The advantage of dual-column approach and retention indices combined with refined reporting in gas chromatographic drug screening

A dual-column gas chromatographic retention index method was evaluated for the toxicological screening for basic drugs in autopsy blood samples. The dual-column approach with DB-5 and DB-1701 capillary columns doubles the Identification Power of the corresponding single column methods. The long-term intralaboratory variation of the dialkylfluoroaniline series based retention indices of drugs in blood ranged from 0.03% to 0.2% which was generally better than that obtained using the relative retention time. Novel software is described for the processing and reporting of the dual-column chromatographic data in analytically useful form. Besides retention data, the response factors served as an additional identification factor.     

iMatch: a retention index tool for analysis of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data

A method was developed to employ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 2008 retention index database information for molecular retention matching via constructing a set of empirical distribution functions (DFs) of the absolute retention index deviation to its mean value. The effects of different experimental parameters on the molecules' retention indices were first assessed. The column class, the column type, and the data type have significant effects on the retention index values acquired on capillary columns. However, the normal alkane retention index (I(norm)) with the ramp condition is similar to the linear retention index (I(T)), while the I(norm) with the isothermal condition is similar to the Kováts retention index (I). As for the I(norm) with the complex condition, these data should be treated as an additional group, because the mean I(norm) value of the polar column is significantly different from the I(T). Based on this analysis, nine DFs were generated from the grouped retention index data. The DF information was further implemented into a software program called iMatch. The performance of iMatch was evaluated using experimental data of a mixture of standards and metabolite extract of rat plasma with spiked-in standards. About 19% of the molecules identified by ChromaTOF were filtered out by iMatch from the identification list of electron ionization (EI) mass spectral matching, while all of the spiked-in standards were preserved. The analysis results demonstrate that using the retention index values, via constructing a set of DFs, can improve the spectral matching-based identifications by reducing a significant portion of false-positives.     

Comparison of Retention Indices of Some Explosives and Related Compounds Calculated by Different Mathematical Methods in Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography

In reversed phase liquid chromatography, the retention indices of some neutral and acidic explosives and related compounds (nitramines, nitroaromatics, aminoaromatics, and nitrophenols) based on the alkan-2-one, alkyl aryl ketone, and 1-nitroalkane retention index standards have been determined by the application of a new mathematical adaptation method, viz. a multiparametric least-squares regression iterative method. This method was applied to two types of columns. The first group includes six octadecyl-C₁₈ columns with different packing materials and obtained from different manufacturers, while the second group comprises one octyl-C₈ column. The retention indices have been extensively studied using either methanol-water or methanol-phosphate buffer mobile phase systems. The calculated multiparametric retention indices values were compared with those obtained by Guardino's, Grobler's, and Kovàts' methods. The influences of the concentration of the organic modifier in the mobile phase, aqueous mobile phase pH, and the column packing material on the retention indices of the explosives were also investigated. Good agreement was observed between the retention indices calculated by the use of the four mathematical methods for both neutral and acidic explosives.     

Correct identification of polychlorinated biphenyls in temperature-programmed GC with ECD detection

A method has been developed for peak identification of PCBs in GC with ECD detection under different temperature programs and isothermal conditions on two commonly used columns (DB-5 and DB-1701). This was achieved by means of accurate calibration of retention times based on the concept of the relative retention index P (i) and retention times of the selected PCB internal standards. The P (i) was calculated from the predicted retention times with the database of the retention parameters (A, B) and the migration equations. Through comparison of the calibrated and experimental retention times of PCBs in technical samples, it was shown that the developed method was effective for correct PCB comprehensive, quantitative, congener-specific (CQCS) analyses.     

Prediction of programmed temperature retention times on linked capillary columns of different polarity

Systems formed by serial connection of capillary columns of different polarity were studied with methods previously used to predict the behavior of linked capillary columns under isothermal conditions and to obtain programmed temperature gas chromatography (PTGC) retention times of the individual columns starting from isothermal data. The two calculation methods were simultaneously applied in order to predict PTGC retention times of the series system starting from isothermal data obtained on the two individual columns. Experimental retention values measured using different temperature programs on the individual columns and on the series systems were found to agree with those calculated.     

