Application of Experimental Design Methodologies in the Enantioseparation of Pharmaceuticals by Capillary Electrophoresis: A Review

Chirality is one of the major issues in pharmaceutical research and industry. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is an interesting alternative to the more frequently used chromatographic techniques in the enantioseparation of pharmaceuticals, and is used for the determination of enantiomeric ratio, enantiomeric purity, and in pharmacokinetic studies. Traditionally, optimization of CE methods is performed using a univariate one factor at a time (OFAT) approach; however, this strategy does not allow for the evaluation of interactions between experimental factors, which may result in ineffective method development and optimization. In the last two decades, Design of Experiments (DoE) has been frequently employed to better understand the multidimensional effects and interactions of the input factors on the output responses of analytical CE methods. DoE can be divided into two types: screening and optimization designs. Furthermore, using Quality by Design (QbD) methodology to develop CE-based enantioselective techniques is becoming increasingly popular. The review presents the current use of DoE methodologies in CE-based enantioresolution method development and provides an overview of DoE applications in the optimization and validation of CE enantioselective procedures in the last 25 years. Moreover, a critical perspective on how different DoE strategies can aid in the optimization of enantioseparation procedures is presented.     

Strategy for developing and optimizing liquid chromatography methods in pharmaceutical development using computer-assisted screening and Plackett-Burman experimental design

We describe a three-step method development/optimization strategy for HPLC assay/impurity methods for pharmaceuticals, which include multiple-column/mobile phase screening using a system equipped with a column-switching device, further optimization of separation by using multiple organic modifiers in the mobile phase, and multiple-factor method optimization using Plackett-Burman experimental designs. In the first two steps, commercially available chromatography optimization software, DryLab, was used to perform computer simulations. This allows the method developer to evaluate each condition (one column/mobile phase combination) with retention data from two scouting gradient runs. This approach significantly reduces the number of runs in method development. After a satisfactory separation was obtained, we used a method optimization step with Plackett-Burman experimental designs. The purpose of the 16-injection set experiments was to evaluate nine method factors with regard to method precision, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The results provided logical justifications in selecting method parameters such as column temperature, detection wavelength, injection volume, and sample solvent, etc. In data analysis, instead of the traditional mathematical manipulations, we used the graphical methods to examine and present data by creating the so-called main effect plots. Because replicates of design points were not run, the data did not allow the testing of statistical significance. However, it provided visual presentations in a way that is easy to understand for the method developer and end user alike.     

Optimization of Mobile Phase Composition in Liquid Chromatography—A Survey of Most Commonly Used Chemometric Procedures

Abstract

Chemometrics offers techniques to reduce the number of experiments necessary for obtaining reliable predictions about the optimum conditions for liquid chromatographic separations. This article describes the different chemometric procedures that are currently used for mobile phase optimization. These procedures can be divided in three stages: the selection of the optimization criteria, the choise of the experimental set-up (design) and the evaluation and interpretation of the results. The optimization criteria usually involve resolution (either expressed as α, Rs or P), often analysis time and sometimes column length. The experimental set-up can be either sequential (e.g. simplex algorithm) or simultaneous (e.g. factorial designs). Data can be evaluated either graphically or by mathematical methods. The applicability of the different methods in general and for specific problems is discussed, using examples from the literature.     

Optimization of solid-phase extraction using artificial neural networks in combination with experimental design for determination of resveratrol by capillary zone electrophoresis in wines

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is often used for preconcentration of analytes from biological samples. Such an analytical step requires optimization for obtaining reliable results. Optimization in analytical chemistry is traditionally still often done with relaxation method, when an optimal value of a single variable is searched for (single variable approach (SVA)). However, if the optimized procedure is complex, there is a danger not to find the real optimum by SVA. Therefore, more advanced optimization approaches should be applied-multivariable approach (MVA). Applying MVA optimization and finding the real optimum, better experimental conditions are obtained and thus, time, chemicals and analytical procedure cost can be served. Nowadays, using artificial neural networks (ANN's) in combination with MVA is rapidly expanding. In this work, the optimization of SPE using relaxation method (SVA) and optimization by ANN's in combination with experimental design (MVA) are compared and latter approach is practically illustrated. Advantages of MVA over SVA for optimization are discussed. The prediction of the optimal SPE conditions for determination cis- and trans-resveratrol in Australian wines by capillary zone electrophoresis is described and the improvement of efficiency of SPE using MVA is confirmed.     

