Retention Behavior of Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs on the Chromolith Performance RP 18 Column. Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Mexiletine Hydrochloride

The retention behavior in liquid chromatography of a series of anti-arrhythmic drugs is described. Chromatographic analysis was performed on a Chromolith Performance ODS column with acetonitrile–phosphate buffer mixtures as mobile phases. The effects of the proportion of organic solvent (from 20 to 90%), phosphate buffer pH (from 2.73 to 7.5), flow rate (from 1 to 6 mL min^–1), and isocratic or gradient elution on the retention of the compounds was studied. Mexiletine hydrochloride was determined in the pure substance and in capsules by isocratic liquid chromatography with 20:80 (v/v) acetonitrile–0.007 M phosphate buffer, pH 3.0, as mobile phase at 2 mL min^–1. Methanol was found to be a suitable solvent for extraction of the active substance from capsules. The calibration plot was linear (r=0.9999) in the concentration range 1.0 to 6.0 g mL^–1. The proposed method is selective, precise (RSD=0.37%), and accurate (recovery=100.08%).Revised: 28 January and 2 March 2004     

Simultaneous determination of lomefloxacin,fenbufen and felbinac in human plasma using high performance liquid chromatography

Summary A simple, specific, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for simultaneous determination of the lomefloxacin, febufen, and felbinac in human plasma. Plasma-spiked with internal standard, was vortex-mixed for 1 min with a mixture of dichloromethane-diethylether (80:20, v/v). The evaporated extract was dissolved in 0.02 M NaOH. The extracts were chromatographed on an Supelcosil LCSAX column (5 m 250×4.6 mm I.D.) equipped with a guard column with a mibile phase composed of acetonitrile and phosphate buffer, with ultraviolet detection. Drugs were resolved at ambient temperature on a flow rate was 1.2 mL min^–1, and monitoring was performed at 280 nm. The detection limits for lomefloxacin was 0.05 g mL^–1, 0.02 g mL^–1 for fenbufen and 0.03 g mL^–1 for felbinac. No interference from other commonly administered drugs or endogenous substances was observed. The method is fast since it involves two extraction steps followed by evaporation of organic solvent and chromatography of the residue. This method was found to be applicable to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of each drug after the concomitant administration of lomefloxacin and febufen.     

Rapid analysis of pyrethroids in whole urine by high-performance liquid chromatography using a monolithic column and off-line preconcentration in a restricted access material cartridge

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using a monolithic column with UV detection at 238 nm was developed for the determination of fenpropathrin, betacyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and permethrin (cis and trans isomers) in whole urine. The method is based on the use of a monolithic chromatographic column and a restricted access material (RAM) cartridge for sample preparation. The mobile phase was water/acetonitrile (42:58 v/v), the flow rate was 3 mL min^–1, and chromatographic separation was carried out in 10 min. The separation of cis and trans isomers of permethrin was also possible under the above-mentioned conditions. Detection limits in reconstituted whole urine samples were between 0.9 g L^–1 for betacyfluthrin and 4.4 g L^–1 for fenpropathrin and trans-permethrin. Recoveries for urine samples spiked with different amounts of pyrethroids (between 19 g L^–1 and 75 g L^–1) were in the 70±6 to 90±7% range.     

LC Method for the Determination of Multiple Components in a Compound Cold Formulation

An isocratic liquid chromatographic method for determination of acetaminophen (AMP), caffeine (CAF), chlorphenamine maleate (CPM) and guaiacol glyceryl ether (GGE) in a compound cold formulation is described. Separation and quantitation were achieved on a Diamonsil C18 column using a binary mixture of methanol and 1.5% aqueous acetic acid (55: 45, v/v, pH 3.6) as mobile phase delivered at 0.4 mL min^–1. Single wavelength detection was at 220 nm for all four drugs and the run time was < 10 min. The linearity, accuracy and precision of the method were found to be acceptable over the concentration ranges: 16.0–127.8 g mL^–1 for AMP, 6.0–48.2 g mL^–1 for CAF, 5.0–40.0 g mL^–1 for CPM and 10.1–80.6 g mL^–1 for GGE.     

