A Novel Reverse Phase HPLC Method to Separate and Quantify Androstenedione and Its Stereospecific Hydroxyaromatic Derivatives

Abstract

Reverse - phase High Pressure Liquid Chromatography with a gradient elution on a LiChrocart 250-4 LiChrospher 100 RP-18 column has been used to separate and quantify 7 α-hydroxyandrostenedione (7α-OHA), 6β-hydroxyandrostenedione (6β- OHA), 16α-hydroxyandrostenedione (16α - OHA), 2 β - hydroxyandrostenedione (2 β - OHA), testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A). These steroids are the major products of androstenedione hydroxylation by adult rat liver microsomes. Separation was achieved in 30 minutes by using a linear gradient of acetonitrile (CH³CN) and water in increasing amounts from 30% to 60% of the first solvent (CH₃CN).

This new method compares very favourable with other methods already reported for studying microsomal hydroxylations of androstenedione in different positions of the steroidal skeleton.     

An example of situational radiological analysis: An incident with polonium-210

Data on the nuclear physical, chemical, and radiobiological characteristics of polonium-210 are generalized. The characteristics of the radionuclide intake by the human body, its transport, and deposition in different organs are considered. The formation of the α radiation dose has been analyzed using RBE = 3 for deterministic effects in terms of formal dosimetry of incorporated radionuclides. Radiological analysis of a case of polonium-210 poisoning in London has been performed. The activity of the radionuclide at which it is lethal upon a single peroral administration has been evaluated (0.012–0.36 GBq), and the formal possibility of detecting a carrier of polonium-210 on the basis of data on excreta and γ radiation measured using a whole-body counter (WBC).     

The accurate determination of cobalt: Gravimetric methods and in particular the phosphate method

Some gravimetric methods for determining cobalt have been examined in order to assess their value for the accurate determination of the metal. The electrolytic method was found to give high results (about 1.4%), and the anthranilate method slightly high results (0.2 – 0.3%). A modification of the phosphate method has been developed in which a former drawback, the solubility of CoNH₄PO₄·H₂O, has been overcome using a rapid spectrophotometric determination of residual cobalt. The final procedure developed has been found to give accurate results ( ±0.1 – 0.2%) and its use is recommended where this degree of accuracy is required.     

Extraction by solvent using microwave and ultrasound-assisted techniques followed by HPLC analysis of Harpagoside from Harpagophytum procumbens and comparison with conventional solvent extraction methods

This research paper presents a quick and ecofriendly technique for the extraction of harpagoside (HS), the active marker of Harpagophytum procumbens (HP), along with a comparison with conventional methods so as to propose an efficient HPLC method. HP is widely used as an anti-inflammatory in phytotherapy. The quality control of the herbal drug and extract calls for a time consuming method of conventional extraction, which involves a high consumption of solvents. In this study, HP has been extracted using conventional ultrasound (UAE) and microwave (MAE)-assisted methods. The effects have been examined based on several parameters of HS extraction efficiencies. An HPLC method with a core-shell column was developed in order to calculate the HS in HP. The flow rate was reduced by 4. The method of validation used is specific, linear, precise and accurate. MAE and UAE saved solvent consumption, time and energy. It has, therefore, been found that the combined UAE-HPLC process is convenient and appropriate for the quality control of HP.     

Trace analysis of 28 steroids in surface water, wastewater and sludge samples by rapid resolution liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive rapid resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-MS/MS) method, combined with solid-phase extraction, ultrasonic extraction and silica gel cartridge cleanup, was developed for 28 steroids including 4 estrogens (estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynyl estradiol (EE2), diethylstilbestrol (DES)), 14 androgens (androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD), 17α-trenbolone, 17β-trenbolone, 4-androstene-3,17-dione, 19-nortestoserone, 17β-boldenone, 17α-boldenone, testosterone (T), epi-androsterone (EADR), methyltestosterone (MT), 4-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-17-dione (4-OHA), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT), androsterone (ADR), stanozolol (S)), 5 progestagens (progesterone (P), ethynyl testosterone (ET), 19-norethindrone, norgestrel, medroxyprogesterone (MP)), and 5 glucocorticoids (cortisol, cortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone) in surface water, wastewater and sludge samples. The recoveries of surface water, influents, effluents and sludge samples were 90.6-119.0% (except 5α-DHT was 143%), 44.0-200%, 60.7-123% and 62.6-138%, respectively. The method detection limits for the 28 analytes in surface water, influents, effluents and freeze-dried sludge samples were 0.01-0.24 ng/L, 0.02-1.44 ng/L, 0.01-0.49 ng/L and 0.08-2.06 ng/g, respectively. This method was applied in the determination of the residual steroidal hormones in two surface water of Danshui River, 12 wastewater and 8 sludge samples from two wastewater treatment plants (Meihu and Huiyang WWTPs) in Guangdong (China). Ten analytes were detected in surface water samples with concentrations ranging between 0.4 ng/L (17β-boldenone) and 55.3 ng/L (5α-DHT); twenty analytes in the wastewater samples with concentrations ranging between 0.3 ng/L (P) and 621 ng/L (5α-DHT); and 12 analytes in the sludge samples with concentrations ranging between 1.6 ng/g (E1) and 372 ng/g (EADR).     

