Simultaneous analysis of sulfur-containing excitatory amino acids using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with diode array and laser-induced fluorescence detection

The suitability of micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) coupled with diode array or laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection to analyze the four sulfur-containing excitatory amino acids (SEAA), homocysteine sulfinic acid (HCSA), homocysteic acid (HCA), cysteine sulfinic acid (CSA), and cysteic acid (CA) was investigated. 5-Carboxy-fluorescein succinimidyl ester was chosen as fluorescent reagent to derivatize HCSA, HCA, CSA, and CA. During method development, the yield of reaction dependent on pH and incubation time as well as the stability of the products were analyzed. The maximum yield was obtained after 30 min using a 0.1 M borate buffer (pH 8.9) as derivatization buffer. Each labeled amino acid exhibited high stability at room temperature over a period of 5 days. Baseline separation of labeled HCSA, HCA, CSA, and CA was obtained using a buffer consisting of 0.1 M borate, 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 5% v/v methanol (pH 9.0). By applying LIF detection, limits of detection ranged from 0.9 x 10(-10) M for HCSA to 6.0 x 10(-10) M for CA, respectively. Slightly modified separation conditions enabled the analysis of SEAA in cerebrospinal fluid in the presence of the neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate. In conclusion, MEKC coupled with LIF detection is a suitable technique for the simultaneous and sensitive analysis of SEAA. Further work will focus on the validation of the method with cerebrospinal fluid as sample matrix.     

Precolumn diastereomerization and micellar electrokinetic chromatography on a plastic microchip: rapid chiral analysis of amino acids

Precolumn derivatization and chiral separation of DL-amino acids based on diastereomerization have been performed on an integrated poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchip. Diastereomeric derivatives were formed in a microfabricated precolumn reactor by the reaction of amino acid enantiomers with o-phthaldialdehyde/2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose (OPA/TATG), and separated by MEKC in an achiral environment without chiral selectors in the running buffer. Optimized precolumn reactions and chiral separations of amino acids were achieved within 2.5 min. Resolutions of diastereomers of OPA/TATG-amino acids were in the range of 2.5-6.1 at optimized separation conditions. Simultaneous separation of a mixture of five chiral amino acids was successfully performed in a single run in less than 100 s.     

胶束电动色谱-激光诱导荧光检测法测定肌松弛药巴氯芬

以4-氯-7-硝基苯并-2-氧杂-1,3-二唑(NBD-Cl)为柱前衍生试剂,建立了胶束电动色谱-激光诱导荧光检测法测定肌松弛药巴氯芬(BAL)的新方法。经过实验条件的优化,采用15 mmol/L硼砂、20 mmol/L十二烷基硫酸钠、10%(v/v)乙腈、pH 9.75的缓冲体系,在分离电压为17.5 kV、柱温为25 ℃的条件下,压力进样3.45 kPa(0.5 psi)×3 s,巴氯芬及其内标物的衍生产物在7 min内实现较好的基线分离,线性范围为0.025～25 mg/L,相关系数为0.9999,检出限(S/N=3)和定量限(S/N=10)分别为0.90 μg/L和6.25 μg/L。该方法被应用于巴氯芬制剂及加入巴氯芬对照品的尿液样品分析,回收率范围分别为101.6%～107.9%和107.0%～109.6%。该方法有望应用于巴氯芬药物制剂的质量监控以及为巴氯芬药物代谢的研究提供辅助手段。     

Simultaneous determination of catecholamines and amino acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A selective and sensitive method was developed for separation and simultaneous determination of catecholamines and amino acids by MEKC with LIF. Interestingly enough, such work has been firstly performed on catecholamines derivatized with 4-chloro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole and the detailed derivatization mechanism was discussed. After derivatization at 60 degrees C for 20 min, NBD-labeled catecholamines and amino acids were separated in a buffer system containing 10 mM sodium tetraborate-Na2HPO4, 20 mM SDS, and 10% v/v ACN at pH 9.75. SDS micelles were employed to improve the fluorescence intensity of catecholamine derivatives efficiently. Under optimum conditions, two catecholamines and 11 amino acids were separated in a short 13 min analysis time and the RSDs for migration time and peak area were less than 0.60 and 6.50%, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the quantification of catecholamines and amino acids in Portulaca oleracea L., human urine sample, and mixed injection sample.     