An accurate and easy procedure to obtain isothermal Kováts retention indices in gas chromatography

Isothermal Kováts retention indices may be used in GC for identification purposes, but they are also useful in characterisation of stationary phases and for studying structural and physico-chemical properties of both the analyte and the stationary phase. They are currently reported as whole numbers with an accuracy of one index unit for non-polar stationary phases. The method recommended for their calculation uses a linear regression model, although non-linear models have also been applied with good results. In both cases, a computer programme and the retention times of a series of n-alkanes that elute correctly and resolved from the other compounds are needed, conditions which cannot always be fulfilled. However, it is possible to calculate retention indices with an accuracy of 0.1 retention index units (0.2 units for packed columns) with the help of only three n-alkanes using just a pocket calculator or a computer spreadsheet. The main requirement is that at least one of the n-alkanes has a retention index differing by no more than one hundred retention index units from that of the analyte being investigated. Examples are given for different stationary phases.     

气相色谱保留指数定性方法研究进展

综述了程序升温气相色谱保留指数,I^T与Kovats恒温保留指数,之间的关系、I^T的标准化和重现性问题以及定量结构保留指数关系(QSRR)研究进展;对于应用特殊检测器和极性柱定性、对多环芳烃和多氯联苯类物质利用保留指数定性的情况,选择非正构烷烃类同系物作为参考标准时准确性大为提高,比较了由此得到的保留指数与Kovats保留指数的关系;展望了利用保留指数定性的前景。     

Repeatability and reproducibility of retention data and band profiles on reversed-phase liquid chromatography columns. IV. Results obtained with Luna C18 (2) columns

The reproducibility of retention data and band profile characteristics was investigated for a series of columns packed with Luna C18 (2), a silica-based, reversed-phase adsorbent. High precision data were obtained and statistically compared among five columns from the same batch (column-to-column reproducibility) and nine columns from as many different batches (batch-to-batch reproducibility). These data were acquired under five different sets of chromatographic conditions, for a group of 30 neutral, acidic, and basic compounds selected as probes following an experimental protocol previously described. This work is part of a study on the precision of chromatographic analyses. Its purpose is to illustrate the contribution of the stationary phase reproducibility to this precision.     

High-performance liquid chromatography systems for the separation of benzodiazepines and their metabolites

The high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) retention characteristics of 21 benzodiazepine drugs and some of their metabolites have been examined on both silica and ODS-silica packing materials. Four HPLC systems have been considered and retention data are presented for the drugs on these systems. The correlation of retention data on the systems is considered with reference to the problem of identifying unknown benzodiazepines.     

An overview on the standardization of chromatographic methods for screening analysis in toxicology by means of retention indices and secondary standards

Summary A review is presented on the methods of standardization of HPLC data as used in systematic toxicological analysis. In straight-phase HPLC, the best results were obtained with a series of selected drugs as retention standards. In reversed-phase HPLC, various retention index systems were introduced. However, these systems alone cannot compensate large differences in selectivities of nominally identical, but commercially different reversed-phase column packings. Much better results were achieved with selected drugs as retention index markers. The practical applicability of such a standardized HPLC system is demonstrated.Part I see [1]Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. Marika Geldmacher-von Mallinckrodt in recognition of her pioneering contributions in clinical and forensic toxicology     

A New Method of Separation of Four Benzodiazepines by RP-CEC

A new method to separate diazepam, nitrazepam, estazolam, alprazolam was established on both C18 and C8 CEC columns. The influence of separation voltage, Tris concentration, column temperature and the percentage of acetonitrile on the resolution and retention behavior of four benzodiazepines was investigated. The results showed that the percentage of acetonitrile had the largest effect on the resolution and retention behavior of the four benzodiazepines. Other separation conditions had also effects on the resolution and retention behavior, but smaller than the concentration of acetonitrile. Optimum separation conditions were obtained to separate four benzodiazepines on C18 and C8 CEC columns.     

