Separation of retinyl esters by non-aqueous reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Rapid separation and sensitive quantitation of vitamin A esters can be achieved by use of an acetonitrile-dichloromethane (80:20) mobile phase with a 5-microns C18 column (15 cm X 4.6 mm) and absorbance detection at 325 nm. Either a Waters Resolve or a Rainin Microsorb column was used satisfactorily. Retinyl palmitate is eluted at about 7 min (capacity factor, k' = 5.5) at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml/min; retinyl palmitate and retinyl oleate, which are usually difficult to separate, are well resolved (resolution 1.2). Sensitivity (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 10:1) is 8 pmol retinyl palmitate (equivalent to 2.5 ng retinol). Quantitation of total retinyl esters is identical to that determined by a gradient high-performance liquid chromatographic technique over the range 30-1000 ng retinyl esters. Retinyl ester peaks in rat liver extracts were identified by their characteristic light absorption spectra, susceptibility to saponification, and by co-chromatography with authentic standards. Nine vitamin A ester peaks were identified and quantitated in rat liver extracts. A 10-microns Whatman Partisil 10/25 ODS-2 column was used with the same mobile phase to obtain partial resolution of retinyl esters (resolution 1.05 between retinyl oleate and retinyl palmitate; k' = 11.0 for retinyl palmitate) and improved retention for retinol (k' = 2.5, compared with k' = 0.6 for retinol on the 5-microns column).     

An improved HPLC Method for the Separation of Fourteen Carotenoids,Including 15-/13- and 9-CIS-β-Carotene Isomers,Phytoene and Phytofluene

Abstract

The isocratic separation of 14 carotenoids, as well as retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, α-tocopherol and tocopherol acetate, is accomplished in 12 minutes, using a Spheri-5-ODS column and acetonitrile:dichloromethane:methanol (70:20:10) as mobile phase, with two-channel, programmable multiwavelength detection. The carotenoids separated are as follows: lutein/zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, β-apo-8′ carotenal, β-cryptoxanthin, echinenone, lycopene, γ-carotene, α-carotene, β-carotene, 9-cis-β-carotene, 15-cis-/13-cis-β-carotene, phytoene and phytofluene. The separation of lutein and zeaxanthin is obtained simply by changing the mobile phase to acetonitrile:methanol (85:15).     

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.     

Simultaneous determination of retinol, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene in serum by isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simultaneous determination of retinol, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography is described. Total analysis time is 13 min. A reversed-phase (Ultrasphere ODS, 5 microns) column is used with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-methanol-dichloromethane (70:10:20, v/v/v) and a flow-rate of 1.2 ml/min. Retinol is monitored at 325 nm, alpha-tocopherol at 292 nm and beta-carotene at 450 nm. Serum is deproteinized with ethanol containing the internal standard (alpha-tocopherol acetate), then extracted with hexane. The evaporated organic layer is reconstituted with the mobile phase and injected. The choice of the eluent is discussed, as well as the choice of an internal standard and the need for an antioxidant during the extraction step. Sixteen different eluents are compared in terms of analysis time and selectivity. The linear concentration ranges (retinol 0.016-13.7 microM, alpha-tocopherol 0.18-91.8 microM, beta-carotene 0.05-5.75 microM), within-run coefficients of variation (retinol less than 7%; alpha-tocopherol less than 8%, beta-carotene less than 7%), between-run coefficients of variation (retinol less than 13%, alpha-tocopherol less than 9%, beta-carotene less than 8%) and recoveries (retinol greater than 95%, alpha-tocopherol greater than 91%, beta-carotene greater than 80%) are suitable for clinical investigations. Serum reference values were found to be 2.47 +/- 0.61 microM (retinol), 30.5 +/- 6.8 microM (alpha-tocopherol) and 0.91 +/- 0.55 microM (beta-carotene). A significant difference (p less than 0.001) between males and females was found for retinol.     

Nonaqueous electrochromatography on C30 columns: separation of retinyl esters.