Enantioseparation of chiral allenic acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with cyclodextrins as chiral selector

Enantioseparation of chiral aryl allenic acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with cyclodextrins (CDs) as chiral selectors was described. The screen of chiral selectors (beta-CD, gamma-CD, and hydroxypropyl (HP)-gamma-CD) showed that the enantioseparation was not only dependent on the type of CD but also the presence of 2-propanol in the buffer. In order to optimize the operational parameters, the effect of the concentration of CDs, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 2-propanol, as well as the buffer ionic strength and pH on enantioseparation were studied. It was proved that the concentration of CDs, 2-propanol, and the buffer ionic strength were the critical parameters. Under optimal conditions, baseline separations of all seven allenic acid enantiomers were achieved. Furthermore, the method validation in terms of repeatability, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were performed. Using the present method, the optical purity of a nonracemic sample with the enantiomeric excess (e.e.%) value of 99.65% was determined.     

Application of micellar electrokinetic chromatography to pharmaceutical analysis

Electrokinetic chromatography is a new type of analytical separation method which belongs to the group of high performance capillary electrophoretic techniques but whose separation principle is based on that of chromatography. The solute distributes itself between a carrier and the surrounding medium. The carrier, which corresponds to the stationary phase in conventional chromatography, can be transported by electrophoresis with a different velocity from the surrounding medium. The separation is achieved by the differential solute distribution and the differential migration of the carrier. The charged molecules or charged molecular aggregates are employed as the carrier. Various kinds of carriers are available for electrokinetic chromatography along with different partition mechanisms. Among them, micellar electrokinetic chromatography, which employs an ionic micelle as a carrier, has become the most popular method because of its unique and attractive characteristics as well as the separating capability of electrically neutral or nonionic solutes in comparison with capillary zone electrophoresis. The present paper describes the principle, separation characteristics and its application to the analysis of pharmaceuticals.     

Separation and determination of amino acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography coupling with novel multiphoton excited fluorescence detection

In this article, it was demonstrated that separation and determination of 20 amino acids were accomplished by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) coupling with novel multiphoton excited fluorescence (MPEF) detection method. Different from MPEF achieved by expensive fs laser, continuous wave (CW) diode laser of ultra-low cost was uniquely employed in our MPEF system. Amino acids were fluorescently labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), and were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-based MEKC separation and CW-based MPEF detection. The result was compared with that by single photon excited fluorescence (SPEF), which indicated that MPEF had the advantages of better mass detectability and higher separation selectivity over SPEF. Quantitative analysis was performed and revealed linear dynamic range of over 2 orders of magnitude, with mass detection limit down to ymole level. To evaluate the reliability, this method was successfully applied for analyzing a commercial nutrition supplement liquid.     

Determination of alkylphosphonic acids using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection and high-salt stacking

Methyl-, ethyl- and propylphosphonic acids (MPA, EPA, and PPA, respectively) were derivatized with panacyl bromide in dry N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). After mixing with a high-salt dilution buffer, the derivatives were separated by micellar electrokinetic chromatography in 35 min and detected by laser-induced fluorescence (He-Cd laser excitation at 325 nm and detection at 500 nm). Baseline resolution was achieved using a separation buffer containing 50 mM sodium cholate, 40% (v/v) of acetonitrile and 50 mM borate. Addition of 400 mM NaCl to the dilution buffer allowed the injection time to be increased to 30 s while still maintaining baseline resolution. Limits of detection for MPA, EPA, and PPA were 0.13 microM (12 ppb), 0.13 microM (14 ppb) and 0.14 microM (17 ppb) injected, respectively. The reproducibility of corrected peak area at 15 microM was 3.7 approximately 4.3%.     

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.     

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.     

