resolutions were observed for the enantiomers of all amino acids examined except cysteine, cystine and histidine. The favourable UV absorption of the derivatives enabled the optical antipode to be determined down to the 0.1% level.     

Separation of 23 dansylated amino acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography at low temperature

Summary The baseline separation of 23 dansylated amino acids (including 3 didansylated species) is reported. Lowering of the analysis temperature and fine control of the surfactant concentration were essential in obtaining this result. Calibration graphs with good linearity were obtained.     

Capillary electrophoresis and column chromatography in biomedical chiral amino acid analysis

Free amino acids are typically quantified as the sum of their enantiomers, because in terrestrial organisms they mainly exist in the left-handed form. However, with increasing understanding of the biological significance of right-handed amino acids interest in enantioselective quantification of amino acids has steadily increased. Initially, electrophoretic and chromatographic methods using chiral (pseudo)-stationary phases or chiral eluents were applied to the separation of amino acid enantiomers. Later, derivatization of amino acids prior to chromatography with chiral reagents gained in popularity, because the diastereomers formed can be resolved on conventional reversed-phase columns. Novel multi-interaction chiral columns turned attention back to direct chiral chromatographic methods. Hyphenation to mass spectrometry has increasingly replaced optical detection because of superior selectivity, although this has not obviated the need for baseline resolution of amino acid enantiomers. Despite the progress made, enantioselective separation and quantification of amino acids remains an analytical challenge owing to frequently incomplete resolution of all naturally occurring enantiomers and insufficient sensitivity for the determination of the trace amounts of d-amino acids typically found in biological fluids and tissues. Chiral GC-MS analysis of heptafluorobutanol/pentafluoropropionanhydride amino acid derivatives on an Rt-gDEXsa column     

Enantioselective capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry of amino acids in cerebrospinal fluid using a chiral derivatizing agent and volatile surfactant

The sensitivity of coupled enantioselective capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) of amino acids (AAs) is often hampered by the chiral selectors in the background electrolyte (BGE). A new method is presented in which the use of a chiral selector is circumvented by employing (+)-1-(9-fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate (FLEC) as chiral AA derivatizing agent and ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO) as a volatile pseudostationary phase for separation of the formed diastereomers. Efficient AA derivatization with FLEC was completed within 10 min. Infusion experiments showed that the APFO concentration hardly affects the MS response of FLEC-AAs and presents significantly less ion suppression than equal concentrations of ammonium acetate. The effect of the pH and APFO concentration of the BGE and the capillary temperature were studied in order to achieve optimized enantioseparation. Optimization of CE-MS parameters, such as sheath-liquid composition and flow rate, ESI and MS settings was performed in order to prevent analyte fragmentation and achieve sensitive detection. Selective detection and quantification of 14 chiral proteinogenic AAs was achieved with chiral resolution between 1.2 and 8.6, and limits of detection ranging from 130 to 630 nM injected concentration. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid were detected, but not enantioseparated. The optimized method was applied to the analysis of chiral AAs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Good linearity (R² > 0.99) and acceptable peak area and electrophoretic mobility repeatability (RSDs below 21% and 2.4%, respectively) were achieved for the chiral proteinogenic AAs, with sensitivity and chiral resolution mostly similar to obtained for standard solutions. Next to l-AAs, endogenous levels of d-serine and d-glutamine could be measured in CSF revealing enantiomeric ratios of 4.8%–8.0% and 0.34%–0.74%, respectively, and indicating the method's potential for the analysis of low concentrations of d-AAs in presence of abundant l-AAs.     

Sodium maleopimaric acid as pseudostationary phase for chiral separations of amino acid derivatives by capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A new type of chiral surfactant, sodium maleopimaric acid (SMA), was synthesized, and employed for the enantioselective micellar electrokinetic chromatographic (MEKC) separation of amino acid enantiomers derivatized with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA-D/L-AAs). The effect of the surfactant concentration, type and concentration of the BGE, and buffer pH on the resolution was studied, and optimized conditions were used to evaluate the ability of this new surfactant to perform chiral separations toward NDA-D/L-AAs by MEKC. Enantiomeric separations of NDA-D/L-AAs were achieved with a running buffer consisting of 100 mM borate (pH 9.5) and 20 mM SMA in a 58.5 cm length x 50 microm id capillary. Under the conditions selected, two pairs of tested amino acid enantiomers including NDA-D/L-trptophan (Trp) and NDA-D/L-kynurenine (Kyn) were resolved.     

Supported liquid membrane separation of amine and amino acid derivatives with chiral esters of phosphoric acids as carriers

Studies on the possible use of phosphate and phosphonate esters bearing chiral menthol or nopol moieties as carriers for the transport of amines, amino acids, and amino acid esters through supported liquid membranes (SLM) are presented. Additionally, the enantioselectivity of the SLM transport of alkyl esters of aromatic amino acids and a non‐protein amino acid was also evaluated. It could be concluded that the extent of transport strongly depends on the hydrophobicity of the amino compound. Moreover, the carrier structure also influences the transport of those compounds through SLM: chiral phosphate and phosphonate esters appear to be poor or moderate carriers for enantioselective SLM transport of amino acids and their esters. The transport efficiency and selectivity is strongly dependent on the structure of both the transported compounds and the carrier. However, no meaningful relationship exists between these structural features and transportation or enantioselectivity.     

