The use of the PREP system for handling of body fluids

The Du Pont PREP automated sample processor is a centrifugally based, microprocessor controlled instrument that was designed for extraction of samples from biological fluids. Extraction takes place in cartridges containing either organic resins or bonded silica packings as extraction sorbants. This paper will discuss the application of several lipophilic and ion exchange sorbants to the extraction of biological samples from body fluids. The advantages of these different types of sorbants will be compared and their performance with automated sample preparation will be shown. A variety of applications including the extraction of benzodiazepine, barbiturate, aminoglycoside and anticonvulsant drugs and their metabolites from serum, urine, and tissue homogenates will be discussed.     

Corticosteroid Analysis by HPLC-UV Facilitated byv Use of an Injector-Mounted Extraction Column

Abstract

A method for integrating solid phase extraction of corticosteroids from biological samples with normal operation of reversed-phase HPLC is described. This method uses an extraction column mounted in place of the sample loop of a conventional injection valve to separate corticosteroids from some interfering compounds, and to effectively concentrate steroids from dilute samples. Both manual and fully automated chromatographs using this principle are described. A specific application to measurement of corticosterone in a rabbit serum preparation allows routine measurement of as little as 300 pg corticosterone per sample.     

Surfactant‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction of nitrazepam and lorazepam from plasma and urine samples followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV analysis

Surfactant‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection has been developed for the simultaneous preconcentration and determination of lorazepam and nitrazepam in biological fluids. In this study, an ionic surfactant (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) was used as an emulsifier. The predominant parameters affecting extraction efficiency such as the type and volume of extraction solvent, the type and concentration of surfactant, sample pH, and the concentration of salt added to the sample were investigated and opted. Under the optimum conditions (extraction solvent and its volume, 1‐octanol, 70 μL; surfactant and its concentration, 1 mL of ultra‐pure water containing 2 mmol L^?1 cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide; sample pH = 9 and salt content of 10% NaCl w/v), the preconcentration factors were obtained in the range of 202–241 and 246–265 for nitrazepam and lorazepam, respectively. The limits of quantification for both drugs were 5 μg L^?1 in water sample and 10 μg L^?1 in biological fluids with R² values higher than 0.993. The suitability of the proposed method was successfully confirmed by the extraction and determination of the target drugs in human urine and plasma samples in the range of microgram per liter.     

Separation of Twenty Biogenic Amines and Derivatives by a High-performance Liquid Chromatographic Column Switching Technique with On-line Fluorimetric and Electrochemical Detections

Abstract

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic technique including the use of an automated column switching system has been developed for the study of dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin and their related metabolites in biological samples. Through two runs, it has been possible to separate twenty derivatives and three internal standards which have to be added to samples prior to the extraction procedures. In each case, the column switching system allowed to obtain a clear separation of all the compounds, which will be of importance to avoid any expected interference from other endogenous substances, while decreasing the analysis time. By coupling on-line fluorimetric and electrochemical detections the specificity of the technique was enhanced, since the ratio of the responses of both detectors was an index of the purity of the peaks. In addition, fluorimetric detection was found of value to free the determination of some compunds from the effects of solvent front while electrochemical detection increased the sensitivity. Finally, the column switching system allowed a rapid cleaning of the columns between two analyses. A typical application to a human urine sample was shown.     

Measurement of 90Sr in Marine Biological Samples

Strontium-90 (⁹⁰Sr) is one of the most hazardous radionuclides, and it contributes to radiation exposure by ingestion. The routine determination of ⁹⁰Sr in marine biological samples is highly desirable given the development of the nuclear power industry. A fast, simple, and low-detection-limit method was developed for the measurement of ⁹⁰Sr in marine biological samples based on determining ⁹⁰Y by means of coprecipitation and solvent extraction with bis-2-ethylhexyl-phosphoric acid (HDEHP) in n-heptane. The interfering ²¹⁰Bi is removed using Bi₂S₃ precipitation. The separation and purification of eight samples per day can be accomplished through this method. The detection limit of ⁹⁰Sr for this method is 0.10 Bq/kg (ash weight). The radiochemical procedure was validated by fitting the decay curve of the sample source and by the determination of ⁹⁰Sr standards.     

