Biological fluid screening and confirmation of bile acids by use of an integrated flow-injection-LC-evaporative light-scattering system

Summary An integrated flow-injection-liquid chromatographic system is presented for the screening of biological fluids for bile acids, and for subsequent confirmation. It is based on the use of a flow-injection configuration with an evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD), for routine screening for the total concentration of the analytes, followed by the individual determination, by liquid chromatography, of only those samples for which the total concentration is close to or above the normal level in healthy individuals. Bile acids are extracted from human serum and urine withn-hexane under acid conditions. After phase separation the organic layer is evaporated to dryness under a stream of nitrogen and redissolved in weakly alkaline solution (pH 8). The aqueous phase is then passed through a miniaturized Amberlite XAD-7 column for preconcentration and clean up, and eluted with acetonitrile-methanol, 65∶35 (v/v). The effluent is introduced directly into the ELSD for determination of the total bile-acid content of the sample. For confirmatory analysis another aliquot of the sample is processed in the screening module and the effluent from the adsorbent column is then directed to the chromatographic column to obtain the bile acid profile of the sample. Good agreement was obtained in the analysis of urine and serum samples by both procedures.     

Determination of bile acids in serum and bile by a modified gas chromatographic glass capillary technique

Summary A modified gas chromatographic glass capillary technique for determination of five major bile acids (Cholic acid: CA, Chenodeoxycholic acid: CDCA, Deoxycholic acid: DCA, Lithocholic acid: LCA and Ursodeoxycholic acid: UDCA) has been developed after preliminary extraction with XAD-2 resin. Enzymatic hydrolysis prevents the formation of interferring degradation products. Ether extraction with centrifugation eliminates water soluble interferring substances. Derivatization to hexafluorpropyl- instead of methyl esters results in better separation, shortens analysis time and prolongs the life span of the column.     

Analysis of bile acids in human biological samples by microcolumn separation techniques: A review

Bile acids are a group of compounds essential for lipid digestion and absorption with a steroid skeleton and a carboxylate side chain usually conjugated to glycine or taurine. Bile acids are regulatory molecules for a number of metabolic processes and can be used as biomarkers of various disorders. Since the middle of the twentieth century, the detection of bile acids has evolved from simple qualitative analysis to accurate quantification in complicated mixtures. Advanced methods are required to characterize and quantify individual bile acids in these mixtures. This article overviews the literature from the last two decades (2000–2020) and focuses on bile acid analysis in various human biological samples. The methods for sample preparation, including the sample treatment of conventional (blood plasma, blood serum, and urine) and unconventional samples (bile, saliva, duodenal/gastric juice, feces, etc.) are shortly discussed. Eventually, the focus is on novel analytical approaches and methods for each particular biological sample, providing an overview of the microcolumn separation techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis, used in their analysis. This is followed by a discussion on selected clinical applications.     

Fatty acids determination in Bronte pistachios by gas chromatographic method

A gas chromatographic with flame ionization detector (GC-MS FID) method for the identification and quantification of fatty acids based on the extraction of lipids and derivatisation of free acids to form methyl esters was developed and validated. The proposed method was evaluated to a number of standard FAs, and Bronte pistachios samples were used for that purpose and to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method. In this regard, repeatability, mean and standard deviation of the analytical procedure were calculated. The results obtained have demonstrated oleic acid as the main component of Bronte pistachios (72.2%) followed by linoleic acid (13.4%) and showed some differences in composition with respect to Tunisian, Turkish and Iranian pistachios.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic separation of stereoisomers of N-phthaloyl-protected amino acids and dipeptidomimetics

The stereoisomers of N-phthaloyl-protected amino acids and dipeptidomimetics were separated on macrocyclic glycopeptide and cellulose-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) in the RP and polar-ionic modes. The effects of the organic modifier, the mobile phase composition, and the pH on the separations were investigated. Optimization of these separations was achieved through variation of the mobile-phase additive combinations. The elution sequence was determined for some of the samples. A practical application for the monitoring of the reaction conditions for N-phthaloylation of (S)-Phe was demonstrated.     

