Instrumental validation in capillary electrophoresis and checkpoints for method validation

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is increasingly being used in regulated and testing environments which demand validation. The design, development and production of CE instrumentation should be governed by qualifications which ensure the quality of the finished product. The vendor should therefore provide guidelines and procedures which assist the user in ensuring the adequate operation of the instrumentation and especially in designing installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification/performance verification (OQ/PV) procedures. OQ/PV should test those functions of an instrument which directly affect the CE analysis, i.e. voltage, temperature, injection precision and detector function. In validation of CE methods care should be taken that those aspects which directly affect the precision of peak parameters are appreciated. The relationship between CE instrumentation, chemistry and validation parameters is discussed and guidelines are presented for definition of a CE method for submission to regulatory authorities.     

Development and validation of a capillary electrophoresis method for the characterization of protegrin IB-367.

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method was developed to characterize protegrin IB-367, an antimicrobial peptide being developed for the treatment of oral mucositis and for other topical applications. The electrophoretic purity and levels of potential impurities/degradation products of IB-367 drug substance are determined by CE using area normalization. Electrophoresis parameters were optimized to allow optimal resolution, reproducibility and minimal analysis time. The separation and resolution between this polycationic peptide and truncated analogs determined by the CE method was much greater than those by the HPLC methods. In addition, the CE methods separates the potential impurities/degradation products from each other while the HPLC methods failed to resolve them. The CE method was validated in the aspects of accuracy, precision, linearity, range, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, specificity, system suitability and robustness. An internal standard was used for the quantitation purpose. The selection criteria of the internal standard as well as the method validation results are presented. The truncated peptide analogs were used to demonstrate the specificity of the method. These analogs were also used to evaluate the limit of quantitation of potential impurities. The relative response factors of these analogs were assessed to determine area normalization feasibility. System suitability tests were established.     

High resolution separation methods for the determination of intact human erythropoiesis stimulating agents. A review

Human erythropoietin (hEPO), a hormone involved in the formation of red blood cells, is a 30 kDa glycoprotein with a high carbohydrate content. The production of recombinant hEPO has made possible its widespread therapeutic use and its banned use in competition sports. Methods to analyze EPO and other erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) are necessary for the characterization and quality control of these biopharmaceuticals and also for doping control. In this paper, high resolution separation methods, namely high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE), with special attention to CE-coupled mass spectrometry, are reviewed. The usefulness of these techniques when applied in different modes to separate the glycoprotein isoforms, aggregates or excipients are detailed. In addition, sample preparation methods that have been applied to ESA samples for subsequent determination by HPLC or CE, as well as the potential compatibility of other preparation methods, are discussed. Applications of the HPLC and CE methods regarding regulatory considerations for biopharmaceuticals analysis, with emphasis on biosimilars, and doping control are also included. Finally, limitations of the present methods and their possible solutions are considered.     

Comparison of HPLC and CE methods for the determination of cetirizine dihydrochloride in human plasma samples

Two methods, capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), for analysis of cetirizine dihydrochloride in small sample volumes of human plasma were compared. The CE and HPLC assays were developed and validated by analyzing a series of plasma samples containing cetirizine dihydrochloride in different concentrations using these two methods. The extraction procedure is simple and no complicated purification steps or derivatization are required. The analysis time in the HPLC method was shorter than that in the CE method, but solvent consumption was considerably lower in the CE method. The calibration curve was linear to at least 10-1000 ng/mL both for CE and HPLC with r(2) = 0.9993 and r(2) = 0.9994, respectively. The detection limits for cetirizine dihydrochloride were 3 and 5 ng/mL with CE and HPLC (a UV detector was applied in the both cases), respectively. Both methods were selective, robust and specific, allowing reliable quantification of cetirizine dihydrochloride, and could be useful for clinical and biomedical investigations.     

Automation and validation of HPLC-systems

Summary The automation of chromatographic systems is of increasing interest to industry and research laboratories in routine applications. Besides potentially saving time or making better use of available instrumentation, automation also improves the quality of results by producing more precise and more reproducible HPLC data. The need for the validation of methods and qualification of instruments is increasingly recognised in order to ensure compliance with legal requirements (e.g. in the pharmaceutical industry) and to ensure the reliability of analytical results. Possibilities and requirements for automated HPLC systems are elaborated. Emphasis is placed on defining the goals of validation and on discussing different aspects of the validation of LC methods, system suitability tests, ruggedness of methods and the transfer of LC methods from laboratory to laboratory. Adequate strategies of HPLC method development provide very useful information on the validation and ruggedness of LC methods.     