Determination of Boron in Biological Samples

Two sample treatment methods are evaluated to provide accurate boron determination at low concentrations in biological and botanical samples. The first approach is a hot 1M nitric acid extraction of boron from the sample. The second technique uses wet digestion with concentrated sulfuric acid. The accuracy of the procedures was demonstrated with botanical and animal reference materials (Corn Bran RM 8433 and Whole Egg Powder RM 8415). At least three results are given for each reference material. Two are direct measurements of B using independent ¹⁰B and ¹¹B calibration curves with a Be internal reference, and the third is obtained by isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). The ¹⁰B and ¹¹B values are consistent for both acid treatment procedures. The IDMS results also are consistent. Overall results for Whole Egg Powder and Corn Bran RM's match the best-estimate values within their confidence intervals. These results demonstrate the ability to measure B accurately at the 0.3 µg/g concentration range. Thus, low-level B samples can be analyzed with accuracy and precision by the two approaches. These methods introduce very little dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the final solution and allow the use of large (2 g) sample aliquots. Direct introduction of biological fluids including whole blood serum also was evaluated critically for the determination of B.     

Derivatization of Humic Compounds: An Analytical Approach for Bound Organic Residues

Abstract

Bound residues of pesticides and their metabolites are defined as being nonextractable with organic solvents, but partly extractable together with the humic matrix by NaOH or other solvents suitable to extract humic compounds. Recently, an improvement in humus extraction from soils was achieved upon derivatization of the organic matter with silylating reagents at room temperature. By this method 70–90% of the organic carbon or nitrogen either from soil or from humin became soluble in organic solvents. The extracts were analyzed by means of ¹³C NMR-spectroscopy. The spectra were well resolved with signal-separation of less than 1 ppm. The extracted humic compounds were of rather low molecular weight, ranging from 300 to 4000 to 6000 d or more.

¹⁴C-labeled residues of pesticides or other xenobiotics found to be nonextractable after exhaustive organic solvent extraction became readily dissolved along with most of the humic matrix using this derivatization procedure. Between 60–80% of ¹⁴C anilazine residues or of ¹⁴C-labeled chlorinated phenols or anilines originating from both previously solvent extracted soil samples or from humin became solubilized in organic solvents.     

Quantitation Of The Local Anesthetic Dibucaine With Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A chemical ionization and an electron impact GC/MS assaying approach is presented for determining dibucaine concentrations in biological fluids. Both use deuterium-labeled drug as the internal standard and rely on the same sample extraction and sample preparation procedure. Under chemical ionization conditions (CH₄), the assaying limits are in the range of 1–80 ng/ml of serum. Under electron impact conditions, the analytical range is 20–800 ng/ml. The chemical ionization procedure has been found suitable for monitoring drug levels in man. One volunteer, who received a single 5-mg oral dose, showed peak serum drug concentrations of 23 ng/ml attained 2 hr after drug administration. The biologic half-life (ß phase) was 11 hr.     

Separation of Diethylstilbestrol and Derivatives in Biological Fluids and Tissues by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

A method was developed to identify radiolabeled DES and DES metabolites in biological fluids and tissues. After a rapid initial clean-up step, the biological samples were analyzed with a single-column, reversed-phase, highpressure liquid chromatography system. The parent compound and metabolites were simultaneously resolved and tentatively identified by comparing their retention times to those of known standards. Positive identification of some metabolites was achieved by field-desorption and capillary-column mass-spectrometric analysis. The method was found to be rapid and reproducible, and sample recovery was >80%.     

Automated Extraction of Drugs from Biological Fluids

Abstract

An automated continuous flow liquid-liquid extraction procedure is described for the separation of the H₂-antagonist loxtidine from plasma samples containing two metabolites which interfere in the radioimmunoassay of the drug. The extraction of the bronchodilator salbutamol was studied using the DuPont Prep I automated liquid solid extraction apparatus, with a 12 cartridge capacity, and a vacuum extraction box designed in this laboratory to hold 30 Sep-pak C-18 (Waters Associates) cartridges. Twenty-four plasma samples per hour can be automatically processed with the Prep I. Although the vacuum box is not fully automated 45 plasma samples per hour can be processed. The Prep I can only be used with DuPont XAD, strong cation and anion exchange cartridges. Cartridges containing alumina, silica, floril, cation and anion exchange resins and reverse phase packings can all be used with the vacuum extraction box. The latter costs only a fraction of the Prep I and therefore each analyst can have his own unit.     

