Microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography for separation and analysis of curcuminoids in turmeric samples

Microemulsion EKC (MEEKC) was developed for quantitative analysis of curcuminoids, such as curcumin (C), demethoxycurcumin (D), and bis-demethoxycurcumin (B). MEEKC separation of curcuminoids was optimized, and a change in resolution was explained using a modified equation for resolution in MEEKC without electroosmosis. The suitable MEEKC conditions for separation of curcuminoids were obtained to be the microemulsion buffer containing 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.5, 1.1% v/v n-octane as oil droplets, 180 mM SDS as surfactant, 890 mM 1-butanol as cosurfactant, and 25% v/v 2-propanol as organic cosolvent; applied voltage of -15 kV; and separation temperature 25 degrees C. Achieved baseline resolution of C:D and D:B was obtained with R(s) -2.4 and analysis time within 18 min. In addition, high accuracy and precision of the method were obtained. This MEEKC method was used for quantitative determination of individual curcuminoids in medicinal turmeric capsules and powdered turmeric used as coloring additive in food, with simple sample preparation such as solvent extraction, dilution, and filtration, and without cleaning up by SPE.     

Cyclodextrin-modified microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography for separation of alpha-, gamma-, delta-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol acetate

Different forms of tocopherols, together with tocotrienols, are collectively named as vitamin E, and each possesses different degree of medical, biological and physiochemical significance. The main difficulty of separating different forms of tocopherols lay in their highly structural similarities and hydrophobicities. Microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC), claimed to attain high peak efficiency with great solubilization power, has not previously been applied to the separation of tocopherols. The effects that various parameters, such as buffer system, type and concentration of cyclodextrins, temperature, and sample matrix, have on the separation of tocopherols by MEEKC have been investigated. By using a buffer mixture of 4% (w/w) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 6.6% (w/w) 1-butanol, 0.8% (w/w) n-octane, 20% (w/w) 2-propanol, 68.6% (w/w) phosphate (25mM, pH 2.5), and 25mM heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CD), the separation of alpha-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol, alpha-tocopherol acetate, as well as the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at -26kV, 25 degrees C was completed within 35min. The practical potential of the present approach has been further validated by the determination of tocopherols in a vitamin E preparation, with the result of 132.63 (RSD 1.25%), 176.51 (RSD 0.29%), and 64.32mg (RSD 3.34%) per 500mg capsule for alpha-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol, respectively.     

Simultaneous determination of metal ions, amino acids, and other small biogenic molecules in human serum by capillary zone electrophoresis with transient isotachophoretic preconcentration

CE with indirect UV detection was used for the simultaneous determination of lithium, magnesium, calcium, creatinine, carnitine, and a number of amino acids in human serum. The target analytes, positively charged under acidic electrolyte conditions, were separated with positive separation voltage polarity using 10 mM 4-methylbenzylamine, 4.5 mM citric acid, 25% (v/v) methanol at pH 4.05 as background electrolyte providing optimal separation. When analyzing real samples, however, some peaks were broadened due to essentially destacking conditions. In order to maintain the separation efficiency and also enhance the detection sensitivity, transient isotachophoresis (tITP) sample stacking was applied and yielded theoretical plate numbers in the range from 160,000 (arginine) to 350,000 (creatinine). The limit of detection values with tITP preconcentration were 0.11-0.26 mg L(-1) for metal cations, 1.0 mg L(-1) for creatinine, and 1.3-3.9 mg L(-1) for histidine, lysine, arginine, and ornithine. The method precision for peak areas was from 0.4 to 5.0% relative standard deviation using the matrix sodium as internal standard. The accuracy of the developed tITP-CZE system was verified by consistent results for Li+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and creatinine obtained on analyzing two serum certified reference materials. The only sample preparation required was ultrafiltration and acidification (to release protein-bound alkaline earths), and working ranges for individual analytes corresponded well to clinical concentration ranges.     

Determination of tocopherols in vegetable oils by CEC using methacrylate ester-based monolithic columns

The separation and determination of tocopherols (Ts) in vegetable oils by CEC using methacrylate ester-based monolithic columns has been developed. The effects of pore size of the monolithic columns were studied, and the composition of mobile phase was optimized. The optimal pore size of the monolith was obtained with 12 wt% 1,4-butanediol in the polymerization mixture. Excellent resolution between tocopherols was achieved within 10 min analysis time with a 99:1 v/v MeOH-aqueous buffer containing 5 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane at pH 8.0. The LODs were lower than 2.3 microg/mL, and interday and column-to-column reproducibilities at 25 microg/mL were better than 5.6%. Using a 93:7 v/v MeOH-aqueous buffer, both tocopherols and tocotrienols (T(3)s) of grapeseed and palm oils were resolved. Application to the detection of olive oil adulteration with low-cost edible oils was demonstrated.     

