Monolithic continuous beds as a new generation of stationary phase for chromatographic and electro-driven separations

Monolithic supports are a new generation of stationary phases which are typically prepared using a simple molding process carried out within the confines of the capillary. They provide high rates of mass transfer at lower pressure drops, enable much faster separations and the nature of the pores allows easy permeability for large molecules. This review summarizes the current achievements and application of organic polymer-based monolithic columns, silica-based monolithic columns and their application in bioaffinity processing, modern biotechnology, determination of microorganisms and chiral separations. Special attention is paid to microfabricated devices with monolithic supports because their fabrication of particles directly in the channel eliminates the need for a frit and also creates a unique homogeneity of packing.     

Mixed-mode reversed-phase and ion-exchange monolithic columns for micro-HPLC

This paper describes the fabrication of RP/ion-exchange mixed-mode monolithic materials for capillary LC. Following deactivation of the capillary surface with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (gamma-MAPS), monoliths were formed by copolymerisation of pentaerythritol diacrylate monostearate (PEDAS), 2-sulphoethyl methacrylate (SEMA) with/without ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) within 100 microm id capillaries. In order to investigate the porous properties of the monoliths prepared in our laboratory, mercury intrusion porosimetry, SEM and micro-HPLC were used to measure the monolithic structures. The monolithic columns prepared without EDMA showed bad mechanical stability at high pressure, which is undesirable for micro-HPLC applications. However, it was observed that the small amount (5% w/w) of EDMA clearly improved the mechanical stability of the monoliths. In order to evaluate their application for micro-HPLC, a range of neutral, acidic and basic compounds was separated with these capillaries and satisfactory separations were obtained. In order to further investigate the separation mechanism of these monolithic columns, comparative studies were carried out on the poly(PEDAS-co-SEMA) monolithic column and two other monoliths, poly(PEDAS) and poly(PEDAS-co-2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl-trimethylammonium methylsulphate (METAM)). As expected, different selectivities were observed for the separation of basic compounds on all three monolithic columns using the same separation conditions. The mobile phase pH also showed clear influence on the retention time of basic compounds. This could be explained by ion-exchange interaction between positively charged analytes and the negatively charged sulphate group.     

Comparison of monolithic and microparticulate columns for reversed-phase liquid chromatography of tryptic digests of industrial enzymes in cleaning products

Enzymes of several classes used in the formulations of cleaning products were characterized by trypsin digestion followed by HPLC with UV detection. A polymeric monolithic column (ProSwift) was used to optimize the separation of both the intact enzymes and their tryptic digests. This column was adequate for the quality control of raw industrial enzyme concentrates. Then, monolithic and microparticulate columns were compared for peptide analysis. Under optimized conditions, the analysis of tryptic digests of enzymes of different classes commonly used in the formulation of cleaning products was carried out. Number of peaks, peak capacity and global resolution were obtained in order to evaluate the chromatographic performance of each column. Particulate shell-core C18 columns (Kinetex, 2.6 μm) showed the best performance, followed by a silica monolithic column (Chromolith RP-18e) and the conventional C18 packings (Gemini, 5 μm or 3 μm). A polymeric monolithic column (ProSwift) gave the worst performances. The proposed method was satisfactorily applied to the characterization of the enzymes present in spiked detergent bases and commercial cleaners.     

Monolithic Silica for Fast HPLC: Current Success and Promising Future

As an approach for fast HPLC, monolithic silica has proven to be highly effective. It is especially successful for routinely obtaining fast isocratic HPLC analyses of small drug molecules. The low cost of monolithic compared with other approaches, such as UPLC, makes it more convenient for everyday application. It is also the more developed and widely applied technique compared with superficially porous particles. It offers the possibility for gaining high plate numbers through column coupling, but not at the expense of run time if a proper flow program is subsequently applied. Good precision and batch reproducibility are now achieved with commercially available monolithic silica columns. The application of monolithic silica columns is already well developed in various fields. It invades the field of bio-analysis and proteomics. Hundreds of analytical methods have already been successfully transferred to or developed on monolithic silica columns. An updated strategy based on Snyder??s method for rapid method development using monolithic column has been provided. However, more is still to be expected from monolithic silica in term of chemistry variation, application, and instrument compatibility. The future of monolithic silica is promising when considering the high demand for fast chromatographic analysis.     