Liquid Chromatographic Assay for Amodiaquine in Tablets and Biological Fluids

Abstract

A high performance liquid chromatographic assay for quantitating amodiaquine (A) in tablets, urine, plasma, bile and saliva is described. The method involved acid extraction of the drug from tablets and chloroform extraction of its base from the biological fluids after alkalinization with ammonia. Quinidine was used as the internal standard. A μ-Bondapak phenyl column was used for separation together with a mobile phase made of methanol, water and glacial acetic acid (pH 2.3). Good chromatograms with efficient separation of drug and internal standard peaks were observed. Retention times of 5.2 and 7.1 min. were obtained for the drug and the internal standard respectively. Correlation between areas under the curve and drug concentration was high. The mean percentage recovery of A from tablets was 102.03%, while from the biological fluids, it ranged from 85.2 to 104.61%. Urine and saliva obtained from volunteers and bile obtained from animals administering amodiaquine showed chromatograms similar to those obtained for blank samples spiked with A. Interference from table't excipients of biological fluids was undetectable or negligible. The method was found to be precise and simple.     

Optimization of Sample Preparation for Metabolomics Exploration of Urine,Feces, Blood and Saliva in Humans Using Combined NMR and UHPLC-HRMS Platforms

Currently, most clinical studies in metabolomics only consider a single type of sample such as urine, plasma, or feces and use a single analytical platform, either NMR or MS. Although some studies have already investigated metabolomics data from multiple fluids, the information is limited to a unique analytical platform. On the other hand, clinical studies investigating the human metabolome that combine multi-analytical platforms have focused on a single biofluid. Combining data from multiple sample types for one patient using a multimodal analytical approach (NMR and MS) should extend the metabolome coverage. Pre-analytical and analytical phases are time consuming. These steps need to be improved in order to move into clinical studies that deal with a large number of patient samples. Our study describes a standard operating procedure for biological specimens (urine, blood, saliva, and feces) using multiple platforms (¹H-NMR, RP-UHPLC-MS, and HILIC-UHPLC-MS). Each sample type follows a unique sample preparation procedure for analysis on a multi-platform basis. Our method was evaluated for its robustness and was able to generate a representative metabolic map.     

Dosage par spectrophotométrie d'absorption atomique sans flamme de traces de sélénium après extraction à l'aide de 4-chloro-1,2-diaminobenz̀ application aux milieux biologiques

The determination of traces of selenium after extraction with 4-chloro-1,2-diaminobenzene by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, Application, to biological samples.A new method for the determination of very small amounts of selenium by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry is proposed. The procedure was checked with aqueous solutions of selenium and applied to mineralized biological fluids (red cells and plasma). Selenium(IV) is quantitatively extracted with toluene after reaction with 4-chloro-l,2-diaminobenzene. The sample detection limit for selenium is 10 ng ml^-1. Precision and reproducibility are excellent.     

Evaluation of procedures for solid-phase extraction of [125I]-methodone from serum on to discs and cartridges

Summary Biological samples must be purified before chromatography to eliminate interfering compounds. Discs have recently been developed to enhance the performance of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and reduce solvent consumption. This type of support is available in all the bonded-phases typically found in conventional packed SPE devices. The process for solid-phase extraction of [¹²⁵I]-methadone from water and serum (i.e. retention and losses of [¹²⁵I]-methadone during sample loading, washing, elution, etc.) has been studied to determine the behaviour of this compound on several extracting supports. For serum solutions we observed significant matrix effects on discs because of their low capacity. This resulted in loss of [¹²⁵I]-methadone during the loading step because the contact time between the analyte and the functional groups of the support was too short. Although mixed-mode discs, which have both hydrophobic and cation-exchange extraction mechanisms, do not perform as well as conventional cartridges, they can, nevertheless, be used before liquid chromatographic analysis because of their several mechanical and economical advantages in comparison with cartridges.     