Time-based on-line preconcentration cold vapour generation procedure for ultra-trace mercury determination with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A time-based sequential dispensing on-line column preconcentration procedure for mercury determination at trace levels by cold vapour generation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (CV-ICP-AES), by means of a unified module of a preconcentration column and a gas–liquid separator (PCGLS) is described. The complex of mercury formed on-line with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) is retained on the surface of the hydrophobic poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) turnings, which are packed into the lower compartment of the PCGLS. Subsequently, mercury vapour is generated directly on the PTFE turnings by reductant SnCl₂ and separated from the liquid mixture via the PCGLS by argon purge gas. The outlet of the PCGLS is connected directly to the torch adapter of the plasma without the normal spray chamber and nebulizer. With 60-s preconcentration time and 12.0 mL min^–1 sample flow rate, the sampling frequency is 30 h^–1. The calibration curve is linear over the concentration range 0.02–5.0 g L^–1, the detection limit (c_L) is 0.01 g L^–1 and the relative standard deviation (s_r) is 3.1% at the 1.0 g L^–1 level. The proposed method was evaluated by analysis of BCR CRM 278 (Mytilus Edulis) reference material and applied to the determination of total mercury in digested urine, blood and hair samples.     

Determination of Tandospirone and its Impurities in Drug Formulations by LC-UV and LC-MS

This work describes the determination of tandospirone in bulk drug substance and formulated products by a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method with UV detection. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C₁₈ column with a mobile phase of a binary mixture of methanol and water (70:30, v/v) delivered at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min^–1 and detection was performed at 243 nm. The proposed LC method is selective, precise and accurate for the determination of tandospirone in the presence of its manufacturing impurities with a limit of quantitation of 0.54 g mL^–1. A preliminary study for the identification of the major manufacturing impurities was made by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization source operated in a positive ion mode.     

2,3-Dihydroxypyridine-loaded cellulose: a new macromolecular chelator for metal enrichment prior to their determination by atomic absorption spectrometry

New macromolecular chelators have been synthesized, by loading 2,3-dihydroxypyridine (DHP) on cellulose via linkers -NH-CH₂-CH₂-NH-SO₂-C₆H₄-N=N- and -SO₂-C₆H₄-N=N-, and characterized by elemental analysis, TGA, IR, and CPMAS ¹³C NMR spectra. The cellulose with DHP anchored by the shorter linker had better sorption capacity (between 69.7 and 431.1 mol g^–1) for Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Fe(III)) than the other (51.9–378.1 mol g^–1); the former was therefore studied in detail as a solid extractant for these metal ions. The optimum pH ranges for quantitative sorption (recovery 97.6–99.8%) on this matrix were: 7.0–9.0, 6.0–9.0, 3.0–8.0, 6.0–8.0, 6.0–9.0, 6.0–7.0, and 2.0–6.0 respectively. Desorption was quantitative with 0.5 mol L^–1 HCl and 0.5 mol L^–1 HNO₃ (for Pb). Simultaneous sorption (at pH 7.0) of all metal ions other than Fe(III) was possible if their total concentration did not exceed the sorption capacity (lowest value). The recovery of seven metal ions from their mixture at pH 6.0 was nearly quantitative when the concentration level of each metal ion was 0.2 g mL^–1. The optimum flow rate of metal ion solutions for quantitative sorption of metal onto a column packed with DHP-modified cellulose was 2–7 mL min^–1, whereas for desorption the optimum flow rate for the acid solution was 2–4 mL min^–1. The time needed to reach 50% of the total loading capacity (t_1/2) was <5 min for all the metal ions except Ni and Pb. The limit of detection (blank+3s) was from 0.70 to 4.75 g L^–1 and the limit of quantification (blank+10s) was between 0.79 and 4.86 g L^–1. The tolerance limits for NaCl, NaBr, NaI, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄, Na₃PO_4, humic acid, EDTA, Ca(II), and Mg(II) for sorption of all metal ions are reported. The column packed with DHP-anchored cellulose can be reused at least 20 times for enrichment of metal ions in water sample. It has been used to enrich all the metal ions in pharmaceutical and water samples before their determination by flame AAS. RSD for these determinations was between 1.1 and 6.9%.     