Evaluation of monolithic and sub 2 microm particle packed columns for the rapid screening for illicit drugs--application to the determination of drug contamination on Irish euro banknotes

A study comparing recently available 100 x 3 mm id, 200 x 3 mm id monolithic reversed-phase columns with a 50 x 2.1 mm id, 1.8 microm particle packed reversed-phase columns was carried out to determine the most efficient approach (using traditional van Deemter analysis and a modern kinetic plot approach) for the rapid screening of samples for 16 illicit drugs and associated metabolites. A plot of column backpressure versus plate number (N) showed a significant advantage of using the monolithic phases, with the 20 cm monolithic column exhibiting a maximum 15,000 plates at a column backpressure of approximately 70 bar, compared to approximately 7000 plates at 150 bar for the 5 cm 1.8 microm particle packed column. Optimum linear velocities were found to be 0.40 mm s(-1), 0.52 mm s(-1) and 0.98 mm s(-1) for the three above columns, respectively. The 20 cm monolithic column was subsequently applied to the separation and determination of illicit drug contamination on Irish euro banknotes, using methanol extraction followed by LC-MS/MS. Method performance data showed that the new LC-MS/MS method was significantly more sensitive than previous GC-MS/MS based methods for this application, with detection limits in the pg note(-1) region, based upon a 20 microL standard injection. All of the notes examined tested positive for trace quantities of cocaine, with benzoylecgonine detected on 12 of the 45 notes sampled. Traces of heroin were also detected on three of the 45 notes.     

Highly sensitive and accurate profiling of carotenoids by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

We attempted to establish a high‐speed and high‐resolution profiling method for a carotenoid mixture as a highly selective and highly sensitive detection method; the analysis was carried out by supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). When an octadecyl‐bonded silica (ODS) particle‐packed column was used for separation, seven carotenoids including structural isomers were successfully separated within 15 min. This result indicated not only improved separation but also improved throughput compared to the separation and throughput in RP‐HPLC. The use of a monolithic ODS column resulted in additional improvement in both the resolution and the throughput; the analysis time was reduced to 4 min by increasing the flow rate. Furthermore, carotenoids in biological samples containing the complex matrices were separated effectively by using several monolithic columns whose back pressure was very low. The mass spectrometer allowed us to perform a more sensitive analysis than UV detection; the detection limit of each carotenoid was 50 pg or below. This is the first report of carotenoid analysis carried out by SFC‐MS. The profiling method developed in this study will be a powerful tool for carrying out accurate profiling of biological samples.     

Effect of fabrication strategy on the enantioseparation performance of β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized polymethacrylate monoliths: A comparative evaluation

To evaluate the effect of the preparation strategy on the enantioseparation performance of β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized monoliths, a series of β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized organic polymeric monolithic columns were prepared through two‐step, single‐step, and one‐pot approaches, using the same cyclodextrin, linker–spacer, and crosslinker. Physicochemical characterization of the columns was carried out by determining the morphology, β‐cyclodextrin density, permeability, and chromatographic efficiency. For each type of monolithic column, the enantioresolution of 22 chiral compounds, including mandelic acid derivatives, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, N‐derivatized amino acids, and herbicides, was comparatively studied under optimum chromatographic conditions. The β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized monolithic columns prepared through the one‐pot approach exhibited higher enantioresolution for most chiral compounds, and they have the advantage of good controllability and simple preparation. On the other hand, the enantioresolution obtained on columns prepared through the single‐step approach was quite unsatisfactory, and therefore the effect of using different linking spacers and crosslinkers was studied. A significant improvement of enantioresolution for 2‐chloro‐mandelic acid was obtained by using N ,N‐methylenebisacrylamide instead of ethylene dimethacrylate as the crosslinker in the single‐step preparation.     

Development and application of a high-performance liquid chromatography method using monolithic columns for the analysis of ecstasy tablets

A rapid and selective HPLC method using monolithic columns was developed for the separation and quantification of the principal amphetamines in ecstasy tablets. Three monolithic (Chromolith RP18e) columns of different lengths (25, 50 and 100 mm) were assessed. Validation studies including linearity, selectivity, precision, accuracy and limit of detection and quantification were carried out using the Chromolith SpeedROD, RP-18e, 50 mm x 4.6 mm column. Column backpressure and van Deemter plots demonstrated that monolithic columns provide higher efficiency at higher flow rates when compared to particulate columns without the loss of peak resolution. Application of the monolithic column to a large number of ecstasy tablets seized in Ireland ensured its suitability for the routine analysis of ecstasy tablets.     