Efficient optimization of ultra‐high‐ performance supercritical fluid chromatographic separation of Rosa sericea by response surface methodology

An approach for rapid optimization of ultra‐high‐performance supercritical fluid chromatographic (UHPSFC) gradient by response surface methodology was developed for fast separation of complex crude extracts of the leaves of Rosa sericea. The optimization was performed with Box–Behnken designs and the multicriteria response variables were described using Derringer's desirability. Based on factorial design experiments, five factors were selected for Box–Behnken designs to optimize the UHPSFC conditions, which led to 46 experiments being performed within 8 h. An evaporative light‐scattering detector (ELSD) was used, and quantitative analysis of main components in R. sericea samples was employed to evaluate the statistical significance of the parameters on UHPSFC‐ELSD analytes response. The results indicated that the optimized UHPSFC‐ELSD method is very sensitive with LODs and LOQs below 1.19 and 4.55 μg/mL, respectively. The overall intra‐ and interday variations were less than 3.91 and 6.41%, respectively. The recovery of the method ranged from 95.66 to 104.22%, with RSD < 5.91%. This newly developed UHPSFC‐ELSD method was demonstrated to be fast and sensitive in analyzing complex herbal extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicines.     

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method with evaporative light scattering detector for the analysis of phospholipids. Application to Iberian pig subcutaneous fat

A new method for the analysis of phospholipids by normal-phase HPLC is described using a silica column. Addition of ammonia and triethylamine to a gradient based on chloroform/methanol/water promoted a good and rapid separation of phospholipid classes (20 min run). The use of an evaporative light scattering detector permitted an accurate analysis of a mixture of phospholipids. Calibration curves were linear within different range for each phospholipid class. The LOD and LOQ obtained were below 0.03 and 0.05 mg kg⁻¹ for all cases, respectively. Besides, a new method for the separation of phospholipids from total lipids before HPLC analysis by a solid-phase extraction (SPE) with Si cartridges has been developed. This methodology gave a good recovery ranging from 97 to 117%. The method was validated with a standard mixture of phospholipids. This method has been applied to characterize the phospholipid fraction of subcutaneous fat from Iberian pig. Cardiolipin, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin have been described for first time in these samples. The fatty acid composition of the different phospholipid classes and their HPLC electrospray ionization mass spectrometry have been used for characterizing the molecular species present in each one.     

Group separation of non-sulphated and 3-sulphated bile acids by disposable anion-exchange cartridges

Summary A rapid and simple method has been developed for the group fractionation of the major unsulphated and mono-sulphated bile acids in human body fluids. After extraction with Bond Elut C₁₈ cartridges, the bile acids are separated into the unconjugated, glycine-, taurine- and sulphate-conjugated forms on pre-packed Bond Elut SAX columns by increasing the ionic strength of the methanol-acetate buffer eluent. The procedure was found to be accurate and reproducible and to give complete resolution between the different groups. The levels of 3-sulphate bile acids in human serum and urine from patients with liver disease were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, after group separation and solvolysis of the sulphate fraction.     

微流蒸发光散射检测器的研制及评价

构建了适用于纳升级到微升级流量的毛细管分离体系的微流蒸发光散射检测器(μELSD),实现了其与毛细管液相色谱(eLC)的联用.对雾化器孔径和雾化毛细管内径、蒸发管内径和长度、光散射池尺寸、雾化毛细管位置和辅助载气流量等参数进行了优化.在最优条件下,微流蒸发光散射检测器检出限为直接进样葡萄糖1 ng(S/N＞ 10),线性范围0.01～1.0 μg,重复性好,峰面积RSD(n=6)为0.4％,峰高RSD(n=6)为0.3％.本检测器已成功应用cLC-μELSD平台,使用C18毛细管色谱柱(内径250 μm),0.1％甲酸铵溶液(pH 4.5)-甲醇(60∶40,V/V)为流动相,分离检测了3种常用甜味剂,表明本研究构建的系统可以应用于实际分离检测中,具有分析时间快、溶剂消耗量少、样品需求量小的优点.     

Quantification of bile acids directly from plasma by MALDI-TOF-MS

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) has proved to be a useful method for the quantification of bile acids directly from plasma. Six cholic acid derivatives were selected for analysis: taurocholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, taurolithocholic acid, glycocholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, and glycolithocholic acid. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns were used to preconcentrate and purify the plasma samples. Calibration curves averaged from 3 days were obtained for the bile acids, and then tested for their ability to accurately determine concentrations from one measurement. In summary, a simple, rapid method has been developed for the quantification of bile salts from plasma by MALDI-MS with SPE cleanup.     

