A high-throughput LC-MS/MS method suitable for population biomonitoring measures five serum folate vitamers and one oxidation product

Small specimen volume and high sample throughput are key features needed for routine methods used for population biomonitoring. We modified our routine eight-probe solid phase extraction (SPE) LC-MS/MS method for the measurement of five folate vitamers [5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF), folic acid (FA), plus three minor forms: THF, 5-formylTHF, 5,10-methenylTHF] and one oxidation product of 5-methylTHF (MeFox) to require less serum volume (150 μL instead of 275 μL) by using 96-well SPE plates with 50 mg instead of 100 mg phenyl sorbent and to provide faster throughput by using a 96-probe SPE system. Total imprecision (10 days, two replicates/day) for three serum quality control pools was 2.8–3.6 % for 5-methylTHF (19.5–51.1 nmol/L), 6.6–8.7 % for FA (0.72–11.4 nmol/L), and ≤11.4 % for the minor folate forms (<1–5 nmol/L). The mean (±SE) recoveries of folates spiked into serum (3 days, four levels, two replicates/level) were: 5-methylTHF, 99.4?±?3.6 %; FA, 100?±?1.8 %; minor folates, 91.7–108 %. SPE extraction efficiencies were ≥85 %, except for THF (78 %). Limits of detection were ≤0.3 nmol/L. The new method correlated well with our routine method [n?=?150, r?=?0.99 for 5-methylTHF, FA, and total folate (tFOL, sum of folate forms)] and produced slightly higher tFOL (5.6 %) and 5-methylTHF (7.3 %) concentrations, likely due to the faster 96-probe SPE process (1 vs. 5 h), resulting in improved SPE efficiency and recovery compared to the eight-probe SPE method. With this improved LC-MS/MS method, 96 samples can be processed in ～2 h, and all relevant folate forms can be accurately measured using a small serum volume.

Thermodynamic study of complex formation between dibenzo-18-crown-6 and UO2 2+ cation in different non-aqueous binary solutions

In the present work the complexation process between UO₂ ²⁺ cation and the macrocyclic ligand, dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) was studied in ethylacetate–dimethylformamide (EtOAc/DMF), ethylacetate–acetonitrile (EtOAc/AN), and ethylacetate–tetrahydrofuran (EtOAc/THF) and ethylacetate–propylencarbonate (EtOAc/PC) binary solutions at different temperatures using the conductometric method. The results show that the stoichiometry of the (DB18C6 . UO₂)²⁺ complex in all binary mixed solvents is 1:1. A non-linear behavior was observed for changes of log K_f of this complex versus the composition of the binary mixed solvents. The stability constant of (DB18C6 . UO₂)²⁺ complex in various neat solvents at 25 °C decreases in order: THF > EtOAc > PC > AN > DMF, and in the binary solvents at 25 °C is: THF–EtOAc > PC–EtOAc > DMF–EtOAc ≈ AN–EtOAc. The values of thermodynamic quantities (?H°_c, ?S°_c) for formation of this complex in the different binary solutions were obtained from temperature dependence of its stability constant and the results show that the thermodynamics of complexation reaction between UO₂ ²⁺ cation and DB18C6 is affected strongly by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents.     

Solvent influence upon complex formation between benzo-15-crown-5 and Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sr2+ cations in some pure and binary mixed solvents using conductometric method

The complexation reactions between Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ cations with the macrocyclic ligand, benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5), in pure acetonitrile, water, methanol and tetrahydrofuran and also in acetonitrile–water (AN–H₂O) and in methanol–tetrahydrofuran (MeOH–THF) binary mixtures have been studied at different temperatures using conductometric method. The conductance data show that the stoichiometry of the complexes in most cases is 1:1 [ML]. But in the case of Ca²⁺ cation a 1:2 [ML₂] complex is formed in pure THF, which shows that the stoichiometry of the complexes may be changed by the nature of the medium. The values of stability constants of complexes, which were obtained from conductometric data, show that the stability of complexes is affected by the nature and composition of the binary mixed solvents and a non-linear behavior was observed for variation of logK_f of the complexes versus the composition of the solvent systems. The results show that the selectivity order of B15C5 for the metal cations in two AN–H₂O binary solutions (mol% AN = 25.71 and 50.94) at 25 °C is: Mg²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > Ca²⁺. The values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔH _c ⁰ , ΔS _c ⁰ ) for formation of complexes were obtained from temperature dependence of stability constants of complexes using the van’t Hoff plots. The results show that the values and also the sign of these parameters are influenced by the nature and also the composition of the binary mixed solvents.     

