High performance liquid chromatography of aromatic carboxylic acids on p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene-bonded silica gel stationary phase

A new p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene-bonded silica gel stationary phase (CABS) was used for the separation of some aromatic carboxylic acids by HPLC. The chromatographic behaviour of the solutes on CABS was studied in comparison with conventional ODS. The results show that the calix[8]arene-bonded phase exhibits a stronger retention and better selectivity than ODS for the aromatic carboxylic acids. The different elution order of the analytes was also observed on both packings, which show the existence of distinct retention mechanisms. According to chromatographic data, it can be concluded that the high selectivity of CABS for aromatic carboxylic acids ascribes to various interactions between CABS and the analytes, such as hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonding interaction, π-π interaction and inclusion interaction.     

Studies on the chromatographic behavior of nucleosides and bases on p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene-bonded silica gel stationary phase by HPLC

The chromatographic behavior of some nucleosides, pyrimidines and purines on a new p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene-bonded silica gel stationary phase (CABS) were studied by high performance liquid chromatography. Their retention behavior on CABS were compared with those on ODS. The influence of mobile phase variables, such as methanol content, pH and ionic strength on the retention behavior were studied. Some nucleosides, pyrimidines and purines on CABS were successfully separated. The results show that the calix[8]arene-bonded phase exhibits high selectivities for the above analytes in high aqueous mobile phases. According to the chromatographic data, it is indicated that hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen-bonding interaction, and dipole-dipole interaction are mainly responsible for the retention behavior. In addition, in some extent, the vertical stacking action of the analytes on CABS can also change the retention behavior. CABS was superior to ODS in the routine fast separation of nucleosides and bases.     

Sequential determination of fat- and water-soluble vitamins in Rhodiola imbricata root from trans-Himalaya with rapid resolution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid method was developed to determine both types of vitamins in Rhodiola imbricata root for the accurate quantification of free vitamin forms. Rapid resolution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC–MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI) source operating in multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode was optimized for the sequential analysis of nine water-soluble vitamins (B₁, B₂, two B₃ vitamins, B₅, B₆, B₇, B₉, and B₁₂) and six fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, D₂, D₃, K₁, and K₂). Both types of vitamins were separated by ion-suppression reversed-phase liquid chromatography with gradient elution within 30 min and detected in positive ion mode. Deviations in the intra- and inter-day precision were always below 0.6% and 0.3% for recoveries and retention time. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) values of retention time for water- and fat-soluble vitamin were ranged between 0.02–0.20% and 0.01–0.15%, respectively. The mean recoveries were ranged between 88.95 and 107.07%. Sensitivity and specificity of this method allowed the limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantitation (LOQ) of the analytes at ppb levels. The linear range was achieved for fat- and water-soluble vitamins at 100–1000 ppb and 10–100 ppb. Vitamin B-complex and vitamin E were detected as the principle vitamins in the root of this adaptogen which would be of great interest to develop novel foods from the Indian trans-Himalaya.     

Preparation and characterization of a new p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene-bonded stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography.

A new p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene-bonded silica gel stationary phase (CABS) was prepared via 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as a coupling reagent for HPLC. Its structure was characterized by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), elemental analysis and thermal analysis. The chromatographic performance of new packing was evaluated by using basic, acidic and neutral aromatic compounds as probes compared with conventional ODS. The results show that the new stationary phase has an excellent reversed-phase property and high selectivities for substituted aromatics compared with ODS, because CABS can provide various sites for the analytes, such as hydrogen-bonding interactions, pi-pi interactions, and inclusion complex, besides hydrophobic interactions.     

Investigation on the preparation and chromatographic behavior of a new para-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-1,2-crown-4 stationary phase for high performance liquid chromatography

In the present work, a new para-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-1,2-crown-4 bonded silica stationary phase (CBS4-4) was synthesized, structurally characterized, and employed to separate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenols, aromatic amines, benzoic acid and its derivatives. The chromatographic behaviors of the prepared stationary phase were investigated and compared with ODS. The effects of methanol concentrations on the retention index show that CBS4-4 exhibits high selectivity for the above analytes. The separation mechanisms based on the different interactions between calixarene and the analytes were discussed. With the assistance of quantum chemistry calculation, the interaction Gibbs free energy change ΔG_solv (in the mobile phase) of p, m and o-phenylenediamine positional isomers and para-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-1,2-crown-4 were obtained. The ΔG_solv values were consistent with the retention behavior of p, m and o-phenylenediamine on the CBS4-4. According to the chromatographic data, it can be concluded that the selectivity of CBS4-4 for analytes is mainly ascribed to hydrophobic interaction, accompanied by other effects such as hydrogen bonding interaction, π-π and inclusion interaction. The CBS4-4 column has been successfully employed for the analysis of benzoic acid in Sprite drink.     