Molecular precursor route to bulk and silica-supported Nb2Mo3O14 using water-soluble oxo-oxalato complexes

The catalytically relevant Nb2Mo3O14 phase has been prepared in bulk and silica-supported forms via the so-called "multiple molecular precursors method" from water-soluble oxo-oxalato complexes of Nb and Mo, (NH4)3[NbO(ox)3].H2O, and (NH4)2[MoO3(ox)].H2O. Thermal treatment of the mixed Nb-Mo precursor has been optimized for the formation of the pure Nb2Mo3O14 phase, either as bulk oxide or a silica-supported phase with high specific surface area. A characterization of the bulk phase obtained via the conventional ceramic route has also been carried out and a comparison has been made with the precursors route. According to this route, the Nb2Mo3O14 phase is shown to be formed in a pure form at 700 degrees C (i.e., 100 degrees C below the lowest temperature reported so far for the formation of the phase by the ceramic method). The supported samples have appreciable specific surface areas of 60-70 m(2) g(-1), much larger than those reached in the previous attempts under vacuum in sealed vials. The SEM and EDX analyses reveal a high dispersion of the desired phase on the silica support.     

HPLC Determination of Hepatic Cholesterol 7α-Hydroxylase Activity Using Immobilized Cholesterol Oxidase and Chemiluminescence Detection

Abstract

This paper describes an HPLC method for the determination of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity, at high or low activity levels, that is sensitive and specific for 7α-hydroxycholesterol. The method relies on the generation of hydrogen peroxide by oxidation of 7α-hydroxycholesterol using the enzyme cholesterol oxidase which has been immobilized on porous glass beads. The hydrogen peroxide is subsequently detected by chemiluminescence generated by reaction of peroxide with bis-(2, 4, 6-trichlorophenyl)-oxalate (TCPO), a commonly used chemiluminescence reagent specific for peroxides. In the procedure, sample preparation is limited to extraction of the incubation mixture and injection of the concentrated extract.     

FTIR and FT Raman spectra and analysis of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene)

Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) is the most widely used polymer in industry and medical products. Fourier transform infrared and Raman Spectra of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) have been recorded in the range of 4000-400 and 4000-100 cm(-1), respectively. In the present investigation a detailed assignments of the observed fundamental bands of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) has been analyzed in terms of peak positions and relative intensities. With the hope of providing more and effective information on the fundamental vibrations, a normal coordinate analysis has also been performed on poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) by assuming Cs symmetry. The simple general valence force field (SGVFF) method has been employed in normal coordinate analysis and the potential energy distribution (PED) has been calculated for each fundamental vibration. The PED contribution corresponding to each of the observed frequencies shows the reliability and accuracy of spectral analysis. The validity of the SGVFF method as a practical tool for complete analysis of vibrational spectra, for poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) is confirmed in the present work.     