Separation of Anthraquinones by Capillary Electrophoresis and High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography

The separation and determination of twelve anthraquinones, viz. anthraquinone 1, chrysphanol 2, aloe‐emodin 3, alizarin 4, anthraquinone‐2‐carboxylic acid 5, purpurin 6, sennoside B 7, sennoside A 8, emodin 9, quinalizarin 10, rhein 11, and anthraflavic acid 12, were achieved by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Detection at 260 nm with a buffer solution containing 30 mM sodium borate (adjusted to pH = 10.56 with 0.05N NaOH) and acetonitrile (9 : 1) in CE or with a linear gradient elution containing 20 mM KH₂PO₄ with 0.05% phosphoric acid (pH = 2.91) and methanol in HPLC was found to be the most suitable approach for this separation. Contents of six components (2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11) in crude Rhei Rhizoma extract could easily be determined within 39 min by CE or 63 min by HPLC. The effects of buffers on this separation and the validation of the two methods were studied.     

Pre-Validation and Performance Prediction Using Pressure Monitoring to Evaluate HPLC Method Development Changes

HPLC methods for pharmaceutical analysis evolve from method development to commercial product testing. The majority of development and validation takes place in an R&D setting, followed by transfer to commercial sites that execute test methods on a routine basis. There is a growing need to increase confidence and probability that developed methods will be successful both during validation and long-term use with products, particularly when introducing new or unfamiliar technologies. An HPLC method pre-validation and performance prediction plan is presented using model pharmaceutical ingredients in prototype liquid formulations. The pre-validation includes limited linearity, repeatability in sample matrix, precision, carry-over, and selectivity. The performance prediction involves injecting large numbers of worst-case samples and monitoring five critical parameters: retention time, tailing factor, resolution, efficiency, and system pressure. Parameter results are assessed with respect to precision and/or system performance. In a proof of principle model, the performance prediction data demonstrate that system suitability parameters remain constant during injections of prepared samples; however, the system pressure increases over time. These underlying data indicate a potential trend prior to method validation. As a result, sample preparation and HPLC condition modifications are evaluated using pressure plots as a key performance metric.

     

Fingerprint Studies of Radix Scutellariae by Capillary Electrophoresis and High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Two methods based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are described to establish fingerprints of Radix Scutellariae simultaneously. In order to choose an appropriate extraction method, Radix Scutellariae samples extracted by different methods were determined by HPLC. The contents of baicalin, the quality marker of Radix Scutellariae, as well as the number of peaks in the chromatograms were determined to evaluate the extraction methods. 10 batches of Radix Scutellariae collected from different regions in China were applied to establish the fingerprints. Eleven common peaks were isolated within 12 min by CE. The fingerprints obtained with HPLC consisted of 14 common peaks within 40 min. The two proposed methods demonstrated good stability and reproducibility with RSD less than 4% for relative migration time in CE and retention time in HPLC. Finally, the data from the 10 batches of Radix Scutellariae by CE and HPLC were all processed with two kinds of mathematical methods including correlation coefficient and the included angle cosine. The fingerprints of Radix Scutellariae established with CE and HPLC are suitable to identify and differentiate samples by geographical origin and can used for quality control.     

Capillary electrophoresis/electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry for the analysis of negatively charged derivatized and underivatized glycans.

The increasing interest in the development of glycoproteins for therapeutic purposes has created a greater demand for methods to characterize the sugar moieties bound to them. Traditionally, released carbohydrates are derivatized using such methods as permethylation or fluorescent tagging prior to analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), or direct infusion mass spectrometry. However, little research has been performed using CE with on-line mass spectrometry (MS) detection. The CE separation of neutral oligosaccharides requires the covalent attachment of a charged species for electrophoretic migration. Among charged labels which have shown promise in assisting CE and HPLC separation is the fluorophore 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid (ANTS). This report describes the qualitative profiling of charged ANTS-derivatized and underivatized complex glycans by CE with on-line electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry. Several neutral standard glycans including a maltooligosaccharide ladder were derivatized with ANTS and subjected to CE/UV and CE/MS using low pH buffers consisting of citric and 6-aminocaproic acid salts. The ANTS-derivatized species were detected as negative ions, and multiple stage MS analysis provided valuable structural information. Fragment ions were easily identified, showing promise for the identification of unknowns. N-Linked glycans released from bovine fetuin were used to demonstrate the applicability of ANTS derivatization followed by CE/MS for the analysis of negatively charged glycans. Analyses were performed on both underivatized and ANTS-derivatized species, and sialylated glycans were separated and detected in both forms. The ability of the ion trap mass spectrometer to perform multiple stage analysis was exploited, with MS5 information obtained on selected glycans. This technique presents a complementary method to existing methodologies for the profiling of glycan mixtures.     

