Characterization of micellar mobile phases for reversed-phase chromatography

Cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants are characterized for their usefulness as micellar mobile phases in reversed-phase chromatography. Conditions found previously to provide optimum chromatographic efficiency for sodium dodecyl sulfate also provide high efficiency for the cationic and nonionic surfactants studied. The use of 3% n-propanol in the micellar mobile phase and column temperatures of 40°C appear to offer a broadly applicable solution to the low efficiency previously reported for micellar mobile phases. A chromatographic method for the determination of critical micelle concentrations is reported; it compares favorably with literature methods. Micellar mobile phases are shown to mimic ion-pairing mobile phases, allowing the separation of neutral solutes as well as solutes charged oppositely to the surfactant and offer a more rugged method of analysis than hydro-organic ion-pairing methods.     

Comparison of C18 silica bonded phases selectivity in micellar liquid chromatography

The paper describes a new test designed in micellar LC (MLC) to compare the commercial C18 stationary phase properties. This test provides the total hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, steric selectivity, hydrogen bonding, and ion‐exchange capacity properties calculation of the ODS stationary phases. Both the test compounds and chromatographic separation conditions choice for column characterization in MLC are detailed. The chromatographic performance of several stationary phases that are used in MLC was evaluated with specific chromatographic test comprising nine test compounds, possessing different physico‐chemical properties, which were injected on different supports with two micellar mobile phases: one at pH 7.0 (0.075 mol/L SDS and 1.5% v/v 1‐pentanol), and other at pH 2.7 (0.075 mol/L SDS and 1.5% v/v 1‐pentanol adjusted to pH by TFA). Fundamental column chromatographic properties were obtained under these conditions and were treated by hierarchical cluster analysis. From the results of cluster analysis, two closely related groups of columns are distinguished, and it was shown that the chosen column characteristic parameters allow characterizing both sorbent and micellar chromatographic system properties. Eleven columns were analyzed by this test, which allows a comparison of columns with the aim of the selection of suitable and analogous column for the analysis with MLC.     

Development of predictive retention-activity models of butyrophenones by biopartitioning micellar chromatography

The predictive and interpretative capability of quantitative chromatographic retention-biological activity models is supported by the fact that in adequate experimental conditions the solute partitioning into the chromatographic system can emulate the solute partitioning into lipid bilayers of biological membranes, which is the basis of drug and metabolite uptake, passive transport across membranes and bioaccumulation. The use of retention data obtained in biopartitioning micellar chromatography (BMC) has been demonstrated to be helpful in describing the biological behaviour of different kinds of drugs. In this chromatographic system, polioxyethylene 23 lauryl ether Brij35 micellar mobile phases and C(18) reversed stationary phase in adequate experimental conditions are used. The RP-HPLC capacity factors of butyrophenones were determined using different Brij35 concentrations as micellar mobile phases. Relationships between seven biological activities of butyrophenones reported in bibliography and retention data were established and their predictive and interpretative ability evaluated. These relationships were significant between preclinical pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy parameters and the retention factors of butyrophenones (0.89 < R(2) < 0.98). The results indicate that the retention of compounds in BMC is capable of describing and predicting in vitro the biological activities of butyrophenones. This approach can be very useful in the development of new neuroleptic drugs, avoiding the use of experimental animals.     

Liquid chromatography of some steroid hormones in aqueous-organic,micellar, and cyclodextrin mobile phases

The retention of hydrocortisone, progesterone, dexamethasone, and prednisolone is studied by HPLC and thin-layer chromatography using aqueous-organic, micellar, and cyclodextrin mobile phases. It is demonstrated that micellar and cyclodextrin mobile phases improve the efficiency and selectivity of the chromatographic separation of the indicated hormones compared to aqueous-organic eluents. By comparing the numbers of theoretical plates, the heights equivalent to a theoretical plate, and resolution it was found that micellar mobile phases are more efficient than cyclodextrin ones and can be used for work with Sorbfil plates.     

Study of chromatographic characteristics of inorganic analytes in biopartitioning micellar chromatography with ion‐pair additives

The chromatographic behavior of model ions of biomedical and environmental significance was investigated by using nonionic micellar mobile phases modified with ion‐pair additives. The influence of concentrations of polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether and ornithine hydrochloride in the mobile phase on the retention factors of chromium (III), chromium (VI), iodide and bromide ions was studied. The possible mechanisms of retention of the mentioned ions in biopartitioning micellar chromatography with zwitter ion‐pair additives were proposed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The use of a micellar mobile phase in the high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of hydroxybenzene derivatives

When aquenous micellar solutions are used as mobile phases in liquid chromatography, retention of solutes depends on the concentration of the micellar surfactant, and relevant information about the partition coefficient and related association constants between solutes and micelles can be calculated from the chromatographic results. The chromatographic parameters of a series of phenols and hydroxyphenols (1,2- and 1,4-diols) eluted with sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles were measured. The association constants evaluated were in good agreement with those obtained by other techniques.     