水产品中螺旋霉素、替米考星、泰乐菌素与北里霉素残留量的超高效液相色谱-紫外检测法同时测定

建立了水产品肌肉组织中螺旋霉素、替米考星、泰乐菌素、北里霉素同时测定的超高效液相色谱-紫外检测(UPLC-TUV)方法。样品经乙腈提取后,浓缩至近干,用4%NaCl溶解残渣,正己烷除脂,经固相萃取小柱净化,乙腈洗脱;以乙腈-25 mmol/L磷酸二氢铵(pH2.5,含10%乙腈)为流动相,以ACQUITYUPLC BEHC18为分离柱,柱温为45℃,流速为0.3 mL/min,紫外检测。方法在0.100~20.0 mg/L范围内呈线性相关,螺旋霉素、替米考星、泰乐菌素和北里霉素的相关系数分别为0.998 7、0.999 3、0.999 4和0.998 0。平均回收率为70%~102%,相对标准偏差为2.9%~11.2%,螺旋霉素、替米考星、泰乐菌素和北里霉素的检出限分别为25、25、50、75μg/kg。方法满足水产品肌肉组织中螺旋霉素、替米考星、泰乐菌素和北里霉素的残留量测定。     

The solution behavior of poly(vinylpyrrolidone): its clouding in salt solution, solvation by water and isopropanol, and interaction with sodium dodecyl sulfate

This article deals with the solution properties of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) in salt and surfactant environment. The cloud point (CP) of PVP has been found to be induced by the salts NaCl, KCl, KBr, Na2SO4, MgSO4, and Na3PO4. On the basis of CP values for a salt at different [PVP], the energetics of the clouding process have been estimated. The effect of the surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), on the salt-induced CP has also been studied, and reduction in CP at low [SDS] and increase in CP at high [SDS] have been observed. The water vapor adsorption of PVP has been determined by isopiestic method. The results display a BET Type III isotherm whose analysis has helped to obtain the monolayer capacity of PVP and formation of multilayer on it. The solvation of PVP in a solution of water and a water-isopropanol mixture has been determined by conductometry from which contribution of the individual components were estimated. The interaction of PVP with SDS in solution led to formation of a complex entity, which has been studied also by conductometry adopting a binding-equilibrium scheme. SDS has been found to undergo two types of binding as monomers in the pre- critical aggregation concentration (CAC) range and as small clusters in the post CAC region. The stoichiometries of binding and binding constant were evaluated.     

Determination of sulfonic acids and alkylsulfates by ion chromatography in water

A fast ion chromatographic method with suppressed conductivity detection has been developed for the simultaneous determination of methane-, ethane-, 1-propane-, 1-butane-, 1-pentane-, 1-hexane-, 1-heptane-, 1-octane-, 1-nonane-, 1-decane-, 1-dodecane-, dodecylbenzene-, p-toluene-, benzenesulfonic acids, octylsulfate and dodecylsulfate in water samples. Due to the high number of analytes and their heterogeneity, the effect of the mobile phase parameters (NaOH, CH(3)OH and CH(3)CN concentration) on the retention factors has been studied in detail, so achieving, for the first time, the separation among 15 of these analytes by a gradient elution. Detection limits included within 0.06-0.16 microM have been obtained. Interferences from Cl(-), NO(3)(-) and SO(4)(2-), possible anions present in water samples, have been considered and a SPE procedure has been developed for analytes enrichment and matrix removal in a seawater sample. This is the first application of an ion-exchange chromatographic method to a seawater sample for this kind of analytes.     

On the enantioselectivity of aziridination of styrene catalysed by copper triflate and copper-exchanged zeolite Y: consequences of the phase behaviour of enantiomeric mixtures of N-arene-sulfonyl-2-phenylaziridines

By synthesising S-2-phenyl-N-(4-nitrophenyl)aziridine from S-phenylglycinol, it has been demonstrated that the aziridination of styrene by [N-(4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)imino]phenyliodinane (nosyliminophenyliodinane, PhINNs) in the presence of S,S-2,2'-isopropylidene-bis(4-phenyl-2-oxazoline), catalysed by copper(II) triflate in CH(3)CN solution or heterogeneously by CuHY, has predominantly an R-configuration. The enantioselectivity of the aziridination of styrene by [N-arenesulfonylimino]-phenyliodinanes catalysed by copper-exchanged zeolite Y (CuHY), in conjunction with a chiral bis-oxazoline ligand, has been re-examined. In the case of PhINNs, it is shown that the product mixture of enantiomeric aziridines, on treatment with hexane, gives rise to a solid phase of low enantiomeric excess (ee) and a solution phase of high ee. Separation of the solid phase and recrystallisation afforded a true racemate (racemic compound), which has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The aziridine obtained from the solution phase could be recrystallised to produce the pure enantiomer originally in excess. A consequence of the new findings is that previous reports on the enantioselectivity of copper-catalysed aziridination, both in heterogeneous and homogeneous conditions, should be regarded with caution if the analytical procedure involved HPLC with injection of the enantiomeric mixture in a hexane-rich solvent. Such a method has been used in previous work from this laboratory, but has also been used elsewhere, following the procedure developed by Evans and co-workers when the (homogeneous) copper-catalysed aziridination by PhINTs was first discovered. Evidently, the change of substituent in the benzenesulfonyl group reduces the solubility in hexane, affording a solution phase of enhanced ee.     

