Novel nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis separation and determination of bioactive flavone derivatives in Chinese herbs

Nonaqueous CE (NACE) coupled to UV detection is described for the separation and determination of bioactive flavone derivatives in Chinese herbs extraction. After optimization of electrophoresis parameters, including the electrolyte nature and the organic solvent composition, a reliable separation of the analytes in an ACN/methanol (60:40, v/v) mixture containing 80 mM Tris and 10 mM sodium cholate was performed. The detection was performed at 254 nm. Method performances, including migration time and peak area reproducibility, linearity, sensitivity, and accuracy, were evaluated. The method was applied to determine bioactive flavone derivatives in seven Chinese herbs.     

Application of nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis for quantitative analysis of quinolizidine alkaloids in Chinese herbs

An easy, rapid method for simultaneous determination of tetrandrine (TET), fangchinoline (FAN), sinomenine (SIN) and tetrahydropalmatine (TEP) in Chinese herbs was developed by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis without pretreatment for the first time. Optimum separation was achieved with a fused-silica capillary column ( i.d.) and a running buffer containing 50 mM ammonium acetate, 1.0% acetic acid and 20% acetonitrile in methanol medium. The applied voltage was 20.0 kV. The analytes were detected by UV at 214 nm. The effects of concentration of ammonium acetate, acetic acid and organic modifier on electrophoretic behavior of the analytes were studied. Regression equations revealed linear relationships (correlation coefficients: 0.9991-0.9999) between the peak area of each analyte and the concentration. The levels of analytes in Stephania tetrandra S. Moore, Rhizoma corydalis and Sinomenium acutum Rehd. et. Wils were easily determined with recoveries ranging from 96 to 107%.     

Analysis of the aconitine alkaloids in traditional Chinese medicines by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis using a new recording mode

The determination of three aconitine alkaloids (hypaconitine, aconitine, mesaconitine) in five traditional Chinese medicines including two Tibetan medicines, Chuanwu, Caowu, Fuzi, Aconitum Tanguticum Maxim and Aconitum Gymnandrum Maxim by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis using a new recording mode is described. The dissociation constants of aconitine, mesaconitine and hypaconitine have also been determined by CZE and were 7.71, 6.60 and 6.25, respectively. The separation was achieved by optimizing the applied voltage, the pH and the concentration of the buffer. The electrophoretic medium was 20 mM borax-70% (v/v) methanol (pH 8.5) and an uncoated capillary (50 cm x 75 microm i.d.) was used. Detection was carried out with a UV monitor at 214 nm. The total time for separation and determination was under 13 min.     

Separation of open-cage fullerenes using nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

In this study, nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) was used to separate three open-cage fullerenes. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was used as the nonaqueous background electrolyte to change the analytes’ mobilities. The selectivity and separation efficiency were critically affected by the nature of the buffer system, the choice of organic solvent, and the concentrations of TFA and sodium acetate (NaOAc) in the background electrolyte. The optimized separation occurred using 200 mM TFA/20 mM NaOAc in MeOH/acetonitrile (10:90, v/v), providing highly efficient baseline separation of the open-cage fullerenes within 5 min. The migration time repeatability for the three analytes was less than 1% (relative standard deviation). Thus, NACE is a rapid, useful alternative to high-performance liquid chromatography for the separation of open-cage fullerenes.     

Separation and determination of the anthraquinones in Xanthophytum attopvensis pierre by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

A nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) method with direct on-column UV detection has been developed for the separation of the pharmaceutically important anthraquinones from the total grass of Xanthophytum attopvensis pierre extract. The separation of three main anthraquinones (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-3-hydroxymethyl-9, 10-anthraquinone-1-O-β-d-glucoside (1), rubiadin- 1-methylether (2) and 1-methoxy-2-formyl-3-hydroxy-9, 10-anthraquinone (3)) was optimized with respect to concentration of sodium cholate (SC) and acetic acid, addition of acetonitrile (ACN), and applied voltage. Baseline separation was obtained for the three analytes within 5 min using a running buffer containing 50 mM sodium cholate (SC), 1.0% acetic acid and 40% ACN in methanol. The method of NACE for the separation and determination of bioactive ingredient in traditional Chinese medicines was discussed.     