A nonaqueous packed capillary electrochromatographic reversed-phase method for separation of retinyl esters has been developed. The retinyl esters all-trans-retinyl acetate, palmitate, heptadecanoate, stearate, oleoate, and linoleoate were separated on a 180 microm ID column packed with 5 microm C30 particles with a mobile phase consisting of 2.5 mM lithium acetate in N,N-dimethylformamide-methanol (99:1, v/v). With this mobile phase, the electroosmotic flow was 0.8 mm/s at 650 V/cm and 40 degrees C, and the separation was completed in less than 30 min on 30 cm columns. To obtain electrostable frits of the hydrophobic C30 material both the preparation of the frits and the conditioning of the column prior to electroconditioning were of importance. Selectivity changes were introduced by replacing up to 70% v/v of the N,N-dimethylformamide by acetonitrile. The increase in the amount of acetonitrile was, however, accompanied by a significant increase in analysis time. Liver extracts obtained from arctic seal were analyzed.     

Determination of vitamins A, D, E, and K in human and bovine serum, and β-carotene and vitamin A palmitate in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, by isocratic HPLC

Summary An HPLC method has been developed for the determination of fat-soluble vitamins. Ten fat-soluble vitamins were separated simultaneously on a 25 cm×4.6 mm i.d. Hypersil C₁₈ column with acetonitrile-dichloromethane-methanol, 60:20:20 (v/v) as mobile phase at 1.0 mL min⁻¹ with wavelength-programmed ultraviolet-visible-absorbance detection. Total analysis time was 12 min. The limits of detection were 0.03, 0.01, 0.55, 1.84, 0.02, 0.02, 0.01, 0.16, 0.33, 0.01, and 0.01 ng mL⁻¹ for retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, β-carotene, ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol, tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, phylloquinone, menatetrenone, and menadione, respectively. Analysis of human serum 2–7 days after ingestion of oral vitamins and Chinese herbs led to the conclusion that the concentration of vitamins was higher than for control serum.     

Analysis of beta-carotene in medical food by liquid chromatography with matrix solid-phase dispersion.

A liquid chromatographic method is described for analysis of beta-carotene in medical food. The nutrient is extracted from medical food without saponification by matrix solid-phase dispersion and quantitated by isocratic normal-phase chromatography with a Si 60 column and a mobile phase of hexane containing 0.125% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol. The limit of quantitation is 0.02 microgram/mL at 436 nm. Standard response was linear over the concentration range of 0.02-1.0 microgram/mL (r2 = 0.99998). Recoveries were determined on a zero control reference material containing added beta-carotene at various levels. Recoveries averaged 91.2% (n = 25) with coefficients of variation from 0.50 to 3.10%. The method provides a rapid, specific, sensitive, and easily controlled assay for analysis of beta-carotene in fortified medical food. In addition, retinyl palmitate can be assayed simultaneously with an in-line fluorescence detector.     

Simultaneous determination of retinol,retinyl palmitate and β-carotene in rat serum treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypericum Perforatum</Emphasis> L. by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection

A new and simple high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of retinol, retinyl palmitate and β-carotene in rat serum treated with Hypericum Perforatum L. and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Furthermore, vitamin C was determined spectrophotometrically. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis was performed utilizing an Inertsil ODS3 reversed phase column with methanol-acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran (65:30:5, v/v/v) as mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min⁻¹ and 40°C. Diode-array detection was conducted at 325 and 450 nm for retinol and retinyl palmitate, and β-carotene, respectively with a running time of 26 min. The high-performance liquid chromatography assay and extraction procedure proposed are simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate. This method was then applied to determine the amounts of retinol, retinyl palmitate and β-carotene in rat serum. Results of this study demonstrated that at 60^th day in the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-treated group there was a significant decrease (p<0.001), (p<0,01), (p<0.05) in levels of retinol, retinyl palmitate and vitamin C, respectively compared to the control group levels. A significant decrease (p<0.01) in retinyl palimitate was observed in the 7,12 dimethylbenz[a] anthracene + Hypericum Perforatum L. treated group compared to the control group..     

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 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.     