Rational experimental design for bioanalytical methods validation illustration using an assay method for total captopril in plasma

Generally, bioanalytical chromatographic methods are validated according to a predefined programme and distinguish a pre-validation phase, a main validation phase and a follow-up validation phase. In this paper, a rational, total performance evaluation programme for chromatographic methods is presented. The design was developed in particular for the pre-validation and main validation phases. The entire experimental design can be performed within six analytical runs. The first run (pre-validation phase) is used to assess the validity of the expected concentration-response relationship (lack of fit, goodness of fit), to assess the specificity of the method and to assess the stability of processed samples in the autosampler for 30 h (benchtop stability). The latter experiment is performed to justify overnight analyses. Following approval of the method after the pre-validation phase, the next five runs (main validation phase) are performed to evaluate method precision and accuracy, recovery, freezing and thawing stability and over-curve control /dilution. The design is nested, i.e., many experimental results are used for the evaluation of several performance characteristics. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used for the evaluation of lack of fit and goodness of fit, precision and accuracy, freezing and thawing stability and over-curve control/ dilution. Regression analysis is used to evaluate benchtop stability. For over-curve control/ dilution, additional to ANOVA, also a paired comparison is applied. As a consequence, the recommended design combines the performance of as few independent validation experiments as possible with modern statistical methods, resulting in optimum use of information. A demonstration of the entire validation programme is given for an HPLC method for the determination of total captopril in human plasma.     

Ruggedness and robustness testing

Due to the strict regulatory requirements, especially in pharmaceutical analysis, analysis results with an acceptable quality should be reported. Thus, a proper validation of the measurement method is required. In this context, ruggedness and robustness testing becomes increasingly more important. In this review, the definitions of ruggedness and robustness are given, followed by a short explanation of the different approaches applied to examine the ruggedness or the robustness of an analytical method. Then, case studies, describing ruggedness or robustness tests of high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC), capillary electrophoretic (CE), gas chromatographic (GC), supercritical fluid chromatographic (SFC), and ultra-performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) assay methods, are critically reviewed and discussed. Mainly publications of the last 10 years are considered.     

HPLC-fluorescence detection and MEKC-LIF detection for the study of amino acids and catecholamines labelled with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxyaldehyde

Naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxyaldehyde (NDA) is commonly used for detection of primary amines in conjunction with their separation with HPLC and CE. The fluorescence of the derivatives can be measured by a conventional fluorometer or via LIF. NDA is a reactive dye, which can replace o-phthaldehyde (OPA) and provides for derivatives which are considerably more stable than OPA derivatives. In addition, NDA can be used to derivatize primary amines at concentrations as low as 100 pM. In this work, HPLC/fluorescence and MEKC/LIF experiments were performed to separate/detect six neuroactive compounds, the amino acids, Gly, Glu, Asp, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the catecholamines, dopamine and noradrenaline. The two methods were compared in terms of performance of separation. The amino acids can be separated in HPLC in less than 30 min and an identical separation is obtained in CE using MEKC and lithium salts with greater resolution (the number of theoretical plates was approximately 5000 for HPLC and 200 000 for MEKC). The lowest detected concentration was in the range of 0.1 nM for CE/LIF. The presence of a high salt concentration does not affect the separation of the samples. Examples of the analysis of microdialysate samples as well as amino acids in Ringer's solution are presented.     

