Determination of phthalic acid esters in Chinese white spirit using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with sweeping β‐cyclodextrin‐modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A simple method that consumes low organic solvent is proposed for the analysis of phthalic acid esters in Chinese white spirit using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with sweeping‐micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Tetrachloromethane and white‐spirit‐containing ethanol were used as the extraction and dispersing solvents, respectively. The electrophoresis separation buffer was composed of 5 mM β‐cyclodextrin, 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate and 25 mM borate buffer (pH 9.2) with 9% acetonitrile, enabling the baseline resolution of the analytes within 13 min. Under the optimum conditions, satisfactory linearities (5–1000 ng/mL, r ≥ 0.9909), good reproducibility (RSD ≤ 6.7% for peak area, and RSD ≤ 2.8% for migration time), low detection limits (0.4–0.8 ng/mL) and acceptable recovery rates (89.6–105.7%) were obtained. The proposed method was successfully applied to 22 Chinese white spirits, and the content of dibutyl phthalate in 55% of the samples exceeded the Specific Migration Limit of 0.3 mg/kg established by the domestic and international regulations.     

Analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids in leaves of Lycium barbarum from different habitats by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

The leaves of Lycium barbarum (LLB) have been utilized as crude drugs and functional tea for human health in China and Southeast Asia for thousands of years. To control its quality, a rapid and sensitive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the first time for simultaneous determination of 10 phenolic acids and flavonoids (including neochlorogenic acid , protocatechuic aldehyde, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p‐coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutin and kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside) in LLB. The separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC C₁₈ chromatographic column (100 × 2.1 mm internal diameter, 1.7 μm particle size) with 0.1% formic acid in water (A)–acetonitrile (B) as the mobile phase under gradient elution. Multiple reaction monitoring mode was adopted to simultaneously monitor the target components. The developed method was fully validated in terms of linearity (r² ≥ 0.9860), precision (RSD ≤ 6.58%), repeatability (RSD ≤ 6.60%), stability (RSD ≤ 6.17%), recovery (95.56–108.06%, RSD ≤ 4.64%) and limit of detection (0.021–0.664 ng/mL) and limit of quantitation (0.069–2.210 ng/mL), and then successfully applied to evaluate the quality of 64 batches of LLB collected from 41 producing areas in four different provinces of China. The results showed that the LLB, especially collected from Inner Mongolia regions, were rich in the phenolic acids and flavonoids. Rutin, kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside and chlorogenic acid are the predominant compounds contained in LLB. The above findings will provide helpful information for the effective utilization of LLB.     

Development of a mesoporous silica based solid-phase extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–MS/MS method for quantifying lignans in Justicia procumbens

Justicia procumbens is a food and medicine homologous variety, popularly used for making vegetable soups. In this study, a novel mesoporous silica was synthesized and used as the sorbent of SPE for the purification of lignans from J. procumbens. A laboratory-made SPE cartridge was packed with 100 mg of mesoporous silica, which was washed with 10% methanol and eluted using 0.8 mL acetonitrile after sample loading. Afterward, the extract was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and MS/MS. All the lignans were efficiently separated in 6 min with the noise level in the range of 50–150 cps. 6′-Hydroxy justicidin B, 6′-hydroxy justicidin A, justicidin B, chinensinaphthol methyl ether, justicidin C, and neojusticdin A were identified to be the dominant molecular species in J. procumbens with contents of 0.065−0.37 mg/g in three tested sample batches from different geographic origins. In conclusion, the proposed mesoporous silica based SPE UPLC–MS/MS method is efficient in linearity (R² = 0.9989−0.9996), sensitivity (LOD ≤0.13 μg/kg and LOQ ≤0.42 μg/kg), precision (RSD_intra-day ≤3.12 and RSD_inter-day ≤4.56), and recovery (83.42−96.11%, RSD ≤2.88%).     