Influence of the polymerisation time on the porous and chromatographic properties of monolithic poly(1,2-bis(p-vinylphenyl))ethane capillary columns

In order to elucidate the effect of the polymerisation time on the morphology of styrene based monolithic support materials, continuous poly(1,2-bis(p-vinylphenyl))ethane (BVPE) rods were synthesised in 1.0 ml glass vials by thermally initiated free radical polymerisations of BVPE in the presence of porogens (toluene, decanol) and a,a′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator at 65 °C for different polymerisation times (60, 90, 150, 300 and 600 min). Porosity parameters like pore-size-distribution and total porosity were investigated by mercury intrusion porosimetry, while the specific surface area of the BVPE monolithic supports was determined by N₂-adsorption (BET) measurements. An untypical bimodal pore-size-distribution comprising a high fraction of both mesopores (2–50 nm) and macropores (mainly flow-channels in the micrometer range) was observed as a result of the stepwise decrease of the polymerisation time. In consequence of the significant changes of the pore-size-profile, shortening the polymerisation time also resulted in enhanced total porosity due to enlarged flow-channel diameters and increased surface area according to the presence of a considerable amount of mesopores. Results upon the porosity profile of the support are further confirmed by SEM images of monoliths polymerised for different time periods. Since mesoporosity and high surface area of the chromatographic support material play key roles in the interaction and thus retention of low-molecular-weight compounds, polymerisation time should also affect the chromatographic properties and applicability of these polymers. To study the influence of the polymerisation time towards the separation efficiency of small molecules on BVPE capillary columns (200 μm I.D., 8 cm), a mixture of homologous alkylbenzenes was chosen for column evaluation. In accordance with the observations of the porous properties of BVPE stationary phases, the rapid and high resolution separation of a range of low-molecular-weight compounds on monolithic BVPE supports were successfully realised. The methodical reduction of the polymerisation time has been demonstrated to be a simple and effective tool to tailor the porous properties of organic monoliths to provide novel polymer-based stationary phases with porous properties adequate for the rapid and high resolution chromatography of small organic molecules.     

Determination of Water Soluble Vitamins in Laboratory Animal Feeds by Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography

Seven water-soluble vitamins: thiamine hydrochloride (B₁), riboflavin hydrochloride (B₂), pyridoxine hydrochloride (B₆), calcium pantotenate (B₅), ascorbic acid (C), folic acid (B₉), and biotin (H, B₇) were separated using the micellar electrokinetic chromatographic (MEKC) method in a single run with the electrolyte solution consisting of 100 mM H₃BO₃, 5 mM Na₂B₄O₇, and 30 mM sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS). The separation was achieved within 8 min. and the detection was performed at 200 nm. The calibration graphs plotted with six concentrations of each vitamin were linear with the determination coefficient r > 0.999. The method was applied for quantification of vitamins B₁, B₂, B₅, B₆, B₉, C, and H in novel feed for laboratory animals. The sample preparation involved solid-phase extraction of the vitamins, used prior to the MEKC analysis. The attained precision level was good with the recoveries between 98.4% and 105.6%. The simplicity of the procedure should make it highly useful for feed quality control in husbandry and the animal feed industry.     

High performance liquid chromatography with cyclodextrin and calixarene macrocycle bonded silica stationary phases for separation of steroids

β-Cyclodextrin, p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene and chloropropyl bonded silica stationary phases have been prepared and were applied at the same time to develop a chromatographic procedure to separate steroids. In order to select the best type of stationary phase for the analysis, similar preparation processes of the two kinds of macrocycle stationary phases with the same spacer were adopted respectively. The chromatographic behaviors and retention mechanisms of the two kinds of macrocycle stationary phases for steroids were systematically studied and compared with those of chloropropyl bonded silica and ODS. The effect of mobile phase variables, such as methanol content, pH value of buffer, ionic strength and buffer composition on chromatographic behaviors was investigated. The results showed that the retention mechanisms of the four stationary phases for steroids were obviously different, and excellent separation was achieved on β-cyclodextrin bonded silica stationary phase (β-CD-BS), as a consequence of the structure and the properties of the stationary phase. The retention process on β-CD-BS exhibited inclusion complexation, hydrogen-bonding and weak hydrophobic interaction, while for p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene bonded silica stationary phase (CBS), π-π and hydrogen-bonding besides hydrophobic interaction played an important role.     

