The application of immobilized liquids for open tubular liquid chromatography

Summary The applicability of immobilized silicone phases, as reversed phase retentive layers in 5–25μm fused silica capillaries for open tubular liquid chromatography (OTLC) has been investigated. Various types of silicone phases have been tested, of which vinyl containing gums show the most promising features, to create a stable retentive layer in fused silica capillaries. Diffusion coefficients of solutes in the immobilized silicone phases were determined by static measurement and found to be in the order of 5–27 · 10⁻¹² m²/s. These relatively small diffusion coefficients form the main drawback of the immobilized silicone phases, because this seriously hinders the use of thick layers of the stationary phase which is preferred in OTLC to avoid mass overload.     

Determination of biogenic amines in wines and beers by high performance liquid chromatography with pre-column dansylation and ultraviolet detection

Summary A sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of eleven biogenic amines, using 1,7-diaminoheptane as internal standard, has been developed. The method involves pre-column derivatization of the amines with dansyl chloride and subsequent solid phase extraction of the derivatives through C18 cartridges. The derivatization and solid phase extraction procedures were optimized. The separation of dansylamides was achieved on an Inertsil ODS-3 column (250×4 mm I.D. 5 μm) using a 35-min gradient elution method with a binary system of acetonitrile-water, a flow rate of 1 mL.min¹ with UV detection at 254 nm. Linearity of derivatization was obtained for concentrations ranging from 0.025 to 3.0 mg.L¹. The within- and between-day relative standard deviations ranged from 0.4 to 5.7% and 0.6 to 7.3% respectively. The overall process was successfully applied to identify and quantify biogenic amines in white, red and Retsina Greek wines and Greek beers, after their treatment with polyvinylpyrrolidone.     

Simultaneous determination of twelve biogenic amines in serum by high performance liquid chromatography

In this study, we established a method for simultaneously determining twelve biogenic amines in serum by using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The biogenic amines were first extracted from human serum by perchloric acid solution and derivatized by dansyl chloride. An ODS column was selected as separation column at 40 °C. The mobile phase solutions were consisted of A, 0.1 mol/L ammonium acetate and B, acetonitrile. A gradient elution was carried out with a flow rate at 1.0 ml/ml. The results show that the detection limit for twelve biogenic amines ranged between 0.0621 and 0.628 μg/L. All the correlation coefficients were above 0.999. The linearity was over the range from 0.001 to 20 mg/L depending on individual biogenic amine. The intra-day and inter-day coefficients of variations were from 0.53% to 7.50%,and from 1.10% to 7.25% respectively. The average analytical recovery in serum was from 92.02% to 107.65%. Moreover, the serum concentrations of tryptamine, tyramine and histamine in healthy females were found lower than that in healthy males significantly. The method is sensitive, convenient, and reliable, and suitable for simultaneous analysis of multiple biogenic amines in the clinical diagnosis and drug discovery.     

Determination of biogenic amines as dansyl derivatives in intestinal digesta and feces by reversed phase HPLC

Summary A new method was developed for the determination of fifteen biogenic amines in the intestinal digesta and feces of animal or human origin. The method involves the addition of an internal standard (heptylamine), extraction of the amines, and precipitation of the proteins with perchloric acid. The amines are derivatised with dansyl chloride, separated on a C18 column using gradient elution with 0.2M ammonium acetate at pH 5, water and acetonitrile, and detected with a fluorescence detector. The separation was achieved in a 40 min run. Recoveries ranged from 67 to 110%, the relative standard deviation for intra-assay precision being <5% and the limit of determination 1–5 mg kg⁻¹. The method is specific for biogenic amines in intestinal and fecal samples.     