Quantitative separation of oxytocin,norfloxacin and diclofenac sodium in milk samples using capillary electrophoresis

A simple, sensitive and rapid method has been developed for simultaneous separation and quantification of three different drugs: oxytocin (OT), norfloxacin (NOR) and diclofenac (DIC) sodium in milk samples using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with UV detection at 220 nm. Factors affecting the separation were pH, concentration of buffer and applied voltage. Separation was obtained in less than 9 min with sodium tetraborate buffer of pH 10.0 and applied voltage 30 kV. The separation was carried out from uncoated fused silica capillary with effective length of 50 cm with 75 µm i.d. The carrier electrolyte gave reproducible separation with calibration plots linear over 0.15–4.0 µg/mL for OT, 5–1000 µg/mL for NOR and 3–125 µg/mL for DIC. The lower limits of detection (LOD) were found to be 50 ng/mL for OT, and 1 µg/mL for NOR and DIC. The method was validated for the analysis of drugs in milk samples and pharmaceutical preparations with recovery of drugs within the range 96–100% with RSD 0.9–2.8%. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fabrication of boronate‐decorated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes grafted cotton fiber for the selective enrichment of nucleosides in urine

Various cotton fiber based boronate‐affinity adsorbents are recently developed for the sample pretreatment of cis‐diol‐containing biomolecules, but most do not have efficient capacity due to limited binding sites on the surface of cotton fibers. To increase the density of boronate groups on the surface of cotton fiber, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes were used to modify cotton fiber to provide plentiful reactive sites for subsequent functionalization with 4‐formylphenylboronic acid. The new adsorbent showed special recognition ability towards cis‐diols and high adsorption capacity (175 μg/g for catechol, 250 μg/g for dopamine, 400 μg/g for adenosine). The in‐pipette‐tip solid‐phase extraction was investigated under different conditions, including pH and ionic strength of solution, adsorbent amount, pipette times, washing solvent, and elution solvent. The in‐pipette‐tip solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze four nucleosides in urine samples. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the detection limits were determined to be between 5.1 and 6.1 ng/mL (S/N  =  3), and the linearity ranged from 20 to 500 ng/mL for these analytes. The accuracy of the analytical method was examined by studying the relative recoveries of analytes in real urine samples with recoveries varying from 83 to 104% (RSD = 3.9–10.2%, n = 3).     

Graphene/dodecanol floating solidification microextraction for the preconcentration of trace levels of cinnamic acid derivatives in traditional Chinese medicines

A novel graphene/dodecanol floating solidification microextraction followed by HPLC with diode‐array detection has been developed to extract trace levels of four cinnamic acid derivatives in traditional Chinese medicines. Several parameters affecting the performance were investigated and optimized. Also, possible microextraction mechanism was analyzed and discussed. Under the optimum conditions (amount of graphene in dodecanol: 0.25 mg/mL; volume of extraction phase: 70 μL; pH of sample phase: 3; extraction time: 30 min; stirring rate: 1000 rpm; salt amount: 26.5% NaCl; volume of sample phase: 10 mL, and without dispersant addition), the enrichment factors of four cinnamic acid derivatives ranged from 26 to 112, the linear ranges were 1.0 × 10⁻²–10.0 μg/mL for caffeic acid, 1.3 × 10⁻³–1.9 μg/mL for p‐hydroxycinnamic acid, 2.8 × 10⁻³–4.1 μg/mL for ferulic acid, and 2.7 × 10⁻³–4.1 μg/mL for cinnamic acid, with r ² ≥ 0.9993. The detection limits were found to be in the range of 0.1–1.0 ng/mL, and satisfactory recoveries (92.5–111.2%) and precisions (RSDs 1.1–9.5%) were also achieved. The results showed that the approach is simple, effective and sensitive for the preconcentration and determination of trace levels of cinnamic acid derivatives in Chinese medicines. The proposed method was compared with conventional dodecanol floating solidification microextraction and other extraction methods.     