Determination of Cinchona alkaloids and Vitamin B6 by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A simple and specific method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the four major Cinchona alkaloids and their dihydroderivatives and pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B₆) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (λ_em=420 nm with λ_ex=330 nm). The chromatographic separation was performed on a Phenomenex Prodigy ODS column (5 μm,  mm i.d.), recommended for basic compounds, under isocratic reversed-phase conditions. The method allowed a good peak shape and an effective resolution of the tested compounds. The extraction of alkaloids from the Cinchona succirubra bark was carried out in mild and fast conditions (ambient temperature, 20 min) by ultrasonication. The procedure showed to be advantageous respect to a reference method, which involved Soxhlet extraction. The results were compared statistically by means of the Student’s t-test and the variance ratio F-test; no significant difference was found. The method was reproducible (relative standard deviations in the range of 1.0-5.0% for the different alkaloids) and gave quantitative recovery of alkaloids added to bark samples (97.8-105%). For additional informations a photoreactor was arranged between the analytical column and the detector and the online post-column photochemical conversion (irradiation=254 nm) was investigated. Vitamin B₆ was shown to be highly photosensitive, giving significantly different fluorescence spectra with and without UV irradiation. The proposed method was successfully applied to the quality control of Cinchona bark, liquid extract and cosmetics.     

Preparation and Evaluation of P-tert-Butyl-calix[8]arene-bonded Silica Stationary Phase for High Performance Liquid Chromatography

ABSTRACT

A new p-fert-butyl-calix[8]arene-bonded silica gel stationary phase was synthesized through heterogeneous functionalisation of suspended porous silica. A characterization of its structure was carried out by using elemental analysis, FTIR and ¹³C solid state NMR spectroscopy. Chromatographic performance of the new packing material was investigated by employing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as probes and using methanol-water as mobile phase. The investigations show that the new stationary phase behaves as a reversed phase stationary phase. The liquid chromatographic separation of PAHs solutes on the new bonded phase was compared with that on a p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene-bonded silica stationary phase. The new p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene-bonded phase exhibited higher retention and better separation selectivity, although the carbon content and coverage of the new packing material was lower than that of the p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene bonded silica stationary phase. A possible retention mechanism for the new packing material was also proposed.     

Application of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method to the analysis of water-soluble vitamins in Italian pasta

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of several water-soluble vitamins, namely vitamins B₁, B₂, B₆ (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine), and PP (nicotinamide and nicotinic acid), pantothenic acid, and folic acid was developed and validated. The analytes were characterized by means of their electrospray (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectra. In general, the positive ion spectra were 100- to 1000-fold more intense than the corresponding negative ion ones. Chromatography of water-soluble vitamins was obtained by using a reversed-phase C16 Amide (15 cm, 5 μm) column and a mobile phase made of ammonium formate buffer (20 mM, pH 3.75)/methanol under gradient elution conditions. Linearity of the MS response was observed over three to four orders for both ESI and APCI, and limits of detection were in the low μg/l range for both the ionization techniques. In particular, the sensitivity of ESI was about two- to five-fold higher for all vitamins except PP vitamers, for which APCI produced a better response. Precision calculated at two concentration levels (0.05 and 1.0 mg/l) was within 0.2-7.4% for all intra- and inter-day determinations and for all analytes. The LC-ESI-MS/MS method was applied to the quantitative analysis of the natural content of vitamins in typical Italian pasta samples, as well as in fortified pasta samples produced for the US market.     

LC/UV/MS-MRM for the simultaneous determination of water-soluble vitamins in multi-vitamin dietary supplements

The purpose of this study was to optimize chromatographic and detection conditions for the simultaneous determination of water-soluble vitamins in multi-vitamin dietary supplements using a single chromatographic run. An approach using liquid chromatography with diode array and/or mass spectrometry for quantitation of seven B-complex vitamins [thiamine (B₁), riboflavin (B₂), nicotinamide (B₃), pyridoxine (B₆) pyridoxine, biotin, pantothenic acid, and folic acid] in multi-vitamin/multi-mineral daily supplements is described. This approach utilizes a reversed phase C18 column (4 μm; i.d.: 250×2.0 mm) with a gradient mobile elution profile, performed at a flow rate of 0.25 ml/min. After a 5-min isocratic elution at 100% A (0.1% formic acid in water), a linear gradient to 50% A and 50% B (0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile) at 15 min and then to 5% A and 95% B at 17 min was employed. Detection was performed with a photodiode array detector (DAD) in sequence with a triple-quad mass spectrometer in the multiple reaction mode (MS-MRM). Although good chromatographic separation of ascorbic acid was also obtained in extracts from multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplements, the ascorbic acid could not be quantified properly due to rapid oxidation catalyzed by the minerals. This method was initially applied to determine water-soluble vitamins in representative multi-vitamin/multi-mineral tablets following the extraction of ground samples with a phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 2.5). For multi-vitamin supplement tablets, this approach does not require any sample clean-up/pre-concentration steps except for centrifugation and filtration of the extract.      