Determination of phosphoamino acids by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) method with laser-induced fluorescence detection (LIF) was developed for analyzing three phosphoamino acids including phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr), phosphoserine (P-Ser), and phosphothreonine (P-Thr). 3-(2-Furoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (FQ), a fluorogenic dye, was employed for derivatization of these phosphoamino acids. Results indicated that the complete baseline resolution of each phosphoamino acid was obtained within 10 min, using 20 mmol l⁻¹ sodium borate buffer (pH 9.35) containing 20 mmol l⁻¹sodium deoxycholate (SDC) and 10 mmol l⁻¹ Brij35. Other common amino acids, especially Glu and Asp, did not disturb the assay of these phosphoamino acids. There was a linear relationship between the peak area for analyte and its concentration, with correlation coefficients in the range of 0.9966-0.9996. The concentration detection limits (signal-to-noise = 3) for P-Tyr, P-Ser, and P-Thr were 10, 40, and 75 nmol l⁻¹, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for determining phosphoamino acids in the hydrolysis sample of a phosphorylated protein kinase.     

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.     

Application of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography to the analysis of pesticides

A method for the simultaneous separation and determination of selected triazines, carbamates and phosphororganic compounds by micellar electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis has been developed. A mixture of nine pesticides has been investigated with respect to optimize their separation as a function of buffer and surfactant character and concentration, organic modifier and buffer pH. Quantitative aspects have been also examined. A determination of the compounds was possible up to the range of 0.1 mg/l. Best results have been achieved using a borate/SDS buffer, pH 8. At an applied voltage of 20 kV, the investigated compounds have been successfully resolved within 13 min.Dedicated to Professor Dr. K. Doerffel on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Selective fluorometric detection of polyamines using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection

The polyamines putrescine, cadaverine, spermine and spermidine were separated and quantified by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The derivatization reagent, 1-pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester (PSE), allowed for the selective detection of the polyamines at 490 nm. Multiple labeling of the polyamines with PSE allows the formation of intramolecular excimers that emit at longer wavelengths (450-520 nm) than mono-labeled analytes (360-420 nm). Optimal separation of the labeled polyamines was achieved using a separation buffer consisting of 10 mM phosphate pH 7.2, 30 mM cholate, and 30% acetonitrile. Using these conditions, the four polyamines were separated in under 10 min. Limits of detection for putrescine, cadaverine, spermine and spermidine were 6, 5, 15 and 13 nM, respectively. These are superior or comparable to those previously reported in the literature using fluorescence detection.     

Diversity-oriented synthesis of amino acids using chiral enolates

We report a facile diversity oriented synthesis of α- and β-amino acids, by utilizing the pluripotent α-methylene group in a chiral bicyclic lactam as our key point of transformation.     

Simultaneous determination of phosphorus-containing amino acid-herbicides by nonionic surfactant micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection

The potential of micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection for the separation and determination of phosphorus-containing amino acid-herbicides (glufosinate and glyphosate), and aminomethylphosphonic acid (the major metabolite of glyphosate), involving derivatization with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) isomer I, was investigated. Different variables that affect derivatization (pH, FITC concentration, time and temperature) and separation (pH and concentration of the buffer, kind and concentration of surfactants and applied voltage) were studied. The analysis was conducted within about 8 min and the use of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 improved the selectivity, thus indirectly enhancing sensitivity by shifting of the interfering peaks of the FITC excess. Dynamic ranges of 2.0-3,000 microg/L, limits of detection at microgram or submicrogram-per-liter level, and relative standard deviations from 4.7 to 6.4% were obtained. The ensuing method--nonionic surfactant MEKC-- is a useful choice for the determination of these herbicides as it provides limits of detection similar or lower than those reported by existing chromatographic alternatives without the use of an additional preconcentration technique such as solid-phase extraction. The separation of a mixture of nine FITC-derivatized amino acids, selected as target compounds, was also carried out to assess the discrimination power of the nonionic surfactant MEKC method for the analysis of closely related anionic analytes.     

Application of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography to the analysis of illicit drug seizures

The application of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) to the analysis of illicit drug seizures is presented. Areas investigated include general screening and qualitative and, in some instances, quantitative analysis of various drugs, including heroin, opium, cocaine, amphetamines, LSD and anabolic steroids. Due to its high efficiency, high selectivity and general applicability, MECC is well suited for forensic drug analyses.     

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.     

An enantioselective fluorescence sensing assay for quantitative analysis of chiral carboxylic acids and amino acid derivatives

A chiral 1,8-diacridylnaphthalene-derived fluorosensor exhibiting a C(2)-symmetric cleft designed for stereoselective interactions with hydrogen bond donors has been used for the determination of both concentration and enantiomeric composition of carboxylic acids and amino acid derivatives.