A simple method to optimize the HSCCC two-phase solvent system by predicting the partition coefficient for target compound

A simple method was developed to optimize the solvent ratio of the two-phase solvent system used in the high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) separation. Some mathematic equations, such as the exponential and the power equations, were established to describe the relationship between the solvent ratio and the partition coefficient. Using this new method, the two-phase solvent system was easily optimized to obtain a proper partition coefficient for the CCC separation of the target compound. Furthermore, this method was satisfactorily applied in determining the two-phase solvent system for the HSCCC preparation of pseudolaric acid B from the Chinese herb Pseudolarix kaempferi Gordon (Pinaceae). The two-phase solvent system of n-hexane/EtOAc/MeOH/H(2)O (5:5:5:5 by volume) was used with a good partition coefficient K = 1.08. As a result, 232.05 mg of pseudolaric acid B was yielded from 0.5 g of the crude extract with a purity of 97.26% by HPLC analysis.     

Preparative isolation and purification of senkyunolide-I, senkyunolide-H and ferulic acid from Rhizoma Chuanxiong using counter-current chromatography

Three active compounds, senkyunolide-I, senkyunolide-H and ferulic acid (FA), were successfully isolated and purified from the extracts of Rhizoma Chuanxiong by counter-current chromatography (CCC). Based on the principle of the partition coefficient values (k) for target compounds and the separation factor (α) between target compounds, the two-phase solvent system that contains n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water at an optimized volume ratio of 3:7:4:6 v/v was selected for the CCC separation, and the lower phase was employed as the mobile phase in the head-to-tail elution mode. In a single run, 400 mg of the crude extract yielded pure senkyunolide-I (6.4 mg), senkyunolide-H (1.7 mg) and FA (4.4 mg) with the purities of 98, 93 and 99%, respectively. The CCC fractions were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the structures of the three active compounds were identified by MS and (1)H NMR.     

Preparative isolation and purification of two benzoxazinoid glucosides from Acanthus ilicifolius L. by high-speed counter-current chromatography

The first preparative separation of two benzoxazinoids, (2R)-2-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (HBOA-Glc) and (2R)-2-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIBOA-Glc), by means of high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) from the n-butanol extract of Acanthus ilicifolius L. is presented. The two-phase solvent system containing ethyl acetate-n-butanol-0.5%NH(4)OH (2:3:5, v/v/v, system B) was selected for the one-step HSCCC separation of HBOA-Glc and DIBOA-Glc according to the partition coefficient values (K) for target compounds and the separation factor (alpha) between the two target compounds. In the one-step HSCCC separation using solvent B, from 100mg n-butanol extract of A. ilicifolius, 6.3 mg HBOA-Glc and 6.8 mg DIBOA-Glc were isolated with purities of 90.3% and 80.2%, respectively. In order to obtain the two target compounds with higher purity, a second separation process was developed comprising two steps. In the two-step separation, the sample was first pre-purified by HSCCC using ethyl acetate-n-butanol-water (2:3:5, v/v/v, system A) solvent system and then purified using solvent system B. A 100-mg amount of the n-butanol extracts of A. ilicifolius was separated to yield 5.8 mg of HBOA-Glc and 4.8 mg of DIBOA-Glc with purities of 97.1% and 94.8%, respectively, which were directly used for NMR analyses.     

Improved spiral tube assembly for high-speed counter-current chromatography

The original spiral tube support (STS) assembly is improved by changing the shape of the tubing, with 1-cm presses perpendicularly along the length. This modification interrupts the laminar flow of the mobile phase. The tubing in the four return grooves to the center of the rotor is flattened by a specially made pressing tool to increase the number of spiral layers and decrease the dead space volume, thus increasing the column efficiency. The performance of this spiral tube assembly was tested in separations of dipeptides and proteins with suitable polar two-phase solvent systems. The results revealed that the present system yields high partition efficiency with a satisfactory level of stationary phase retention in a short elution time. The present high-speed counter-current chromatographic (HSCCC) system will be efficiently applied to a broad spectrum of two-phase solvent systems including aqueous–aqueous polymer phase systems (TPAS) which are used for separation of biopolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids.     

