Evaluation of sample preparation protocols for proteomic analysis of sunflower leaves

Six protocols for extraction of proteins from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) leaves were evaluated for their abilities in both removing interferents and attaining the best resolution in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. “Classical” phenol extraction followed by precipitation with ammonium acetate in methanol displayed the most efficient protocol, which allowed the detection of 244 protein spots with ca. 485 μg of protein in gel electrophoresis. Tandem mass spectrometry was performed to identify proteins in 61 spots, and cross species identification was used for this task. Proteins from twenty two spots were identified, and 12 of these proteins are up to now not included into the ExPASy sunflower protein databank.     

Solvent and salting effects on sample preparation for the determination of fenofibric acid in human plasma by HPLC-DAD

The solvent and salting effects induced on the sample preparation procedure applied to plasma samples containing fenofibric acid and 4-chlorophenyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl methanone (internal standard) are evaluated. Sodium chloride addition during a deproteinization step using both methanol and phosphoric acid influences the recovery of the analytes as well as the selectivity of the process. The chromatographic method allows high sample volume injection (500 μl) with the focusing of both analytes in the stationary phase. The synthesized high porosity octadecylsilica material allows a fast elution gradient at 4 ml/min flow-rate and a complete analysis within 7 min. UV-detection is made at 295 nm and quantitation limit in the 20 ng/ml concentration level can be achieved. The method can be successfully applied for bioequivalence studies on fenofibrate, administrated as prodrug (fenofibric acid represents its main active metabolite) in pharmaceutical formulations. The main parameters used in studying the retention behavior of the internal standard and FEFA were also estimated.     

Usefulness of the chaotropic effect in sample preparation for chromatographic analysis of acidic xenobiotics in human plasma

In this study a new RP‐HPLC with photo‐diode array detection method for the determination of ibuprofen ((RS)‐2‐(4‐isobutylphenyl)propionic acid) in human plasma samples was developed. Samples were prepared by SPE and analyzed by an isocratic elution mode over a C₁₈ column using 80% methanol. A novel sample pretreatment method, based on the addition of ionic liquids possessing chaotropic ions to small human plasma sample (100 μL), was elaborated. 1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIM BF₄) were tested from the point of view of extraction yield. Quantification was based on calibration curve applying diclofenac as the internal standard. Owing to dilution of plasma sample by 2 mM aqueous solution of BMIM BF₄ before SPE, appropriate sample purification and extraction yields higher than 95% with precision lower than 2% can be achieved. Linear coefficients of correlation (r²) were >0.99 in the range of 0.3–5 μg/mL ibuprofen concentration in plasma. The limit of quantification was 65 ng/mL and the detection limit for ibuprofen was 19.5 ng/mL.     

Comparison of different sample preparation treatments for the analysis of wine phenolic compounds in human plasma by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Phenolic compounds are common constituents of wine. Due to their healthy properties the analysis in human fluids is interesting within bioavailability evaluation. They have been reported not to be stable in human plasma, particularly at room temperature. Most sample treatments have been reported for a single compound. Our aim in this paper is to study sample handling control conditions and improve phenolic stability in human plasma samples. We tested various sample treatments to determine whether they could be used for analysing a set of phenolic compounds usually present in wines.The compounds studied were six phenolic acids, five flavonoids, trans-resveratrol and tyrosol. The effect of the following factors was explored: temperature, pH, the addition of antioxidants and the addition of anticoagulants.The results suggest that the plasma samples should be kept at temperatures below −20 °C before analysis and that 1% ascorbic acid plus 10 μl/ml o-phosphoric acid should be added. Anticoagulants (heparin or EDTA) do not play a significant role in the stability of polyphenolic compounds.The recovery values of a number of sample treatments (solid phase extraction, extraction with methanol, deproteinization, inhibition of enzymatic plasma activity) were compared. The recovery values for most phenolic compounds were better if the enzymatic plasma activity was inhibited and acidified ethanol was used for deproteinization.     