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography for the determination of Viagra and its metabolite (UK-103,320) in human serum

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) was investigated for the determination of Viagra (sildenafil citrate, SC) and its metabolite (UK-103,320) in human serum in a concentration range of clinical interest. For MEKC, human serum samples spiked with SC and UK were obtained directly after elution with methanol from a tC18 cartridge. The extract was evaporated and regenerated in a solution 1 mM of phosphate buffer (pH 12.3) which contained a methanol percentage of 20% that was analyzed using phosphate buffer (pH 12.3, 10 mM) containing 30 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as separation electrolyte and a fused-silica capillary. This method gave satisfactory interday precision with respect to migration times relative standard deviation (RSD < 1%) and linear responses for the concentration ranges investigated (0.50-3.50 mg L(-1) for the compound SC and 0.90-4.60 mg L(-1) for UK). An intraday RSD (n = 5 graphs) between the slopes of the calibration graphs was acceptable (6.40%) for SC and (3.37%) for UK. A satisfactory interday precision between slopes was also obtained (RSD 4.10% for SC and a RSD 2.72% for UK) which demonstrated the ruggedness of this method. Detection limits (S/N = 3) were about 200 ng/mL for both compounds in human serum. MEKC was shown as a good method with regards to simplicity, precision and sensitivity.     

Rapid separation of pharmaceutical enantiomers using electrokinetic chromatography with a novel chiral microemulsion

A novel oil-in-water microemulsion incorporating the chiral surfactant dodecoxycarbonylvaline (DDCV) was used to achieve the rapid enantiomeric separation of pharmaceutical drugs by electrokinetic chromatography (EKC). Incorporation of DDCV into a microemulsion resulted in an elution range more than double that provided the micellar form of the surfactant aggregate. Interestingly, for the same compounds the enantioselectivity provided by the chiral DDCV microemulsions ranged from 1.06-1.30 for the neutral and cationic drugs, which was slightly higher than that provided by chiral DDCV micelles. The use of a low surface tension oil (ethyl acetate) permitted a much lower concentration of chiral surfactant to be employed; this, together with the use of a zwitterionic buffer (ACES) resulted in a very low conductivity microemulsion that allowed a higher separation voltage to be utilized, resulting in rapid enantiomeric separations (< 8 min.). Mobility matching of the buffer cation(s) was used to improve peak shape and efficiencies. In our limited survey of the phase diagram, the optimum composition of the microemulsion buffer was 1.0% (w/v) DDCV (30 mM), 0.5% (v/v) ethyl acetate, 1.2% (v/v) 1-butanol and 50 mM ACES buffer at pH 7.     

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection: a case study of comparison with aqueous media

A novel method based on separation by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) combined with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection was developed and compared with classic aqueous modes of electrophoresis in terms of resolution of solutes of interest and sensitivity of the fluorescence detection. Catecholamines derivatized with 4-chloro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-Cl) were chosen as test analytes for their subtle fluorescence properties. In aqueous systems, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was not suitable for the analysis of test analytes due to complete fluorescence quenching of NBD-labeled catecholamines in neat aqueous buffer. The addition of micelles or microemulsion droplets into aqueous running buffer can dramatically improve the fluorescence response, and the enhancement seems to be comparable for micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) and microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC). As another alternative, NACE separation was advantageous when performing the analysis under the optimum separation condition of 20 mM sodium tetraborate, 20 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.1% (v/v) glacial acetic acid, 20% (v/v) acetonitrile (ACN) in methanol medium after derivatization in ACN/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (3:2, v/v) mixed aprotic solvents containing 20 mM ammonium acetate. Compared with derivatization and separation in aqueous media, NACE-LIF procedure was proved to be superior, providing high sensitivity and short migration time. Under respective optimum conditions, the NACE procedure offered the best fluorescence response with 5-24 folds enhancement for catecholamines compared to aqueous procedures. In addition, the mechanisms of derivatization and separation in nonaqueous media were elucidated in detail.     

Separation of Vitamins Retinol Acetate,Ergocalciferol, or Cholecalciferol and Tocopherol Acetate Using Sequential Injection Chromatography

A novel simple method for separation of vitamins A-acetate (all-trans retinol acetate), D₂ (ergocalciferol), or D₃ (cholecalciferol) and E-acetate (tocopherol acetate) using short monolithic column in the sequential injection chromatography system is described. Separation was carried out using FIAlab® 3000 system under following conditions: Onyx? Monolithic C18 column (25 × 4.6 mm), mobile phase acetonitrile:methanol:H₂O 20:20:1 (v/v/v)), flow rate 0.9 mL min^?1, detection at 265 nm (D), 290 nm (E), and 325 nm (A). The method was validated with respect to peak asymmetry, resolution, number of theoretical plates, repeatability, linearity, precision, and accuracy. Analysis time was 5.5 min.     