Properties of L-phenylalanine tetraamides as chiral selectors for D,L-amino acids by capillary gas chromatography

Summary A wide series of L-phenylalanine tetraamide selectors (Phe-n-O-TA) have been synthesized and used as stationary phases for chiral resolution of D,L-amino acids by capillary gas chromatography. The influence of length and polarity of the oxaalkanoyl bridge spacing the diamide chains of the selectors and the effects of steric hindrance on separating power were investigated. The characteristics of the chiral columns and the separation factors of D,L-n-butyl-N-trifluoroacetyl amino esters are reported.     

Determination of amino acid enantiomers in orange juices by chiral phase capillary gas chromatography

Summary The configurations of free amino acids (AAs) in orange juice beverages (commercial products of satisfactory and unsatisfactory quality), an orange juice concentrate (bulk product suspected of being adulterated), and in an orange juice that has been contaminated by addition ofLactobacillus plantarum as a model for microbial spoilage, were determined, after derivatization, by means of gas-liquid chromatography (GC) using fused-silica capillary columns coated with Chirasil-L-Val or Chirasil-D-Val as stationary phases. AAs were isolated from juices by treatment with Dowex WX8 ion-exchanger and were investigated, by GC, as theirN(O)-pentafluoropropionylorN(O)-trifluoroacetyl 1-propyl esters. It was found that the high quality orange juice beverage contained L-AAs exclusively whereas this juice, after fermentation withLactobacillus, contained free D-Ala (32.7%), D-Val (62.3%), D-Phe (20.0%), D-Glu (24.3%), D-Ser (2.6%), D-Asp (0.8%), and significant amounts of D-Pro [% D=100 D/(D+L)]. D-Ala (8.8%) and D-Ser (4.2%) were found in a sensory and analytically unsatisfactory orange juice beverage, whilst D-Ala (27.5%) and D-Ser (14.3%) were detected in the orange juice concentrate suspected of being adulterated.Although capillary GC on chiral stationary phases is regarded as being highly suitable for the determination of AA enantiomers in fruit juice beverages, detection of D-AAs is currently not considered as conclusive proof of fruit juice adulteration caused by addition of AA racemates since a non-microbial origin of D-AAs in the respective juice, or an original occurrence of D-AAs, in either the free, substituted, or peptide-bonded form in the fruits, cannot be excluded with certainty.Presented in part at the Deutscher Lebensmittelchemikertag, Sept. 18–21, 1990, Frankfurt and at the 14. Jahrestagung Deutscher Lebensmitteltechnologen, Nov. 15–17, 1990, Düsseldorf.     

Ion-pair chromatography on a porous graphitic carbon stationary phase for the analysis of twenty underivatized protein amino acids

The analysis of twenty underivatized protein amino acids has been achieved on porous graphitic carbon packing material (Hypercarb). Five perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (trifluoroacetic, heptafluorobutyric, nonafluoropentanoic, tridecafluoroheptanoic and pentadecafluorooctanoic acid) have been studied as ion-pairing reagent. Several parameters (equilibration time, quantities adsorbed onto the chromatographic support, concentration and nature of the ion-pairing reagent, as well as temperature effect) have been studied leading to the complete separation of these compounds in gradient elution mode. Evaporative light scattering detector has allowed the detection of these non UV–visible absorbent molecules. The chromatographic methodology developed can also be easily coupled with pneumatically assisted electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Use of a microemulsion system to incorporate a lipophilic chiral selector in electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Summary The separation of (1R, 2S) and (1S, 2R)-ephedrine using microemulsion electrokinetic capillary chromatography is reported. The lipophilic chiral selector, (2R, 3R)-di-n-butyl tartrate (0.5% w/w), was introduced into the electrophoretic buffer consisting of 0.6% (w/w) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 1.2% (w/w) 1-butanol in 15 mM tris-hydroxyaminomethane buffer (pH 8.1). The two isomers of ephedrine were separated with excellent resolution.     

Enantioselective binding of amino acids and amino alcohols by self-assembled chiral basket-shaped receptors

Amino acid appended diphenylglycoluril-based chiral molecular receptors 2 and 3 have been prepared and their aggregation has been studied in water at various pH's and in chloroform. The binding of several biologically relevant guests with aromatic moieties to these aggregates has been studied with UV-Vis spectroscopy in competition experiments with 4-(4-nitrophenylazo)resorcinol (Magneson) and 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid (HABA) as probes. Aggregates of chiral host 2b showed binding of catecholamines and aromatic amino acids in an aqueous environment, as well as discrimination between amino acid enantiomers, and can be considered a mimic for adrenergic receptors.     

Evaluation of conditions for the HPLC determination of plasma amino acids using precolumn derivatization

For the determination of free amino acids in plasma, the conditions for precolumn derivatization of the amino acids and the chromatographic separation were examined. The isoindole products, formed by the reaction of the primary amino acids with orthophthalaldehyde (OPA), were readily separated by RPLC and detected spectrofluorometrically using an excitation wave-length of 300 nm and an emission cut-off filter of 440 nm. Since the sensitivity of this method permits determination of amino acids in the femtomole range, the analysis can be performed on samples as small as 10 μl of filtered plasma or serum. The separation is achieved in approximately 35 minutes with good precision for the majority of the amino acids.     

Indirect determination of amino acids by molecular emission cavity analysis

An indirect method for the determination of ca. 10^?4 M amino acids is described which is based on the reaction of the latter with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-1-sulphonic acid at pH 11.7 and the measurement of the S₂ emission in a hydrogen-nitrogen flame that is produced from the resulting compound after the addition of hydrochloric acid. The optimum conditions for the determination of amino acids were investigated. The amino acids examined were glycine, alanine, valine, methionine, serine, threonine and histidine.