Evaluation of sample preparation methods for elastomer digestion for further halogens determination

In this work, three sample preparation methods were evaluated for further halogen determination in elastomers containing high concentrations of carbon black. Samples of nitrile-butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer elastomers were decomposed using oxygen flask combustion and microwave-induced combustion (MIC) for further Br and Cl determination by ion chromatography (IC), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Extraction assisted by microwave radiation in closed vessels was also evaluated using water or alkaline solution. Digestion by MIC was carried out using 50 mmol l⁻¹ (NH₄)₂CO₃ as the absorbing solution. The effect of the reflux step was also evaluated. Accuracy was evaluated using certified reference materials with polymeric matrix composition and by comparison of results using neutron activation analysis. Agreement for Br and Cl was better than 95% by MIC using 5 min of reflux, and no statistical difference was found using IC, ICP OES, and ICP-MS for determination of both analytes. For MIC, the relative standard deviation (RSD) was lower than 5%. Using extraction in closed vessels, a high amount of residues was observed, and recoveries were lower than 45% for both analytes. For oxygen flask combustion, the agreement was similar using MIC but RSD was higher (20%). The residual carbon content, an important parameter used to evaluate the digestion efficiency, was always below 1% for MIC. Using MIC, it was possible to digest elastomers with high efficiency, resulting in a single solution suitable for halogen determination by different techniques.     

Evaluation of 384-well formatted sample preparation technologies for regulated bioanalysis

The capabilities and limitations of 384-well formatted sample preparation technologies applied to regulated bioanalysis were evaluated by developing two assays for the simultaneous quantitation of lopinavir and ritonavir, the active ingredients of Kaletra. One method used liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and the other used solid-phase extraction (SPE). The steps and apparatuses employed by the two methods covered most of those used for bioanalysis. Briefly, the previously validated 96-well formatted assays were adapted to the 384-format with minor modifications. Because the wells of a 384-well plate are clustered together, cross-contamination between adjacent wells was evaluated critically, along with sensitivity, assay throughput, and ruggedness. Samples (35 microL) containing plasma samples (15 microL), internal standard (10 microL), and sodium carbonate (0.5 M, 10 microL to basify the sample) were placed in a 384-well microtiter plate that may contain saquinavir or amprenavir as contamination markers. For LLE preparation, the samples were placed in a deep 384-well plate (300-microL well volume) and extracted with 150 microL of ethyl acetate. Approximately 50 microL of the extracts were removed from each well after phase separation for analysis. For SPE preparation, the fortified samples were transferred to a 384-formatted SPE plate (C18, 5 mg packing). The extracts were eluted from the plate with basified 2-propanol. The LLE or SPE extracts were dried and reconstituted for column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (HPLC/MS/MS). The lower limit of quantitation and the assay range were the same as the 96-well formatted assay. If combined with appropriate automation, sample preparation in the 384-well format would be up to five times more efficient than the 96-well format.     

Rapid determination of rat plasma uridine levels by HPLC-ESI-MS utilizing the Captiva plates for sample preparation

A rapid, accurate and precise HPLC-ESI-MS method for the determination of rat plasma uridine concentrations was developed and is described here. Sample preparation involves methanol precipitation of plasma proteins in a 96-well Captiva protein precipitation filter plate. A clear extract is drawn through the filter plate with vacuum, followed by evaporation of the extract and subsequent reconstitution prior to chromatography on a reversed-phase column with an aqueous mobile phase [0.1% (v/v) glacial acetic acid]. Detection was accomplished by positive-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. A calibration curve ranging in concentration from 0.78 to 25 microM was constructed by best-fit, 1/x weighting linear regression analysis of the calibration standard concentrations vs peak height ratios of analyte with internal standard. The correlation coefficient was >0.995. The overall assay accuracy as shown by the back-calculated concentrations of the calibration curve ranged from 96.6 to 103% with RSD ranging from 4.5 to 20%. While this assay method was developed for the determination of uridine in rat plasma, it could be readily adapted for determination of uridine in plasma from other species, such as human.     

