Improvements in the determination of penicillin analogues by HPLC separation and laser-based polarimetric detection

The combination of HPLC separation and laser-based polarimetric detection is shown to provide unique advantages when applied to the study of penicillin analogues. The mass delectability for penicillin G is 5 ng with this system, which is an order-of-magnitude improvement over other techniques. More importantly, the polarimetric system can provide specific rotation information about eluting species. Individual specific rotations are reported for the (10R)- and (10S)-epimers of both carbenicillin and ticarcillin. These results demonstrate the sensitivity of specific rotation to the arrangement of atoms at or near the chiral centre, suggesting that specific rotation may be used to identify closely related penicillin analogues.     

Improvements in the qualitative and quantitative study of erythromycins using laser-based polarimetric detection

A technique in which liquid chromatographic separation is combined with laser-based polarimetric detection is described for the study of erythromycin and its analogs. The polarimetric system, owing to the inherent selectivity of the technique, can provide unique advantages, particularly when the measurement must be made in a complicated matrix. Individual specific rotations have been measured for the three erythromycin analogs A, B and C and for the derivative erythromycin ethylsuccinate (EES). The results suggest that specific rotation may be used to identify closely related erythromycin species in studies of their fate and location in physiological pathways. The detection limit for the technique is 12 ng for erythromycin and 10 ng for EES. The distinct advantages of this technique, in terms of both sensitivity and selectivity, are demonstrated by the determination of erythromycin in milk and EES in a pharmaceutical preparation.     

Specific rotation measurements from peak height data, with a Gaussian peak model

A method is described whereby a sensitive laser-based polarimeter can be used to make very accurate and precise specific rotation measurements on microgram quantities of optically active materials. Flow-injection or liquid chromatography systems provide reproducible introduction of the sample into the polarimetric system. If a Gaussian distribution of the analyte concentration is assumed, the peak height can be used in the determination of specific rotation. This method provides a direct calibration with an absolute standard which yields more accurate and precise results than those obtainable by using peak area.     

Fast determination of tetracycline antibiotics in different media by high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary The use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the identification and determination of tetracycline antibiotics is reviewed. HPLC chromatograms provide fast identification by retention time, t_R, and precise quantitation by measurement of peak height or peak area. For separation of tetracycline compounds, most HPLC methods use reversed-phase C₁₈ or C₈ columns and UV detection. The HPLC solvent system should have a pH of about 6 to prevent steric changes in the tetracycline molecule. For accurate quantitation it is necessary to avoid tailing and this is accomplished by adding a zwitter ion to the solvent system. Methanol and acetonitrile are frequently used as organic modifiers in these solvent systems. In a single analysis, HPLC methods can be used to separate as many as nine or ten commercially used tetracycline compounds and to determine four to five tetracyclines in commercial tetracycline preparations or in biological fluids.     

Determination of Tetracyclines in Milk by Graphene-Based Solid-Phase Extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

A graphene-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) column was prepared for the isolation of tetracyclines from milk followed by determination by high-performance liquid chromatography. Graphene provided better separation for tetracyclines than amine-modified graphene and carboxyl-modified graphene. The optimized graphene-based SPE column showed high absorption capacities (greater than 4,660?ng) and high recoveries (exceeding 92%) for tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, and doxycycline and was successfully reused at least fifty times. The limits of detection in milk were from 10 to 20?ng/mL, with recoveries between 82.3 and 103.6%. Furthermore, the system showed superior performance than two commercial SPE cartridges with respect to recovery, purification, and reusability. Therefore, this approach is suitable for the determination of tetracyclines in milk.     