Determination of nizatidine and two of its main metabolites in human serum using high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic assay has been developed for the determination of nizatidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, and two of its main metabolites, N-desmethylnizatidine and nizatidine sulphoxide. Drugs were extracted with chloroform-2-propanol (90:10, v/v) from alkalinized samples of serum, using ranitidine as an internal standard. After evaporation of the extraction solvent, the residue was removed and analysed on a LiChrosorb Si60 5-microns column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-methanol-water-ammonia solution (1000:200:20:5, v/v). The compounds were detected at 320 nm. The lower detection limits were 6-18 ng/ml at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. This method is simple and specific, and the single-step extraction makes it rapid. It is the first high-performance liquid chromatographic assay to be described for the determination of nizatidine metabolites.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of alpha-tocopherol, retinol and retinyl esters in human serum using a monolithic column for the monitoring of anticancer therapy side effects

Among other side effects, administration of anticancer agents is accompanied by manifestations of gastrointestinal toxicity and disturbances of antioxidant balance. The monitoring of these toxic effects in clinical practice is impeded by a dearth of reliable laboratory methods. Therefore, a simple and rapid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography procedure for selective and sensitive determination of retinol, a-tocopherol, and retinyl esters (retinyl-palmitate and retinyl-stearate) in blood serum has been developed and presented in this study. A Series 200 LC HPLC instrument from Perkin Elmer (Norwalk, USA) with diode-array detector (DAD) was used for the analysis. Separations of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, retinyl-palmitate, and retinyl-stearate were performed using a Chromolith Performance RP-18e, 100 x 4.6 mm monolithic column from Merck (Darmstadt, Germany). Gradient elution was used at a flow rate of 3 mL/min; the mobile phase was methanol-water (95:5, v/v) for 0-2.1 min and methanol-2-propanol (60:40, v/v) for 2.1-4.9 min. The total time of analysis was 6 min. The injection volume was 20 microL and the analysis was performed at ambient temperature. Detection of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and retinyl esters was carried out at 325, 295, and 330 nm, respectively. For practical assessment of the method, the vitamin A absorption test was performed on seven healthy controls as well as on six patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma or head and neck carcinoma previously treated by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, six patients with rectal carcinoma before chemoradiotherapy, four patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) before treatment with imatinib, and a breast cancer patient with chemotherapy-induced diarrhea. Present data demonstrate the feasibility of large scale HPLC determination of vitamin E, vitamin A, and retinyl esters in human serum using a silica monolithic column, and this method may represent a valuable aid in the laboratory monitoring of the toxicity of anticancer therapy.     

Simultaneous determination of vitamin A and beta-carotene in dietary supplements by liquid chromatography

Several liquid chromatography (LC) methods for analysis of vitamin A in foods and feeds have been previously reported but only a few have been applied in non-food matrixes. A validated LC method is needed for determination of vitamin A and beta-carotene in the various matrixes presented by dietary supplements. The performance of a reversed-phase method with methanol-isopropanol gradient elution was evaluated with standard retinyl derivatives and beta-carotene. The reversed-phase method is capable of separating retinol from other derivatives such as retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, and beta-carotene. Two types of extraction were used to extract the analytes from the dietary supplements: a hexane-methylene chloride extraction for soft-gel capsules containing beta-carotene, and a direct solvent extraction for dietary supplements in tablet form. The direct solvent extraction consisted of treatment with ethanol and methylene chloride following addition of hot water (55 degrees C). Results with the reversed-phase method for vitamin A and beta-carotene in the products examined (n = 8) indicated excellent method performance. The main form of vitamin A or beta-carotene in dietary supplements was the all-trans isomer. The reversed-phase method avoids saponification and is rapid, accurate, precise, and suitable for simultaneous determination of retinyl derivatives and beta-carotene in dietary supplements.     

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).     

Rapid determination of propyphenazone in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the determination of propyphenazone in plasma is described. Phenylbutazone was used as the internal standard. Plasma proteins were precipitated with acetonitrile before injection onto a 3-microns Supelcosil LC-18 column. The mobile phase, ethanol containing 0.2% (v/v) heptylamine-0.005 M potassium dihydrogenphosphate (30:70, v/v), was used at a flow-rate of 1.3 ml/min. The quantitation was performed by ultraviolet detection at a wavelength of 270 nm. The chromatographic time was 7 min. The within- and between-day coefficients of variation were less than 6% and the recoveries close to 100% for concentrations between 0.4 and 22 mumol/l. The limit of quantitation was 0.4 mumol/l (ca. 100 ng/ml).     

