The analysis of the zero-order and the second derivative spectra of retinol acetate, tocopherol acetate and coenzyme Q10 and estimation of their analytical usefulness for their simultaneous determination in synthetic mixtures and pharmaceuticals

The aim of the present work was to develop a simple and rapid method of retinol acetate, tocopherol acetate and coenzyme Q(10) determination in pharmaceuticals without involving any preparation operations like separation or masking. The values of second derivative amplitude at 212 nm for tocopherol, 351 nm for retinol and 222 nm for coenzyme were used for construction of calibration graphs. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 0.5-20, 0.5-7.5 and 0.5-30 microg ml(-1) for retinol acetate, tocopherol acetate and coenzyme, respectively. The elaborated procedures were successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of studied compounds in their binary synthetic mixtures and in commercial preparations with high reliability and repeatability. Spectral properties of retinol acetate allows to determine its contents in ternary mixture which includes Vitamin E and coenzyme Q(10).     

Determination of serum and plasma concentrations of retinol using high-performance liquid chromatography

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic method specifically developed to allow simple and rapid determination of retinol concentrations in serum and plasma is reported. Retinol and retinol acetate (the internal standard) are extracted into butanol-ethyl acetate, with no subsequent evaporation step. Separation is achieved on a reversed-phase C-18 column, with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-1% ammonium acetate (89:11), and UV detection at 313 nm. Recoveries of both retinol and the internal standard were 100%, and both compounds were stable in the extraction solvent for at least 2.5 h. Three anticoagulants (oxalate, citrate, EDTA) and perchloric acid (used in some methods to denature protein) all caused losses of retinol. Each run required 9 min; same-day coefficient of variation (C.V.) for identical samples averaged 2.5%; between-day C.V. was 6.4%; sensitivity was better than 10 ng/ml, while clinical concentrations were 400-1200 ng/ml. This method permits simple, rapid, sensitive, precise, and accurate determination of retinol using 0.5 ml serum or heparinized plasma.     

Simultaneous determination of retinol acetate, retinol palmitate, cholecalciferol, α-tocopherol acetate and alphacalcidol in capsules by non-aqueous reversed-phase HPLC and column backflushing

Summary A very simple non-aqueous reversed-phase HPLC method has been developed for analysis of retinol acetate, retinol palmitate, cholecalciferol, α-tocopherol acetate and alphacalcidol in capsules without the need for saponification. A reversed-phase (LiChrospher C8, 4.6 mm i.d.) column is used with acetonitrile-methanol, 95∶5 (v/v) as mobile phase at flow rate of 1 mL min⁻¹. Sample treatment consists only in dilution of the capsule contents withn-hexane and methanol. This method is suitable for routine quantification in the industrial quality-assurance laboratory.     

Simultaneous assay of serum vitamin A and vitamin E by high performance liquid chromatography using time-switched UV and fluorimetric detectors

An HPLC method utilizing a UV and a fluorimetric detector linked in series is described. By use of a simple integrator-controlled time-switched relay, analysis of serum vitamin A and E is accomplished on the same chromatogram and at optimum sensitivity for each detector. A single internal standard (retinyl acetate) monitored only by the UV detector permits measurement of both vitamins over a wide linear range. Precision of the assays is satisfactory, both on a within-day and on a day-to-day basis. Recoveries of both vitamins are virtually 100% whilst sensitivity is 2 μg/L (retinol) and 0.05 mg/L (α-tocopherol).     

Determination of vitamin A in pharmaceutical preparations by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection

Summary A very simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of Vitamin A in pharmaceutical preparations without the need for saponification was developed. A reversed-phase (Nova-Pack C₁₈, 4 m) column was used with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran-water (55378) and a flowrate of 1.5 ml/min. Sample treatment only consisted of the extraction of retinol acetate content from capsules or tablets with methanol. Total extraction was achieved by shaking vigorously with the aid of magnetic stirring for three hours at room temperature. No change of solvent is necessary to introduce the sample in the chromatographic system. This method is suitable for routine quantification of Vitamin A.     