Analysis of tetracycline residues in bovine milk by CE-MS with field-amplified sample stacking

A rapid, sensitive, and robust CE-MS method has been developed for the determination of tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and chlortetracycline in milk. Field-amplified sample stacking with electromigration injection (FASS-EMI) was used for the online concentration of tetracyclines. The conditions of separation, MS detection, and stacking were systematically optimized. The optimum buffer composition was 35 mM Tris, 1.1% formic acid, 5% methanol, and 15% ACN. By using the online concentration method of field-enhanced sample stacking (FESI)-EMI stacking, the sensitivity was increased six- to seven-fold. The RSDs (n=6) of the relative migration time of tetracyclines were 1.1-1.4% for intraday and 2.4-2.9% for interday. The RSDs (n=6) of the relative peak area of tetracyclines were 3.2-4.6% for intraday and 4.7-6.1% for interday. The LODs (S/N=3) were 7.14 ng/mL for tetracycline, 11.4 ng/mL for oxytetracycline, and 14.9 ng/mL for chlortetracycline. The method has been successfully used to analyze tetracyclines residues in bovine milk.     

Laser-based refractive index detection for micro-channels

Laser-based refractive index detection, based upon refractive index changes in micro-channels, is a kind of laser-based optical determination for solutions. As it is capable of label-free determination, it has been regarded as a considerable growth prospect. The key aspect in related researches lay in the development of novel detection configurations, which would possibly result in better sensitivity. Over the past decade, micro-channel laser-based refractive index detection has been significantly improved, resulting in traversed, hologram-based, back-scattered, retro-reflected interference, optical ring resonant, etc., detection configurations. Moreover, laser-based refractive index detection has been combined with other laser-based detection strategies, in order to pursue a universal and sensitive detection. And last but not least, some utilizations of laser-based refractive index detection have been reported, while both advantages and drawbacks exist. In this paper, laser-based refractive index detection for micro-channels will be reviewed in proceeding sequence.     

Analysis of tetracyclines from milk powder by molecularly imprinted solid‐phase dispersion based on a metal–organic framework followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer that could selectively recognize tetracyclines in milk powder was synthesized using a metal–organic framework as a support material, tetracycline as template molecule, and 3‐aminophenylboronic acid as a functional monomer and a cross‐linking agent. The novel molecularly imprinted polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and N₂ adsorption/desorption measurements. The adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics, adsorption thermodynamics, and selective adsorption experiments of the novel molecularly imprinted polymer to tetracycline were also studied. The novel molecularly imprinted polymer was used as dispersant of matrix solid‐phase dispersion to extraction tetracyclines. After that, the tetracyclines extracted from milk powder were determined by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limits of tetracyclines were 0.217–0.318 ng/g. The relative standard deviations of intra‐ and interday precision ranged from 3.8 to 6.9% and from 2.8 to 7.4%, respectively. In all three concentration levels (1.0, 10, 50 ng/g), the recoveries of tetracyclines ranged from 84.7 to 93.9%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of tetracyclines in milk powder.     

Determination of tetracyclines in food samples by molecularly imprinted monolithic column coupling with high performance liquid chromatography

A novel solid phase extraction (SPE) method for determination of tetracyclines (TCs) in milk and honey samples by molecularly imprinted monolithic column was developed. Using tetracycline (TC) as the template, methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker, methanol as the solvent, cyclohexanol and dodecanol as the mixed porogenic solvents, a TC imprinted monolithic column was prepared by in situ molecular imprinting technique for the first time, and the optimal synthesis conditions and the selectivity of TC imprinted monolithic column were investigated. The interfering substances in food samples and TCs can be separated successfully on imprinted column. Molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) coupling with C18 column was used to determinate the TCs in milk and honey. The recoveries of this method for six tetracyclines antibiotics such as tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC), minocycline (MINO), chlortetracycline (CTC), metacycline (MTC) and doxycycline (DTC) were investigated, and high recoveries of 73.3-90.6% from milk samples and 62.6-82.3% from honey samples were obtained. A method for determination of TCs at low concentration level in milk and honey samples was successfully developed by using the monolithic column as the precolumn for solid phase extraction of six TCs compounds.     