Characterization and quantitative analysis of surfactants in textile wastewater by liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A method based on the application of ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QqTOF-MS) with an electrospray (ESI) interface has been developed for the screening and confirmation of several anionic and non-ionic surfactants: linear alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS), alkylsulfate (AS), alkylethersulfate (AES), dihexyl sulfosuccinate (DHSS), alcohol ethoxylates (AEOs), coconut diethanolamide (CDEA), nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), and their degradation products (nonylphenol carboxylate (NPEC), octylphenol carboxylate (OPEC), 4-nonylphenol (NP), 4-octylphenol (OP) and NPEO sulfate (NPEO-SO4). The developed methodology permits reliable quantification combined with a high accuracy confirmation based on the accurate mass of the (de)protonated molecules in the TOFMS mode. For further confirmation of the identity of the detected compounds the QqTOF mode was used. Accurate masses of product ions obtained by performing collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the (de)protonated molecules of parent compounds were matched with the ions obtained for a standard solution. The method was applied for the quantitative analysis and high accuracy confirmation of surfactants in complex mixtures in effluents from the textile industry. Positive identification of the target compounds was based on accurate mass measurement of the base peak, at least one product ion and the LC retention time of the analyte compared with that of a standard. The most frequently surfactants found in these textile effluents were NPEO and NPEO-SO4 in concentrations ranging from 0.93 to 5.68 mg/L for NPEO and 0.06 to 4.30 mg/L for NPEO-SO4. AEOs were also identified.     

Niederschlagsbildung-III Kristallwachstum und einfluss der fremdionenkonzentration in der bariumsulfatfällung

The influence of foreign ions on the particle size of barium sulphate precipitates has been investigated by sedimentation experiments, establishing that NaCl, NaNO(3), KBr, KNO(3), and other salts at high concentrations powerfully hinder the growth of the crystals even at high supersaturation. The linear growth rate has been measured as a function of BaSO(4) concentration, foreign ion concentration and [BaCl(2)]/[K(2)SO(4)] ratio. Because the growth is already diffusion controlled at a fivefold supersaturation, the BaSO(4) precipitates will not undergo Ostwald ripening. A suitable apparatus has been devised for the investigations.     

New sampling tool for airborne volatile aldehydes

Summary A new tool for airborne volatile aldehydes sampling is presented. Aldehydes such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and butyraldehyde can be simultaneously monitored. The tool is made of a solid, inert support of sintered glass (Siran), held in a small tube (7 cm length) and coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Collected aldehydes are analysed as their hydrazones by high performance liquid chromatography. This method has been successfully employed to sampling of airborne formaldehyde between 0.06 ppmv and 4 ppmv (4 h sampling time). Comparison with the NIOSH method n. 2502 gave a high correlation coefficient (r=0.993).     

Photochemical analysis studies-III A fluorimetric and ultraviolet spectrophotometric study of the photolysis of chloroquine on silica-gel thin layers, and its analytical application

The photolysis of chloroquine on silica-gel thin layers has been studied by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and fluorimetry. It has been shown that a reversible photoisomerization of chloroquine takes place and yields a fluorescent photoproduct. The effect of pH, alkali-metal halides, and the eluent system on the fluorescence intensity of chloroquine and its photoproduct was investigated. The fluorescence on silica-gel thin layers is quenched by high concentrations of sodium hydroxide; this is explained in terms of interference of sodium ions in the hydrogen-bonded adsorption of chloroquine on the silica gel. The results have been used to develop a method for determination and separation of chloroquine at the nanogram level. Linear calibration plots are obtained, covering the range between 4 and 10(4) ng.     