Waveform optimization for integrated square-wave detection of biogenic amines following their liquid chromatographic separation

Results are described from research designed to optimize the potential–time (E–t) waveform applied in integrated square-wave detection (ISWD). More specifically, goals of this study included the minimization of background signal with maximization of the signal-to-background ratio (S/B) for application of ISWD to polyamines separated by high performance cation-exchange liquid chromatography (LC). This effort included optimization of the separation procedure because the background signal was determined to be a sensitive function of the composition of the chromatographic mobile phase. Initial estimates of potential parameters were obtained from an off-line voltammetric study of 1,3-diaminopropane at a gold rotated disk electrode (RDE). Final waveform optimization was based on data obtained during on-line application of the ISWD waveform for 1,3-diaminopropane injected at various times during execution of the mobile phase gradient. The maximum potential in the waveform (E_MAX) was chosen to achieve formation of surface oxide (AuO) with concomitant oxidation of the amine without evolution of O₂. The minimum potential in the waveform (E_MIN) was chosen to achieve reduction of the surface oxide generated at E_MAX with minimal reduction of dissolved O₂.     

Separation of food-related biogenic amines by ion-interaction reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Tyramine,histamine, 2-phenylethylamine,tryptamine and precursor aminoacids. Application to red wine

Summary Methods for the separation of food-related biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, 2-phenylethylamine and tryptamine) have been developed based on ion-interaction reversed-phase liquid chromatography.Two different interaction reagents have been comparatively used, namely octylamine ortho-phosphate (at wave-lengths of 230, 254 and 280 nm) and octylamine salicylate (at a wavelength of 254 nm). The different elution sequence orders shown by the investigated amines for the two reagents are discussed and compared.The detection limits obtained were 20 ppb for tryptamine ( =280 nm), 500 ppb for 2-phenylethylamine (=254 nm), 400 ppb for tyramine (=230 or 280 nm) and 900 ppb for histamine (=230 nm).The method was applied to the analysis of a five years old Italian red wine, in which 2-phenylethylamine (at a concentration of 72±3 ppm) and tryptamine (at a concentration of 4.0±0.3 ppm) were found to be present.     

Direct separation and detection of biogenic amines by ion-pair liquid chromatography with chemiluminescent nitrogen detector

Analysis of biogenic amines is critical to pharmaceutical and food industry due to their biological importance. For many years, the determination of biogenic amines has relied on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupling with pre-, on-, or post-column derivatization procedures to enable UV or fluorescent detections. In this study, 14 biogenic amines were separated on a Phenomenex Luna Phenyl-Hexyl column by an ion-pair liquid chromatography method using perfluorocarboxylic acids as ion-pair reagents and detected by a chemiluminescent nitrogen detector (CLND). This direct separation and detection HPLC method eliminated the time consuming and cumbersome derivatization procedures. Compared with HPLC-UV (post-column derivatization with ninhydrin) and HPLC-charged aerosol detector (CAD) methods, this HPLC-CLND technique provided narrower peaks, better baselines, and improved separations and detections. Excellent linearity was acquired by CLND for each of the 14 biogenic amines ranging from less than 1 ng to about 1000 ng (on-column weights). The relative response factors determined by this LC-CLND method were proportional to the numbers of nitrogen atoms in each compound, which has been the characteristic of the equimolar determinations by CLND. In addition, a number of samples including beer, dairy beverage, herb tea, and vinegar were analyzed by the LC-CLND method with satisfactory precision and accuracy.     

The application of porous silica layers in open tubular columns for liquid chromatography

Summary Two methods to realize a porous retentive silica layer on the inner wall of 10–25 μm fused silica capillaries for OTLC, etching and precipitation of silica from solution, have been investigated. Etching of the fused silica capillaries with 1M KOH, creates an activated surface, but the capacity of the silica layer is too small to serve as retentive layer in OTLC. Better prospects are offered by the precipitation of silica from a solution of polyethoxysiloxane, dynamically coated on the inner wall of the fused silica capillary. It appears to be possible to deposite a porous silica layer up to 0.8 μm thick (in a 25 μm capillary) by this method, which seems to be suitable for liquid-solid an dynamically generated liquid-liquid chromatography in open tubular columns. The performance of these columns are demonstrated by means of efficient separations of test mixtures using on-column fluorescence detection.     