Compact type-I coil planet centrifuge for counter-current chromatography

A compact type-I coil planet centrifuge has been developed for performing counter-current chromatography. It has a revolution radius of 10 cm and a column holder height of 5 cm compared with 37 and 50 cm in the original prototype, respectively. The reduction in the revolution radius and column length permits application of higher revolution speed and more stable balancing of the rotor which leads us to learn more about its performance and the future potential of type-I coil planet centrifuge. The chromatographic performance of this apparatus was evaluated in terms of retention of the stationary phase (S_f), peak resolution (R_s), theoretical plate (N) and peak retention time (t_R). The results of the experiment indicated that increasing the revolution speed slightly improved both the retention of the stationary phase and the peak resolution while the separation time is remarkably shortened to yield an excellent peak resolution at a revolution speed of 800 rpm. With a 12 ml capacity coiled column, DNP-DL-glu, DNP-β-ala and DNP-l-ala were resolved at R_s of 2.75 and 2.16 within 90 min at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min. We believe that the compact type-I coil planet centrifuge has a high analytical potential.     

Determination of flavonoids in Houttuynia cordata Thunb. and Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Bail. by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

Four flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin and quercetin) in Houttuynia cordata Thunb. and Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Bail. were determined by capillary electrophoresis with wall-jet amperometric detection. The working electrode was a 500 μm diameter carbon disc electrode and the detection potential was +0.95 V (versus Ag/AgCl). Effects of several important factors, such as the running buffer and its corresponding pH and concentration, separation voltage, injection time were investigated to acquire the optimum conditions for separation of these four flavonoids. Baseline separation for the four flavonoids was obtained within 21 min in a 60 cm length capillary at a separation voltage of 15 kV with a 60 mmoL/L Na₂B₄O₇-120 mmoL/L NaH₂PO₄ buffer (pH 8.8) as running buffer. The relationship between peak currents and analyte concentrations was linear over about two orders of magnitude with detection limits (defined as S/N = 3) ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 μg/mL for all analytes. This method was applied for the determination of the above four flavonoids in H. cordata Thunb. and S. chinensis (Lour.) Bail. with simple extraction procedures, and the assay results were satisfactory.     

Modulation of mobile phase composition in flow-injection/sequential-injection chromatography exploiting multisyringe flow analysis

In this paper, a time-based multicommutated flow system is proposed for appropriate selection and modulation of mobile phase composition in flow-injection (FI)/sequential-injection (SI) chromatography. The novel flow assembly involves the on-line coupling of a short monolithic reversed-phase chromatographic column with a multisyringe flow injection set-up furnished with a set of solenoid valves. The proposed hyphenated technique was applied to the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of thiamine (B₁), pyridoxine (B₆) and cyanocobalamin (B₁₂) which were taken as model analytes. The separation method capitalizes on a dual isocratic elution protocol involving the use of a single forward stroke of the multisyringe pump for initial delivery of 50 mmol L⁻¹ ammonium acetate (pH 7.0) for 2.4 min followed by 50 mmol L⁻¹ ammonium acetate–methanol (80:20, v/v) for 6.4 min at 0.5 mL min⁻¹ and room temperature. Detection was performed at the maximum wavelength for each target vitamin—280 nm for B₁, 325 nm for B₆, and 360 nm for B₁₂. A first-order, two-level full-factorial design was utilized to ascertain the significant variables influencing the chromatographic separation and the magnitude of the interaction effects. The experimental design method revealed that resolution of the target vitamins is highly dependent on the pH, percentage of organic modifier, and their second-order interaction. The multisyringe flow-injection-based monolithic column separation method, which should be viewed as an expeditious and cost-effective alternative to the high-performance liquid chromatography counterpart, was applied to the separation and determination of B₁, B₆, and B₁₂ in different pharmaceutical dosage forms in less than 9 min. Statistical comparison of the results from the proposed procedure with those from the HPLC method endorsed by the US Pharmacopeia revealed there were no significant differences at the 95 % confidence level.     