Disposable amperometric magneto-immunosensor for direct detection of tetracyclines antibiotics residues in milk

The preparation and performance of a disposable amperometric magneto-immunosensor, involving the use of a selective capture antibody immobilized on the surface of protein G-functionalized magnetic beads (ProtG-MBs) and screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs), for the specific detection and quantification of tetracyclines (TCs) residues in milk is reported. A direct competitive immunoassay using a tracer with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for the enzymatic labeling was performed. The amperometric response measured at −0.2 V vs. the silver pseudo-reference electrode of the SPCE upon the addition of H₂O₂ in the presence of hydroquinone (HQ) as redox mediator was used as transduction signal. The developed methodology showed very low limits of detection (in the low ppb level) for 4 tetracycline antibiotics tested in untreated milk samples, and a good selectivity against other antibiotic residues frequently detected in milk and dairy products. The usefulness of the magneto-immunosensor was demonstrated by analyzing UHT whole milk samples spiked with 44 ng mL⁻¹ tetracycline (TC) as well as a reference milk containing a certified oxytetracycline (OTC) content. These features, together with the short analysis time (30 min), the simplicity, and easy automation and miniaturization of the required instrumentation make the developed methodology a promising alternative in the development of devices for on-site analysis.     

Determination of oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline in milk by liquid chromatography with postcolumn derivatization and fluorescence detection

A multiresidue method for isolation and liquid chromatographic determination of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), and chlortetracycline (CTC) in milk is presented. The sensitivity of the method is adequate to meet the needs of regulatory agencies. The European Community established 100 micrograms/kg as the maximum residue limit (MRL) in milk for TC, CTC, and OTC. Recoveries exceeded 80% for all tetracyclines at all levels, with good precision. Correlation coefficients of standards curves for individual tetracyclines isolated from fortified samples ranged from 0.991 for CTC to 0.998 for OTC. Other antibiotics that might interfere with analysis did not interfere with elution times of OTC, TC, and CTC. The procedure is rapid, precise, and quantitative and requires minimal preparation and minimal use of organic solvents. It can be applied to routine surveillance programs. We can prepare 10 samples for analysis in about 1.45 h.     

Direct screening of tetracyclines in water and bovine milk using room temperature phosphorescence detection

A fast and simple flow-through optosensor was designed and characterized for the direct screening of four tetracycline (TCC) antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline) in water and bovine milk samples. The proposed optosensor provides rapid binary yes/no overall responses, being appropriate for the screening of this family of antibiotics above or below a pre-set concentration threshold.The experimental set-up is based on a flow-injection manifold coupled on-line to a phosphorescence detector. Aliquots of the samples are pretreated with Eu(III) to form room temperature phosphorescent metal chelates and injected in the flow manifold. Those chelates are then on-line retained on a conventional flow-cell (packed with polymeric Amberlite XAD-4 particles) which is placed inside the cell holder of the phosphorimeter. After the emission is registered, the antibiotic-metal complexes are eluted from the packed resin with 1 M HCl (for milk samples a second regeneration step, using methanol, should be performed). A sample throughput of about 20 samples per hour was obtained. Optimum experimental conditions include a pH 9, a Eu(III) concentration of 2 × 10⁻⁴ M and 8 mM sodium sulphite as chemical deoxygenant. The phosphorescence emitted by the europium-TCC complexes was measured at 394 and 617 nm for excitation and emission wavelengths, respectively.The unreliability region, given by the probability of false positives and false negatives, respectively (set at 5% in both cases) was in the range between 0.2 and 11.6 nМ for detection of tetracyclines in water samples (at a cut-off level of 4 nM) and in the range between 165 and 238 nM for detection of tetracyclines in milk (cut-off level fixed at the normative EU level of 200 nM). Finally, the applicability of the proposed screening optosensor was tested for the reliable control of tetracyclines in contaminated and uncontaminated water and milk samples.     