Determination of vitamins A and E in serum and plasma using a simplified clarification method and high-performance liquid chromatography

A method of sample clarification and high-performance liquid chromatography specifically developed to permit precise and rapid determination of vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in serum and plasma is reported. Serum proteins were denatured by the addition of acetonitrile containing alpha-tocopherol acetate, the internal standard; the vitamins were subsequently extracted into an organic matrix consisting of ethyl acetate-butanol (1:1); no solvent evaporation step was required. The three vitamins of interest were eluted from a reversed-phase C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase methanol-water (95:5); detection was accomplished by measuring ultraviolet absorption at 280 nm. Recoveries of retinol, alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol acetate from spiked aqueous samples averaged 100.0, 100.0 and 98.8%, respectively. Recoveries of retinol, alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol acetate from plasma and serum relative to water were 102.6, 96.9 and 96.5%, respectively. Retinol and alpha-tocopherol were stable in the extraction matrix for up to 3.5 h, and were stable in heparinized plasma stored at room temperature for two days. Oxalate, citrate and EDTA caused significant losses of retinol and alpha-tocopherol, while vitamin levels in serum and heparinized plasma were similar. Limits of detection for retinol and alpha-tocopherol were 60 ng/ml and 0.9 micrograms/ml, respectively. Each run required 12 min. Same-day coefficients of variation were 3.5 and 3.6% for retinol and alpha-tocopherol, respectively (n = 11). Between-day coefficients of variation for retinol and alpha-tocopherol were 4.8 and 5.5%, respectively (n = 5). This method permits simple, rapid, sensitive, selective and precise determination of retinol and alpha-tocopherol using 0.5 ml of serum or heparinized plasma.     

Simultaneous determination of benzophenone-3, retinol and retinyl acetate in pig ear skin layers by high-performance liquid chromatography

A new and simple HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of benzophenone-3, retinol and retinyl acetate in pig ear skin layers and percutaneous penetration samples after in vitro permeation experiments. HPLC analysis was performed utilizing a NovaPak C18 column with acetonitrile-water-acetic acid as mobile phase. UV detection was at 325 nm and the run time was 25 min. The detector response was found to be accurate, precise and linear across the analytical range. Analyte extraction from skin layers was done with methanol from the stratum corneum and epidermis, and with acetone from the dermis. Recovery was in all cases better than 90%. The HPLC assay and extraction procedure proposed are simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate. The method was then applied for the determination of benzophenone-3, retinol and retinyl acetate in pig ear skin layers after topical application.     

Separation of Vitamins Retinol Acetate,Ergocalciferol, or Cholecalciferol and Tocopherol Acetate Using Sequential Injection Chromatography

A novel simple method for separation of vitamins A-acetate (all-trans retinol acetate), D₂ (ergocalciferol), or D₃ (cholecalciferol) and E-acetate (tocopherol acetate) using short monolithic column in the sequential injection chromatography system is described. Separation was carried out using FIAlab® 3000 system under following conditions: Onyx? Monolithic C18 column (25 × 4.6 mm), mobile phase acetonitrile:methanol:H₂O 20:20:1 (v/v/v)), flow rate 0.9 mL min^?1, detection at 265 nm (D), 290 nm (E), and 325 nm (A). The method was validated with respect to peak asymmetry, resolution, number of theoretical plates, repeatability, linearity, precision, and accuracy. Analysis time was 5.5 min.     

A synthesis of vitamin A according to the sulfone method (author's transl)]

A Synthesis of Vitamin A According to the Sulfone Method. Starting from β-ionyl phenyl sulfone 7 and an appropriate allylic chloride 10 retinol 14 has been prepared by a direct procedure. Subsequent acetylation and isomerization led to crystalline all-E-vitamin A acetate 16 .     

