Rapid separation and determination of carbamate insecticides using isocratic elution pressurized capillary electrochromatography

An isocratic elution pressurized CEC (pCEC) system was used to separate and determine ten carbamate insecticides. It was found that introduction of the electrical field, supplementary pressure, and SDS in the proposed method greatly improved the speed, column efficiency, selectivity, and repeatability for separation and determination of carbamates. On a capillary column of 75 microm ID packed with 3 microm octadecyl silica, baseline separation and detection of ten analytes was performed by using a mobile phase consisting of 30% v/v ACN and 70% v/v of 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate (pH 6.5) containing 1 mmol/L SDS and 0.01% triethylamine (TEA). Under the optimum conditions ten carbamate insecticides could be completely separated within 20 min. For the real vegetable samples, an SPE procedure for the cleanup of matrices was carried out prior to pCEC analysis. The detection limits of 0.05-1.6 mg/kg for ten carbamates and mean recoveries of 51.3-109.2% for eight kinds of vegetable samples at different concentrations of carbamates with RSD less than 11.4% were obtained, respectively. The proposed method has been proved to be effective in the rapid analysis of carbamate residues in vegetables.     

Separation of structurally related estrogens using isocratic elution pressurized capillary electrochromatography

In this paper, the pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC) with UV detection was utilized for the separation and determination of three structurally related estrogens, such as diethylstilbestrol (DES), hexestrol (HEX) and dienestrol (DE), which were difficult to be separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and HPLC due to their similarity in the structure and charge-to-mass ratios. Experiments were carried out in a commercially available pCEC instrument using a capillary column packed with 3 microm octadecyl silica (ODS). Surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was introduced in the mobile phase to enhance the speed of analysis. The effective factors on the retention time and separation resolution, such as the applied voltage, supplementary pressure, the pH and the concentration of the buffer solution, the concentration of SDS, and the content of acetonitrile in the mobile phase, were evaluated. Based on the investigation, 31% (v/v) acetonitrile and 69% (v/v) of 10 mmol/L phosphate buffer (pH 6.5) containing 1.0 mmol/L SDS at an applied voltage of -12 kV and a supplementary pressure of 1000 psi were found to be the optimal conditions for pCEC to separate the three estrogens. The method also had been applied to the analysis of fish muscle samples spiked with estrogens.     

手性整体柱在加压毛细管电色谱中拆分地匹福林对映体

采用一步原位键合法制备了环糊精衍生物毛细管整体柱,在加压毛细管电色谱模式下,对盐酸地匹福林对映体进行了手性分离,并考察了以NaH2PO4作为流动相时电解质溶液pH值、柱温及分离电压等因素对分离的影响.在优化的实验条件下,地匹福林对映体达到了基线分离.     

Ionic liquids monolithic columns for protein separation in capillary electrochromatography

A series of ionic liquids (ILs) monolithic capillary columns based on 1-vinyl-3-octylimidazolium (ViOcIm⁺) were prepared by two approaches (“one-pot” approach and “anion-exchange” approach). The effects of different anions (bromide, Br⁻; tetrafluoroborate, BF₄⁻; hexafluorophosphate, PF₆⁻; and bis-trifluoromethanesulfonylimide, NTf₂⁻) on chromatography performance of all the resulting columns were investigated systematically under capillary electrochromatography (CEC) mode. The results indicated that all these columns could generate a stable reversed electroosmotic flow (EOF) over a wide pH range from 2.0 to 12.0. For the columns prepared by “one-pot” approach, the EOF decreased in the order of ViOcIm⁺Br⁻ > ViOcIm⁺BF₄⁻ > ViOcIm⁺PF₆⁻ > ViOcIm⁺NTf₂⁻ under the same CEC conditions; the ViOcIm⁺Br⁻ based column exhibited highest column efficiencies for the test small molecules; the ViOcIm⁺NTf₂⁻ based column possessed the strongest retention for aromatic hydrocarbons; and baseline separation of four standard proteins was achieved on ViOcIm⁺NTf₂⁻ based column corresponding to the highest column efficiency of 479 000 N m⁻¹ for cytochrome c (Cyt c). These results indicated that the property of ILs based columns could be tuned successfully by changing anions, which gave these columns potential to separate both small molecules and macro biomolecules.     

Protein separation by monolithic capillary electrochromatography

This work presents the separation of model proteins by capillary electrochromatography involving a monolithic stationary phase with C4 functionality. The monolith was fabricated in UV-transparent capillaries by employing a slight modification of a recently published photopolymerization procedure. With the number of theoretical plates per column ranging between 11000 and 33000, the separation efficiency proved to be lower than capillary zone electrophoresis where plate numbers ranged between 18000 and 66000. However, higher resolution was obtained due to the additional chromatographic separation mechanism. Inter- and intra-column reproducibility were evaluated, the latter could be significantly improved when using a rinsing procedure that contained 0.05% sodium dodecylsulfate in the mobile phase. Plate heights became nearly independent of mobile phase velocities higher than 0.5 mm/s indicating that high velocities can be applied without sacrificing efficiency. Furthermore, peak heights showed a dependence on injection times. For proteins, an increase in capacity factors was found when increasing the percentage of organic solvent in the mobile phase.     