Preparation and evaluation of solid-phase microextraction fiber based on molecularly imprinted polymers for trace analysis of tetracyclines in complicated samples

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is widely used in many fields because of its characteristics of high selectivity, chemical stability and easy preparation. To enhance the selectivity and applicability of solid-phase microextraction (SPME), a novel MIP-coated SPME fiber was firstly prepared by multiple co-polymerization method with tetracycline as template. It could be coupled directly to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and used for trace analysis of tetracyclines (TCs) in complicated samples. The characteristics and application of the fibers were investigated. The electron microscope provided a crosslinked and porous surface, and the average thickness of the MIP coating was 19.5 microm. Compared with the non-imprinted polymer (NIP) coated fibers, the special selectivity to tetracycline and structure-similar oxytetracycline, doxycycline, chlortetracycline were discovered with the MIP-coated fibers. The adsorption and desorption of TCs with the MIP-coated fiber could be achieved quickly. A method for the fluorimetric determination of four TCs by the MIP-coated SPME coupled with HPLC was developed. The optimized extraction conditions such as extraction solvent, desorption solvent, and stirring speed were studied. Linear ranges for the four TCs were 5.00-200 microg/L and detection limits were within the range of 1.0-2.3 microg/L. The method was applied to simultaneous multi-residue analysis of four TCs in the spiked chicken feed, chicken muscle, and milk samples with the satisfactory recoveries.     

Magnetic solid phase extraction based on phenyl silica adsorbent for the determination of tetracyclines in milk samples by capillary electrophoresis

A magnetic solid phase extraction method coupled to capillary electrophoresis is proposed for the determination of tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline in milk samples. Five different magnetic phenyl silica adsorbents covered with magnetite were synthesized by varying the molar ratio of phenyltrimethylsilane and tetramethylorthosilicate; these adsorbents were evaluated in terms of their pH and degree of hydrophobicity for tetracycline retention. The optimal, selected combination of conditions was a pH of 10.0 and a magnetic sorbent ratio of 4:1; under these conditions, the retention capacity ranged from 99.7% to 101.2% for the four tetracyclines analyzed. The elution conditions and initial sample volume of the proposed extraction method were also optimized, and the best results were obtained with 1×10(-3) M acetic acid in methanol as eluent and a 200 ml of sample volume. Under optimal conditions, average recoveries ranged from 94.2% to 99.8% and the limits of detection ranged from 2 to 9 μg l(-1) for the four tetracyclines. After the proposed method was optimized and validated, 25 milk samples of different brands were analyzed, oxytetracycline residues were detected in five samples, in concentrations ranging from 98 to 213 μg l(-1). Subsequent analysis of positive samples by SPE-CE and magnetic solid phase extraction-HPLC revealed than no significant differences were found from results obtained by the proposed methodology. Thus, the developed magnetic extraction is a robust pre-concentration technique that can be coupled to other analytical methods for the quantitative determination of tetracyclines.     

Phosphorimetric Detection in HPLC VIA Trivalent Lanthanides: High Sensitivity Time-Resolved Luminescence Detection of Tetracyclines Using Eu3+ in a Micellar Post Column Reagent

Abstract

The detection of tetracyclines in HPLC by sensitized Europium phosphorescence has been reinvestigated using a dedicated LC detector with time-resolved luminescence capability. A micellar Eu³⁺ post column reagent was developed which contained 1% Triton X-100 and 200uM tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide buffered at pH 10.5. This reagent provided optimized time-resolved detection and was found to be compatible with a several mobile phases used in reversed phase chromatography of tetracyclines. The sensitivity and quantitative linearity of the technique was determined using standard fluorometric and time-resolved modes of detection with both grating and filter emission monochromation. Peak areas were linear with concentration from 2 ug on column to the limit of detection. Subnanogram limits of detection were obtained for both tetracycline and oxytetracycline. The relative sensitivity of the technique for compounds tested was oxytetracycline=tetracycline > doxycycline > chlortetracycline > minocycline. The high selectivity of this method promises to be useful in     

Determination of tetracyclines in bovine kidney by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with on-line extraction and clean-up