Rapid method for the determination of vitamins A and E in foods using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid and novel ultra-HPLC (u-HPLC) method for the determination of vitamins A (retinol) and E (alpha-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol) in foods was validated in terms of its precision, accuracy, and linearity. The u-HPLC separation was performed on an RP C18 column (particle size 2 microm, id 2 mm, and length 75 mm), followed by fluorescence detection. The recovery of retinol was more than 84.58%; the LOD and LOQ of the u-HPLC analysis were 0.015 and 0.045 mg/kg, respectively. The intraday and interday precision was less than 9.12%. The recoveries of alpha-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol were more than 81.37%; the LOD and the LOQ were 0.014, 0.002, and 0.001 mg/kg and 0.042, 0.005, and 0.004 mg/kg, respectively. All calibration curves had good linearity (r2 = 0.99) within the test ranges. The novel, rapid method coupled to u-HPLC can provide significant improvements in the speed, sensitivity, and resolution compared with a conventional HPLC method.     

Determination of Vitamin B12 in food products and in premixes by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and immunoaffinity extraction

A new, faster and simple method to quantify Vitamin B12, both in foods and in premixes, by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with UV detection has been developed. Vitamin B12 was extracted from food products with 50 mM sodium acetate buffer pH 4.0 (at 100 degrees C for 35 min) in the presence of sodium cyanide, followed by a purification step on an immunoaffinity column prior to the LC analysis. An enzymatic hydrolysis (pepsin at 37 degrees C and pH 4 for 3 h) prior to the purification step efficiently released the bound Vitamin B12, and thus, allowed obtaining total Vitamin B12 content in food products. Vitamin B12 was monitored by UV at 361 nm after its separation on a reversed-phase narrow-bore column with a gradient of mobile phase made of water/acetonitrile and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) 0.025%. The specificity of the method was demonstrated by the retention characteristics, UV spectra and by comparing the peak purity with the Vitamin B12 standard. The calibration graphs plotted with six concentrations of Vitamin B12 was linear with a regression coefficient R2 > 0.9997. The repeatability of the method was evaluated at different levels of concentration on six fortified products and the relative standard deviation (RSDr) was below 3.2%. The value of the relative standard deviation of the intermediate precision was below 5.6% (n = 4). The method was successfully applied to several food products and consistent results were obtained in comparison with microbiological assay (MBA). Our data demonstrate that the immunoaffinity columns are highly efficient for the purification of Vitamin B12 and that our HPLC could be used as an alternative method to the microbiological assay for the determination of Vitamin B12 in food products.     

Determination of vitamins A (retinol) and E (alpha-tocopherol) in foods by liquid chromatography: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted for the determination of vitamins A and E. Existing AOAC liquid chromatographic (LC) methods are suited for specific vitamins A and E analytical applications. This method differs from existing methods in that it can be used to assay samples in all 9 sectors of the food matrix. Standards and test samples are saponified in basic ethanol-water solution, neutralized, and diluted, converting fats to fatty acids and retinol esters and tocopherol esters to retinol and tocopherol, respectively. Retinol and alpha-tocopherol are quantitated on separate LC systems, using UV detection at 313 or 328 nm for retinol, and fluorescence detection (excitation 290 nm, emission 330 nm) for alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin concentrations are calculated by comparison of the peak heights or peak areas of vitamins in test samples with those of standards.     

HPLC determination of orthophosphate coexisting with large amounts of organophosphates in biological samples

A simple and accurate HPLC method for the determination of orthophosphate in the presence of large amounts of organophosphates is described. The method is based on the formation and separation of the molybdenum orthophosphate complex. In order to prevent the hydrolysis of organophosphates, the sample was deproteinized with silicotungstate in acetate buffer (pH 4.0) under ice-cooling and then treated with ammonium molybdate in maleate buffer (pH 7.0). The sample was injected onto Styragel 60 A column (5 mm ID x 100 mm) with 38% (v/v) acetonitrile containing 0.3 M sulfuric acid as eluent. Detection was at 310 nm. The method was applied to the determination of orthophosphate in liver, kidney, spleen and mouse blood.     