High-speed counter-current chromatography of apple procyanidins

Apple procyanidins were separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography using a type-J multilayer coil planet centrifuge. Several two-phase solvent systems with a wide range of hydrophobicities from a non-polar hexane system to polar n-butanol systems were evaluated their performance in terms of the partition coefficient and the retention of the phase. The best separation of procyanidins B and C was achieved with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-butanol-methyl tert.-butyl ether-acetonitrile-0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (2:4:3:8) using the lower phase as a mobile at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min.     

Separation of WAP-8294A components, a novel anti-methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus antibiotic, using high-speed counter-current chromatography.

The WAP-8294A complex was isolated from the fermentation broth of Lysobacter sp. WAP-8294, whose major component, WAP-8294A2, showed a strong activity against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci in vitro, and also exhibited a potent activity against MRSA in vivo. The previous separation procedure using the conventional chromatographic methods was laborious and time-consuming, and the recovery of the desired compound was often unsatisfactory. In the present study, high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was applied to the separation of the main components of the WAP-8294A complex. Due to the high polarity of the target compounds, we selected a hydrophilic two-phase solvent system composed of n-butanol-ethyl acetate-aqueous 0.005 M trifluoroacetic acid (1.25:3.75:5, v/v/v) which provided a suitable range of partition coefficient values for these compounds. Although the settling time of this solvent system was much longer than the optimum range, suggesting a low retention of the stationary phase under the standard experimental conditions, the separation was successfully performed at the low flow-rate of 0.5 ml/min. A sample size of 25 mg yielded pure fractions of three components (1-6 mg). The identification of each component was carried out by HPLC and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The method will contribute to the clinical development of WAP-8294A2 as an anti-MRSA agent.     

季铵盐表面活性剂引起非水混合溶剂的分相

当季铵盐表面活性剂在极性溶剂中具有合适溶解度时, 它可使该极性溶剂与另一种非极性溶剂形成的混合溶剂自发分相, 形成稳定的两相界面. 借鉴表面活性剂双水相现象的概念, 这种现象被称为表面活性剂非水双相(NSTP), 也可简称为双油相. 产生此种现象的原因被归结为季铵盐表面活性剂在极性溶剂中达到合适的溶解度时, 从而逐出与之不亲合的非极性溶剂.     

Development and evaluation of a spiral tube column for counter-current chromatography

An improved type-J counter-current chromatography (CCC) planet centrifuge with two spiral tube columns (volume 2×15 mL, β value 0.3-0.7, tubing 0.8 mm id) was developed and evaluated for its retention ability of four typical different solvent systems including heptane-methanol (1:1, v/v) (A), hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (1:1:1:1, v/v) (B), n-butanol-acetic acid-water (4:1:5, v/v) (C), PEG1000-K(2)HPO(4)-water (12.5:12.5:75, w/w) (D) under eight different operation modes. The results indicated that the spiral tube column could significantly increase the retention of four typical solvent systems compared with a traditional multilayer coil column with similar parameters (volume 35 mL, β value 0.3-0.7, tubing 0.8 mm id). The retention of stationary phase (S(f)) for the less polar system (A) and moderately polar solvent system (B) can be increased by about 10%, and for the polar system (C) and aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) (D) by 30-40%. The preliminary applications of this spiral tube column to the separation of small molecular compounds such as moderately polar theaflavins, polar anthocyanins and dipeptides were successful. Acceptable resolution can be obtained between cytochrome c and myoglobin, lysozyme and myoglobin when it was applied on protein separation; however, it still needs to be improved with regard to its column efficiency.     

Application of centrifugal counter-current chromatography to the separation of macrolide antibiotic analogues. I. Selection of solvent systems based on solubility and partition coefficient investigations

As the first part of our studies on counter-current chromatography, the methodology for selecting suitable solvent systems was established based on detailed investigations of solubility and partition coefficients (log K) of macrolide antibiotic analogues. The solubility of two important macrolides, ascomycin and FK-506, was measured in a series of common solvents, where their polarities were ranked with dielectric constants. The partition coefficients of the two macrolides were compared in various binary, ternary, quaternary solvent systems. Hexane-tert.-butyl methyl ether-methanol-water system was selected based on suitable log K of solutes and hydrogen-bonding properties of solvents. In the further optimisation of composition proportions in the multicomponent solvent system, hexane-tert.-butyl methyl ether-methanol-water (1:3:6:5) showed the best solvent selectivity by giving the most prominent difference of partition coefficient (delta log K) between ascomycin and FK-506. With this solvent system, a baseline preparative separation of these two very closely related 23-membered macrolide antibiotics was successfully achieved by employing the newly introduced Quattro counter-current chromatograph.     