Rapid determination of water- and fat-soluble vitamins with microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

A rapid, reliable and reproducible method based on microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) for simultaneous determination of 13 kinds of water- and fat-soluble vitamins has been developed in this work. A novel microemulsion system consisting of 1.2% (w/w) sodium lauryl sulphate (SDS), 21% (v/v) 1-butanol, 18% (v/v) acetonitrile, 0.8% (w/w) n-hexane, 20mM borax buffer (pH 8.7) was applied to improve selectivity and efficiency, as well as shorten analysis time. The composition of microemulsion used as the MEEKC running buffer was investigated thoroughly to obtain stable separation medium, as well as the optimum determination conditions. Acetonitrile as the organic solvent modifier, pH of the running buffer and 1-butanol as the co-surfactant played the most important roles for the separation of the fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins and stabilization of system, respectively. The 13 water- and fat-soluble vitamins were baseline separated within 30 min. The system was applied to determine water- and fat-soluble vitamins in commercial multivitamin pharmaceutical formulation, good accuracy and precision were obtained with recoveries between 97% and 105%, relative standard derivations (RSDs) less than 1.8% except vitamin C, and acceptable quantitative results corresponding to label claim.     

Determination of vitamins A, D and E in a small volume of human plasma by a high-throughput method based on liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

We have developed an automated high-throughput assay for the determination of vitamin A (retinol), ergocalciferol (25-OH D2), cholecalciferol (25-OH D3) and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) in a small volume of human plasma. Sample preparation involved mixing 50 μL of plasma with 100 μL of ethanol containing isotope-labelled internal standards, followed by mixing with isooctane/chloroform (3:1, 300 μL). The organic phase was evaporated, and the sample reconstituted in 50 μL methanol. The analysis was performed using reversed-phase liquid chromatography with a gradient mobile phase containing water, methanol and ammonium formate. Chromatographic run-time was 5 min, and positive mode electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used for detection. The limits of detection were 0.10 μM for all-trans retinol and 3.3 nM for 25-OH D2 and 25-OH D3. Recoveries were 91.9-105.0%, and within- and between-day coefficients of variance (CVs) 2.4-5.3 and 3.1-8.2, respectively. The assay is presently being used in large-scale studies.     

Determination of the epimerization rate constant of amygdalin by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

A new method for separation and determination of amygdalin and its epimer (neoamygdalin) in the epimerization of amygdalin by MEEKC is proposed. For the chiral separation of amygdalin and neoamygdalin, a running buffer composed of 80 mM sodium cholate, 5.0% v/v butan‐1‐ol, 0.5% v/v heptane and 94.5% v/v 30 mM Na₂B₄O₇ buffer (pH 9.00) is proposed. Under optimum conditions, the basic separation of amygdalin and neoamygdalin can be achieved within 7 min. The calibration curve for amygdalin showed excellent linearity in the concentration range of 20–1000 μg/mL with a detection limit of 5.0 μg/mL (S/N=3). The epimerization rate constant of amygdalin in basic microemulsion was first determined by monitoring the concentration changes of amygdalin, and the epimerization rate constant of amygdalin was found to be 2×10^?3 min^?1 at 25°C under the above optimum microemulsion conditions.     

Microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography for the analysis of acrylamide in food

The influence of microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) operating conditions, such as the type of water-immiscible alcohol, aqueous phosphate buffer concentration, pH, as well as the addition of methanol and 2-propanol, on acrylamide migration has been studied. These parameters have been optimized taking into account the presence of matrix signals, in order to avoid the interference of these peaks in acrylamide determination. The best separations were achieved using a microemulsion consisting of 0.8% m/v n-amyl alcohol, 3.3% m/v sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 6.6% m/v 1-butanol, and 89.3% m/v 40 mM phosphate buffer at pH 6.5 working at 15 kV in uncoated silica capillaries. Linear calibration curves over the range studied (1.25-125 microg x mL(-1)), the detection limit (0.70 microg x mL(-1)), and both run-to-run (up to 3.4% for concentration and 1.6% for time values) and day-to-day precision (lower than 11.6% for concentration) have been established. Finally, the applicability of the MEEKC method developed has been demonstrated by analyzing levels of acrylamide present in samples of home-made French fries.     