Analysis of silica nanoparticles by capillary electrophoresis coupled to an evaporative light scattering detector

A simple and rapid methodology has been developed to identify and separate silica nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) of different sizes in aqueous solution by capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to an evaporative light scattering detector (CE-ELSD). SiO₂NPs were separated using 3 mM ammonium acetate buffer, containing 1% methanol at pH 6.9. SiO₂NPs of 20, 50 and 100 nm were successfully separated under the optimum experimental conditions. CE coupled to ELSD has been proven to be an effective separation technique to determine particles with such small sizes, although the peaks are very close to each other, and it is a promising technique that may allow the separation of other types of nanoparticles. Confirmation by TEM and quantification of the SiO₂ content was also carried out by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The new method was applied to the analysis of real samples, in order to assess its ability to avoid matrix effects in the determination of SiO₂NPs in these kinds of samples.     

Chemical properties of bile acids: III. Bile acid structure and solubility in water

The temperature dependence of the solubilities in water at pH 3.00 of a representative series of ten cholanoic acids (bile acids) were measured over the temperature range 10 to 50°C. The solubilities ranged from 5×10^–8M for 3-hydroxy-5-cholanoic acid (lithocholic acid) to 2×10^–3M for 3-7-12-trihydroxy-5-cholanoic acid (ursocholic acid). The solubilities increased with temperature and were found to be dependent on the number, position, and orientation of the hydroxyl groups. The hydroxyl groups affect solubility both by forming hydrogen bonds with the solvent and by reducing the hydrophobic area of the steroid nucleus. The enthalpic H⁰ and entropic S⁰ contributions to ⁰ associated with the dissolution process were obtained from the temperature dependence of the solubilities. A qualitative interpretation of the thermodynamic parameters in relation to bile acid structure is also presented.     

Normal-phase high performance liquid chromatographic separation and characterization of short- and long-chain triacylglycerols

Summary Short- and long-chain triacylglycerols (SLCT) are a family of lipids prepared by chemical or enzymatic interesterification of triacetin, tripropionin and/or tributyrin, and long-chain (C_16!18) hydrogenated vegetable oils. In this study, a normal-phase cyanopropyl high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the separation and quantification of SLCT. The method is capable of separating SLCT mixtures, free fatty acids and the neutral lipid classes of saturated long-chain triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols and monoacylglycerols. To characterize the specific SLCT classes, a normal-phase HPLC procedure using a non-modified silica column was developed to separate the SLCT into individual isomers based on total carbon number and position of fatty acids on the glycerol backbone. Online coupling with a mass detector (LC/MS) allowed the identification of the individual triacylglycerol structures.     

Indirect conductimetric detection of amino acids after liquid chromatographic separation

A liquid chromatographic method using indirect conductimetric detection is proposed for the determination of low levels of organic compounds, which does not require any special functional characteristics of the analyte. The signal detected is proportional to the molar concentration of the analyte and independent of its nature. The detector response is linearly dependent on analyte concentrations over at least three orders of magnitude. The basis of the detection is to create a conducting background, which will decrease on elution of the organic compounds. The theory of the method is discussed, with special reference to the quantitative displacement of the conducting species of the mobile phase from the column by the analyte on sample injection. The proposed method has been applied to study the chromatographic behaviour of twenty-one amino acids, where a 5 -μm Econosil CN column was used as the stationary phase with a mixture of water-acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran (70:20:3) containing 1 mM perchloric acid or trichloroacetic acid as the mobile phase. The proposed method allows as little as 10 ng of each amino acid to be determined.     