Five different columns in the analysis of basic drugs in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography

Five different columns (two silica, two cyanopropyl and one diol) were investigated in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). For the assessment of columns behavior in HILIC mode, six basic drugs (lamotrigine, thioridazine, clozapine, chlorpheniramine, pheniramine and sulpiride) were chosen. The assessment of the influence of the concentration of organic modifier on analytes’ retention on each column was provided by fitting the retention data into theoretical models. Utilizing the statistical analysis, the selection of the model that provides better prediction of the retention behavior was enabled. Dual RP-HILIC mechanism was suggested on cyanopropyl and diol columns, therefore the transition points between the two mechanisms on these columns were calculated. Furthermore, in order to investigate the impact of three factors simultaneously on the retention behavior of the analyzed substances on Betasil Silica column, chemometrically-aided empirical models were built. The experiments were conducted according to the matrix of Box-Behnken design and on the basis of the retention data, six quadratic models were obtained and their adequacy was confirmed using ANOVA test. The obtained coefficients of quadratic models enabled the elucidation of both single factor and factor interactions influence. This was also graphically presented in 3D response surface plots.      

Immobilized biomembrane chromatography of highly lipophilic drugs.

Drug interaction with lipid bilayers was quantified by immobilized biomembrane chromatography on a series of columns containing different small amounts of human red cell membrane vesicles to extend and characterize this technique, which shows a potential for drug screening and prediction of drug absorption in humans. The chromatographic retention volume for each drug was essentially proportional to the amount of immobilized lipid, and the slope equalled the capacity factor (Ks) previously determined on single columns. Gel beds containing 0.5-2 micromol of membrane phospholipid allowed analysis of drugs with log Ks values of 2.5-4.3 in time periods of 1 min to 1 h. Highly lipophilic drugs could thus be analyzed conveniently in aqueous buffer.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic separation and quantitative determination of valepotriates in valeriana drugs and preparations (author's transl)

It is possible directly to separate and analyse, quantitatively and qualitatively, the valepotriates from Valeriana crude extracts or from commercial Valeriana preparations by high-performance liquid chromatography. The separations are achieved on 4 or 8 mm I.D. columns packed with silica gel (particle size 10 micron) with n-hexane-ethyl acetate mixtures as eluent. A refractive index detection system is necessary for determining all of the valepotriates. If the concentration differences between didrovaltratum and valtratum are very great, an ultraviolet (UV) detector must be used and the determination must be conducted in two steps. For valtratum drugs UV detection alone will suffice. As internal standards p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde should be used for extracts and preparations from valtratum races, and benzaldehyde in the presence of didrovaltratum races. This determination is superior to the combined thin-layer chromatographic-hydroxamic acid method used hitherto with respect to time consumption, precision, and sensitivity.     

Butyl acrylate porous polymer monoliths in fused-silica capillaries for use in capillary electrochromatography

Capillary electrochromatography incorporates features of both capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography. Butyl acrylate polymers, cast in-situ with heat initiated polymerization and no retaining frits have been made. Van Deemter plots of chrysene have been examined at a variety of operating temperatures to examine column behavior. Hmin moves to faster flow-rates and increases slightly in magnitude as temperature is increased. The longevity and reproducibility of the columns have been examined with a homologous series. Performance is very reproducible between two different columns of different diameters, operated on different systems and prepared from the same polymeriation batch. The relative standard deviation of retention factors is a maximum of 3.1% with most values calculated at less than 1%. The uniformity of the polymers as a function of length has also been studied with a series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and the columns have proved to be very uniform across their length as measured by the consistency of retention factors with a maximum relative standard deviation of 3.4% and most values calculated between 1 and 2%. Plate numbers of between 65000 and 80000 plates/m have been attained for compounds with retention factors of 3 to 12. These columns have proved easy to make, are quite reproducible, and long lived.     