Evaluation of the chronic intoxication of fluoride on human serum metabolome using untargeted metabolomics

Drinking water is the main source of fluoride intake for the human body and its regulated consumption helps in decreasing dental caries. However, excessive fluoride consumption over a prolonged time period causes fluorosis disease which adversely affects many tissues and organs of the body. This paper describes the evaluation of chronic intoxication of fluoride on human serum metabolome. The untargeted metabolomics approach using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS is applied for metabolomic profiling, whereas the estimation of fluoride in serum samples was carried out using the ion-selective electrode (ISE). Fluoride concentration was found to be 0.16–1.25 mg/L in serum samples of 39 fluorosis patients and 0.008–0.045 mg/L in 20 healthy samples. A total of 47 metabolites were identified based on the high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis. A volcano plot was generated to discriminate features that are significantly different between the fluorosis and healthy groups at the probability of 0.05 and fold change ≥ 2. Among all identified metabolites, intensities of ten differential identified metabolites including inosine, α-linolenic acid, guanosine, octanoyl-L-carnitine, His-Trp, phytosphingosine, lauroyl-L-carnitine, hydrocortisone, deoxyinosine and dodecanedioic acid have been found altered in disease samples compared to healthy controls. Major pathways identified based on these metabolites include energy metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, purine degradation pathway, elevated protein degradation, and increased ω-6 fatty acid linoleate signatures were observed.     

Automated sample preparation for X-ray fluorescence, plasma emission and atomic absorption spectrometry

Summary There exists an important disparity between the high throughput of modern spectrometers for the analysis of mineral products and the weak means for the isoformation of samples. To fill this gap the French Iron and Steel Research Institute (IRSID), with the financial help of the European Community for Steel and Coal, has developed several instruments able to rapidly prepare samples for X-ray fluorescence, plasma emission and atomic absorption spectrometries. These three devices are able to prepare beads, solutions or both. Using high frequency heating, effective mixing during the fusion-dissolution process as well as a judicious choise of a number of parameters. The samples obtained are of such a quality that the preparation and measurement reproducibilities are often very similar.

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Automatische Probenvorbereitung für die Röntgenfluorescenz-, Plasmaemissions- und Atomabsorptions-SpektrometrieProbenvorbereitung mittels PERL'X-2, PLASMASOL und SOL'X

Zusammenfassung Es besteht eine große Ungleichheit zwischen dem hohen Probendurchsatz der modernen Spektrometer zur Analyse anorganischer Produkte und den unzureichenden Mitteln der Probenaufbereitung. Aus diesem Grund hat das französische Forschungsinstitut für Eisenhüttenwesen (IRSID) mit der finanziellen Hilfe der Europäischen Gemeinschaft für Kohle und Stahl einige Geräte entwickelt, die es erlauben, schnell Proben für die Röntgenfluorescenz, die mit Plasma angeregte optische Emission und die Atomabsorption aufzubereiten. Diese drei Geräte können Perlen, Lösungen, oder beide zugleich herstellen. Dank einer Hochfrequenzheizung, einer guten Durchmischung während der Aufschmelzung-Verdünnung und gezielt gewählter Parameter sind die erhaltenen Proben von einer solchen Qualität, daß die Reproduzierbarkeit von Aufbereitung und Messung in vielen Fällen nahezu gleich ist.

     

Ultrafiltration for proteomic sample preparation

Proteome analysis represents significant challenges to the existing sample preparation techniques. Traditional methods, such as two-dimensional electrophoresis, typically separate high-molecular-weight proteins while discarding low-molecular-weight species. This approach is well justified considering the complexity of any proteome. However, it is desirable to extract the maximum amount of information from each sample to investigate the entire range of biomolecules. We have demonstrated that ultrafiltration not only improves two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) resolution of the protein fraction but also yields the low-molecular-weight fraction amenable for further analysis by high-resolution mass spectrometry. This approach was successfully adapted to the variety of biological samples including cell and tissue lysates and serum. Therefore, ultrafiltration offers an alternative sample preparation technique that enables more thorough analysis of a proteome.     