Separation and determination of flavonoids using microemulsion EKC with electrochemical detection

A selective and sensitive method of microemulsion EKC (MEEKC) with electrochemical detection (ED) was developed for separation and determination of 14 flavonoids. In order to obtain the better stability for the studied flavonoids, oil (ethyl acetate) with low interfacial surface tension was employed as organic solvent. A running buffer composed of 0.9% (w/v, 30 mM) SDS, 0.9% (w/v, 21 mM) sodium cholate (SC), 0.9% (w/v, 121 mM) butan-1-ol, 0.6% (w/v, 68 mM) ethyl acetate, and 98.2% v/v 10 mM Na(2)B(4)O(7)-20 mM H(3)BO(3) buffer (pH 7.5) was applied for the separation of flavonoids. Under the optimum conditions, the relationship between peak currents and analyte concentrations was linear over about 1.3 and 1.7 orders of magnitude with detection limits (defined as S/N = 3) ranging from 0.02 to 0.5 microg/mL for all analytes. This method was applied for the determination of flavonoids in real samples with simple extraction procedures, and the assay results were satisfactory.     

Enhanced analysis of triterpenes, flavonoids and phenolic compounds in Prunella vulgaris L. by capillary zone electrophoresis with the addition of running buffer modifiers

A cyclodextrin-modified capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed for the separation and determination of three isomeric compounds (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and betulinic acid), caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, rutin and quercetin. Without the addition of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and methanol, the separation of these analytes was poorly resolved. These eight compounds, however, were well separated from each other within 20 min with a borax running buffer (40 mM of borax, pH 9.4) containing 2mM beta-CD and 4% (v/v) methanol at the voltage of 25 kV, temperature of 25 degrees C and detection wavelength of 210 nm. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of migration time ranged from 0.16 to 0.74% while those of the peak area ratios ranged from 2.17 to 4.61% for six determinations of the analytes at concentration of 10 and 25 microg mL(-1). The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves of the analytes were all >0.998, and the recoveries were from 96.8 to 103.6%. The method was successfully applied to determine these bioactive components in the samples of Prunella vulgaris L. and its beverage drink products. Our results reveal that only the isomeric compounds and rosmarinic acid could be detected in the spikes of P. vulgaris L.; other components were either too low to be detected or not present while only rosmarinic acid was detected in the beverage products.     

Separation of seven fluoroquinolones by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography and application to ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin determination in urine

A simple, reliable microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) method is developed for the simultaneous separation of seven fluoroquinolones (FQs). The best separation is achieved in a carrier electrolyte containing 1% (v/v) heptane, 100 mmol/L sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 10% (v/v) 1-butanol, and 8 mmol/L phosphate-sodium tetraborate buffer at pH 7.30. The proposed method was directly applied to the determination of ciprofloxacin (CPF) and lomefloxacin (LMF) in urine samples of subjects administered either with CPF or LMF.     

Determination of low molecular weight organic acids in soil,plants, and water by capillary zone electrophoresis

Determination of low molecular weight organic acids in soils and plants by capillary zone electrophoresis was accomplished using a phthalate buffer and indirect UV detection mode. The influence of some crucial parameters, such as pH, buffer concentration and surfactant were investigated. A good separation of seven organic acids was achieved within 5 min using an electrolyte containing 15 mmol L(-1) potassium hydrogen phthalate, 0.5 mmol L(-1) myristyltrimethylammonium bromide (MTAB), and 5% methanol (MeOH) (v/v) at pH 5.60, separation voltage -20 kV, and temperature 25 degrees C. The relative standard deviation (n=5) of the method was found to be in range 0.18-0.56% for migration time and 3.2-4.8% for peak area. The limit of detection ranged between 0.5 micro mol L(-1) to 6 micro mol L(-1) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The recovery of standard organic acids added to real samples ranged from 87 to 119%. This method was simple, rapid and reproducible, and could be applied to the simultaneous determination of organic acids in environmental samples.     

Determination of valproic acid (2-propylpentanoic acid) in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection

A rapid capillary zone electrophoresis method with indirect UV detection was developed and validated for the determination of valproic acid (VPA) in human plasma. The analyses were carried out under optimized conditions, using a buffer system composed of 15 mM benzoate and 0.5 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide at pH 6.0, and 25% v/v methanol; 2-hydroxybutyric acid was selected as the internal standard (IS). The capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation was carried out at a negative potential of 30 kV and the indirect UV detection was operated at 210 +/- 20 nm for all assays. The influence of buffer pH, ionic strength, concentration of electroosmotic flow (EOF) modifier and organic modifier on indirect signal response and migration behavior of the organic acid was investigated. Isolation of VPA from plasma was accomplished by a carefully implemented procedure using methanol as the precipitant agent. Using a high ratio of methanol to plasma for deproteinization (4:1), good absolute recovery of the analyte and satisfactory selectivity was obtained. The calibration line for VPA was linear over the 1-100 microg/mL concentration range. Sensitivity was high; in fact, the limit of detection (LOD) of VPA was 150 ng/mL and 450 ng/mL the limit of quantitation (LOQ). The results obtained analyzing real plasma samples from schizophrenic patients under polytherapy with VPA as well as antipsychotic drugs were satisfactory in terms of precision, accuracy and sensitivity.     