Separation of transition metals in nonaqueous media with capillary electrophoresis

The separation of transition metal Ni2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Fe3+ in methanol was investigated by using different types of organic acids as complexing agents. In pure methanol, the weaker and simpler acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids could enhance metal ions selectivity by increasing acid concentration and metal ions could be separated with high efficiency. However, hydroxycarboxylic acids obviously made separation efficiency worse. The effect of mixed organic acids, mixture solvent (methanol-acetonitrile, methanol-water) on metal ions separation was discussed further. The advantages of using nonaqueous solvent over aqueous for metal ions separation were shown finally.     

Micelle to solvent stacking of two alkaloids in nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

This paper for the first time describes the development of micelle to solvent stacking (MSS) to nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE). In this proposed MSS-NACE, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles transport, release, and focus analytes from the sample solution to the running buffer using methanol as their solvent. After the focusing step, the focused analytes were separated via NACE. The focusing mechanism and influencing factors were discussed using berberine (BBR) and jatrorrhizine (JTZ) as model compounds. And the optimum condition was obtained as following: 50 mM ammonium acetate, 6% (v/v) acetic acid and 10 mM SDS in redistilled water as sample matrix, 50 mM ammonium acetate and 6% (v/v) acetic acid in pure methanol as the running buffer, -20 kV focusing voltage with 30 min focusing time. Under these conditions, this method afforded limits of detection (S/N=3) of 0.002 μg/mL and 0.003 μg/mL for BBR and JTZ, respectively. In contrast to conventional NACE, the concentration sensitivity was improved 128-153-fold.     

Separation and determination of 2,4-D, dicamba and 2,4,5-T in tobacco by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

A practical method for residue analysis of 2,4-D, dicamba and 2,4,5-T in baked tobacco leaves has been developed using nonaqueous CE (NACE). The herbicide residues of 2,4-D, dicamba and 2,4,5-T in tobaccos were extracted by ultrasonication with ethyl acetate, followed by a cleanup procedure with gel permeation chromatography. The separation of 2,4-D, dicamba and 2,4,5-T by NACE was optimized based on orthogonal experiment design with four factors at three levels. The optimal NACE condition was established with the running buffer of 40.0 mmol/L ammonium acetate in 90% CH3CN (apparent pH 10.2), and the applied voltage of -25 kV over a capillary of 50 microm id x 46 cm (37.5 cm to the detector window), which gave a baseline separation of 2,4-D, dicamba and 2,4,5-T within 15 min. The LOD were ca. 0.4-0.6 microg/mL for the three herbicides, whereas the overall recovery ranged from 80.8 to 84.1%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to measure 300 real tobacco samples, and the residue profiles of the three herbicides in tobacco samples were obtained and evaluated.     

Rapid separation and determination of aconitine alkaloids in traditional Chinese herbs by capillary electrophoresis using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazoium-based ionic liquid as running electrolyte

A novel and very simple capillary electrophoretic method for analyzing aconitine components in Aconitum plants was developed using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazoium tetrafluoroborate (1B-3MI-TFB)-based ionic liquid as running electrolyte solution for the first time. The optimum conditions were 35 mM 1B-3MI-TFB solution (pH 8.50) and 15 kV applied voltage. The detection was performed at 254 nm. Aconitine, meaconitine and hypaconitine in Aconitum plants were separated and identified within 5 min. The recoveries were 91.0-103.0% for hypaconitine, 92.8-96.2% for aconitine and 96.0-106.6% for mesaconitine, respectively. Compared with other methods, the analytical time was decreased 4-8-fold and the effect of Joule heating was weaker because the current was smaller.     

Rapid separation of basic drugs by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

Summary Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) has been used to achieve rapid separations of basic drugs. A high electric field was obtained by using short capillaries. Baseline separations of basic drugs, including amphetamines, tropane alkaloids and local anesthetics, were achieved in 1 min by selection of the appropriate organic solvent and electrolyte composition. Thus, high-throughput analyses can be performed. Peak efficiency up to 9154 theoretical plates s⁻¹ was achieved in a separation performed at 923V cm⁻¹. No discernible loss in resolution was observed when a conventional capillary (64.5cm) was replaced by a short (32.5 cm) capillary.     