Rapid separation of peptides and proteins by isocratic capillary electrochromatography at elevated temperature

The use of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) for the separation by isocratic elution of synthetic peptides, proteins as well as the tryptic digest of cytochrome c has been demonstrated. The monolithic porous stationary phase was prepared from silanized fused-silica capillaries of 75 microm I.D. by in situ copolymerization of vinylbenzyl chloride and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of propanol and formamide as the porogens. The chloromethyl groups at the surface of the porous monolith were reacted with N,N-dimethylbutylamine to form a positively charged chromatographic surface with fixed n-butyl chains. Results of studies on the influence of temperature and mobile phase composition on the retention and selectivity of separation by CEC demonstrated the feasibility of rapid polypeptide analysis and tryptic mapping at elevated temperature with high resolution and efficiency. Typically the chromatography of a tryptic digest of cytochrome c took about 5 min at 55 degrees C and 75 kV/m with hydro-organic mobile phases containing acetonitrile in 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 2.5. For peptides and proteins plots of logarithmic k'cec against acetonitrile concentration were nonlinear, whereas Arrhenius plots for the mobilities were nearly linear. Comparison of the separation of such samples under conditions of CEC and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) indicates that the mechanism of separation in CEC is unique and leads to a chromatographic profile different from that obtained by CZE.     

Analyses of benzophenones by capillary electrochromatography using methacrylate ester-based monolithic columns

In this study, eight benzophenones, which are commonly used as UV filters in various cosmetics and plastics, were analyzed by capillary electrochromatography with a methacrylate ester-based monolithic column. The effects of the composition and pH of mobile phase, porogenic solvent ratio, and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) content on benzophenone separations were examined. For all benzophenones, separation performances were markedly improved in monolithic columns with larger 1-propanol ratio and higher AMPS content. Furthermore, a twofold increase in AMPS content almost reduced the separation time in half when a monolithic column had an adequately high surface area, i.e. monolithic column was produced in a higher ratio of 1-propanol. As well, the retention behaviors of these analytes in the monolithic column were strongly influenced by the level of acetonitrile in the mobile phase, and the pH of the mobile phase also had an apparent influence on separation resolution.     

Analyses of preservatives by capillary electrochromatography using methacrylate ester-based monolithic columns

Five common food preservatives were analyzed by capillary electrochromatography, utilizing a methacrylate ester-based monolithic capillary as separation column. In order to optimize the separation of these preservatives, the effects of the pore size of the polymeric stationary phase, the pH and composition of the mobile phase on separation were examined. For all analytes, it was found that an increase in pore size caused a reduction in retention time. However, separation performances were greatly improved in monolithic columns with smaller pore sizes. The pH of the mobile phase had little influence on separation resolution, but a dramatic effect on the amount of sample that was needed to be electrokinetically injected into the monolithic column. In addition, the retention behaviors of these analytes were strongly influenced by the level of acetonitrile in the mobile phase. An optimal separation of the five preservatives was obtained within 7.0 min with a pH 3.0 mobile phase composed of phosphate buffer and acetonitrile 35:65 v/v. Finally, preservatives in real commercial products, including cold syrup, lotion, wine, and soy sauces, were successfully determined by the methacrylate ester-based polymeric monolithic column under this optimized condition.     

Practical aspects of using methacrylate-ester-based monolithic columns in capillary electrochromatography

Methacrylate-ester-based monoliths containing quaternary ammonium groups were prepared in situ in capillary columns and in simultaneous experiments in vials, employing thermal initiation. The chromatographic properties of the monoliths were determined with capillary electrochromatography (CEC), and their morphology was studied with mercury-intrusion porosimetry on the bulk materials. Materials with different, well repeatable pore-size distributions could be prepared. A satisfactory column-to-column and run-to-run repeatability was obtained for the electro-osmotic mobility, the retention characteristics (k-values) and the efficiency on the columns prepared and tested in the CEC mode. A relatively high electro-osmotic flow was observed in the direction of the positive electrode. The electro-osmotic mobility was found to be influenced only marginally by mobile-phase parameters such as the pH, ionic strength, and acetonitrile content. The retention behavior of the monolithic columns was similar to that of columns packed with C18-modified silica particles. Columns could be prepared with optimum plate heights ranging from 6 microm for unretained compounds to 20 microm for well retained (k=2.5) polyaromatic hydrocarbons. However, for specific analytes a - still unexplained - lower chromatographic column efficiency was observed.     