Theoretical and experimental study of lone pair interactions in THF/chloranilic acid system

Crystallization of a multi-component molecular crystal that consists of chloranilic acid with THF as solvate afforded the general formula C₆H₂O₄Cl₂·THF. Its crystal structure is new and reveals new example of cooperative lone pair–π interactions (oxygen of THF to centroid of chloranilic distance of 3.258 Å) beside others (e.g., hydrogen bonding OH···O) with new experimental evidence of receptor/solvent as a lone pair donor. This has been supported by computational methods, mainly, DFT and RIMP2 levels of theory (?48.3 kJ/mol). In addition, several potential curve surfaces are obtained to test the strength and type of every notable interaction in the lattice.     

RP-LC Determination and Pharmacokinetic Study of Ferulic Acid and Isoferulic Acid in Rat Plasma After Taking Traditional Chinese Medicinal-Preparation: Guanxinning Lyophilizer

A sensitive, simple, and accurate method for determination and pharmacokinetic study of ferulic acid and isoferulic acid in rat plasma was developed using a reversed-phase column liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) method with UV detection. Sample preparations were carried out by protein precipitation with the addition of methanol, followed by evaporation to dryness. The resultant residue was then reconstituted in mobile phase and injected into a Kromasil C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d. with 5 μm particle size). The mobile phase was methanol-1% formic acid (33:67, v/v). The calibration plots were linear over the range 5.780–5780 ng·mL⁻¹ for ferulic acid and 1.740–348.0 ng·mL⁻¹ for isoferulic acid. Mean recoveries were 85.1% and 91.1%, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of within-day and between-day precision were not above 15% for both of the analytes. The limits of quantification were 5.780 ng·mL⁻¹ for ferulic acid and 1.740 ng·mL⁻¹ for isoferulic acid. This RP-LC method was used successfully in pharmacokinetic studies of ferulic acid and isoferulic acid in rat plasma after intravenous injection of Guanxinning Lyophilizer.

     

Ultrasonic-assisted supramolecular solvent-based liquid phase microextraction of mercury as 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol complexes from water samples

A separation-preconcentration method based on supramolecular solvent ultrasonic-assisted liquid-phase microextraction (Ss-USA-LPME) for spectrophotometric determination of mercury as 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) chelates has been established. Red coloured Hg(II)-PAN hydrophobic complex was extracted into the supramolecular phase (1-decanol/THF) at pH 9.5. The extract was separated from aqueous phase by centrifugation, diluted with ethanol and determined by UV–Vis spectrophotometer at λ_max = 560 nm. The influences of important analytical parameters such as pH, amount of PAN, 1-decanol and THF, sample volume and matrix effects for the quantitative recoveries were examined and optimised. Under the optimised experimental conditions, the amount of ligand, 1-decanol and THF were 1.0 × 10^–4 M, 200 µL and 300 µL, respectively. The optimum time of ultrasonic bath and centrifugation were found as 2 min and 5 min. A linear calibration graph was obtained linearly in the concentration ranges of 8.3–1000 µg L^?1. The preconcentration factor was obtained as 20. The limit of detection (LOD) was 2.6 µg L^?1 with the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.4% for mercury (C = 100 µg L^?1, n = 7). The validity of the developed Ss-USA-LPME technique was checked with a certified reference material of NIST 1641d. The presented method has been successfully applied to the determination of mercury in water samples.     

RP-LC Determination and Pharmacokinetic Study of Ferulic Acid and Isoferulic Acid in Rat Plasma After Taking Traditional Chinese Medicinal-Preparation: Guanxinning Lyophilizer

A sensitive, simple, and accurate method for determination and pharmacokinetic study of ferulic acid and isoferulic acid in rat plasma was developed using a reversed-phase column liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) method with UV detection. Sample preparations were carried out by protein precipitation with the addition of methanol, followed by evaporation to dryness. The resultant residue was then reconstituted in mobile phase and injected into a Kromasil C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d. with 5 μm particle size). The mobile phase was methanol-1% formic acid (33:67, v/v). The calibration plots were linear over the range 5.780–5780 ng·mL^?1 for ferulic acid and 1.740–348.0 ng·mL^?1 for isoferulic acid. Mean recoveries were 85.1% and 91.1%, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of within-day and between-day precision were not above 15% for both of the analytes. The limits of quantification were 5.780 ng·mL^?1 for ferulic acid and 1.740 ng·mL^?1 for isoferulic acid. This RP-LC method was used successfully in pharmacokinetic studies of ferulic acid and isoferulic acid in rat plasma after intravenous injection of Guanxinning Lyophilizer.     