Determination of the Enantiomers of Tamsulosin Hydrochloride and its Synthetic Intermediates by Chiral Liquid Chromatography

A chiral liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of the enantiomers of tamsulosin hydrochloride and its synthetic intermediates. Enantioseparation was achieved on a Chiralcel OD-R column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 10 m) using a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of 0.5 mol L^–1 sodium perchlorate and acetonitrile (80:20, v/v, pH 4.0). The flow rate was 0.4 mL min^–1 and detection was at 223 nm. Excellent enantiomer separations were achieved for tamsulosin hydrochloride and its synthetic intermediates. No other methods are available for the separation of these enantiomers. The method developed in this study has been successfully applied for purity control.     

Indirect flame atomic absorption detection for the liquid chromatographic separation of alkaline metals

Alkaline metals and ammonium ion are separated by cationic exchange liquid chromatography using a 60 g ml^–1 aqueous copper solution as the mobile phase at 1.5 ml min^–1. Detection is carried out by measuring copper with an atomic absorption spectrometer directly interfaced to the chromatograph. A simple T-piece is used to compensate the difference between the nebulizer uptake rate and the chromatographic flow-rate with air. The method is applicable to the analysis of alkaline metals and ammonium in waters. Average recovery (n = 16) was 100.3 ± 4.0%.     

Microdialysis sampling and high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection for in-vivo on-line determination and study of the pharmacokinetics of levodopa in blood

A simple, reliable, and reproducible method for in-vivo on-line separation and determination of levodopa has been based on microdialysis then high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection. The perfusate is perfused at a flow rate of 5 L min^–1. The concentration of levodopa in the dialysate is determined on line with a chemiluminescence system. The dialysate sample volume is approximately 20 L. The response of the system is linearly related to the concentration of levodopa in the range 1×10^–8 to 1×10^–6 g mL^–1 (r²=0.9995) with a detection limit (3) of 3×10^–9 g mL^–1 and sample throughput of 12 h^–1; RSD is 2.8% (n=11). The method has been successfully used to study the pharmacokinetics of levodopa in vivo; the values of the pharmacokinetics parameters C_max, AUC_0–t and T_max were 16.60, 20.92 ng mL^–1, and 90 min, respectively.     

Gas chromatographic determination of residual hydrazine and morpholine in boiler feed water and steam condensates

Summary Hydrazine, an oxygen scavenger in boiler water, was derivatised to the corresponding acetone azine and determined at the ng ml^–1 level by gas chromatography. Morpholine, a corrosion inhibitor used in steam boilers, was estimated either directly (if >2.0 g ml^–1) or by quantitative preconcentration (0.1 ng – 2.0 g ml^–1). To obtain symmetrical peaks for these amines, the column packing was coated with KOH. Use of a nitrogen-specific detector improved accuracy of estimation of hydrazine and morpholine, giving a RSD of 1.9–3.6%. Chromatographic analysis of these amines in boiler feed water and steam condensate samples collected from boilers servicing a petroleum refinery is described. Environmental safety regulations calls for monitoring of hydrazine and the methods developed can easily be adapted for this purpose.     

Determination of Triphenyltin and Its Metabolite Diphenyltin in Culture Medium by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with UV detection

A method for the determination of triphenyltin and diphenyltin was developed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Triphenyltin and diphenyltin were separated using a reversed-phase Symmetry C₁₈ column (150 × 3.9 mm, 5 m) with tetrahydrofuran-water-acetonitrile-glacial acetic acid (13:25:5:7, v/v) containing 0.05% triethylamine and 1.0% sodium acetate as mobile phase at 0.50 mL min^–1 and detection at 257 nm. The calibration curves were linear from 0.26 mol L^–1 to 1100 mol L^–1 for triphenyltin with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999 (n=12) and from 0.60 mol L^–1 to 1200 mol L^–1 for diphenyltin with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991 (n=12), respectively. The detection limits of triphenyltin and diphenyltin were 0.2 mol L^–1 and 0.4 mol L^–1, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of triphenyltin and its metabolite diphenyltin in culture medium. The recoveries of triphenyltin and diphenyltin were in the ranges of 97.7% to 103.3% and 85.5% to 91.6%, respectively.     