Enantiomeric quality control of antihistamines in pharmaceuticals by affinity electrokinetic chromatography with human serum albumin as chiral selector

The present paper deals with the enantiomeric separation of six antihistaminic enantiomers by affinity electrokinetic chromatography (AEKC)-partial filling technique using human serum albumin (HSA) as chiral selector. A multivariate optimization approach of the most critical experimental variables in enantioresolution, running pH, HSA concentration and HSA plug length (SPL) was carried out since there are interactions between variables that could not be considered in an univariate optimization. The estimated and experimental resolution values obtained for antihistaminic enantiomers varied from 1.13 (for orphenadrine) to 2.15 (for brompheniramine). The optimum experimental conditions for enantioresolution of each compound were: brompheniramine, pH 8.5, [HSA] 180 μM, SPL 180 s; chlorcyclizine, pH 6.5, [HSA] 180 μM, SPL 150 s; chlorpheniramine, pH 8.25, [HSA] 160 μM, SPL 150 s; hydroxyzine, pH 7.0, [HSA] 180 μM, SPL 150 s; and orphenadrine, pH 7.8, [HSA] 160 μM, SPL 150 s. pH and the quadratic term of pH seem to be the most critical factors that determine enantioresolution of antihistamines. The validity of the developed methodologies to enantiomeric quality control of antihistamines in pharmaceutical formulations is demonstrated analyzing the content of brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine and hyroxyzine enantiomers in commercially available pharmaceutical formulations containing racemic mixtures of compounds. Resolution, accuracy, reproducibility, cost and sample throughput of the proposed methodologies make them suitable for quality control of the enantiomeric composition of antihistamines in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Spherical coordinate representations of solvent composition for liquid chromatography method development using experimental design

One of the major techniques used for the method development of ternary and quaternary high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems has been to use mixture designs, often referred to as "Glajch's Triangle". This technique does not allow for the systematic and simultaneous optimization of other factors such as gradient time, pH and temperature that affect the quality of separations. An alternative approach is to use experimental designs. The condition, however, that the composition of all components of the mobile phase must total 100% presents a problem when trying to mathematically represent ranges of each mobile phase constituent of a ternary or quaternary system. A method is described here, based on spherical coordinate representations, that adheres to the constraints of the mobile phase composition and allows experimental designs, such as central composite and factorial designs, to be applied to the simultaneous optimization of the mobile phase composition. Other factors, in particular temperature and gradient time, can then be included in the design. As a result of applying these designs to the HPLC separation of phenols and corticosteroids, it was found necessary to include three-way interactions between experimental factors in the model. The significance of these interactions shows that they need to be considered in HPLC method development.     

NMR-aided differentiation of enantiomers: Signal enantioresolution

NMR-aided enantiodiscrimination using chiral auxiliaries (CAs) is a recognized method for differentiating enantiomers and for measuring enantiomeric ratios (er). Up to the present, the study, optimization, and comparison of such methods have been performed based on the enantiodifferentiation of NMR signals via analyzing non-equivalent chemical-shift values (ΔΔδ) of the diastereoisomeric species formed. However, a poor and non-reliable comparison of results is often obtained via the analysis of ΔΔδ exclusively. In here, the concept of enantioresolution of an individual NMR signal and its importance for NMR-aided enantiodifferentiation studies is introduced and discussed. In addition, the enantioresolution quotient, E, is proposed as the parameter to describe its quantification. Complementary to measuring ΔΔδ, the experimental determination of E allows a more reliable interpretation of the results and opens up new possibilities for the study of enantiodifferentiation data derived from novel NMR experiments, setup improvements or new CAs. Finally, the different relationships between signal enantiodifferentiation, signal enantioresolution, and other main experimental issues of enantiodifferentiation experiments are addressed.     