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study of bisabolangelone from Angelicae Pubescentis Radix in rat using LC–MS/MS

A sensitive and accurate LC–MS/MS method was established for quantifying bisabolangelone in rat plasma and tissues. Bisabolangelone was isolated and purified from Angelicae Pubescentis Radix. The pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution of bisabolangelone after administration to rat was performed by LC–MS/MS. Separation was carried out on a C₈ (4.6 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm) column. The MS/MS transitions of bisabolangelone and tussilagone (internal standard) were set at m/z 249.1 → 109.1 and m/z 391.4 → 217.4, respectively. The lower limit of quantification in plasma and other tissues ranged from 1 to 4 ng/mL. The biosamples were prepared using protein precipitation method with acetonitrile. The recovery was >92%. The results showed that values of maximum concentrations and area under the curve depended linearly on the studied doses (2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg body weight). The other ingredients in Angelicae Pubescentis Radix extract possibly reduce the absorption of bisabolangelone in rat. Tissue distribution revealed that bisabolangelone was widely distributed in vivo. The highest and lowest concentrations of bisabolangelone were found in the stomach and in the brain, respectively. It was concluded that the newly established HPLC–MS/MS method was suitable to describe the pharmacokinetic characteristics of bisabolangelone in rat after administration.     

Simultaneous determination of the bioactive components in rat plasma by UPLC‐MS/MS and application in pharmacokinetic studies after oral administration of radix Scutellariae extract

A highly sensitive and rapid ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of the four main bioactive compounds, i.e. baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside and wogonin, in rat plasma after oral administration of Radix Scutellariae extract. Clarithromycin was used as an internal standard (IS). Plasma samples were processed by protein precipitation with methanol. The separation was performed on an Acquity BEH C₁₈ column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, using 0.1% formic acid–acetonitrile as mobile phase. The MS/MS ion transit ions monitored were 447.5 → 270.1 for baicalin, 270.1 → 168.1 for baicalein, 461.2 → 284.0 for wogonoside, 284.2 → 168.1 for wogonin and 748.5 → 158.1 for IS. Method validation was performed according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) achieved was 1.13 ng/mL for baicalin, 1.23 ng/mL for baicalein, 0.82 ng/mL for wogonoside and 0.36 ng/mL for wogonin. The calibration curves obtained were linear (r > 0.99) over the concentration range ~ 1–1000 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision was <15% and the accuracy was within ±14.7%. After validation, this method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of Radix Scutellariae extract.     

Use of micellar liquid chromatography to analyze darunavir,ritonavir, emtricitabine,and tenofovir in plasma

Danuravir, ritonavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir are together prescribed against AIDS as a highly active antiretroviral therapy regimen. Micellar liquid chromatography has been applied to determine these four antiretroviral drugs in plasma. The sample preparation is shortened to the dilution of the sample in a micellar solution, filtration, and injection. Clean‐up steps are avoided, due to the solubilization of plasma matrix in micellar media. The drugs were analyzed in <20 min using a mobile phase of 0.06 M sodium dodecyl sulfate/2.5% 1‐pentanol (pH 7) running under isocratic mode through a C₁₈ column at 1 mL/min at room temperature. Absorbance wavelength detection was set at 214 nm. The method was successfully validated following the ICH Harmonized Tripartite Guideline in terms of selectivity, limit of detection (0.080–0.110 μg/mL), limit of quantification (0.240–0.270 μg/mL), linearity between 0.25 and 25 μg/mL (r² > 0.995), accuracy (89.3–103.2%), precision (<8.2%) and robustness (<7.5%). Real plasma sample from patients taking this therapy were analyzed. This is the first paper showing the simultaneous detection of this four drugs. Therefore, the methodology was proven useful for the routine analysis of these samples in a hospital laboratory for clinical purposes.     

Determination of pterostilbene in rat plasma by a simple HPLC‐UV method and its application in pre‐clinical pharmacokinetic study

A simple HPLC‐UV method was developed and validated for the quantification of pterostilbene (3,5‐dimethoxy‐4'‐hydroxy‐trans‐stilbene), a pharmacologically active phytoalexin in rat plasma. The assay was carried out by measuring the UV absorbance at 320 nm. Pterostilbene and the internal standard, 3,5,4'‐trimethoxy‐trans‐stilbene eluted at 5.7 and 9.2 min, respectively. The calibration curve (20–2000 ng/mL) was linear (R² > 0.997). The lower limits of detection and of quantification were 6.7 and 20 ng/mL, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions in terms of RSD were all lower than 6%. The analytical recovery ranged from 95.5 ± 3.7 to 103.2 ± 0.7% while the absolute recovery ranged from 101.9 ± 1.1 to 104.9 ± 4.4%. This simple HPLC method was subsequently applied in a pharmacokinetic study carried out in Sprague–Dawley rats. The terminal elimination half‐life and clearance of pterostilbene were 96.6 ± 23.7 min and 37.0 ± 2.5 mL/min/kg, respectively, while its absolute oral bioavailability was 12.5 ± 4.7%. Pterostilbene appeared to have better pharmacokinetic characteristics than its natural occurring analog, resveratrol. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facile LC‐UV methods for simultaneous monitoring of ciprofloxacin and rosuvastatin in API,formulations and human serum