A micellar liquid chromatographic method for quality control of pharmaceutical preparations containing tricyclic antidepressants

Summary Micellar liquid chromatography methods for quality control of pharmaceutical preparations (capsules, pills, tablets, injections) containing the tricyclic antidepressants amineptine, amitriptiline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine, melitracen and nortriptyline alone or together with other CNS drugs like diazepam, medazepam and perphenazine are described. The methods using micellar solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as mobile phases and UV detection are rapid and reproducible. Due to the versatility of interactions in micellar liquid chromatography, it is possible determine highly hydrophobic compounds such as TCAs in a short time using mobile phases containing low organic solvent concentrations and usual flow rates, in contrast with the RP-HPLC methods proposed for these compounds. Samples preparation only requires solution and adequate dilution with the mobile phase before injection into the chromatographic system.     

Improved efficiency in micellar liquid chromatography using triethylamine and 1-butanol as mobile phase additives to reduce surfactant adsorption

The effect of triethylamine as a mobile phase modifier on chromatographic efficiency in micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) is reported for nine different columns with various bonded stationary phases and silica pore sizes, including large-pore short alkyl chain, non-porous, and perfluorinated. Reduced plate height (h) versus reduced velocity (nu) plots were constructed for each column and the A' and C' terms calculated using a simplified Van Deemter equation introduced in our previous work. To further explore the practicality of using triethylamine in the micellar mobile phase, the efficiency of nine polar and non-polar substituted benzenes was studied on seven columns. Surfactant adsorption isotherms were measured for five columns with three micellar mobile phases to understand the relationship between adsorbed surfactant, mobile phase additive, and column efficiency. Clear improvements in efficiency were observed with the addition of 2% (v/v) triethylamine to a 1-butanol modified aqueous micellar mobile phase. This finding is supported by the lower amount of surfactant adsorbed onto the stationary phase when TEA is present in the mobile phase compared to an SDS only or a 1-butanol modified SDS mobile phase.     

Simultaneous determination of three opiates in serum by micellar liquid chromatography using direct injection

A simple and reliable micellar liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 3 opiates (codeine, morphine, and thebaine) in serum, using direct injection and ultraviolet detection. The separation of the drugs was optimized on a C18 column, thermostatically controlled at 25 degrees C, by evaluating mobile phases containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and various modifiers (propanol, butanol, or pentanol). Adequate resolution of the opiates was obtained with a chemometrics approach, in which retention was modeled as a first step by using the retention factors for several mobile phases. Next, an optimization criterion that takes into account the position and shape of the chromatographic peaks was applied. The 3 opiates were totally resolved and determined in 12 min with the mobile phase 0.15M SDS-7% (v/v) butanol buffered at pH 7. The limits of detection for codeine and morphine were greatly improved by using fluorimetric detection. Repeatability and intermediate precision were tested for 3 different concentrations of the drugs, and the relative standard deviations were <0.8% for most of the assays. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the determination of morphine and codeine in serum samples.     

Nonionic micellar liquid chromatography coupled to immobilized enzyme reactors

Immobilized enzyme reactors are used as post-column reactors to modify the detectability of analytes. An immobilized amino acid oxidase reactor was prepared and coupled to an immobilized peroxidase reactor to detect low level of amino acids by fluorescence of the homovanilic dimer produced. A cholesterol oxidase reactor was prepared to detect cholesterol and metabolites by 241 nm UV absorbance of the enone produced. The preparation of the porous glass beads with the immobilized enzymes is described. Micellar liquid chromatography is used with non-ionic micellar phases to separate the amino acids or cholesterol derivatives. It is demonstrated that the non ionic Brij 35 micellar phases are very gentle for the enzyme activity allowing the reactor activity to remain at a higher level and for a much longer time than with hydro-organic classical chromatographic mobile phases or aqueous buffers. The coupling of nonionic micellar phases with enzymatic detection gave limits of detection of 32 pmol (4.8 ng injected) of methionine and 50 pmol (19 ng injected) of 20alpha-hydroxy cholesterol. The immobilized enzyme reactors could be used continuously for a week without losing their activity. It is shown that the low efficiency obtained with micellar liquid chromatography is compensated by the possibility offered by the technique to easily adjust selectivity.     

Thin-layer chromatography of some amino acids on silica in aqueous–organic and modified micellar mobile phases

Chromatographic behavior of some amino acids in aqueous–organic and aqueous modified micellar mobile phases is studied by thin-layer liquid chromatography. Intrinsic basic laws, features, possibilities, and limitations are revealed. It is shown that the efficiency of the chromatographic separation of amino acids in the presence of electrolytes is significantly improved in micellar mobile phases.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of diuretics in urine by micellar liquid chromatography.