Application of experimental design and radial basis function neural network to the separation and determination of active components in traditional Chinese medicines by capillary electrophoresis

Orthogonal design has been used to the optimization of separation and determination of two active components in traditional Chinese medicines by capillary electrophoresis. The concentration of phosphate, applied voltage, organic modifier content and buffer pH were selected as variable parameters. Their different effects on peak resolution were studied by the experimental design method. Optimized separation conditions were obtained and successfully applied to the separation and determination of aconitine and hypaconitine in Aconitum medicinal herbs. Good separation was achieved within 7 min using a buffer system composed of 20 mmol L⁻¹ phosphate and 35% acetonitrile at pH 9.5. The applied voltage was 14 kV and the detection was set at 235 nm. In addition, a radial basis function neural network with a “4-18-1” structure was developed based on the experimental results of orthogonal design and uniform design, and was applied to the prediction of peak resolution of the two active components under the optimum separation conditions given by orthogonal design. The predicted results were in good agreement with the experimental values, indicating that radial basis function neural network is a potential way for the selection of separation conditions in capillary electrophoresis.     

Simultaneous determination of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and parabens by capillary electrophoresis with improved sensitivity in nonaqueous media

New methods based on nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) were developed as promising alternatives for the simultaneous separation and determination of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) and a group of parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and benzyl p-hydroxybenzoates), with good resolution and excellent sensitivity. As an effective on-line preconcentration technique, large-volume sample stacking (LVSS) was successfully combined with NACE allowing significant sensitivity enhancement. Identification and quantification of the analytes were performed by diode array detection (DAD). The influence of different parameters, such as buffer apparent pH, concentration of electrolyte, temperature, applied voltage and sample volume, on the efficiency, resolution and sensitivity of the electrophoretic separation was studied. The analytical performance was evaluated, and both NACE-DAD and LVSS-NACE-DAD methods showed good linearity, precision and instrumental LODs at low ng/mL levels. These LODs were compared with those described in the literature, and it was found that NACE-DAD method was comparable to GC-MS, while LVSS-NACE-DAD procedure achieved sensitivity similar to LC-MS, LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, even using conventional ultraviolet-visible absorption detection. To test their suitability, proposed methods were evaluated for the analysis of PHBA and parabens at low and sub-ng/mL levels in environmental water samples.     

Enhanced detection of seven glucoconjugated and hydroxylated porphyrins and chlorins by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis combined with stacking

The nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis mode which includes a preconcentration step based on a transient pseudo-isotachophoresis to the simultaneous separation of seven glucoconjugated and hydroxylated porphyrins and chlorins, exhibiting very close structures, is reported. A high methanol content, of the buffer solution, was necessary in order to prevent self-assembly of the compounds and to enhance their solubility during separation. With the addition of 66% (v/v) methanol and 1% (w/v) NaCl in the aqueous sample solution, large volumes could be injected (44% capillary volume) without a loss in resolution. Sensitivity of detection was therefore improved by a 100-fold factor with regard to the method employing normal injection (2% capillary volume). Optimum electrophoretic conditions, in terms of sensitivity and performance, were obtained by using 20 mM phosphoric acid buffer, pH 2.2 and 50% methanol. The method was validated and applied to qualitative analysis of glucoconjugates in serum samples.     

Peptide separations and dissociation constants in nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis: comparison of methanol and aqueous buffers

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis was evaluated for its potential to separate peptides in methanolic background electrolytes in comparison to aqueous-methanol (50% v/v) and water. Isomeric aspartyl dipeptides and Leu- and Met-enkephalin served as model compounds. pK(a) values were determined in the three solvent systems based on the apparent pH scale and in the case of methanol additionally based on the conventional pH scale. Changing from water to methanol led to an increase of the ionization constants describing the dissociation equilibria of the carboxyl group and the amino group, respectively. The pK(a) shift was more pronounced for the carboxylic acid function leading to a compression of the mobility-pH curve. As reported for aqueous buffers, efficient separations of the peptides were achieved in methanolic background electrolytes including the resolution of the diastereomers of the isomeric alpha- and beta-aspartyl dipeptides. In contrast to aqueous buffers, the separation of Leu- and Met-enkephalin could also be obtained in buffers in methanol at high pH.     