An efficient, selective and cost‐effective liquid chromatographic assay was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of ciprofloxacin and rosuvastatin in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), pharmaceutical formulations and in human serum. The chromatographic system consisted of mobile phase methanol–water, 90:10 v/v at pH 3.0 adjusted with o‐phosphoric acid, pumped at 1.0 mL/min through a prepacked Purospher Star C18 (5 µm, 25 × 0.46 cm) column and effluent was monitored at the isosbestic point (255 nm) as well as at the λ_max of individual drugs (243 and 271 nm). The method was validated over a linear concentration range of 0.25–15 µg/mL for ciprofloxacin and 0.33–20 µg/mL for rosuvastatin (r² ≥ 0.999). The ranges of reliable response (limits of detection and quantitation) for ciprofloxacin were 3–15 and 9–45 ng/mL and 17–29 and 52–88 ng/mL, respectively, for rosuvastatin in all API, pharmaceutical formulations and human serum. Analytical recovery from human serum was >98% and relative standard deviation (RSD) was <2. The accuracies were 97.13–102.55 and 97.41–101.31% and precisions in RSD were 0.04–1.90 and 0.02–1.23% for ciprofloxacin and rosuvastatin, respectively. No matrix interferences, ion suppression/enhancement and carry‐over were detected. The total assay run time was less than 5 min. In another study, for optimum performance the detector was programmed for multiwavelength scanning at the absorption maxima of each component. Consequently, the linearity range was improved and limit of detection and quantitation values were down to 1–4 and 4–12 ng/mL for ciprofloxacin and 3–5 and 9–15 ng/mL for rosuvastatin, respectively. The validation parameters fitted ICH guidelines through the isosbestic and individual λ_max approach. The small sample volume and simplicity of preparation make this method suitable for use in human serum samples, pharmaceutical formulations, quality control, drug–drug interaction studies, clinical laboratories, drug research centers and forensic medical centers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) determination of cocaine and its metabolites benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, and cocaethylene in hair samples

This study reports the development and validation of a method using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) for the analysis of cocaine and its metabolites benzoylecgonine (BE), ecgonine methyl ester (EME), and cocaethylene (CE) in hair samples. Decontamination was performed as follows: Firstly, the aliquot of hair was briefly rinsed with 2 mL dichloromethane, then was washed three times with 10 mL 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 6, for 15 min, followed by 2 mL 2-propanol for less than 2 min, and, finally, a last rinse with 2 mL dichloromethane was again done. Cocaine compounds were extracted from 10 mg of hair by incubation with 2 mL 0.1 M HCl at 50 °C for 12 h and purified by solid phase extraction with Oasis MCX cartridges. Analysis was performed by LC-MS/MS using an Atlantis HILIC silica chromatographic column. The method was fully validated. Linearity was established over the concentration range 0.020–10.0 ng/mg for cocaine (COC), 0.010–10.0 ng/mg for BE and CE, and 0.005–2.0 ng/mg for EME, and the correlation coefficients were all >0.99. Extraction efficiency was >70% for all analytes. Limits of detection were 0.0005 ng/mg for CE and 0.001 ng/mg for the other analytes (COC, BE, and EME). Lower limits of quantification were the lowest points of the calibration curves with acceptable accuracy and precision (coefficient of variation ≤20%). Intra- and inter-day imprecision ranged between 1.5% and 9.5% and 0.7% and 12.6%, respectively. Intra- and inter-day inaccuracy ranged from 0.5% to 12.3% and from 0.7% to 7.1%, respectively. With regard to matrix effects, suppression was <27.5% in all cases. The method was applied to the analysis of several samples derived from forensic cases.     