Pharmacokinetic applications of capillary electrophoresis

This review briefly discusses the use of capillary electrophoretic (CE) methods for the investigations of different aspects of pharmacokinetics. In most investigations, CE was the method of choice because of its unique features, including high resolving power for chiral or metabolite separation, small sample volume for pediatric pharmacokinetics or for cell-based investigations, in situ microdialysis sampling for rapid eliminations, low UV wavelength detection for nonderivatized analytes, fast and simplified sample processing for existing methods that require tedious sample preparation, or as a second method for verifications. Moreover, instrumental aspects of CE-based assays for pharmacokinetic studies, such as different modes of CE methods for analyzing biological samples, sample stacking for increasing detection sensitivity, and coupling techniques with microdialysis and mass spectrometry, are also discussed in this review. Furthermore, the advantages and limitations of CE methods as well as the future outlook for pharmacokinetic studies are summarized.     

Development and validation of a high-precision capillary electrophoresis method for main component assay of ragaglitazar

The ability of a developed capillary electrophoresis (CE) method for fast, efficient and reliable main component assay of ragaglitazar [NNC 61-0029/DRF(-)2725] has been demonstrated through documentation of the analytical performance and the results of a successful validation. The fast analysis time of around 1.2 min ensures a high analytical capacity, and the validation results show that the CE method is robust and gives reliable and precise results. The results from the validation of the CE method meet the acceptance criteria that are normally set for other main component assays such as high-performance liquid chromatography assays.     

Trace analysis of surfactants using chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques

Because of the widespread use, increased application of new formulations and immense impact on organisms and ecology surfactants are still in the focus of analytical chemistry. The development of methods with higher selectivity and lower detection limits is important to meet the requirements of greater responsibility for health of people and environment. Efficient separation methods, like HPLC, GC and CE, in combination with sensitive detection, like MS, are to be preferred over collective techniques which can suffer from interfering components. A review on trace analysis of ionic and neutral surfactants including sample preparation steps is presented, considering especially those methods which provide information about homologous and isomeric distribution of surfactant mixtures. Examples for the determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in river water by HPLC and CE are discussed to show the capability of these methods for environmental analyses. As future trends increased applications of LC/MS (very high sensitivity) and also of CE (robustness and possibility for rapid method development) can be predicted.     

毛细管电色谱柱及其固定相制备技术的进展

毛细管电色谱结合了毛细管电泳的高分离效率和高效液相色谱的高选择性,因而在这几年受到了越来越多的关注。本文介绍了近期毛细管电色谱柱及其固定相制备方法和应用的进展。     

Separation and identification of the organic acids in Angelicae Radix and Ligustici Rhizoma by HPLC and CE

Angelicae Radix (AR) and Ligustici Rhizoma (LR) are both derived from the Umbelliferae plants and contain similar organic acids as their bioactive compounds. Nine of these organic acids, including nicotinic acid, protocatechuic acid, phthalic acid, folinic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, folic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were separated by HPLC and CE. Detection at 210 nm with a linear gradient containing 20 mM KH2PO4 (pH 3.5) and H2O-CH3CN in HPLC and with a buffer solution containing 10 mM LTAC, 2 mM Na2HPO4, 9 mM Na2B4O7(pH 9.56), and CH3CN in CE were found to be the most efficient eluents for this separation. The contents of the nine components in crude extracts of either AR or LR could easily be determined within 60 min by LC and within 20 min by CE. The structures of the individual peaks in the LC chromatogram were identified by LC-MS. The effects of buffers on the separation and validation of the two methods were examined.     

氨基酸的分析方法及其应用进展

从衍生试剂角度,介绍了不同衍生化氨基酸的分析方法,包括离子交换色谱法、高效液相色谱法、气相谱法和毛细管电泳法,以及无需衍生化的直接分析法高效阴离子交换色谱-积分脉冲安培法,并总结了蛋白质、食品和生理体液样品中的氨基酸分析方法。     

Capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography of organic pollutants

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has a unique capability for separation of analytes of environmental concern, particularly those that are more polar and ionic, based on the complementary separation principle of electrophoresis. In the past few years, CE has been selectively used to analyze various classes of compounds having current or potential environmental relevance. This review outlines the current status of CE for the determination of environmental pollutants, based predominantly on research results published from the beginning of 1997 to early 1999. Covered are environmental pollutants of all types except pesticides and inorganics. Certain naturally produced toxins are also covered because of their significant impacts upon human health and the environment. CE methods, as with all methods, must be judged on their ability to provide approaches that are reliable, sensitive, selective, and rapid, while meeting "green chemistry" initiatives for pollution prevention. We also compare CE methods to benchmark environmental techniques involving gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).