Emerging materials for sample preparation

This review provides an update on the implementation of emerging materials as sorbents for sample preparation in combination with chromatographic separation. We have focused on recent applications of metal–organic frameworks, layered double hydroxides, porous carbons obtained from polymers or biomass precursors, and silicates (clays and zeolites). The review is directed toward the strategies followed by the authors to engineer suitable supports enabling the application of materials with unconventional size and shape as high‐performance sorbents to explore new boundaries in sample pretreatment in manual or automated modes.     

Extended SIMS capabilities by sample preparation

Summary Two situations are referred to, in which the application of SIMS is limited by sample- and instrument-related effects, namely the analysis close to sample edges and the depth profiling over a high dynamic range (in excess of 5 orders of magnitude). Methods of sample preparation are described which result in a pronounced extension of the range of applicability of SIMS in these situations. In terms of detection sensitivity, on boron-implanted silicon between one and two orders of magnitude may be gained as compared to non-preparative direct measurements.     

Determination of cyclosporin A in blood and plasma by column switching-HPLC after rapid sample preparation

A method for the determination of cyclosporin A in human whole blood and plasma is described which uses liquid chromatography with step gradient elution and a column switching technique. The chromatographic conditions chosen allow simple and rapid sample preparation, so that a result can be obtained within one hour. Blood and plasma are deproteinized with diluted methanol and an aliquot of the clear supernatant is directly injected. The detection limit for cyclosporin A is about 20 ng/ml starting from a 0.5 ml sample. The method is sensitive enough for monitoring the drug in the therapeutic range.     

A novel device for powder sample introduction into the inductively coupled plasma and proposed strategy of powder sample preparation

A new yet classical approach of powder sample introduction into the inductively coupled plasma is presented. Internal standards were added to powder samples in solution form. The dried powder samples were dispersed using a high speed Ar stream in a custom-made powder dispersion device (PD). The construction and analytical performance of PD are described. Calibration curves are linear around 3 orders of magnitude for a set of synthetic geological standards. Curves of intensity ratio versus concentration for another set of certified reference materials of geological sediments with different matrices among the standards are obviously scattered. Possible errors in PD–ICP analysis are discussed. A strategy of sample preparation using wet-grinding to overcome such errors is proposed.     

Evaluation of drug-free plasma profiles by high-performance liquid chromatography following on-line solid-phase extraction

The effect of varying the type of column and eluent composition on drug-free plasma profiles was investigated. The study was based on a C18 and a CN column; methanol and acetonitrile were the organic modifiers used. The plasma profiles were evaluated quantitatively by measuring the number of interfering peaks greater than 8 . 10(-4) absorbance units in the area of interest along the chromatogram. Results were subjected to statistical treatment using a three-factor analysis of variance design. The three factors were the column, the type of organic modifier and either the percentage organic modifier, the pH or the ionic strength. Analysis of the data revealed that significant effects were seen with changing eluent composition, particularly with regard to the percentage of organic modifier, and that the observed effects were strongly dependent on the type of column and the type of organic modifier under consideration.     

Evaluation of the source of bias caused by losses of solvent vapour during sample preparation

Evaporation losses of organic solvents used to dissolve reference solutions and samples lead directly to errors in the measurement of amount of substance. This is due to changes in the mass fraction composition and the mass:volume concentration of solutions. We have found that measuring the amount of solute added to a solution by weighing by difference is vulnerable to negative bias in the measured amount of solute added, because solvent vapour is lost from opened vials and from syringe needles. Relative negative bias became larger with higher solvent volatility and with smaller volumes, reaching −28% for 10 μL of dichloromethane. Straightforward precautions that reduce the impact of evaporation on gravimetric operations with volatile solvents are presented.