The use of micellar liquid chromatography for the determination of diuretics in urine by direct injection of the sample into the chromatographic system is discussed. The retention of the urine matrix at the beginning of the chromatograms was observed for different sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) mobile phases. The eluent strengths of a hybrid SDS-methanol micellar mobile phase for several diuretics were compared and related to the stationary phase/water partition coefficient with a purely micellar mobile phase. The urine band was appreciably narrower with a mobile phase of 0.05 M SDS-5% methanol (v/v) at 50 degrees C (pH 6.9). With this mobile phase the determination of bendroflumethiazide and chlorthalidone was adequate. Acetazolamide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide and probenecid were overlapped by the urine matrix, and the retention of amiloride and triamterene was too long.     

Efficiency enhancements in micellar liquid chromatography through selection of stationary phase and alcohol modifier

Micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) remains hindered by reduced chromatographic efficiency compared to reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) using hydro-organic mobile phases. The reduced efficiency has been partially explained by the adsorption of surfactant monomers onto the stationary phase, resulting in a slow mass transfer of the analyte within the interfacial region of the mobile phase and stationary phase. Using an array of 12 columns, the effects of various bonded stationary phases and silica pore sizes, including large-pore short alkyl chain, non-porous, superficially porous and perfluorinated, were evaluated to determine their impact on efficiency in MLC. Additionally, each stationary phase was evaluated using 1-propanol and 1-butanol as separate micellar mobile phase alcohol additives, with several columns also evaluated using 1-pentanol. A simplified equation for calculation of A' and C' terms from reduced plate height (h) versus reduced velocity (nu) plots was used to compare the efficiency data obtained with the different columns and mobile phases. Analyte diffusion coefficients needed for the h versus nu plots were determined by the Taylor-Aris dispersion technique. The use of a short alkyl chain, wide-pore silica column, specifically, Nucleosil C4, 1000A, was shown to have the most improved efficiency when using a micellar mobile phase compared to a hydro-organic mobile phase for all columns evaluated. The use of 1-propanol was also shown to provide improved efficiency over 1-butanol or 1-pentanol in most cases. In a second series of experiments, column temperatures were varied from 40 to 70 degrees C to determine the effect of temperature on efficiency for a subset of the stationary phases. Efficiency improvements ranging from 9% for a Chromegabond C8 column to 58% for a Zorbax ODS column were observed over the temperature range. Based on these observed improvements, higher column temperatures may often yield significant gains in column efficiency, assuming the column is thermally stable.     

Imitation of artificial membrane system via mobile phases with Tween-80 and cholic acid in biopartitioning micellar chromatography

The chromatographic behaviour of compounds of biomedical significance was studied using micellar mobile phases modified with polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween-80). The influence of the surfactant within the 0.75-4% concentration range on the retention factor of model compounds was investigated. The biological surfactant cholic acid was introduced into the mobile phases in order to approach to the structure of natural membranes, viz. erythrocyte and cytoplasmatic membranes. It was found that curves of dependence of retention factor vs concentration of Tween-80 in the absence and presence of cholic acid in the mobile phase considerably diverge with one another, especially in the 2-3% concentration range of Tween-80 using C18-type support. Increasing the concentration of Tween-80 resulted in the increase of retention factors using phenyl-coated stationary phase.     

Comparison of the performance of butanol and pentanol as modifiers in the micellar chromatographic determination of some phenethylamines

A procedure was developed for the determination of several phenethylamines (amphetamine, arterenol, ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, mephentermine, methoxyphenamine, pseudoephedrine and tyramine), using micellar mobile phases of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), a C18 column and UV detection. The drugs were eluted at short retention times with conventional acetonitrile-water or methanol-water mobile phases. In contrast, in the micellar system, they were strongly retained due to association with the surfactant adsorbed on the stationary phase, and needed the addition of butanol or pentanol to be eluted from the column. These modifiers allowed a simple way of controlling the retention. The chromatographic efficiencies obtained with the hybrid mobile phases of SDS-butanol and SDS-pentanol were also very high, mostly in the N=3000-7000 range, significantly greater than those achieved with a conventional acetonitrile-methanol-water mobile phase. Butanol and pentanol yielded similar selectivities, but the latter modifier permitted significantly shorter retention times than butanol, and was preferred to expedite the analysis of the pharmaceuticals. Most binary combinations of the nine phenethylamines can be resolved with these mobile phases. A mobile phase of 0.15 M SDS-5% pentanol was used to assay five of the phenethylamines (amphetamine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine and pseudoephedrine) in 22 pharmaceutical preparations, which contained diverse accompanying compounds. The results agreed with the declared compositions and with those obtained with a mobile phase of methanol-acetonitrile-0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 3) 10:5:85, with no interferences and relative errors usually below 2%. However, with the aqueous-organic mobile phase, the retention time for phenylephrine was too low and could not be usually evaluated.