Precision in Laboratory Robotic—HPLC Systems

Abstract

Laboratory robotic systems have been used extensively to prepare samples for HPLC analysis. This review compares the precision of manual versus robotic HPLC sample preparation procedures (both simple and complex) for a variety of samples including pharmaceuticals, foods, polymers and biological fluids.     

Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of moprolol (SD 1601) in human plasma and urine

1-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-3-isopropylamino-2-propanol hydrochloride (moprolol, Omeral^R), is a new β-adrenergic blocking agent. A gas chromatographic method for determining unchanged moprolol in human biological fluids has been developed. After solvent extraction, a bis-trifluoroacetyl derivative was formed and measured by an electron capture detector. The quantification was checked by using an internal standard (pronethalol), which was added to all samples. The electron capture response was linear between 10 and 500 ng/ml. To avoid contamination of the peaks, careful extraction was imperative. The main advantages offered by the described method are: specificity, high sensitivity (10 ng.ml^?1) and the small amount of biological fluids (1 ml plasma a. e.) required.     

Evaluation of a completely automated cold fiber device using compounds with varying volatility and polarity

A fully automated cold fiber solid phase microextraction device has been developed by coupling to a GERSTEL multipurpose (MPS 2) autosampler and applied to the analysis of volatiles and semi-volatiles in aqueous and solid matrices. The proposed device was thoroughly evaluated for its extraction performance, robustness, reproducibility and reliability by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). With the use of a septumless head injector, the entire automated setup was capable of analyzing over 200 samples without any GC injector leakages. Evaluation of the automated cold fiber device was carried out using a group of compounds characterized by different volatilities and polarities. Extraction efficiency as well as analytical figures of merit was compared to commercial solid phase microextraction fibers. The automated cold fiber device showed significantly improved extraction efficiency compared to the commercial polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and cold fiber without cooling for the analysis of aqueous standard samples due to the low temperature of the coating. Comparing results obtained from cold fiber and commercial divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) fiber temperature profile demonstrated that the temperature gap between the sample matrix and the coating improved the distribution coefficient and therefore the extraction amount. The linear dynamic range of the cold fiber device was 0.5 ng mL⁻¹ to 100 ng mL⁻¹ with a linear regression coefficient ≥0.9963 for all compounds. The limit of detection for all analytes ranged from 1.0 ng mL⁻¹ to 9.4 ng mL⁻¹. The newly automated cold fiber device presents a platform for headspace analysis of volatiles and semi-volatiles for large number of samples with improved throughput and sensitivity.     

Potentiometric Determination of Nitrilotriacetate in Water and Sewage

Abstract

A potentiometric titration of nitrilotriacetate in wastewater and sewage samples and a procedure of sample treatment to eliminate the interferences are described. T1³⁺ and Cu²⁺ solutions were the titrants and the potentiometric titrations were monitored with a platinum redox electrode. T1³⁺ :2NTA complex formation was found. The lower detection limit was 0. 1 ppm of NTA. The relative standard deviation in sewage samples was 5% and the recovery varied from 90–110%.     

HPLC Analysis of Cefmetazole and Nocardicins A and E in Human Serum and Urine Using Solid-Phase Extraction

Abstract

A method for extraction and quantification of cefmetazole and nocardicins A and E in serum and urine samples is described in this paper. Sample pretreatment is carried out using solid-phase extraction cartridges, resulting in very high extraction recoveries of these β-lactam antibiotics. The procedure, which prepares biological fluids for reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis is convenient, rapid and reproducible. An water-methanol-acetic acid mobile phase was used with benzotriazole as an internal standard. The detection limit was 0.2 μg/ml at 280 nm.     

Automation of Direct Potentiometry

Abstract

A simple, versatile, automated direct potentiometry is described. It offers a wide range of possible applications for all types of ion-selective electrodes, including the glass electrode. The apparatus consists of two Fisher turntable sample changers connected to an Orion automatic switch, Orion pH/mV meter, and Orion printer system via a control module. The optimum sampling rate is 20 samples per hour F^? and NH⁺ in water samples were determined by using commercially available ion-selective electrodes.