Continuous purification of a clotting factor IX concentrate and continuous regeneration by preparative annular chromatography

Preparative continuous annular chromatography, a method to separate proteins in a truly continuous manner, was investigated in an industrial environment. Plasma-derived clotting factor IX concentrate was used as model protein. Separation of vitronectin, a common impurity in commercial available factor IX concentrates, from factor IX was studied and compared to conventional packed bed chromatography in batch mode. As sorbent, Toyopearl DEAE 650M was used. Regeneration was performed simultaneously with the purification of factor IX in continuous mode. All required parameters applied for preparative annular chromatography such as feed flow-rate and elution flow-rate were first estimated from experiments on conventional batch columns. Then preparative annular chromatography and conventional packed beds were compared regarding enrichment, purity and productivity. Three different process scenarios, the optimal batch process,the preparative annular chromatography process and the batch process equivalent to the preparative annular chromatography process were investigated. The productivity of the optimal batch process was higher than that of the preparative annular chromatography and batch process equivalent to the preparative annular chromatography process. Therefore the throughput could not be increased by the use of the continuous chromatographic system.     

Monolithic column in gas chromatography

Monolithic columns invented in chromatographic praxis almost 40 years ago gained nowadays a lot of popularity in separations by liquid chromatographic technique. At the same time, application of monolithic columns in gas chromatography is less common and only a single review published by Svec et al. [1] covers this field of research. Since that time a lot of new findings on application and properties of monolithic columns in gas chromatography have been published in the literature deserving consideration and discussion. This review considers preparation of monolithic columns for GC, an impact of preparation conditions on column performance, optimization of separation conditions for GC analysis on monolithic columns and other important aspects of preparation and usage of monolithic capillary columns in GC. A final part of the review discusses the modern trends and possible applications in the future of capillary monolithic columns in GC.     

Ti (IV) attached‐phosphonic acid functionalized capillary monolith as a stationary phase for in‐syringe‐type fast and robust enrichment of phosphopeptides

In this study, poly(vinylphosphonic acid‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate), poly(VPA‐co‐EDMA) capillary monolith was synthesized as a starting material for obtaining a stationary phase for microscale enrichment of phosphopeptides. The chelation of active phosphonate groups with Ti (IV) ions gave a macroporous monolithic column with a mean pore size of 5.4 μm. The phosphopeptides from different sources were enriched on Ti (IV)‐attached poly(VPA‐co‐EDMA) monolith using a syringe‐pump. The monolithic capillary columns exhibited highly sensitive/selective enrichment performance with phosphoprotein concentrations as low as 1.0 fmol/mL. Six different phosphopeptides were detected with high intensity by the treatment of β‐casein digest with the concentration of 1.0 fmol/mL, using Ti (IV)@poly(VPA‐co‐EDMA) monolith. Highly selective enrichment of phosphopeptides was also successfully carried out even at trace amounts, in a complex mixture of digested proteins (molar ratio of β‐casein to bovine serum albumin, 1:1500) and three phosphopeptides were successfully detected. Four highly intense signals of phosphopeptides in human serum were also observed with high signal‐to‐noise ratio and a clear background after enrichment with Ti (IV)@poly(VPA‐co‐EDMA) monolith. It was concluded that the capillary microextraction system enabled fast, efficient and robust enrichment of phosphopeptides from microscale complex samples. The whole enrichment process was completed within 20 min, which was shorter than in the previously reported studies.     