Simultaneous Determination of Clopidogrel and Its Carboxylic Acid Metabolite (SR26334) in Human Plasma by LC–ESI–MS–MS: Application to the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Clopidogrel

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of clopidogrel and its carboxylic acid metabolite (SR26334) in human plasma using nateglinide and pioglitazone as internal standards. Analytes were extracted from 0.50 mL of plasma using diethyl ether–n-hexane (4:1, v/v). Chromatographic separation was performed on a Teknokroma C₁₈ column with a mobile phase of methanol–water (containing 0.1% formic acid) (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.20 mL min^?1 within 5.6 min. Linearity was established over the concentration range of 0.005–5 ng mL^?1 for clopidogrel and 20–2,500 ng mL^?1 for SR26334. Intra- and inter-batch standard deviations were less than 9.2% and the accuracy of this assay was found to fall within an acceptable range ≤10.0%. The method was successfully applied to the therapeutic drug monitoring of clopidogrel.     

Simultaneous Determination of Acetaminophen, Caffeine, and Chlorphenamine Maleate in Paracetamol and Chlorphenamine Maleate Granules

A simple and rapid HPLC method using phenacetin (PHN) as internal standard has been developed for simultaneous determination of acetaminophen, caffeine, and chlorphenamine maleate in the product compound paracetamol and chlorphenamine maleate granules. Separation and quantitation were achieved on a 250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm particle, C₁₈ column. The mobile phase was methanol 0.05 mol L^?1 aqueous KH₂PO₄ solution, 45:55 (v/v), containing 0.1% triethylamine and adjusted to pH 3.6 by addition of phosphoric acid; the flow rate was 1.0 mL min^?1. Detection of all compounds was by UV absorbance at 260 nm and elution of the analytes was achieved in less than 12 min. The linearity, accuracy, and precision of the method were acceptable to good over the concentration ranges 6.4–153.6 μg mL^?1 for acetaminophen, 5.0–120.0 μg mL^?1 for caffeine, and 9.6–230.4 μg mL^?1 for chlorphenamine maleate.     

RP-LC and HPTLC Methods for the Determination of Olmesartan Medoxomil and Hydrochlorothiazide in Combined Tablet Dosage Forms

Two new, rapid, precise, accurate and specific chromatographic methods were described for the simultaneous determination of olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide in combined tablet dosage forms. The first method was based on reversed phase liquid chromatography using an Eurosphere 100 RP C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm ID, 5 μm). The mobile phase was methanol–0.05% o-phosphoric acid (60:40 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. Commercially available tablets and laboratory mixtures containing both drugs were assayed and detected using a UV detector at 270 nm. The second method involved silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ high performance thin layer chromatography and densitometric detection at 254 nm using acetonitrile–ethyl acetate–glacial acid (7:3:0.4 v/v/v) as the mobile phase. Calibration curves ranged between 200–600 and 125–375 ng spot^?1 for olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively.     

A Sensitive LC–ESI–MS–MS Method for the Determination of Huperzine A in Human Plasma: Method and Clinical Applications

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the quantification of huperzine A in human plasma. After the addition of trimetazidine, the internal standard (IS) and sodium hydroxide, plasma samples were extracted using 5 mL ethyl acetate. The compounds were separated on an Agilent Zorbax SB C₁₈ column (100 mm × 2.1 mm ID, dp 3.5 μm) using an elution system of 10 mM ammonium acetate solution–methanol–formic acid (18:82:0.1, v/v) as the mobile phase. The quantification of target compounds was obtained by using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions: m/z 243.1, 210.1 and 267.2, 166.0 were measured in positive mode for huperzine A and IS. Linearity was established for the range of concentrations 0.01–4.0 ng mL^?1 with a coefficient of correlation (r) of 0.9991. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was identifiable and reproducible at 0.01 ng mL^?1. The method has been successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of huperzine A in healthy male Chinese volunteers.     

A greener microwave-assisted extraction method for rapid spectroscopic determination of selected metals in river and freshwater sediment certified reference materials

The current study describes development of novel, cost-effective, rapid and greener microwave-assisted extraction (MW-AE) method using diluted hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and 400 µL of concentrated aqua-regia for the extraction of 10 selected metals (Ba, Cr, Cu, Co Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) in sediment certified reference materials (CRMs), prior to inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopic analysis. The optimum extraction conditions were achieved when 0.2 g of sediment was extracted with 1 mol L^?1 of H₂O₂ (12.00 mL) and 400 µL of concentrated aqua-regia, at 180°C microwave extraction temperature for 30 min. Accuracy of the proposed MW-AE method was evaluated by using river (LGC6187) and freshwater (CRM015-050) sediment CRMs. Quantitative extraction recoveries of 80–120% in LGC6187 and 74–124% in CRM0150-050 were obtained with acceptable precision (0.4–1.0%). The proposed extraction method has a clear advantage over classical approaches as 1 mol L^?1 H₂O₂ was used instead of notorious acidic mixture (Hydrochloric acid/ nitric acid/ hydrofluoric). The method detection limits (MDLs) of 0.03–0.9 μg g^?1 were obtained for all the investigated metals and were fairly comparable with the MDLs of the published literature reports. Therefore, the proposed MW-AE method can be routinely used for monitoring of metal ions in various river and fresh water sediments.     