高效液相色谱法测定烟草料液中的糖

研究了用蒸发光散射检测器检测，高效液相色谱法测定烟草料液中糖的方法。料液中的糖用固相萃取预分离，然后以Waters carbohydrate高效糖柱为固定相，V（乙腈）：V（水）=70：30作为流动相分离，蒸发光散射检测器检测；样品中鼠李糖、木糖、阿拉伯糖、果糖、甘露糖、葡萄糖、蔗糖、麦芽糖8种糖的加标回收率分别为：97．0％、95．6％、102％、102．1％、95．0％、101．8％、102．6％、97．8％；线性范围分别为：鼠李糖、果糖、葡萄糖、蔗糖0．1～20pg，木糖、阿拉伯糖、甘露糖、麦芽糖0．2～25μg。相对标准偏差均小于3．2％。方法的检出限达：鼠李糖20ng、木糖26ng、阿拉伯糖28ng、果糖14ng、甘露糖20ng、葡萄糖10ng、蔗糖12ng、麦芽糖15ng，用该方法测定了烟草料液中的糖。     

Simultaneous liquid chromatographic determination of metals and organic compounds in pharmaceutical and food-supplement formulations using evaporative light scattering detection

A novel method for the non-derivatization liquid chromatographic determination of metals (potassium, aluminium, calcium and magnesium) and organic compounds (ascorbate and aspartate) was developed and validated based on evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD). Separation of calcium, magnesium and aluminium was achieved by the cation exchange column Dionex CS-14 and an aqueous TFA mobile phase according to the following time program: 0-6 min TFA 0.96 mL L⁻¹, 6-7 min linear gradient from TFA 0.96-6.4 mL L⁻¹. Separation of potassium, magnesium and aspartate was achieved by the lipophilic C₁₈ Waters Spherisorb column and isocratic aqueous 0.2 mL L⁻¹ TFA mobile phase. Separation of sodium, magnesium, ascorbate and citrate was also achieved by the C₁₈ analytical column, according to the following elution program: 0-2.5 min aqueous nonafluoropentanoic acid (NFPA) 0.5 mL L⁻¹; 2.5-3.5 min linear gradient from 0.5 mL L⁻¹ NFPA to 1.0 mL L⁻¹ TFA. In all cases, evaporation temperature was 70 °C, pressure of the nebulizing gas (nitrogen) 3.5 bar, gain 11 and the flow rate 1.0 mL min⁻¹. Resolution among calcium and magnesium was 1.8, while for all other separations was ≥3.2. Double logarithmic calibration curves were obtained within various ranges from 3-24 to 34-132 μg mL⁻¹, and with good correlation (r > 0.996). Asymmetry factor ranged from 0.9 to 1.9 and limit of detection from 1.3 (magnesium) to 17 μg mL⁻¹ (ascorbate).The developed method was applied for the assay of potassium, magnesium, calcium, aluminium, aspartate and ascorbate in pharmaceuticals and food-supplements. The accuracy of the method was evaluated using spiked samples (%recovery 95-105%, %R.S.D. < 2) and the absence of constant or proportional errors was confirmed by dilution experiments.     

Ion chromatographic separation of alkylsulphonic acids with conductivity detection

Summary An ion chromatographic (IC) method has been developed for the separation of alkylsulphonic acid. Two different stationary phases, silica-based and polymer-based ion-exchange resins, were studied using pure ion exchange and/or hydrophobic interaction mechanisms. Correlations between analyte hydrophobicity and eluent polarity were made in order to investigate the possibility of changing the dominant separation mechanism by varying the eluent composition. The alkyl chain lengths of the sulphonic acids analysed ranged from C₁ to C₉. Detection limits in the submicromolar range were obtained by suppressed conductivity detection.     

Ion chromatographic separation of alkylsulphonic acids with conductivity detection

Summary An ion chromatographic (IC) method has been developed for the separation of alkylsulphonic acid. Two different stationary phases, silica-based and polymer-based ion-exchange resins, were studied using pure ion exchange and/or hydrophobic interaction mechanisms. Correlations between analyte hydrophobicity and eluent polarity were made in order to investigate the possibility of changing the dominant separation mechanism by varying the eluent composition. The alkyl chain lengths of the sulphonic acids analysed ranged from C₁ to C₉. Detection limits in the submicromolar range were obtained by suppressed conductivity detection.     

Derivatization of 2-hydroxyalkanoic acids for gas chromatographic enantiomer separation

Summary 2-Trimethylsiloxycarboxamides are suitable derivatives for direct gas chromatographic resolution of 2-hydroxy-alkanoic acid enantiomers. A fast derivatization procedure is presented which involves preparation of the corresponding acyl chloride by reaction with thionyl chloride, aminolysis to the carboxamide and conversion of the hydroxyl group to the trimethylsilylether. The derivatization entails very little racemization, even with mandelic acid which is very sensitive in this respect.