The fabrication of poly (polyethylene glycol diacrylate) monolithic porous layer open tubular (mono‐PLOT) columns and applications in hydrophilic interaction chromatography and capillary gas chromatography for small molecules

The easy shrinkage and swelling of polymer monolithic column when exposed to mobile phase with different polarity is a problem that cannot be ignored. To overcome this drawback, a convenient aqueous two‐phase polymerization approach was used to prepare poly (polyethylene glycol diacrylate, PEGDA) monolithic porous layer open tubular (mono‐PLOT) columns (150 μm). The poly(PEGDA) mono‐PLOT column with homogeneous polymer porous layer was synthesized successfully. A maximum plate number of 41,500 plates per meter for allyl thiourea was obtained under a velocity of 1.8 mm/s. Several kinds of polar molecule were separated on the proposed mono‐PLOT column and a typical hydrophilic interaction retention mechanism was observed. High speed separation of benzoic acids was also carried out, baseline separation of five benzoic acids was successfully achieved within 5 min with a 70 cm mono‐PLOT column at 50°C. Furthermore, the resulting PLOT column was also successfully applied to separate standard analytes of three DNA oxidative damage products and RNA‐modified nucleosides and four chlorophenols. At last, the column could separate alcohols, alkanes, and aromatic isomers via GC. It had more than 20,000 plates per meter for butanol – higher than commercial coatings open tubular columns.     

Intact-protein trapping columns for proteomic analysis in capillary high-performance liquid chromatography

A new type of monolithic trapping columns with high mechanical strength was prepared by thin-layer sol–gel coating method and applied to trapping intact proteins for on-line capillary liquid chromatography. Monolithic trapping columns were fabricated by entrapping C8 reversed-phase particles into the capillary columns through a sol–gel network, which was formed by hydrolysis and polycondensation of methyltriethoxysilane. Hundreds times of trapping/untrapping for intact proteins were carried out. The trapping columns showed long-term stability up to 300 bar. Recovery, loading capacity and reproducibility of trapping columns were evaluated using four proteins. The recovery of four protein mixtures for the C8 monolithic trapping columns was 99.3% on average. The loading capacity of 5 mm × 320 μm i.d. C8 trapping columns for the protein mixtures was 30 μg. Day-to-day relative standard deviation (RSD) values for recoveries of protein mixtures on the same C8 trapping column ranged from 2.34 to 5.87%, column-to-column RSD values were from 3.01 to 6.81%. The C8 trapping columns were used to trap normal mouse liver intact proteins in a capillary liquid chromatography system. Results demonstrated high efficiency of the monolithic trapping columns for trapping intact proteins for proteomic analysis in on-line capillary liquid chromatography system.     

整体柱离子色谱的研究进展

该文介绍了离子色谱的分类,整体柱的分类、制备及特点,并以此为依据归纳总结了常规整体柱在离子色谱中的应用和毛细管整体柱在毛细管离子色谱中的应用,其中包括硅胶基质整体柱和聚合物基质整体柱,评述并展望了整体柱离子色谱的发展前景.     

Porous Monoliths: Stationary Phases of Choice for High Performance Liquid Chromatography in Various Formats

 Modern porous monoliths have been conceived as a new class of stationary phases for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in classical columns in the early 1990s and later extended to the capillary format. These monolithic materials are prepared using simple processes carried out in an external mold (inorganic monoliths) or within the confines of the column (organic monoliths and all capillary columns). These methods afford macroporous materials with large through-pores that enable applications in a rapid flow-through mode. Since all the mobile phase must flow through the monolith, the convection considerably accelerates mass transport within the monolithic separation medium and improves the separations. As a result, the monolithic columns perform well even at very high flow rates. The applications of monolithic capillary columns are demonstrated on numerous separations in the HPLC mode.     

双苯基杂化整体柱的制备及毛细管电色谱性能研究

以苯基三乙氧基硅烷(PTES)和1,4-双三乙氧基硅基苯(BTEB)为反应单体,分别采用盐酸和十二胺为催化剂,通过两步酸碱催化的溶胶-凝胶法制备了新型双苯基杂化硅胶毛细管电色谱整体柱。分别采用扫描电镜、红外光谱和压汞法对材料的结构特性进行了表征。结果表明,所制备的材料具有特定的网络结构特征,孔径主要分布在3.4μm左右,材料的总孔容为3.5 cm3/g,比表面积为145 m2/g。新型整体柱能够很好地分离烷基取代苯、稠环芳烃、取代苯胺和硝基苯酚异构体。整体柱重复性实验表明,6种苯的同系物保留时间和容量因子的相对标准偏差分别小于0.61%和0.30%(n=8)。不同批次的整体柱的保留时间和容量因子的相对标准偏差分别小于7.2%和5.6%(n=3)。     

Fabrication of a poly(styrene-octadecene-divinylbenzene) monolithic column and its comparison with a poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) monolithic column for the separation of proteins