A new ultra-pressure liquid chromatography method for the determination of biogenic amines in cheese

A fast and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC™) method for the determination of biogenic amines (ethanolamine, methylamine, agmatine, histamine, dimethylamine, ethylamine, octopamine, pyrrolidine, dopamine, isopropylamine, propylamine, tyramine, putrescine, butylamine, cadaverine, tryptamine, 2-phenylethylamine, 3-methylbutylamine, spermidine, spermine) in cheese was established. After pre-column derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxy-succinimidyl carbamate (AQC), 20 primary and secondary biogenic amines were separated on an Acquity™ UPLC™ column (BEH C₁₈, 1.7 μm; 2.1 mm × 50 mm) within 9 min. Limits of detection (mg/100 g cheese) ranged from 0.04 (ethanolamine) to 1.62 (spermine), and limits of quantification were between 0.16 (ethanolamine) and 6.09 (spermine). The UPLC™ method was applied to the analysis of 58 cheese samples as retailed in Austria. About 13.8% of samples had a histamine content above 10 mg/100 g, and 22.4% had a tyramine content above 10 mg/100 g. Moreover, 8.6% of samples had a putrescine or cadaverine content higher than 10 mg/100 g. The total concentration of biogenic amines in two cheese samples was about 194 mg/100 g. Thus, obligatory monitoring of biogenic amines should be considered to ensure quality of cheese in future.     

Characterisation of Tokaj wines based on free amino acids and biogenic amines using ion-exchange chromatography

Summary Tokaj wines (Szamorodni and Aszu wines) of Hungarian origin were investigated on the basis of free amino acids and biogenic amines. The separation and determination of these compounds was performed by an amino acid analyser equipped with an ion-exchange resin column. The total amount of free amino acids and biogenic amines was higher in Aszu wines than in Szamorodni wines. The main amino acids were proline and arginine, while the major biogenic amines were tyramine and putrescine. The free amino acid and biogenic amine content of Aszu wines depended on the vineyards the wines originated from. Presented at Balaton Symposium '01 on High-Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 2–4, 2001     

Determination of biogenic amines in wine after clean-up by solid-phase extraction

Summary A suitable method for the determination of 16 biogenic amines in wine has been developed. The method involves clean-up of wine samples using ion-exchange cartridges and a preconcentration step, under controlled vacuum, before derivatization of the amines by treatment with phthalaldehyde (PA) and reversedphase HPLC with gradient elution and fluorimetric detection. Linearity of response was obtained for all the biogenic amines from 100 g L^–1 to mg L^–1. Limits of detection for the amines were similar for all PA-derivatives (25–50 g L^–1) and the quantitation limits were about 0.1 mg L^–1. After clean-up and preconcentration, the concentration levels increased 10-fold for all amines except putrescine and cadaverine, which gave poor recovery by this method unlike the rest which gave recoveries of almost 90%. The overall process was successfully applied to identify and quantify biogenic amines in several red wines from the Tarragona region.     

Hydrazone-based ligands for micro-solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatographic determination of biogenic amines in orange juice

Eight hydrazone-based ligands were synthesized, trapped in a silica sol-gel matrix, and were subsequently used in the micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE) of biogenic amines (BAs). The BAs investigated were tryptamine, phenylethylamine, putrescine, histamine, tyramine and spermidine. Prior to the extraction, dansyl chloride was added to the samples which were heated to 70°C for 10 min. The samples were extracted with μ-SPE, after which analytes were desorbed using acetonitrile via ultrasonication. The extracts were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. Of the eight ligands investigated as sorbents, benzophenone 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone was found to be the most promising. The enhanced π-π interaction between the analytes and the ligand facilitated the adsorption process. Under the most suitable extraction conditions, the method demonstrated good linearity with correlation coefficient of more than 0.985 over a concentration range of 1-50 μg L(-1). Satisfactory repeatability with relative standard deviations of 7.43-11.30% (n=3) were obtained. Detection limits ranged from 3.8 to 31.3 ng L(-1). The μ-SPE method exhibited lower recoveries (71.5-87.4%) when compared to the solid phase extraction technique (79.7-95.0%), but enrichment factors of 94-460 were obtained. The proposed μ-SPE-HPLC method was applied to the determination of BAs in orange juice purchased from local supermarkets, with satisfactory results. The orange juices were characterized by the presence of relatively high levels of putrescine (range, 550-2210 μg L(-1)) but tryptamine and phenylethylamine were not detected in any of the tested samples.     