Simultaneous determination of all-trans, 9-cis, 13-cis retinoic acid and retinol in rat prostate using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Since retinoic acid (RA) and RA receptors are key developmental regulators during organogenesis, they might participate in the abnormal development of the prostate caused by early estrogen exposure. In order to test this assumption, a sensitive analytical method that can differentiate 9-cis, 13-cis, and all-trans RA in small tissue samples ( approximately 8 mg) is required. Since retinol is the metabolic precursor to RA, simultaneous quantification of retinol would also provide valuable information. Here, we report a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of retinol and 9-cis, 13-cis, and all-trans RA in rat prostate. Mass spectrometric signal responses for RA were compared using positive ion atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray, as well as positive ion and negative ion APCI. Positive ion APCI was selected for all subsequent analysis for its better sensitivity, and to provide simultaneous determination of retinol and RA. Ventral prostate tissue samples were homogenized and extracted following simple protein precipitation without derivatization. Baseline separation of 9-cis, 13-cis, and all-trans RA standards was obtained by using a non-porous silica C18 column. Selected ion monitoring of the ions m/z 301 and m/z 269 was carried out for mass spectrometric quantitative analysis. The ion of m/z 301 corresponded to the protonated molecule of RA, whereas the ion of m/z 269 corresponded to loss of water or acetic acid from the protonated molecule of retinol or the internal standard retinyl acetate respectively. The method has a linear response over a concentration range of at least three orders of magnitude. The limit of quantitation was determined to be 702 fmol all-trans RA injected on-column. The method showed excellent intra- and inter-assay reproducibility and good recovery, and is suitable for analyzing RA and retinol in small tissue samples (approximately 8 mg).     

Determination of liposoluble vitamins in cooked meals, milk and milk products by liquid chromatography

A method for the simultaneous determination of liposoluble vitamins in cooked meals was established. Saponification was performed with 50% (w/v) KOH at 80 degrees C, and ascorbic acid was added as antioxidant. The subsequent extraction was carried out with diethyl ether. This was followed by a liquid chromatographic separation on a reversed-phase C18 column with methanol-water (94:6, v/v as the mobile phase. Retinyl acetate was used as the internal standard. The analytical parameters linearity, detection limit (0.19 and 8.33 microg/100 g for retinol and alpha-tocopherol, respectively), precision of the method (RSD=5.24 and 6.99% for retinol and alpha-tocopherol, respectively) and recovery assays (95.6 and 96.5% for retinol and alpha-tocopherol, respectively) show that the method studied is useful for measuring these compounds in foods and cooked meals.     

Determination of vitamin A (retinol) in infant formula and adult nutritionals by liquid chromatography: First Action 2011.15

During the "Standards Development and International Harmonization: AOAC INTERNATIONAL Mid-Year Meeting," held on June 29, 2011, an Expert Review Panel (ERP) reviewed the method for the "Determination of Vitamins A (Retinol) and E (alpha-Tocopherol) in Foods by Liquid Chromatography: Collaborative Study," published by Jonathan W. DeVries and Karlene R. Silvera in J. AOAC Int. in 2002. After evaluation of the original validation data, an ERP agreed in June 2011 that the method meets standard method performance requirements (SMPRs) for vitamin A, as articulated by the Stakeholder Panel on Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals. The ERP granted the method First Action status, applicable to determining vitamin A in ready-to-eat infant and adult nutritional formula. In an effort to achieve Final Action status, it was recommended that additional information be generated for different types of infant and adult nutritional formula matrixes at varied concentration levels as indicated in the vitamin A (retinol) SMPR. Existing AOAC LC methods are suited for specific vitamin A analytical applications. The original method differs from existing methods in that it can be used to assay samples in all nine sectors of the food matrix. One sector of the food matrix was powdered infant formula and gave support for the First Action approval for vitamin A in infant and adult nutritional formula. In this method, standards and test samples are saponified in basic ethanol-water solution, neutralized, and diluted, converting fats to fatty acids and retinol esters to retinol. Retinol is quantitated by an LC method, using UV detection at 313 or 328 nm for retinol. Vitamin concentration is calculated by comparison of the peak heights or peak areas of retinol in test samples with those of standards.     