A novel, sensitive, high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (i.e. mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry) method with on-line extraction and clean-up for the screening and confirmation of residues of tetracyclines in kidney has been developed. After liquid extraction of homogenised kidney with McIlvain buffer, an aliquot of the extract is directly injected on the LC/MS/MS system with further extraction and clean-up of the sample on-line. Detection of the analytes was achieved by positive electrospray ionization followed by multiple reaction monitoring. For each tetracycline the collisional decomposition of the protonated molecule to a unique, abundant fragment ion was monitored. The method has been validated for tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline. Calibration curves resulting from spiked blank kidney samples at the 100-1200 microgram/kg level showed good linear correlation. At the level of 600 microgram/kg both within- and between-day precision, as measured by relative standard deviation (RSD), were less than 7%. The limits of detection (LODs) for tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycyline were 18, 23, 24 and 21 microgram/kg, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQs) for tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycyline were 36, 46, 47 and 42 microgram/kg, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 71 to 91%. The procedure provides a rapid, reliable and sensitive method for the determination of residues of tetracyclines in bovine kidney. The advantage of this method over existing methods is its decreased sample preparation and analysis time, which makes the method more suitable for routine analysis.     

Determination of tetracycline antibiotics in cow's milk by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) multiresidue method for the simultaneous quantitative determination of oxytetracycline, 4-epi-oxytetracycline, tetracycline, 4-epi-tetracycline, chlortetracycline, 4-epi-chlortetracycline and doxycycline in milk has been developed. An extraction procedure consisting of a liquid extraction of the milk samples with trichloroacetic acid was performed. The extract was centrifuged and the supernatant was filtered. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) with an OASIS HLB SPE column was used to clean up the sample extracts. The samples were analysed by LC/MS/MS. The LC separation was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column using gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of water and a mixture of methanol/acetonitrile. The tetracycline analytes were detected with a quadrupole mass spectrometer using positive ion electrospray ionisation. The confirmatory method has acceptable detection limits and the different tetracyclines can be detected at a residue concentration between 5 and 20 microg/L. The method is validated according to the European requirements for veterinary drug residues and all determined parameters were found to conform to the criteria. The recovery values ranged from 90.4 to 101.2% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) no larger than 9.7%. The overall or between-day precision of the analytical assay determined as repeatability at several residue concentrations and expressed as RSD ranged from 3.3 to 10%. This analytical assay is a useful tool within the Belgian monitoring programme for confirmation of samples which have been positively screened for residues of tetracyclines in raw farm cow's milk.     

Determination of Tetracyclines in Milk with a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Microtiter Chemiluminescence Sensor

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) capable of recognizing five tetracyclines using minocycline as the template was synthesized for the first time. The MIP was employed as the recognition reagent to prepare a chemiluminescence sensor on a conventional microtiter plate. The light signal was initiated using the highly efficient bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate-hydrogen peroxide-imidazole chemiluminescence system. After optimization of several appropriate factors, the sensor was employed to determine five tetracyclines in milk. The developed assay contained only one sample-loading step, so each measurement was completed within 12?min. The limits of detection for these analytes were in the range from 0.5 to 2.0?pg/mL, while the recoveries from the fortified milk samples were between 78.1 and 105%. In addition, the sensor was shown to be reusable for up to four measurements. Hence, this sensor has been demonstrated to be a simple, rapid, sensitive, and durable tool for the determination of tetracyclines in animal-derived food.     

Determination of camptothecin in biological fluids using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Camptothecin, a plant alkaloid with antitumor activity, is a potent and rapidly acting inhibitor of DNA synthesis. The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the detection and estimation of the camptothecin concentration in biological fluids. Using HPLC coupled with fluorescence detection, at an excitation wavelength of 370 nm and an emission wavelength of 434 nm, we found that the lower limits of detection for camptothecin in aqueous, plasma and urine samples were 0.5, 1 and 10 ng/ml, respectively. The ideal mobile phase used was methanol-10 mM potassium phosphate (75:25, v/v, pH 4.0). To determine the utilization of the method in a biological system, we studied the pharmacokinetics of camptothecin in mice. Elimination of camptothecin from mice blood was triphasic and followed first-order kinetics. The half-life of camptothecin in mouse blood was 25.7 min. Our studies indicate that HPLC with fluorescence detection for the determination of camptothecin in different media is a simple, rapid, sensitive and reproducible method.