RP-HPLC determination of water-soluble vitamins in honey

The assessment and validation of reliable analytical methods for the determination of vitamins in sugar-based matrices (e.g. honey) are still scarcely explored fields of research. This study proposes and fully validates a simple and fast RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of five water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B₂, riboflavin; vitamin B₃, nicotinic acid; vitamin B₅, pantothenic acid; vitamin B₉, folic acid; and vitamin C, ascorbic acid) in honey. The method provides low detection and quantification limits, very good linearity in a large concentration interval, very good precision, and the absence of any bias. It has been successfully applied to 28 honey samples (mainly from Sardinia, Italy) of 12 different botanical origins. While the overall amount of the analytes in the samples is quite low (always below 40 mg kg⁻¹), we have observed a marked dependence of some of their concentrations (i.e. vitamin B₃ and vitamin B₅) and the botanical origin of the honey. This insight might lead to important characterization features for this food item.     

Determination of water-soluble vitamins in vitamin premixes,bioacitve dietary supplements,and pharmaceutical preparations using high-efficiency liquid chromatography with gradient elution

The influence of the pH and temperature of the mobile phase on the retention and separation of 14 vitamins and vitameric forms has been studied for four different stationary phases. The chromatographic conditions allowing the separation of 12 water-soluble vitamins and vitameric forms have been proposed. It has been established that the best separation of water-soluble vitamins can be achieved by employing gradient elution. The mobile phase A, (0.6% phosphoric acid) pH 1.5–1.8; mobile phase B, acetonitrile. For the separation of nicotinic and ascorbic acid it is preferable to use stationary phases Luna C18(2) and Gemini C18, while for the separation of riboflavin and riboflavin-5-phosphate the Synergy Hydro RP and Zorbaz SB-C18 stationary phases should be used. The selected conditions have been used for the determination of vitamins in commercial samples of vitamin preparations. The results are in good accordance with the producer data.     

Fast ion chromatography using short anion exchange columns

A fast ion chromatographic system is described which uses shorter column lengths and compares various eluent profiles in order to maximise the performance without sacrificing the chromatographic resolution. Both isocratic and gradient elution profiles were considered to find the most efficient mode of separation. The separation and determination of seven target anions (chloride, chlorate, nitrate, chromate, sulfate, thiocyanate and perchlorate) was achieved using a short (4 mm ID, 50 mm long) column packed with Dionex AS20 high-capacity anion exchange material. A hydroxide eluent was used at an initial concentration of 25 mM (at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL/min) and two performance maxima were found. The maximum efficiency occurred at a normalised gradient ramp rate of 5 mM/t₀, resulting in a peak capacity of 16, while the fastest separation (<3 min) occurred at a normalised ramp rate of 30 mM/t₀. The retention time, peak width and resolution using the different eluent profiles on varying column lengths is also compared. Further investigations in this study determined that the highest peak capacity separation under gradient conditions could be approximated using an isocratic separation. The advantage of using this novel approach to approximate the maximum efficiency separation removes the need for column re-equilibration that is required for gradient elution resulting in faster analyses and enhanced sample throughput, with benefits in particular for multidimensional chromatography.     

L-异亮氨酸键合色谱固定相的制备及其性能

利用异氰酸丙基三乙氧基硅烷与L-异亮氨酸反应合成了一种新型的硅烷偶联剂,并进一步将其与硅胶反应制得键合有L-异亮氨酸的亲水色谱固定相。 通过核磁共振氢谱表明亮氨酸功能化硅烷偶联剂的成功合成、元素分析表征证明亮氨酸已成功键合到硅胶表面。 将其作为亲水模式下的固定相填料填装在150 mm×4.6 mm不锈钢色谱柱中,以一系列经典的极性小分子作为探针,考察了这些探针分子在固定相上的色谱行为。 极性化合物的保留时间随着流动相中有机溶剂含量提高而逐渐增大,表现出典型的亲水保留特征。 进一步研究了流动相中乙腈含量、缓冲盐pH值及缓冲盐浓度等因素对分析物在固定相上的保留的影响。 在优化了相关参数后,将固定相应用于碱性化合物、水溶性维生素以及核苷类极性物质的分离当中。 在等度洗脱下,5种碱性化合物、6种水溶性维生素和8种核苷类物质分别在8、18及25 min内被成功分离。 分离结果表明了合成的L-异亮氨酸键合亲水色谱固定相具有较好的色谱性能,在极性化合物的分离上具有良好的应用前景。     

脱叔丁基杯[8]芳烃键合固定相的制备及其液相色谱性能

杯芳烃(Cahixarenes)是一类由苯酚单元经亚甲基相连而成的大环化合物,与β-环糊精类似,它能与多种溶质形成主客体包容配合物,并通过超分子作用识别离子和中性分子等客体,利用杯芳烃的分子识别作用可提高色谱分离性能,Glennon等制备了酯化杯[4,6]芳烃键合固定相,