Enantioseparation of phenotiazines by affinity electrokinetic chromatography using human serum albumin as chiral selector: application to enantiomeric quality control in pharmaceutical formulations

Nowadays, there is a special interest within the pharmaceutical laboratories to develop single enantiomer formulations and consequently a need for analytical methods to determine the enantiomeric purity of drugs. The present paper deals with the enantiomeric separation of promethazine and trimeprazine enantiomers by affinity electrokinetic chromatography (AEKC)-partial filling technique using human serum albumin (HSA) as chiral selector. A multivariate optimization of the most critical experimental variables in enantioresolution, running pH, HSA concentration and plug length, is carried out to obtain enantioresolution of promethazine and trimeprazine. The estimated maximum and optimum resolution of trimeprazine and prometazine enantiomers (Rs = 1.74 and 2.01, respectively) corresponded to the following experimental conditions: pH 7.5; [HSA] 170 μM and plug length 190 s and pH 7.6; [HSA] 170 μM and plug length 170 s, for trimeprazine and prometazine, respectively. The developed methodologies were applied for the enantiomeric quality control of promethazine and trimeprazine enantiomers in commercially available pharmaceutical formulations. Resolution, accuracy, reproducibility, cost and sample throughput of the proposed methodologies make it suitable for quality control of the enantiomeric composition of promethazine and trimeprazine in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Application of a novel chemometric approach to the determination of aqueous photolysis rates of organic compounds in natural waters

The utility of multivariate optimization methods in the determination of aqueous photolysis rates of organic compounds is examined in this study. A basic pursue was to designate the appropriate experimental design plan that extend the analytical utility of multivariate methods from qualitative data interpretation approaches, as applied thus far, to quantitative estimation methods. A three-level second-order central composite design with parameter concentrations (factor levels) beyond the environmental realistic concentrations was employed for that purpose enabling statistically significant effects to be determined. Method application is demonstrated in the first photodegradation study of two UV absorbing chemicals in natural waters. The results suggest that the proposed approach of enables a good approximation of the real behavior in terms of both qualitative and quantitative data interpretation with minimal loss of information.     

Response surface methodology (RSM) as a tool for optimization in analytical chemistry

A review about the application of response surface methodology (RSM) in the optimization of analytical methods is presented. The theoretical principles of RSM and steps for its application are described to introduce readers to this multivariate statistical technique. Symmetrical experimental designs (three-level factorial, Box-Behnken, central composite, and Doehlert designs) are compared in terms of characteristics and efficiency. Furthermore, recent references of their uses in analytical chemistry are presented. Multiple response optimization applying desirability functions in RSM and the use of artificial neural networks for modeling are also discussed.     

Multivariate optimization approach for chiral resolution of drugs using human serum albumin in affinity electrokinetic chromatography-partial filling technique

The enantiomeric resolution of chiral compounds using HSA by means of affinity EKC (AEKC)-partial filling technique is the result of a delicate balance between different experimental variables such as protein concentration, running pH (background electrophoretic buffer, protein and compound solutions) and protein solution plug length. In this paper multivariate optimization approaches for chiral separation of four basic drugs (alprenolol, oxprenolol, promethazine and propranolol) using HSA as chiral selector in AEKC-partial filling technique are studied. The experimental conditions to achieve maximum resolution are optimized using the Box-Behnken experimental design. Partial least squares and pareto charts are used to analyse the main effects on the resolution. The experimental resolutions observed for all compounds studied in optimum conditions agree with the estimated values based on response surface models. The results obtained show that the range of experimental conditions that provided enantioresolution narrows as hydrophobicity of analytes decreases. This fact can be explained by assuming that hydrophobicity controls the interaction of basic compounds with HSA.     