Rapid analysis of the major classes of retinoids by step gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using retinal (O-ethyl) oxime derivatives

A rapid step-gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is presented for analysis of the major classes of retinoids in tissues. Retinal was converted into a new derivative, retinal (O-ethyl) oxime, since the standard derivative, retinaloxime, co-elutes with retinol on reversed-phase HPLC. The most abundant naturally occurring retinyl esters, retinyl palmitate and retinyl stearate, were eluted within 12 min to complete the separation. Retinoids were extracted in the presence of an antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene, and a lipid carrier, cholesterol. Recoveries of 98-100% were obtained from tissue samples by internal addition for the retinoids tested (retinol, retinal and retinyl palmitate); and the absolute recovery of endogenous retinal from rat eyecups was confirmed by spectrophotometric measurements of rhodopsin. Extraction was carried out in an air atmosphere and under subdued incandescent light rather than requiring inert atmosphere and safe-light conditions used in most methods. Cis-trans isomers were not separated under the reversed-phase HPLC conditions employed. Quantitation was carried out using retinyl acetate as internal standard and the day to day precision was better than 3.5%. A sensitivity of about 1 ng is obtained for all retinoids using absorbance monitoring at 325 nm and a C18 5 micrometers column with 12% reversed-phase loading. The tocopherols can also be separated and detected simultaneously with similar sensitivity by this method using a fluorescence detector in series [G. J. Handelman, L. J. Machlin, K. Fitch, J. J. Weiter and E. A. Dratz, J. Nutr., 115 (1985) 807].     

Simultaneous determination of five fat-soluble vitamins in feed by high-performance liquid chromatography following solid-phase extraction

A high-performance liquid chromatography method is developed for the simultaneous determination of menadione, retinyl acetate, cholecalciferol, alpha-tocopherol, and alpha-tocopherol acetate in feed. The present study uses an enzyme to destroy the coating film, ethanol to extract free vitamins, and Oasis HLB cartridges to purify. Vitamins are separated using an Atlantis dC18 column. The mobile phase is methanol-water (98:2 v/v). Detection is performed with a UV-vis detector at 230 and 265 nm. The linearity, accuracy, and repeatability of this method are all satisfactory. Application of the method is suitable for the determination of the fat-soluble vitamins in general feed.     

High-performance liquid chromatography and capillary supercritical-fluid chromatography separation of vegetable carotenoids and carotenoid isomers

Carotenoids from carrots and tomatoes were separated with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). All trans alpha- and beta-carotene were separated from their respective cis-isomers with capillary SFC. Carotenoids extracted from tomatoes included xanthophyll, lycopene and beta-carotene, while alpha- and beta-carotene were extracted from carrots. The HPLC separations were accomplished isocratically with a 25-cm column containing 5-microns ODS and methanol-acetonitrile-chloroform (47:47:6) or acetonitrile-dichloromethane (80:20). beta-Carotene cis-isomers were separated with SFC with a SB-cyanopropyl-25-polymethylsiloxane column, while alpha-carotene isomers were separated with two SB-cyanopropyl-50-polymethylsiloxane columns. Carotenoids from carrots and tomatoes were separated with a SB-phenyl-50-polymethylsiloxane column. Carbon dioxide with 1% ethanol was the SFC mobile phase. The eluent was monitored at 461 nm for HPLC and either 453 or 461 nm for SFC.     

Determination of hydroxy and peroxy acid derivatives of uroporphyrin in the plasma of patients with congenital erythropoietic porphyria by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of hydroxy and peroxy acid derivatives of uroporphyrin in the plasma of patients with congenital erythropoietic porphyria. The porphyrins were extracted from the plasma with 20% trichloroacetic acid-dimethyl sulphoxide (1:1, v/v). The supernatant after centrifugation was chromatographed on a Hypersil-ODS column by gradient elution with 9% (v/v) acetonitrile in 1 M ammonium acetate buffer (pH 5.16) (solvent A) and 10% (v/v) acetonitrile in methanol (solvent B) as the gradient mixture. The method was also suitable for the preparative isolation of the porphyrins.     

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.