Rapid determination of lipophilic vitamins in human serum by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography using a fluorinated column and high‐throughput miniaturized liquid–liquid extraction

A high‐throughput miniaturized liquid–liquid extraction procedure followed by a simple ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography method coupled with fluorescence detection for bioanalytical analysis of all tocopherol isomers and retinol in human serum has been developed and validated. In the extraction procedure, a synthetic internal standard tocol was used, which does not occur in the human body. The separation of structurally related vitamins was achieved using a new generation of pentafluorophenyl propyl core–shell stationary phase with elution using methanol and an aqueous solution of ammonium acetate. The fluorescence of retinol and tocopherol isomers was detected at λ_ex = 325, 295 nm and λ_em = 480, 325 nm, respectively. The rapid baseline separation of all analytes was accomplished within 4.0 min. The sensitivity of method was demonstrated with lower limits of quantification: retinol 0.01 μM, α‐tocopherol 0.38 μM, β‐tocopherol 0.18 μM, γ‐tocopherol 0.14 μM, and δ‐tocopherol 0.01 μM. Possible application of this method in clinical practice was confirmed by the analysis of human serum samples from healthy volunteers. Finally, the simultaneous determination of retinol and all tocopherol isomers in human serum can enable the clarification of their role in metabolism and in diseases such as cancer.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of carotenoids and vitamins A and E in multivitamin tablets

Carotenoids and vitamins A and E in multivitamin tablets can be determined simultaneously by reversed-phased liquid chromatography (LC) with a programmable UV detector. Samples were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide and then extracted with hexane. A portion was injected onto a Symmetry C18, 150 x 4.6 mm id, 5 microns column and chromatographed with a mobile phase of acetonitrile--0.25% ammonium acetate in methanol and 0.05% triethylamine in dichloromethane. A step gradient was used. The system was operated at 25 degrees C with a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. UV detection was at 325 nm for retinols, 285 nm for tocopherols, and 450 nm for carotenoids. Detection limits were less than 0.3 ng for retinol and retinyl acetate; 2 ng for alpha-tocopherol acid succinate; 10 ng for alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and alpha-tocopherol acetate; and 0.4 ng for alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. Intraday and interday coefficients of variation ranged from 1.40 to 5.20%. The sample preparation method and LC assay are practical for quality control and routine analysis of multivitamin tablets.     

Development of a simplified method for the simultaneous determination of retinol, α-tocopherol,and β-carotene in serum by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

A new and simple method for the determination of fat-soluble vitamins (retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and beta-carotene) in human serum was developed and validated by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-APCI-MS-MS). Different solvent mixtures were tested to obtain deproteinization and extraction of the analytes from the matrix. As a result, a volume of 240 microL of a 1:1 (v/v) ethanol/ethyl acetate mixture added to 60 microL of serum was found to be suitable for both protein precipitation and antioxidants solubilization, giving the best recovery for all three analytes. Deproteinized samples (20 microL) were injected after dilution, without the need for concentration or evaporation to dryness and reconstruction of the sample. Vitamins were separated on a C-8 column using a 95:5 (v/v) methanol/dichloromethane mixture and ionized in the positive-ion mode; detection was performed in the selected-reaction monitoring mode. Linearity of the LC-APCI-MS-MS method was established over 5 orders of magnitude for retinol and alpha-tocopherol, whereas in the case of beta-carotene it was limited to 4 orders. Lower limits of quantitation were 1.7, 2.3, and 4.1 nM for retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and beta-carotene, respectively. Serum concentrations of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and alpha+beta-carotene determined in a group of healthy volunteers were 2.48, 38.07, and 0.50 microM, respectively, in samples collected in winter ( n=122) and 2.69, 45.88, and 0.90 microM during summer ( n=66).     

高效液相色谱法测定果汁饮料中的维生素C含量

建立饮料中维生素C含量的高效液相色谱检测方法。采用ODS C18(4.6mm×250mm,5μm)反相色谱柱,以0.1%草酸溶液为流动相,光电二级管阵列检测器,检测波长为267nm。线性范围为20～160μg/mL,相关系数为0.9983,方法的回收率为96.4%～100.2%,相对标准偏差为0.61%。该方法简便、分析速度快,能够满足果汁饮料中维生素C的检测要求。