Determination of Lercanidipine Hydrochloride and Its Impurities in Tablets

The reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed for determination of lercanidipine hydrochloride and its synthetic impurities, degradation and oxidative products in Carmen^® tablets. The best separation was performed on Zorbax SB C18 column, 250 x 4.6 mm, particle size 5 m. Acetonitrile-water-triethylamine 55:44.8:0.2 (v/v/v) was used as a mobile phase with flow rate 1 mL min^–1. pH was adjusted to 3.0 with orthophosphoric acid. UV detection was performed at 240 nm. Duration of chromatographic run was about 12 min for six examined compounds. The chromatographic conditions for the determination of lercanidipine hydrochloride and its related substances were the same, but the concentration of lercanidipine hydrochloride was 0.03 mg mL^–1 for assay and 0.3 mg mL^–1 for related substances. The validation of the method performance characteristics (figures of merits, quality of parameters) was established to be adequate for the intended use. The evaluation of number of parameters, such as selectivity, linearity, accuracy, specificity, precision (repetability and reproducibility), sensitivity and detection and determination limits is entailed.Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Institute of Pharmacy of Serbia, Belgrade and by the Ministry for Science, Technology and Development of Serbia, Contact: 1458     

Automated analysis of terbutaline (BricanylR) in human plasma with liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection using column-switching (multidimensional chromatography)

Summary An automated method based on liquid chromatography has been developed for the determination of terbutaline in human plasma in the range of 5–50 pmole·ml^–1. The necessary sensitivity and selectivity was obtained by using electrochemical detection and a microprocessor-controlled column switching system. A combination of three columns was used: a C₈ type for pre-separation, a C₁₈ type for trapping and, for final separation, a strongly acidic ion exchanger. The accuracy of the method was examined by comparison with a method based on gas chromatography — mass spectrometry. The overall precision was ±3.5% and ±2.2% respectively at 5 and 50 pmole·ml^–1. The total absolute recovery for terbutaline and internal standard at the above concentration levels were in the range 85–106%.Presented at the 14th International Symposium on Chromatography London, September, 1982     

Sensitive Determination of Felodipine in Human and Dog Plasma by Use of Liquid–Liquid Extraction and LC–ESI–MS–MS

Summary A sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic method coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS–MS) has been developed for quantification of felodipine in human and dog plasma. Compounds were separated on a 2.0 mm × 150 mm, 5.0 m particle, C₈ column with 1 m m ammonium acetate–acetonitrile, 20:80, pH 6.0, as mobile phase at a flow rate of 200 L min^–1. Nifedipine was used as internal standard. Plasma samples were extracted with diethyl ether, the centrifuged upper layer was evaporated, the residue was reconstituted with mobile phase, and the reconstituted samples were injected. The analytical column lasted for at least 1000 injections. By use of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode in MS–MS felodipine and nifedipine were detected without severe interference from the human or dog plasma matrix. Felodipine produced a protonated precursor ion ([M + H]⁺) at m/z 384 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 338. And internal standard (nifedipine) produced a protonated precursor ion ([M + H]⁺) at m/z 347 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 315. Detection of felodipine in human and dog plasma was accurate and precise, with a limit of quantification of 0.05 ng mL^–1. The method has been successfully applied to preliminary pharmacokinetic study of felodipine in human and dog plasma.     

High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Cinnarizine in Workplace Air

Summary Cinnarizine is a pharmaceutical drug used in the treatment of cerebral and peripheral vascular diseases. A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection has been developed for determination of the drug in workplace air. Air sampling in the workplace is performed on perchlorovinyl filters (FPP), the filters are extracted with methanol for 40 min, and the extract (50 L) is injected and separated on a 250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 m particle, C₈ reversed-phase column with 1% ammonium acetate (pH 4.5)–acetonitrile, 1:4 (v/v), as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL min^–1.     