The role of molecular interaction fields on enantioselective and nonselective separation of chiral sulfoxides

The separation of a series of 23 asymmetric sulfoxides, including the three proton pump inhibitors (PPI) omeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole was investigated by HPLC, under reversed-phase elution with amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate), amylose tris[(S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate] and amylose tris(3,5-dimethoxyphenylcarbamate) chiral stationary phases, CSP1-3, respectively. The whole set of sulfoxides showed better enantioselectivity and enantioresolution on CSP1. However, the three PPI were enantioseparated only when using CSP1 and CSP3. It was observed an improved enantioselectivity and enantioresolution on CSP3. The mechanisms of retention were evaluated by molecular interaction fields (MIF) generated via GRID force field, which yielded the geometric reasons leading to the scenario outlined. The enantioselective and nonselective interactions are discussed in terms of the reported selectivity. The steric structural outline of the CSP nonselective interaction sites is of major importance to deliver the sulfoxides to the chiral selective sites where the enantioselective interactions take place.     

Development of generic liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods using experimental design

Standard approaches to development of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods, either ion-pairing or reversed-phase liquid chromatography, have been through trial and error or intentional variation of experimental factors. These approaches to method optimization fail to take into account interactions between experimental factors and therefore the results may not be optimal for the combination of experimental factors. Another approach to optimization is through the use of chemometrics. Chemometric approaches can be more efficient than trial and error or intentional variation because chemometrics make use of multivariate designs; experimental factors are varied simultaneously at the various levels. Therefore chemometrics can take into account interactions between factors. The goal of this study was to develop a generic ion-pair LC-MS method for the analysis of acidic compounds using a chemometric approach called design of experiments (DOE). Four acidic compounds which cover three classes of acidic functional groups: 1-naphthyl phosphate (1), 1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (2), 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (3), and (1-naphthoxy)acetic acid (4) were used as model compounds to develop the generic method. This study illustrates that LC-MS conditions can be optimized efficiently with minimal amount of experimentation using a chemometric approach to experimental design.     

Optimization of selectivity using sequentially coupled capillary columns

This investigation lays groundwork for the development of an optimization system for sequentially coupled capillary column systems. Three methods for calculating effective capacity factors were obtained from the literature and were tested to determine suitability for optimization use, using four test analytes and two dissimilar columns. This work concentrates on the development of a method for the estimation of optimum column temperatures in sequentially coupled systems.     

Novel experimental design paradigm for development of eco-friendly gradient chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of metronidazole and spiramycin

This work describes the innovative experimental design-assisted development of a green gradient chromatographic method for concomitant analysis of metronidazole (MTR) and spiramycin (SPR). Two different designs including fractional factorial and Box-Behnken designs were implemented for screening and optimization steps, respectively. The optimum chromatographic conditions involved a mobile phase consisting of ethanol and 20 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution (pH adjusted to 2.5) in the ratio 2:98 (v/v) for 2 min then the ratio changed to 30:70 (v/v). The flow rate was 1.3 mL/minute. Separation and analysis were performed on X-bridge C18 (150 mm × 4.6 mm × 3.5 μm) column with diode array detector set at 230 nm. Column oven temperature was 40°C. A linear response was acquired over the range of 5–125 μg/mL for both drugs. Detection and quantitation limits were 0.86 and 2.62 μg/mL for MTR and 0.92 and 2.83 μg/mL for SPR, respectively. The method was implemented for determination of both drugs in three tablet formulations. The method was proved to be green as evaluated by three assessment tools. The application of experimental designs assists in development of a robust green chromatographic method in gradient elution mode for determination of both drugs within reasonable time.     

Global optimization for parameter estimation of differential-algebraic systems

The estimation of parameters in semi-empirical models is essential in numerous areas of engineering and applied science. In many cases, these models are described by a set of ordinary-differential equations or by a set of differential-algebraic equations. Due to the presence of non-convexities of functions participating in these equations, current gradient-based optimization methods can guarantee only locally optimal solutions. This deficiency can have a marked impact on the operation of chemical processes from the economical, environmental and safety points of view and it thus motivates the development of global optimization algorithms. This paper presents a global optimization method which guarantees ɛ-convergence to the global solution. The approach consists in the transformation of the dynamic optimization problem into a nonlinear programming problem (NLP) using the method of orthogonal collocation on finite elements. Rigorous convex underestimators of the nonconvex NLP problem are employed within the spatial branch-and-bound method and solved to global optimality. The proposed method was applied to two example problems dealing with parameter estimation from time series data.     