Isomeric structure of styrene-acrylonitrile and styrene-methylcrylate copolymer pyrolysis products

Summary Gas chromatographic retention indices of pyrolysis products of styrene-acrylonitrile and styrene-methylacrylate copolymers were measured on two columns prepared with different stationary phases. A retention index against retention index diagram proved to be useful to define the composition of product molecules, as the points of homologous series form straight lines. We identified the isomeric structure of dimers and trimers consisting of two kind of monomer units by comparing their retention indices. This comparison was based on the determination of the retention index increments of cyano, methoxy-carbonyl and phenyl groups bounded to primary, secondary or olefinic carbon atom. The isomeric structures of styrene-acrylonitrile dimers and trimers were confirmed by mass spectroscopy.     

Computer-assisted automatic peak recognition and result evaluation for analysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons in environmental samples

A data manipulation method has been developed for automatic peak recognition and result evaluation in the analysis of organic chlorinated hydrocarbons with dual-column gas chromatography. Based on the retention times of two internal standards, pentachlorotoluene and decachlorobiphenyl, the retention times of chlorinated hydrocarbons can be calibrated automatically and accurately. It is very convenient to identify the peaks by comparing the retention times of samples with the calibrated retention times calculated from the relative retention indices of standards. Meanwhile, with a suggested two-step evaluation method the evaluation coefficients and the suitable quantitative results of each component can be automatically achieved for practical samples in an analytical system using two columns with different polarities and two internal standards.     

Comparison of Retention Indices of Some Monosubstituted Benzenes Calculated by Different Mathematical Methods in RP-LC

In reversed phase liquid chromatography, the retention indices of benzene and nine mono substituted benzenes with different functionality based on the alkan-2-ones and alkyl aryl ketones retention index standards have been determined by the application of two new mathematical adaptation methods, viz. a multiparametric least-squares regression iterative method based on the determination of the adjusted retention times and a local cubic interpolation method directly using the total retention times. The two methods were applied to two types of columns. The first group includes four octadecyl-C₁₈ columns with different packing materials obtained from different manufacturers, while the second comprises an octyl-C₈ column. The retention indices have been extensively studied using either methanol–water or acetonitrile–water mobile phase systems. The influences of the concentration of the organic modifier in the mobile phase (methanol or acetonitrile), the column temperature, and the column packing material on retention indices of the set of the ten monoaromatics studied were also investigated. The calculated multiparametric retention indices values, those obtained by the local cubic interpolation and Kováts’ methods are compared. Good agreement was observed between the retention indices calculated by the three methods.     

Zwitterionic ion chromatography using a dynamically coated column and mobile phase recycling

An investigation into the use of zwitterionic ion chromatography for the determination of inorganic anions in water samples was carried out. When using an ODS stationary phase precoated with Zwittergent 3-14 and a pure water mobile phase, the stability of the adsorbed coating was insufficient for quantitative work. Recycling of the water mobile phase was used to stabilise the zwitterionic coating, and resulted in improved retention time precision (15.2% RSD down to 2.4% RSD for nitrate). Post-detection cation- and anion-exchange columns in acid and hydroxide form removed sample ions from the recycling mobile phase, with the desorbed Zwittergent 3-14 passing through unretained and passing back through the pump to the analytical column. A 200-ml volume of mobile phase was recycled over a 3-week period with retention times for sulphate, chloride and nitrate standards injected at the start and end of the period varying less than 2.5%. The same system was then used with a mobile phase containing 2 mM Zwittergent 3-14. This resulted in further improvements in retention time (0.2-0.5% RSD, n = 10) and peak area precision (2.6-6.0% RSD, 1 mM standards) and improved peak efficiencies (2421-4047 N). The developed method was applied to water samples, and results compared to those obtained using anion-exchange chromatography. All sample cations were exchanged to sodium using an off-line cation-exchange procedure prior to injection.