Synthesis of 5-(dimethylsilyl)pentylalkylferrocene-grafted HTPB (alkylFc-HTPB) via platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation

In this work, at first alkylferrocene derivatives were synthesized according to procedure described in the literature. (5-Chloropentanoyl)ferrocene derivatives were prepared by Friedel–Crafts acylation of ferrocene and alkylferrocene derivatives with 5-chloropentanoyl chloride in dichloromethane, and AlCl₃ was used as catalyst. The corresponding 5-chloropentylferrocene derivatives were synthesized from reduction of these products by NaBH₄ in diglyme at 0 °C. Finally (5-alkylferrocenylpentyl)dimethylsilane was synthesized from reaction of 5-chloropentylferrocene derivatives with magnesium in THF and reaction of corresponding Grignard reagents with chlorodimethylsilane in 82–87% yields. ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy supported the predicted structure of the product. Nine samples of alkylferrocene-grafted hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (alkylFc-HTPB) derivatives, containing different percent of iron, were synthesized by hydrosilylation reaction of [5-(alkylferrocenyl)pentyl]dimethylsilane with hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), in the presence of catalytic amount of the hexachloroplatinic acid (Speier’s catalyst). FT-IR spectroscopy was utilized to follow the progress of the reaction, by monitoring the loss of the Si–H absorption at 2110 cm^?1, and the reaction was completed in 24 h. Some properties of resulting prepolymer like viscosity, glass transition temperature and iron percentage as important parameters in production of composite propellants were investigated. For example, the viscosity increased with increasing iron content because of the greater extent of ferrocene grafting in the polymer.     

Validated, Stability-Indicating LC Method for Analysis of Pipenzolate Bromide and Its Hydrolysis Products

A liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for quantitative analysis of pipenzolate bromide (PP), its hydrolysis products, and phenobarbitone, sodium benzoate, and sodium saccharine. A 5-μm particle ODS column was used with acetonitrile–KH₂PO₄ (10 mm, pH 3.5) 40:60 (v/v), containing 5 mm heptanesulfonic acid sodium salt, as mobile phase. Quantitation was achieved by UV detection at 210 nm, on the basis of peak area. Forced degradation studies were performed on a bulk sample of PP using 0.1 M hydrochloric acid, 0.01 M sodium hydroxide, 0.33% hydrogen peroxide, heat (70 °C), and photolytic degradation. The proposed LC method was used to study the kinetics of acidic hydrolysis and pH-rate profiles of hydrolysis of PP in Britton–Robinson buffer solutions.     

Simultaneous Determination of Clopidogrel and Its Carboxylic Acid Metabolite (SR26334) in Human Plasma by LC–ESI–MS–MS: Application to the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Clopidogrel

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of clopidogrel and its carboxylic acid metabolite (SR26334) in human plasma using nateglinide and pioglitazone as internal standards. Analytes were extracted from 0.50 mL of plasma using diethyl ether–n-hexane (4:1, v/v). Chromatographic separation was performed on a Teknokroma C₁₈ column with a mobile phase of methanol–water (containing 0.1% formic acid) (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.20 mL min⁻¹ within 5.6 min. Linearity was established over the concentration range of 0.005–5 ng mL⁻¹ for clopidogrel and 20–2,500 ng mL⁻¹ for SR26334. Intra- and inter-batch standard deviations were less than 9.2% and the accuracy of this assay was found to fall within an acceptable range ≤10.0%. The method was successfully applied to the therapeutic drug monitoring of clopidogrel.

     

LC Simultaneous Determination of the Free Forms of B Group Vitamins and Vitamin C in Various Fortified Food Products

An LC–UV screening method for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (C), and the free forms of thiamine (B₁) riboflavin (B₂), niacin (B₃), pyridoxine (B₆) in enriched food products was developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was accomplished within 18 min using a gradient of water with 0.1% formic acid (pH 2.5) and methanol with 0.1% formic acid on a C₁₈ reverse phase column (5 μm, 150 × 3.2 mm) while detection was performed at two wavelengths (266 and 290 nm). Sample preparation was based on an extraction method originally developed for vitamin C. This procedure besides extracting vitamin C was extended to the extraction of the free forms of vitamins B₁, B_2, B_3, B₆ and B₉. The developed analytical method was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of the vitamin C content along with the free vitamin B forms of three different enriched food products.