Purification by centrifugal partition chromatography of amphiphilic compounds, glycolipids and pseudo-glycolipids synthesized by using cells

Centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) was applied to separate amphiphilic glycolipids and pseudo-glycolipids synthesized by using cells. Neutral and acidic lipid fractions were isolated by CPC under suitable conditions respectively. Separation of neutral lipid, Gb3-type and Gb4-type oligosaccharide synthesized by using cells, was performed with a two-phase solvent system composed of chloroform-methanol-water at a volume ratio of 5:6:4. On the other hand, separation of acidic lipid, GM3-type oligosaccharide synthesized by using cells, and ganglioside extracted from rat brain were performed with a two-phase solvent system composed of butanol-ethanol-1% acetic acid at a volume ratio of 4:1:5. 8.3mg of Gb3 analogue, 5.1mg of Gb4 analogue, and 19.5mg of GM3 analogue were purified from 3.2l of culture medium obtained by incubation of African green-monkey kidney (Vero) cells with 50 microM n-dodecyl beta-lactoside using CPC.     

Separation and isolation of major polyphenols from maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) knots by two‐step centrifugal partition chromatography monitored by LC‐MS and NMR spectroscopy

Pine knots are a rich source of lignans, flavonoids, and stilbenes. These bioactive compounds are widely known for their roles to combat human disorders but also to protect plants against pathogens. In order to gain knowledge inside their potential activities, a suitable isolation and purification of these high‐added value compounds is required. To this end, centrifugal partition chromatography, as a rapid and useful methodology of separation, was employed and developed. The coefficient partition values (K_D) of six major compounds in nine biphasic solvent systems were determined to evaluate the most appropriate system. Two‐step centrifugal partition chromatography was required to separate lignans using ARIZONA system K (n‐heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water 1:2:1:2, v:v) and to isolate stilbenes and flavonoids using ARIZONA system P (n‐heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water 6:5:6:5, v:v). Eight one‐compound enriched‐fractions were obtained as follows: nortrachelogenin (70.1%), secoisolariciresinol (53.7%), isolariciresinol (61.1%), taxifolin (48.4%), pinocembrin (91.3%), pinobanksin (91.1%), pinosylvin (91.4%), and pinosylvin monomethyl ether (91.1%). Additionally, the centrifugal partition chromatography allowed to unravel the composition of pine knot owing to the several fractions generated. Twenty‐two compounds were characterized by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy, some of which are described for the first time in literature.     

Multi-stage mixer-settler planet centrifuge. Preliminary studies on partition of macromolecules with organic-aqueous and aqueous-aqueous two-phase solvent systems

A rotary-seal-free planetary centrifuge holds a separation column which consists of multiple partition units (ca. 200) connected in series with transfer tubes. In the cavity of each partition unit the transfer tube extends to form a mixer which vibrates to stir the contents under an oscillating force field generated by the planetary motion of the centrifuge. Consequently, solutes locally introduced at the inlet of the column are subjected to an efficient partition process in each partition unit and separated according to their partition coefficients. The mixer tube equipped with a flexible silicone rubber joint was found to produce excellent results for partition with viscous polymer phase systems. The capability of the method was demonstrated on separation of cytochrome c and lysozyme using a PEG-aqueous dibasic potassium phosphate-aqueous two-phase solvent system.     