Determination of anthracycline antibiotics doxorubicin and daunorubicin by capillary electrophoresis with UV absorption detection.

Sweeping preconcentration and electrokinetic injection was used for the capillary electrophoretic analysis of trace amounts of biologically active anthracyclines with UV absorption detection. Phosphate buffer (100 mM), pH 2.5, with addition of 40% v/v methanol was used as background electrolyte (BGE). Sodium dodecyl sulfate (150 mM) was added to BGE in the inlet vial as the sweeping agent. The system enables effective separation of anthracyclines as well as cleanup from matrix impurities. Sweeping preconcentration of sample provides an excellent detection limit (1 x 10(-9) mol L(-1)). The method was applied for the determination of therapeutic levels of doxorubicin in real plasma samples.     

Determination of carbonyl compounds in air by electrochromatography

A new analytical procedure based on electrochromatography was developed for the separation and quantitation of 14 aldehydes and ketones (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, acrolein, propionaldehyde, butanone, crotonaldehyde, isobutyraldehyde/butyraldehyde, 2-pentenaldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, valeraldehyde, benzaldehyde and hexanaldehyde) in ambient air currently to be regulated by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. A volatile mobile phase using ammonium acetate compatible with mass spectrometry detection was developed and optimized as follows. Methanol: acetonitrile: aqueous buffer (4 mM ammonium acetate) = 65:5:30% v/v. With electrokinetic injection at 5 kV for 2 s, aqueous buffer pH adjusted to 8, applied voltage controlled at 25 kV, and detection at 360 nm in a fused-silica column packed with 3 microm ODS, a satisfactory separation was obtained for the 14 carbonyl compounds investigated. The working ranges in acetonitrile solution were found to vary from 0.25 to 79 mg/L with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.99, detection limits from 0.10 to 0.63 mg/L, and precision (relative standard deviation, n = 3) from 2.3 to 9.2%. Under an air flow rate of 0.3 L/min for a sampling time of 1 h, the working ranges varied from 0.030 to 11,000 microg/m3 and detection limits from 0.011 to 0.084 microg/ m3. The method has been successfully applied to monitor three carbonyl compounds in four urban and rural sites in Hong Kong and gave hourly readings of three carbonyl compounds for all the sites investigated with a separation time less than 25 min.     

Gentamicin assay in human serum by solid-phase extraction and capillary electrophoresis

We describe the development of a capillary electrophoresis method for the determination of gentamicin C1, C1a, C2a, and C2 components in human serum. Using a weak cation-exchanger with 20 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, 200 mM borate buffer, pH 9.0, and ammonia/methanol, solid-phase extraction (SPE) of gentamicin components from the human sera was performed. The extract was derivatized with 1,2-phthalic dicarboxaldehyde/mercaptoacetic acid reagent. The derivatives were separated with a background electrolyte comprising 60 mM 2-(N-cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid (CHES) buffer at pH 9.5 containing 31.6% m/v methanol, and quantified with UV-light absorption detection at 230 nm. The identity of the gentamicin components was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The SPE recovery of the gentamicin ranged from 78% to 93%. The calibration curves were linear from the concentration limit of quantitation (LOQ) to 30 mg/L for the gentamicin mixture. The LOQ for gentamicin C1 was 0.33 mg/L, for C2a 0.23 mg/L, C2 0.25 mg/L, C1a 0.27 mg/L and the concentration limit of detection (LOD) for C1 was 0.15 mg/L, C2a 0.11 mg/L, C2 0.12 mg/L, C1a 0.13 mg/L. Intra-assay relative standard deviation (RSD) values were for C1 (5%), C1a (7%), C2 (6.5%) and C2a (9%); inter-assay RSD values were for C1 (11%), C1a (13.3%), C2 (15%) and C2a (14%). The Pearson's correlation between capillary electrophoresis and immunoassay revealed a linear relationship between these two techniques with r = 0.9. This method for determination of gentamicin C1, C1a, C2a, and C2 in human serum can thus be used in the entire therapeutic concentrations range of gentamicin.