     

LC–MS/MS method for the quantification of masitinib in RLMs matrix and rat urine: application to metabolic stability and excretion rate

Masitinib (MST) is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method (LC–MS/MS) was developed for the quantification of MST in rat liver microsomes (RLMs) matrix. The developed method was applied to metabolic stability and excretion rate studies. Reversed phase liquid chromatography was used for resolution of MST and bosutinib (IS) using C₁₈ (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm). Binary solvent system consisted of 35% solvent A (0.1% formic acid in H₂O, pH: 3.2) and 65% solvent B (acetonitrile) used as mobile phase at flow rate of 0.25 mL with a total run time of 5 min. Injection volume was 5 µL. Generation of ions was done in positive ESI source and quantification of MST and IS were done using MRM mode. The developed method showed a linearity in the range of 5–200 ng/mL (r² ≥ 0.9992) with LOQ and LOD of 0.25 and 0.76 ng/mL in RLMs. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy ranged from 0.95 to 1.49 and ? 5.22 to 1.13%, respectively in RLMs. Rate of disappearance of MST during incubation with RLMs was almost linear allover incubation time. In vitro t_1/2 was 50.38 min and CL_in was 3.11 ± 0.2. The developed method was applied also to measure the rate of masitinib excretion in rat urine. The method can used for further pharmacokinetic studies of MST.     

Fast Determination of Fumonisin B1 and B2 in Corn Using a Modified QuEChERS Method and LC–MS–MS

A fast analytical method for the simultaneous determination of fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) and fumonisin B₂ (FB₂) in corn using a novel QuEChERS method and LC–MS–MS was developed and validated. Samples were extracted with methanol–water (3:1 v/v) by means of ultrasonic extraction. The extract was purified with a novel modified QuEChERS method. Firstly, FB₁ and FB₂ in the extract were retained with primary secondary amine (PSA). Then, FB₁ and FB₂ were released from PSA with 1.0 % formic acid in methanol. The final eluate was diluted with water, and analyzed by LC–MS–MS on a Waters Acquity BEH C₁₈ column with 0.1 % formic acid in water/methanol as mobile phase with gradient elution. Mean recoveries of 83.5–102.4 % with CVs of 3.6–10.5 % were obtained at fortification levels of 2, 50 and 1,000 μg kg⁻¹. The limit of quantification was 2.0 μg kg⁻¹.

     

Supramolecular-based solvent microextraction of carbaryl in water samples followed by high performance liquid chromatography determination

In this study, a simple, rapid, low cost, sensitive and environmentally friendly technique, supramolecular solvent microextraction (SM-SME) followed by high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet has been proposed to extract carbaryl from water samples. Parameters, affecting the SM-SME performance such as the weight of decanoic acid (DeA), volume of tetrahydrofuran (THF), pH and salt concentration, were studied and optimised. The effect of the pH on the extraction efficiency was evaluated by one–factor-at-a-time methodology, but the other variables were optimised by a face-centred cube central composite design methodology. Optimum extraction conditions were obtained: DeA: 70 mg; THF: 650 µL; salt concentration: 10% (w/v) NaCl and pH = 2–4), and the performance of the proposed method was evaluated. Under the optimum conditions, good linearity (1.0–500 µg L^?1, r² = 0.9994) was obtained. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.3–1.0 µg L^?1, respectively. Also, the recoveries of the carbaryl were obtained in the ranged from 96% to 105%. Finally, proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of the carbaryl in the water samples of farms run-off and rivers and satisfactory results were obtained.     

LC Simultaneous Determination of the Free Forms of B Group Vitamins and Vitamin C in Various Fortified Food Products

An LC–UV screening method for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (C), and the free forms of thiamine (B₁) riboflavin (B₂), niacin (B₃), pyridoxine (B₆) in enriched food products was developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was accomplished within 18 min using a gradient of water with 0.1% formic acid (pH 2.5) and methanol with 0.1% formic acid on a C₁₈ reverse phase column (5 μm, 150 × 3.2 mm) while detection was performed at two wavelengths (266 and 290 nm). Sample preparation was based on an extraction method originally developed for vitamin C. This procedure besides extracting vitamin C was extended to the extraction of the free forms of vitamins B₁, B_2, B_3, B₆ and B₉. The developed analytical method was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of the vitamin C content along with the free vitamin B forms of three different enriched food products.