Optimization of experimental variables in the dabsyl chloride derivatization of biogenic amines for their determination by RP-HPLC

Summary In the last few years special attention has been paid to the pre-column derivatization of biogenic amines with dabsyl chloride because proper experimental conditions for this reaction are very important. In this study, an experimental design (Doehlert design) was used to optimize the variables involved in the dabsylation of the following amines: histamine, tyramine, phenylethylamine, tryptamine, cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine. The optimum experimental conditions for forming the dabsyl derivatives are: reagent concentration, 1.75.10⁻³ M; pH, 8.2; temperature, 70°C; heating time (t _h ), 21 min. Under these conditions good chromatographic repeatability is obtained.     

Performance of open tubular columns as a function of tube diameter and liquid phase film thickness

Summary Wall-coated, open-tubular (capillary) columns prepared from different diameter tubing, with different liquid phase film thickness, are compared with each other and with packed and support-coated open-tubular columns. The comparison is based on the variation of the phase ratio and the capacity factor, and includes column efficiency (HETP, theoretical plate number), resolution, retention time, and sample capacity. Problems associated with the evaluation of the sample capacity are outlined. The influence of temperature on column performance is discussed in detail. Finally, the possibilities of short, wide-bore open-tubular columns prepared with a thick liquid-phase film are demonstrated.Parts of this paper were presented at the 35th Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, Atlantic City NJ, March 5–9, 1984, and at the 20th International Symposium on Advances in Chromatography, New York NY, April 16–18, 1984.     

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization for the preparation of norbornene-based weak cation-exchange monolithic capillary columns

Functionalized monolithic columns were prepared via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) within silanized fused silica capillaries with an internal diameter of 200 μm by in situ grafting. This procedure is conducted in two steps, the first of which is the formation of the basic monolithic structure by polymerization of norborn-2-ene (NBE) and 1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-1,4,5,8-exo,endo-dimethanonaphthalene (DMN-H6) in a porogenic system (toluene and 2-propanol) using RuCl₂(PCy₃)₂(CHPh) as ROMP initiator. In the second step the still active initiator sites located on the surface of the structure-forming microglobules were used as receptor groups for the attachment (“grafting”) of functional groups onto the monolithic backbone by flushing the monolith with 7-oxanorborn-2-ene-5,6-carboxylic anhydride (ONDCA). Functionalization conditions were first defined that did not damage the backbone of low polymer content (20%) monoliths allowing high-throughput chromatographic separations. Variation of the functionalization conditions was then shown to provide a means of controlling the degree of functionalization and resulting ion-exchange capacity. The maximum level of in situ ONDCA grafting was obtained by a 3 h polymerization in toluene at 40 °C. The weak cation-exchange monoliths obtained provided good separation of a standard peptide mixture comprising four synthetic peptides designed specifically for the evaluation of cation-exchange columns. An equivalent separation was also achieved using the lowest capacity column studied, indicative of a high degree of robustness of the functionalization procedure. As well as demonstrably bearing ionic functional groups enabling analyte separation in the cation-exchange mode, the columns exhibited additional hydrophobic characteristics which influenced the separation process. The functionalized monoliths thus represent useful tools for mixed-mode separations.     

Simultaneous separation of nonionic surfactants and polyethylene glycols by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography

Summary The simultaneous separation of polyethylene glycol and its derivatives such as the lauryl alcohol and lauric acid ethoxylate oligomers was carried out by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. Branched fluorinated silica gel columns combined with evaporative light scattering detection were used for the characterization of nonionic surfactants. Lauryl alcohol ethoxylate oligomers were separated at 10°C with an isocratic eluent according to ethoxylate number and the retention time of the oligomers decreases with increasing ethoxylate number. The Van’t Hoff plots of retention factor of lauryl alcohol ethoxylate gave a complex cure, which is anomalous behavior for reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. The anomalous Van’t Hoff plots were explained by a partial conformational change from polar to less polar conformers with increasing temperature. The most significant features for the analysis of the lauryl alcohol ethoxylate were the use of acetonitrile as mobile phase and operating temperature. The polyethylene glycol was separated according to ethoxylate number and the retention time of oligomers increased with increasing ethoxylate number. The Van’t Hoff plots of retention factor of polyethylene glycol had negative slopes. It was presumed that the polar conformation of the ethylene oxide chain decreased with increasing temperature. The lauryl alcohol ethoxylate and polyethylene glycol were separated simultaneously in gradient elution as a result of the conformational change of the ethylene oxide chain. As a practical example, lauric acid ethoxylate simultaneously separated into free polyethylene glycol, ethoxylate monolaurate and ethoxylate dilaurate in gradient elution.     