新型亲水整体柱的制备及其在毛细管液相色谱和加压电色谱中的应用

以N,N-二甲基-N-甲基丙烯酰胺基丙基-N,N-二甲基-N-丙烷磺酸内盐(SPP)为单体,季戊四醇三丙烯酸酯(PETA)为交联剂,偶氮二异丁腈(AIBN)为引发剂及两类不同的致孔剂(乙醇/乙二醇和甲醇/1,4-丁二醇)制备了两种新型亲水性整体柱。为了获得理想的柱效、电渗流速度和渗透性,对制备整体柱的各反应物配比进行了研究和优化。比较了两种整体柱在渗透性和分离样品方面的性能,结果表明,以乙醇/乙二醇为致孔剂制备的整体柱在柱效、分离度方面优于以甲醇/1,4-丁二醇为致孔剂制备的整体柱,但在渗透性方面不及后者。探讨了流动相中盐浓度对核苷类样品保留的影响,发现当甲酸铵浓度从10 mmol/L增加到70 mmol/L时,核苷样品的保留因子呈现先增加后减小的状态。将制备的整体柱用于毛细管液相色谱和加压电色谱分别分离胺类、酚类和核苷类样品,获得了理想的分离效果。在分离酚类和核苷类混合样品时,发现加压毛细管电色谱在分离度和分离速度上均优于毛细管液相色谱。     

Enantiomer separation by capillary electrochromatography using fritless packed columns.

This review summarizes recent developments in the field of enantiomer separation by capillary electrochromatography using fritless packed columns. Various enantiomers have been separated by employing fritless packed columns prepared in a fused silica capillary either by the immobilization of chiral packing materials by sintering or sol-gel technology or by in situ polymerization of a mixture containing chiral selectors. The details of the column preparation procedures and the attainable column performance are described.     

Acrylate ester-based monolithic columns for capillary electrochromatography separation of triacylglycerols in vegetable oils

A simple and reliable method for the evaluation of triacylglycerols (TAGs) in vegetable oils by capillary electrochromatography (CEC) with UV-Vis detection, using octadecyl acrylate (ODA) ester-based monolithic columns, has been developed. The percentages of the porogenic solvents in the polymerization mixture, and the mobile phase composition, were optimized. The optimum monolith was obtained at the following ratios: 40:60% (wt/wt) monomers/porogens, 60:40% (wt/wt) ODA/1,3-butanediol diacrylate and 23:77% (wt/wt) 1,4-butanediol/1-propanol (14 wt% 1,4-butanediol in the polymerization mixture). A satisfactory resolution between TAGs was achieved in less than 12 min with a 65:35 (v/v) acetonitrile/2-propanol mixture containing 5 mM ammonium acetate. The method was applied to the analysis of TAGs of vegetable oil samples. Using linear discriminant analysis of the CEC TAG profiles, the vegetable oils belonging to six different botanical origins (corn, extra virgin olive, hazelnut, peanut, soybean and sunflower) were correctly classified with an excellent resolution among all the categories.     

Analysis of flavonoids in leaves of Adinandra nitida by capillary electrochromatography on monolithic columns with stepwise gradient elution

Extracts of Adinandra nitida leaves, known as Shiyacha in China, were analyzed by monolithic columns of capillary electrochromatography (CEC). To obtain good resolution within a short time, stepwise gradient elution of CEC was employed, and the effects of experimental parameters, such as the buffer, the gradient conditions, and the mode of injection were studied systematically. Under optimized conditions, analysis could be accomplished in 25 min on a monolithic rod of macroporous poly(butyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate). With two identified flavonoids, epicatechin and apigenin, as markers, a quality control method for Shiyacha and its relevant products was established. The calibration curves exhibited good linear behavior over the concentration range of two orders of magnitude. On combination with an on-line concentration technique, the detection limit of flavonoids could be decreased to 25 ng for apigenin.     

Advances in capillary electrochromatography and micro-high performance liquid chromatography monolithic columns for separation science

Over the last decade, monoliths or continuous beds have emerged as an alternative to traditional packed-bed columns for use in capillary electrochromatography (CEC) and micro-high performance liquid chromatography (micro-HPLC). Monolithic columns can be divided into two categories: silica-based monolithic columns and rigid organic polymer-based monolithic columns resulting from the polymerization of acrylamide, styrene, acrylate or methacrylate monomers. In this paper, the chemistry and most recent applications of these various types of monoliths in both CEC and micro-HPLC are presented.     