Evaluation of a reversed-phase column (supelcosil LC-ABZ) under isocratic and gradient elution conditions for estimating octanol-water partition coefficients

The solvation parameter model is used to identify suitable chromatographic models for estimating the octanol-water partition coefficient for neutral compounds of varied structure by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The stationary phase Supelcosil LC-ABZ with methanol-water mobile phases affords a series of suitable correlation models for estimating the octanol-water partition coefficient (log KOW) under isocratic and gradient elution conditions. Isocratic separations with mobile phase compositions containing from about 25 to 40% (v/v) methanol provide the most accurate results for log KOW values in the range -0.1 to 4.0. Gradient separations programmed from 5 to 100% (v/v) methanol are suitable for faster separations of compounds with large log KOW values. The standard error in the estimate for the regression models of the predicted log KOW values against literature values are 0.135 log units for the 30% (v/v) methanol-water isocratic system and 0.263 log units for the methanol-water gradient system. Isocratic retention factors predicted from two gradient separations with gradient times of 15 and 45 min afford a poorer fit for the correlation models between log KOW and the estimated retention factors than that of either the above isocratic and gradient models. Plots of the retention factor (log k) as a function of mobile phase composition are generally non-linear. Values of log kw obtained by non-linear extrapolation to a volume fraction of 0% (v/v) methanol do not afford a useful model for estimating log KOW.     

Universal model based on the mobile order and disorder theory for predicting lipophilicity and partition coefficients in all mutually immiscible two-phase liquid systems

The quantitative thermodynamic development of the mobile order and disorder theory in H-bonded liquids has been extended in order to predict partition coefficients. The model enables "a priori" estimation of the partition coefficient (log P) of neutral solutes, not only in the conventional 1-octanol/water reference but also in all mutually saturated two-phase systems made up of largely immiscible solvents. The model is obtained from the thermodynamic treatment of the various physicochemical free energy processes encoded in the overall distribution process and accordingly provides a useful tool for better understanding both the origin and the factors, such as the solute molar volume, that determine the partition coefficient of nonelectrolytes in a given system. From the comparison of the relative magnitude of the processes contributing to the log P value, a lot of information can also be gained regarding the variation in log P of the same substance partitioned between different solvent systems. As a demonstration, the model has been successfully applied to predict the log P of a great number of chemicals of varying structure, size, and chemical nature partitioned in a large set of essentially immiscible solvent pairs, differing either by their nonpolar or by their polar phase. In the systems involving water as the polar phase, the hydrophobic effect is always the driving force that governs the distribution process irrespective of the interacting or noninteracting nature of the substances studied. In the other two-phase systems, the partitioning of complexing solutes in particular appears to be ruled rather by their hydrogen-bonding capabilities than by their hydrophobicities.     

Separation of Alkaloids from Datura Metel. and Sophora Flavescens Ait by High-Speed Countercurrent Chromatography

Abstract

High-speed countercurrent chromatography was successfully applied to the separation of alkaloids from two medicinal herbs. Matrine and oxymatrine were isolated from the root of Sophora flavescens Ait with a two-phase solvent system composed of chloroform-0.07 M sodium phosphate (pH 6.4), while atropine and scopolamine were purified from the flowers of Datura mete L. with a similar solvent system by modifying the phosphate buffer pH at 6.5. Identification of each alkaloid was made by either TLC or paper partition chromatography using authentic pure compounds.     

Evaluation on the performance of four different column models mounted on the compact type-I coil planet centrifuge

Optimal positions of coiled separation columns on the type-I centrifuge were determined for four typical two-phase solvent systems to obtain the best separation efficiency (resolution and retention of stationary phase) for each with a suitable set of test samples. A set of short coiled columns is connected in series and mounted around the holder hub in four different ways: (model A) the tail of one unit with left-handedness was connected to the head of the next unit with right-handedness (TL-HR); (model B) the tail of one unit with left-handedness was connected to the tail of the next unit with right-handedness (TL-TR); (model C) the tail of one unit with left-handedness was connected to the tail of the next unit with left-handedness (TL-TL); (model D) the tail of one unit with left-handedness was connected to the head of the next unit with left-handedness (TL-HL). The results indicated that the performance of model D was the best among the four models. High revolution speed (800 rpm) is favorable to separation using the moderately hydrophobic solvent system of hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-0.1M HCl (1:1:1:1, v/v) (HEMW), while lower revolution speed (600 rpm) is beneficial to the separation with polar solvent system of 1-butanol-acetic acid-water (19:1:20, v/v) (BAW).