An electrochemical detector cell for open tubular liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis

Summary An electrochemical detector cell has been developed for micro-flow separation systems (OTLC, CE). The cell contains two electrodes, a disk-shaped working electrode made from a carbon fiber bundle, and a tubular Ag/AgCl quasi-reference electrode. The effective cell volume and the coulometric yield have been determined, for different electrode diameters and at different flow rates, in an OTLC system. An effective cell volume of less than 1 nl was observed. The applicability of the cell was demonstrated with the detection of OPA-derivatized amino acids. For use in CE, the cell was equipped with an additional compartment, housing a semi-permeable joint for the decoupling of the high electric field used for the electrophoretic separation. Results are shown on the determination of catecholamines by CE with electrochemical detection. Detection limits with both OTLC and CE were well below 1 fmole.     

Polysiloxane-encapsulated stationary phase for reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary Silica beads of 6-μm average diameter were silanized with methylvinyldiethoxysilane and then subjected to encapsulation with poly(methylvinylsiloxane). The resulting product is a new stationary phase for reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) which has superior ability for the separation of polar, non-polar and basic compounds. The chromatographic peaks are symmetric. Its stability has been studied; after continuous use for three months the carbon content and chromatographic behaviour of the phase were unchanged. on to the silica surface to given an uniform organic film. Material prepared in this way has both good chromatographic behaviour and superior selectivity. Because contact of the silica matrix with the mobile phase is avoided, the alkali-resisting ability of the stationary phase is increased. The non-specific adsorption of alkaline solutes on to the silica surface is also avoided because of the complete coverage of surface silanol groups. Reports of stationary phases encapsulated with polystyrene [6], polybutadiene [I] and octadecylsiloxane polymers have recently appeared in the literature [3]. In this paper we report the encapsulation of poly-(methylvinylsiloxane) (analogous to the phase SE-31 often used in GC) on to a silica matrix previously modified with methylvinyldiethoxysilane. The resulting phase has superior performance in reversed-phase HPLC.     

Bioanalytical application of multidimensional open tubular column supercritical fluid chromatography

Summary On-line multidimensional open tubular column supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC/SFC) using either a flow-switching or a rotary valve-switching interface has been applied to bioanalytical problems. These include the analysis of (a) cholesterol in dried egg yolk, (b) retinoic acids in rat serum, and (c) a digitalis-like factor in peritoneal dialysate from hypertensive patients. A solvent vent injection technique was incorporated in the system, allowing single or multiple volumes of extract (up to 2.0 L each) to be injected into an uncoated, but deactivated, length of capillary precolumn without flooding of the analytical column. For flow-switching, a well-deactivated, glass-lined offset-cross with a small dead volume was placed between the primary and the secondary column. With a rotary valve-switching interface, a cold trap was employed for refocusing analytes at low pressure from single or multiple fractional cuts after being transferred to the second dimension.     

Comparison of chaotropic salt and ionic liquid as mobile phase additives in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of biogenic amines

Highly hydrophilic compounds belonging to biogenic amines were analysed in the reversed-phase system, modified with the addition of ionic liquids: 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (EMIM PF(6)) and chaotropic salt NaPF(6) on Discovery HS C18 column at acidic conditions. The effect of the additives concentration and the presence of organic solvent on the analytes' chromatographic parameters such as retention factor, tailing factor and theoretical plates number were all determined. On the basis of k versus ionic liquid concentration in aqueous-organic mobile phase with constant amount of phosphate buffer, retention mechanism was studied. It was established that the presence of organic solvent with low dielectric constant and ionic liquid with both chaotropic ions allows achieving typical Langmuir shape of this relationship. Investigated mobile phase additives are comparable according to efficiency and selectivity towards biogenic amines analysis. However, the sensitivity was found to be better for the eluent system modified with chaotropic salt.