In this paper, a poly(styrene-octadecene-divinylbenzene) (PS-OD-DVB) monolithic column was prepared in one step by introducing a C18 carbon chain as monomer. N,N-Dimethylformamide and decanol served as porogens to make a homogeneous polymerization mixture in a fused silica capillary (320 microm inner diameter). Its physical and chromatographic properties were compared with those of poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) monolithic column, which was also fabricated by in-situ polymerization in a fused silica capillary with the same inner diameter. Six standard proteins were used to evaluate the columns and their potential application for the separation of human hemoglobin was also discussed. It was shown that the PS-OD-DVB and PS-DVB monoliths appeared to have similar efficiency for rapid separation of six proteins within 3.5 min. The PS-OD-DVB monolith was found to have higher loading capacity and higher resolution for the separation of alpha and beta chains of hemoglobin because of the introduction of C18 carbon chains, and shows great potential for the separation of bio-macromolecules.     

Purification of Plasma-Derived Coagulation Factor VIII by Immobilized-Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and -Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Affinity Chromatography

Coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) is a glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in the clotting cascade. Replacement therapies with recombinant and plasma-derived concentrates of FVIII are used for treatment of hemophilia A. We have previously purified the human plasma FVIII by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) using Cu²⁺ as the metal ligand. In this work we report the purification of FVIII using Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺, two metal ions that bind proteins more weakly. Human plasma was directly applied to the anion-exchange ANX Sepharose FF column and the eluate was used as starting material for the studies in IMAC columns. Using imidazole as desorbing agent, FVIII was recovered with 65% activity in the IMAC-Zn²⁺ column and with 74% activity in the IMAC-Co²⁺ column. Purification factors were 4 and 9, respectively. Using a pH gradient, FVIII was eluted at pH 5.0 with 17% activity in the IMAC-Zn²⁺ and 77% activity in the IMAC-Co²⁺. Vitamin K-dependent proteins, a family of proteins that includes Prothrombin and coagulation factor IX, coeluted with FVIII in the ANX Sepharose FF column and were recovered with the unbound proteins on both IMAC columns. Therefore, Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺ columns were as effective as the Cu²⁺ column in separating FVIII from vitamin K-dependent proteins. Finally, we have shown that FVIII remained complexed with the von Willebrand factor.     

新型碳纳米管色谱固定相制备的研究进展

碳纳米管（CNTs）作为一种新型的功能材料,具有优异的物理、化学和机械性能,已经在分析化学领域得到了广泛的关注和应用。通过填充法或原位化学气相沉积法,可制备CNTs气相色谱固定相;将CNTs沉积在硅胶微球或有机聚合物基质微球表面,可制备填充式CNTs液相色谱固定相;通过包埋共聚法将CNTs嵌入聚合物整体柱内,可制备毛细管CNTs液相色谱整体柱。本文主要综述了近年来CNTs（单壁碳纳米管和多壁碳纳米管）用于色谱固定相制备的研究现状,包括气相色谱及液相色谱,并对该领域今后的发展进行展望。     

Simple 2D-HPLC using a monolithic silica column for peptide separation

Separation of peptides by fast and simple two-dimensional (2D)-HPLC was studied using a monolithic silica column as a second-dimension (2nd-D) column. Every fraction from the first column, 5 cm long (2.1 mm ID) packed with polymer-based cation exchange beads, was subjected to separation in the 2nd-D using an octadecylsilylated (C18) monolithic sillica column (4.6 mm ID, 2.5 cm). A capillary-type monolithic silica C18column (0.1 mm ID, 10 cm) was also employed as a 2nd-D column with split flow/injection. Effluentof the first dimension (1st-D) was directly loaded into an injector loop of 2nd-D HPLC. UV and MS detection were successfully carried out at high linear velocity of mobile phase at 2nd-D using flow splitting for the 4.6 mm ID 2nd-D column, or with directconnection of the capillary column to the MS interface. Two-minute fractionation inthe 1st-D, 118-second loading, and 2-second injection by the 2nd-D injector, allowed one minute for gradient separation in the 2nd-D, resulting in a maximum peak capacity of about 700 within 40 min. The use of a capillary column in solvent consumption and better MS detectability compared to a larger-sized column. This kind of fast and simple 2D-HPLC utilizing monolithic silica columns will be useful for the separation of complex mixtures in a short time.