Simultaneous analysis of ten low‐molecular‐mass organic acids in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and photorespiration pathway in Thalassiosira pseudonana at different growth stages

A method using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the simultaneous determination of organic acids in microalgae. o‐Benzylhydroxylamine was used to derivatize the analytes, and stable isotope‐labeled compounds were used as internal standards for precise quantification. The proposed method was evaluated in terms of linearity, recovery, matrix effect, sensitivity, and precision. Linear calibration curves with correlation coefficients >0.99 were obtained over the concentration range of 0.4–40 ng/mL for glycolic acid, 0.1–10 ng/mL for malic acid and oxaloacetic acid, 0.02–2 ng/mL for succinic acid and glyoxylic acid, 4–400 ng/mL for fumaric acid, 20–2000 ng/mL for isocitric acid, 2–200 ng mL⁻¹ for citric acid, 100–10000 ng mL⁻¹ for cis‐aconitic acid, and 1–100 ng mL⁻¹ for α‐ketoglutaric acid. Analyte recoveries were between 80.2 and 115.1%, and the matrix effect was minimal. Low limits of detection (0.003–1 ng/mL) and limits of quantification (0.01–5 ng/mL) were obtained except cis‐aconitic acid. Variations in reproducibility for standard solution at three different concentrations levels were <9%. This is the first report of the simultaneous analysis of ten organic acids in microalgae, which promotes better understanding of their growth state and provides reference value for high‐yield microalgae cultures.     

Method validation,residue analysis and dietary risk assessment of trifloxystrobin and trifloxystrobin acid in milk,eggs and pork

Trifloxystrobin (TFS) is a widely used strobilurin fungicide and its residues accumulating in animal-derived food could result in potential harm to consumers. By optimization of extraction solvents and cleanup sorbents, a residue analysis method for TFS and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid (TFSA) was established in milk, eggs and pork based on QuEChERS sample preparation and LC–MS/MS. The calibration curves exhibited good linearity with determination coefficients (R²) >0.9930 over the range of 0.5–250 ng/ml for both TFS and TFSA. The recoveries of the two analytes were 81–100% with RSD 3–10% and 76–96% with RSD 2–13%, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 1 ng/g for both analytes. The milk, egg and pork samples, 30 each, were collected from the 30 main producing regions in China, and residues of TFS and TFSA were analyzed. The concentrations of both analytes were lower than the corresponding LOQs and maximum residue limits. Long-term dietary risk assessment showed that the hazard quotients were 0.001–0.003%, indicating an absence of unacceptable risks in milk, eggs and pork to the health of common consumers in China.     

Ultra‐performance convergence chromatography method for the determination of four chromones and quality control of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk.

Ultra‐performance convergence chromatography is an environmentally friendly analytical technique that employs dramatically reduced amounts of organic solvents compared to conventional chromatographic methods. In this study, a rapid, sensitive, and environmentally friendly method based on ultra‐performance convergence chromatography was developed for the quantification of four major chromones present in the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk. Using this method, the analysis time was significantly shortened compared to conventional high‐performance liquid chromatography techniques. In addition, the influence of cosolvent type, cosolvent ratio, column temperature, system pressure, and flow rate on the peak resolution was investigated. The proposed method was validated in terms of its limits of detection, limits of quantitation, linearity, precision, and accuracy. More specifically, the limits of detection of the four chromones ranged from 0.006 to 0.033 μg/mL, while the limits of quantitation ranged from 0.019 to 0.101 μg/mL. Our method also exhibited a good regression (r² > 0.999), excellent precision (RSD < 0.60%), and acceptable recoveries (99.48–102.89%). Finally, the quantities of these four chromones present in 20 commercial samples from Korea and China were successfully evaluated using the developed method, indicating that the proposed method is suitable for the rapid and accurate quality control of Saposhnikovia divaricata.     