Experimental designs and response surface modeling applied for the optimization of metal-cyanide complexes analysis by capillary electrophoresis

The development of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) methods for the determination of metal cyanide complexes in real samples showed some problems, such as the low detection signal of Au (CN)2- and the low resolution between Ni(II) and Fe(II) cyanides in gold processing solutions, and the lack of separation of Pt(CN)4(2-) and Pd(CN)4(2-) in the leachates from automobile catalytic converters. To optimize some analytical parameters, the present study thus focused on the application of experimental designs and multiregression models. The following factors were examined by a two-level factorial design: applied voltage, injection time, detection wavelength, buffer ion, ionic strength and buffer modifiers. For optimization of the CZE method, subsequent response-surface experiments with the important factors were made with the two kinds of leaching solutions. Optimal analytical conditions were obtained in each case, giving good detection signals and resolution for the components of the studied leachates.     

A glycopeptide antibiotic chiral stationary phase for the enantiomer resolution of hydroxy acid derivatives by capillary electrochromatography

Separation of hydroxy acid enantiomers was achieved by using capillary electrochromatography (CEC) employing a chiral stationary phase (CSP) based on MDL 63,246 (Hepta-Tyr), a macrocyclic antibiotic of the teicoplanin family. The chiral selector was chemically bonded to 5 num diol-modified silica particles and the CSP mixed with amino silica (3:1 w/w) was packed into a 75 num ID fused-silica capillary. The CEC experiments were carried out by using an aqueous reversed-phase mode for the enantiomeric resolution of hydroxy acid compounds. Good enantioresolution was achieved for mandelic acid (MA), m-hydroxymandelic acid (m-OH-MA), p-OH-MA, and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxymandelic acid (3-OH-4-MeO-MA). The CEC system was less enantioselective towards 2-phenyllactic acid (2-PhL) and 3-PhL while mandelic acid methyl ester (MA-Et-Est) enantiomers were not resolved. Several experimental parameters, such as organic solvent type and concentration, buffer pH, capillary temperature, on enantioresolution factor, retention time, and retention factor were studied.     

Enantioselective separation of biologically active basic compounds in ultra-performance supercritical fluid chromatography

The enantioseparation of basic compounds represent a challenging task in modern SFC. Therefore this work is focused on development and optimization of fast SFC methods suitable for enantioseparation of 27 biologically active basic compounds of various structures. The influences of the co-solvent type as well as different mobile phase additives on retention, enantioselectivity and enantioresolution were investigated. Obtained results confirmed that the mobile phase additives, especially bases (or the mixture of base and acid), improve peak shape and enhance enantioresolution. The best results were achieved with isopropylamine or the mixture of isopropylamine and trifluoroacetic acid as additives. In addition, the effect of temperature and back pressure were evaluated to optimize the enantioseparation process. The immobilized amylose-based chiral stationary phase, i.e. tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) derivative of amylose proved to be useful tool for the enantioseparation of a broad spectrum of chiral bases. The chromatographic conditions that yielded baseline enantioseparations of all tested compounds were discovered. The presented work can serve as a guide for simplifying the method development for enantioseparation of basic racemates in SFC.     

Application of experimental design in optimization of the separation condition for determination of four active components in cold medicines by flow injection-capillary electrophoresis

Orthogonal design (OD) was employed to optimize the separation condition of flow injection-capillary electrophoresis (FI-CE). In order to compare the optimum condition, uniform design and univariate approach were also adopted. The influences of variables such as buffer pH, buffer concentration, acetonitrile (ACN) percentage, and separation voltage were discussed. The optimum separation condition was established. The limits of detection were 1.94 × 10(-2), 6.40 × 10(-3), 1.16 × 10(-2) and 1.94 × 10(-2) μg/mL for dextromethorphan hydrobromide (Dex), chlorphenamine hydrogen maleate (Chl), pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (Pse), and paracetamol (Par), respectively. The RSDs of peaks areas were less than 2.0%. The results showed the OD was an effective method among experimental designs for optimizing the separation conditions of CE. The optimum condition was used for separation and determination of Dex, Chl, Pse, and Par in cold medicines. The average recovery was between 96.68-101.25%.