Preparation of monolithic capillary columns for capillary electrochromatography by γ-ray irradiation

A novel approach is introduced and evaluated for the preparation of silica-based monoliths by a sol–gel technique where in situ polymerization was carried out by γ-ray irradiation within the capillary. The γ-radiation-initiated synthesis generated radicals directly on the monomer, thereby avoiding use of any initiator. The chromatographic behavior of the capillary monolithic columns was studied in the modes of CEC, p-CEC and low pressure-driven separation, all of which exhibited reversed-phase character. Various operational parameters, such as column temperature, separation voltage, acetonitrile content and buffer pH, were varied to assess their influence on column performance in the separation of a series of neutral compounds including thiourea, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, biphenyl and naphthalene. A scanning electron micrograph of a cross-section of the capillary column showed that the gel took the form of a spherical particle aggregate and adhered to the column inner wall. It provided a viable alternative to either thermally initiated or photo polymerization for the preparation of monolithic columns.     

甲基丙烯酸酯整体柱毛细管电色谱法快速分析白芷中的主要活性成分

以甲基丙烯酸酯整体柱为分离柱,建立了一种快速分离、分析白芷药材提取物中的主要活性成分欧前胡素(imperatorin)、异欧前胡素(isoimperatorin)、珊瑚菜内酯(phelloptorin)和发卡二醇(falcarindiol)的毛细管电色谱(CEC)方法。在整体柱制备实验中对三元致孔剂组成成分的比例进行了系统的考察。在分离实验中对流动相的组成(包括有机相组成、缓冲液浓度和缓冲液的pH值)进行了优化。最终的优化条件为: 流动相为乙腈-20 mmol/L NaH2PO4(pH 4.95)(50:50, v/v),分离电压为－25 kV。结果表明,所制备的甲基丙烯酸酯毛细管整体柱具有良好的渗透性和重现性;4种分析物的标准曲线线性关系良好(r2＞0.997),检出限均小于0.34 mg/L,加样回收率为95.18%～98.44%。该方法快速、简便、可靠。应用该方法对18个不同产地的白芷样品进行了测定,并对其药材质量进行了评价。     

Separation and determination of seven fluoroquinolones by pressurized capillary electrochromatography

In this paper, pressurized CEC was used for the separation and determination of seven fluoroquinolones (FQs). The effect of different experimental conditions, such as the concentration and pH of the buffer, the organic modifier concentration, the surfactant and ion-paring agents added to the electrolyte, and applied voltage were studied. All the seven FQs were baseline separated using mobile phase containing 27% v/v ACN, 5 mmol/L Na2HPO4 buffer (pH 4.0 adjusted using citric acid), 11 mmol/L SDS, and 0.01% TEA v/v at detection wavelength of 287 nm and at an applied voltage of -10 kV. The calibration curves were linear (r>0.9991) over a concentration range of 1.0-50.0 mg/L for norfloxacin (NFLX); 2.5-50.0 mg/L for fleroxacin (FLX), ciprofloxacin (CPFX), and lomefloxacin (LMX); and 5.0-50.0 mg/L for enoxacin (ENX), ofloxacin (OFLX), and gatifloxacin (GFLX). The detection limits (S/N = 3) for ENX, OFLX, FLX, NFLX, CPFX, LMX, and GFLX were 0.5, 0.8, 0.4, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L, respectively. The method is simple, rapid, and reproducible. It was successfully applied to the analysis of fish muscle samples spiked with FQs. Mean recoveries ranged from 81.6 to 97.6%.     

Enantiomeric separation by capillary electrochromatography using monolithic capillaries with sol-gel-glued cyclodextrin-modified silica particles

By an on-column sol-gel process, a chiral monolithic stationary phase was prepared by the fusion of permethyl-beta-cyclodextrin-silica (Chira-Dex-silica) particles and by linking them to the internal capillary wall. The resulting monolith is stable toward voltage (30 kV) and pressure (300 bar) and possesses a high efficiency (up to 100,000 theoretical plates per meter). Efficient enantiomeric separation of various chiral compounds by pressure-supported capillary electrochromatography (CEC) was achieved. When comparing this method to capillary liquid chromatography (LC) employing the same column in an unified equipment, CEC shows a twofold higher column efficiency at comparable elution times and hence better resolution factors.     

Design of the monolithic polymers used in capillary electrochromatography columns

Monolithic columns for capillary electrochromatography (CEC) are receiving quite remarkable attention. Both the simplicity of the in situ preparation and the large number of readily available chemistries make the monolithic separation media a vital alternative to capillary columns packed with particulate materials. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art in this rapidly growing area of CEC with a focus on monolithic capillary columns prepared from synthetic polymers. Recent achievements in column technologies for both high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis are used as the starting point to highlight the influence of these well established analytical methods on the development of monolithic capillary columns for CEC. The effects of individual variables on the separation properties of monolithic capillaries are discussed in detail. The analytical potential of these columns is demonstrated with separations involving various families of compounds in different chromatographic modes.