Development and validation of a novel HPLC/ELSD method for the direct determination of tobramycin in pharmaceuticals,plasma, and urine

A novel method for the direct determination of the aminoglycoside tobramycin was developed and validated based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). Using a Waters ODS-2 C18 Spherisorb column with an evaporation temperature of 45°C and nitrogen pressure of 3.5 bar, the selected mobile phase consisted of water/acetonitrile 55:45 containing 1.5 mL L^–1 HFBA (11.6 mM) in an isocratic mode at a rate of 1.0 mL min^–1. Tobramycins retention time was 4.3 min with an asymmetry factor of 1.7. A logarithmic calibration curve was obtained from 1 to 38 g mL^–1 (r > 0.9998). LOD was 0.3 g mL^–1; within-day %RSD was 1.0 (n = 3, 4.7 g mL^–1) and between-day %RSD was 1.1 (3 days within a week). The developed method was applied to the determination of tobramycin in a pharmaceutical crude substance and formulations (eye drops and ointments). Dilution experiments revealed the absence of interference from excipients (no constant and proportional errors); recovery from spiked samples was 99–103% with %RSD < 2.2 (n = 3×3). The developed HPLC/ELSD method was also found to be applicable in the determination of tobramycin in human plasma (0.6–12.5 g mL^–1) and urine (1.5–12.5 g mL^–1) after solid-phase extraction using carboxylate cartridges followed by solvent evaporation (×2 preconcentration). A mean recovery of 86% for plasma and 91% for urine was obtained.     

RP-HPLC Determination of Famotidine and its Potential Impurities in Pharmaceuticals

A simple, sensitive, and rapid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for determination of famotidine (FMT) and its impurities in pharmaceutical formulations. Separations were performed on a Supelcosil LC18 column with an isocratic mobile phase—13:87 (v/v) acetonitrile–0.1 M dihydrogen phosphate buffer containing 0.2% triethylamine (pH 3.0). The mobile phase flow rate was 1 mL min^–1 and the detection wavelength was 265 nm. Response was linearly dependent on concentration between 1 and 80 g mL^–1 (regression coefficient, R², from 0.9981 to 0.9999). RSD from determination of method repeatability (intraday) and reproducibility (interday) were <2% (n=6). Lowest detectable concentrations ranged from 0.08 to 0.14 g mL^–1. The proposed liquid chromatographic method can be satisfactorily used for routine quality control of famotidine in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Ion chromatographic determination of iodide in urine and serum using a tubular ion-selective electrode based on a homogeneous crystalline membrane

The use of a laboratory-made iodide ion-selective electrode with tubular configuration and based on a crystalline membrane (AgI/Ag₂S) as the detector for ion chromatographic determination of iodide in urine and serum is described. A CIS reversed-phase column was coated withN-cetylpyridinium chloride to prepare a low-exchange-capacity analytical column and with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide to prepare a concentrator pre-column. A 2.0 ml min^–1 flow rate of deionized water and 0.1 mol 1^–1 KNO₃ solution was used for the pre-concentration and for the chromatographic separation, respectively. For optimum performance of the detector a background level of iodide was added into the column effluent. A linear relationship (r = 0.9997) between tubular electrode potential (as peak height) and iodide concentration in the range 5–400 g 1^–1 and a detection limit of 1.47 g 1^–1 were obtained. The method shows good reproducibility for both peak height (2.2% RSD) and retention time (1.3% RSD). Recoveries on its application to the samples were 93.0–100.9% for urine and 91.4–106.0% for serum.     

A comparative test of differential scanning calorimeters

The Dutch Society for Thermal Analysis has developed tests to measure the resolution and the sensitivity of Differential Scanning Calorimeters. For this test the substance 4,4-azoxyanisole is used. This substance shows two transitions: a solid to liquid crystal transition at about 117°C (H120 J g^–1) and a liquid crystal to isotropic liquid transition at about 134°C (H2 J g^–1). The resolution test is performed using an amount of 5 mg substance and a high heating rate of 20°C min^–1. The resolution is evaluated by measuring how well the two peaks are separated. An amount of 0.25 mg substance and a low heating rate of 0.1 °C min^–1 is used for the sensitivity test. The sensitivity is evaluated as the ratio of the peak height of the LC-transition and the top-top noise level.Members of the TAWN were asked to participate in the test. Each participant was provided with an amount of sample and a test procedure. 47 Contributions were received and these results are presented.All members of the TAWN who participated in the tests are thanked for their contributions.