Development of multi‐response optimization and quadratic calibration curve for determination of ten pesticides in complex sample matrices using QuEChERS dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography

In this study, QuEChERS combined with dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction is developed for extraction of ten pesticides in complex sample matrices of water and milk. In this regard, effective factors of proposed extraction technique combined with gas chromatography with flame ionization detector were designed, modeled, and optimized using central composite design, multiple linear regression, and Nelder–Mead simplex optimization. Later, univariate calibration model for ten pesticides was developed in concentration range of 0.5–100 ng/mL. Surprisingly, quadratic calibration behavior was observed for some of the pesticides. In this regard, Mandel's test was used for evaluating linearity and types of calibration equation. Finally, four pesticides followed linear calibration curve with sensitivity (0.23–0.66 mL/ng), analytical sensitivity (0.20–0.32), regression coefficient (0.988–0.995), limit of detection (0.39–1.83 ng/mL), and limit of quantitation (1.30–6.10 ng/mL) and six of them followed quadratic calibration curve with sensitivity (0.18–0.93 mL/ng), analytical sensitivity (0.25–0.86), regression coefficient (0.944–0.999), limit of detection (0.59–1.92 ng/mL), and limit of quantitation (1.96–6.40 ng/mL). The calculated limits of detection were below the maximum residue limits according to European Union pesticides database of European Commission. Finally, the proposed analytical method was used for determination of ten pesticides in water and milk samples.     

Determination of ferulic acid and adenosine in Angelicae Radix by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A micellar electrokinetic chromatography for determining ferulic acid and adenosine in Angelicae Radix was developed. A buffer solution composed of 50 mmol L(-1) borax, 10 mmol L(-1) sodium deoxycholate, and 2% methanol was found to be the most suitable electrolyte for the separation. The contents of ferulic acid and adenosine in Angelicae Radix were determined within 20 min. Good linearity between peak area ratio and the concentration was found in the range of approximately 20-320 microg mL(-1) for ferulic acid and about 10-160 microg mL(-1) for adenosine ( r >0.998), respectively. The recoveries were approximately 96.8-97.4% and 93.2-95.0%, and the RSD of this proposed method were 4.4% and 3.2% for ferulic acid and adenosine, respectively ( n=5). The contents of ferulic acid and adenosine in Angelicae Radix from different sources were determined.     

Simultaneous determination of thirteen main components and identification of eight major metabolites in Xuebijing Injection by UPLC/Q-TOF

An ultra performance liquid chromatographic method was used for the simultaneous identification and quantification of thirteen main components in Xuebijing Injection, including uridine, gallic acid, guanosine, danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, oxypaeoniflorin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, safflor yellow A, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H and salvianolic acid B. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (1.7-μm, 2.1 × 100 mm, i.d.) with a gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.2% acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The method was validated for linearity (r ² > 0.9990), intra- and inter-day precision (RSD < 1.94%), accuracy (91.8–99.7%), recovery (96.8–103.8%), limits of detection (0.16–8.0 ng), and limits of quantification (0.54–26.8 ng). At least eight metabolites in prototype were found in rat plasma and urine after intravenous injection of 4 mL/kg doses of Xuebijing Injection. The proposed method could be utilized to qualify and control Xuebijing Injection to ensure its safety and efficacy in application.     

A dual preconcentration method by combining micro matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction with field-enhanced sample injection and micelle to cyclodextrin stacking for sensitive analysis of neutral coumarins

A rapid, sensitive, environmental friendly dual preconcentration method by combining micro matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction with field-enhanced sample injection and micelle to cyclodextrin stacking has been developed for the determination of furocoumarins. Molecular sieve, KIT-6, was used as an adsorbent in micro matrix solid-phase dispersion process. The important parameters affecting off-line and online CE preconcentration efficiency were optimized. Under the optimal experimental conditions, all analytes showed good linearity (R² > 0.999). The LODs of notopterol, isoimperatorin, and imperatorin were 0.1 μg/mL, 1.2 mg/kg, and 1.0 mg/kg, respectively. Compared with the normal CE method, the enrichment times were up to 300. Moreover, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix was used as the mode of complex solid sample matrix to demonstrate the prospect of application of this methodology. The results showed the proposed strategy is promising for determining trace furocoumarins in complex matrix samples, which might be applied as a powerful and economic tool in monitoring illegal cosmetic adding.