Simultaneous separation and determination of six arsenic species in rice by anion‐exchange chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The simultaneous separation and determination of arsenite As(III), arsenate As(V), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenobetaine (AsB), and arsenocholine (AsC) in rice samples have been carried out in one single anion‐exchange column run by high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To estimate the effect of variables on arsenic (As) speciation, the chromatographic conditions including type of competing anion, ionic strength, pH of elution buffer, and flow rate of mobile phase have been investigated by a univariate approach. Under the optimum chromatographic conditions, baseline separation of six As species has been achieved within 10 min by gradient elution program using 4 mM NH₄HCO₃ at pH 8.6 as mobile phase A and 4 mM NH₄HCO₃, 40 mM NH₄NO₃ at pH 8.6 as mobile phase B. The method detection limits for As(III), As(V), MMA, DMA, AsB, and AsC were 0.4, 0.9, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.3 μg/kg, respectively. The proposed method has been applied to separation and quantification of As species in real rice samples collected from Hunan Province, China. The main As species detected in all samples were As(III), As(V) and DMA, with inorganic As accounting for over 80% of total As in these samples.     

Ca(AlH4)2, CaAlH5, and CaH2+6LiBH4: Calculated dehydrogenation enthalpy, including zero point energy, and the structure of the phonon spectra

The dehydrogenation enthalpies of Ca(AlH(4))(2), CaAlH(5), and CaH(2)+6LiBH(4) have been calculated using density functional theory calculations at the generalized gradient approximation level. Harmonic phonon zero point energy (ZPE) corrections have been included using Parlinski's direct method. The dehydrogenation of Ca(AlH(4))(2) is exothermic, indicating a metastable hydride. Calculations for CaAlH(5) including ZPE effects indicate that it is not stable enough for a hydrogen storage system operating near ambient conditions. The destabilized combination of LiBH(4) with CaH(2) is a promising system after ZPE-corrected enthalpy calculations. The calculations confirm that including ZPE effects in the harmonic approximation for the dehydrogenation of Ca(AlH(4))(2), CaAlH(5), and CaH(2)+6LiBH(4) has a significant effect on the calculated reaction enthalpy. The contribution of ZPE to the dehydrogenation enthalpies of Ca(AlH(4))(2) and CaAlH(5) calculated by the direct method phonon analysis was compared to that calculated by the frozen-phonon method. The crystal structure of CaAlH(5) is presented in the more useful standard setting of P2(1)c symmetry and the phonon density of states of CaAlH(5), significantly different to other common complex metal hydrides, is rationalized.     

An in situ photoelectrochemical determination of hydrogen sulfide through generation of CdS nanoclusters onto TiO(2) nanotubes

A novel and facile photoelectrochemical method has been developed to detect H(2)S in water samples with high sensitivity and selectivity. The protocol is based on the photocurrent generated by CdS nanoclusters which are deposited onto TiO(2) nanotubes exposing in CdSO(4) solution with the gradual addition of Na(2)S, with low-cost, environment-friendly, theoretical and technical simplicity. The developed method shows a very broad linear range from 10(-8) M to 10(-3) M and a low detection limit of 0.31 nM (9.92 ppt), far lower than the ceiling value in drinking water provided by WHO. Furthermore, the present method has been applied for determination of H(2)S in water samples. The concentrations of H(2)S in water samples determined by the present method are in a good agreement with those monitored by traditional spectrophotometry.     

Determination of Cr3+, CrO42-, and Cr2O72- in environmental matrixes by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD)

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), based on chelation with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC), has been developed for the determination of chromium species. Determination of Cr3+, CrO42-, and Cr2O72- was performed for standards and synthetic environmental matrixes. This method is robust, rugged, and can be used for rapid routine determination of chromium species with high precision and reliability. Sample pretreatment is simple. The method is capable of discriminating not only between Cr(III) and Cr(VI) but also between the chemical forms of Cr(VI) - CrO42- and Cr2O72-. By analysis of numerous samples the method has been shown to be selective, sensitive, and free from matrix interference, which is crucial for the determination of chromium species in difficult-to-analyze environmental matrixes. This method has been validated by means of an interlaboratory study. Although different speciation techniques were used during this study, there was good agreement between results from the two laboratories. The method detection limits were 7 and 4 mg L(-1) for Cr3+ and Cr2O72-, respectively. Recoveries of the analytes from spiked samples were 98% and 100% for Cr3+ and Cr2O72-, respectively. Both were based on a 10-mL sample volume spiked with 0.4 mg L(-1) chromium.