非水毛细管电泳测定黄连饮片中5种生物碱

建立了一种非水毛细管电泳(NACE)同时测定黄连饮片生品与炮制品中小檗碱、巴马汀、药根碱、木兰碱和黄连碱含量的方法。分别考察了非水溶剂、缓冲液体系及其浓度和pH、运行电压、运行温度和检测波长等条件对实验结果的影响。在优化的实验条件下,选择非水毛细管电泳分离模式,以40 mmol/L乙酸钠-40 mmol/L乙酸铵的无水甲醇缓冲溶液(pH 5.8)为电泳介质,未涂渍标准熔融石英毛细管(64.5 cm×75 μm,有效长度56 cm)为分离通道,检测波长为254 nm,分离电压为25 kV,压力进样(5 kPa×6 s),柱温为20 ℃。结果显示,5种生物碱在20 min内可实现基线分离,加标回收率为98.37%～101.03%。该方法简单、准确,重现性较好,可用于黄连饮片内在质量的评价和控制。     

Separation of living and dead polymers in synthetic polypeptide mixtures by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis using differences in ionization states

The complexity in the mechanisms of polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides requires the development of new analytical techniques able to separate mixtures of synthetic polypeptides. This work focuses on the separation of poly(N(epsilon)-trifluoroacetyl-L-lysine) (PTLL) mixtures by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (CE). The main goal of this work was to find electrophoretic conditions that permit the separation and the quantification of the dead polymer families that were previously identified in the samples. The influence of the pH of the electrolyte on the selectivity of the separation was carefully investigated. The mechanisms of separation of the PTTLs are discussed as a function of their ionization state. The separations obtained on a noncovalently coated capillary were compared with those obtained on a fused-silica capillary. Finally, using two different electrolytes, it is possible to quantify the three families of PTLLs, namely, the living PTLLs, the dead PTLLs with N-formyl end group and the dead PTLLs with a carboxylic end group. These results confirm the importance of CE for the separation of synthetic organic polymers in nonaqueous electrolytes.     

毛细管电泳法分离测定芦丁、槲皮素和连翘苷

用毛细管电泳紫外检测法同时测定了芦丁、槲皮素和连翘苷，研究了各种条件的影响，得到了优化的实验条件，在20mmol/L的Na2B4O7(H3B03调节至pH8．40)-30mmol/L十二烷基硫酸钠-10％乙腈(1 9)的缓冲溶液中，分离电压为12kV时，芦丁、槲皮素和连翘苷在10min内得到了良好的分离，检测波长为254nm，芦丁、槲皮素和连翘苷分别在0．01-1．0mg/mL，0．01-1．0mg／mL和0．05-1．0mg/mL质量浓度范围内与电泳峰高呈现良好线性关系，检测下限分别为0．005mg/mL，0．005mg/mL和0．01mg／mL，应用于实际样品的测定。     

Specific background electrolytes for nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

The use of organic solvents or mixture of solvents in capillary electrophoresis is gaining wider attention. The electroosmotic flow mobility of eight organic solvents (acetonitrile, acetone, dimethylformamide, dimetylsulphoxide, propylene carbonate, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol) and of mixtures of several solvents (methanol-acetonitrile, methanol-propylene carbonate, acetonitrile-propylene carbonate) has been studied. The influence of 1,3-alkylimidazolium salts in different solvents on the separation of different analytes has been investigated. Some of these salts have shown usefulness for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization matrices and off-line analysis of electrophoresis fractions. It also appears that nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis with 1,3-alkylimidazolium salts as background electrolytes is suitable for separation small inorganic ions.     

Micro-porous membrane liquid-liquid extraction as an enrichment step prior to nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis determination of sulfonylurea herbicides

A method based on micro-porous membrane liquid-liquid extraction (MMLLE) enrichment and nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation, was established for the analysis of sulfonylurea herbicides in water samples. After MMLLE, the analyte trapped in the chloroform was treated mildly with nitrogen flow to dryness and then dissolved in 200 μl of 4 mM Tris methanol solution for CE analysis. Five sulfonylurea herbicides were separated by nonaqueous CE with Tris/acetate of methanol solution as the run buffer. MMLLE related parameters such as organic solvent used as acceptor, sample flow rate, sample pH, enrichment time, and salt effect were investigated with tribenuron methyl (TBM) as a model compound. Results showed that with a sample flow rate of 3.0 ml min⁻¹ and an enrichment time of 20 min, the proposed method has good linear relationship over the scope of 1-15 ng ml⁻¹ with related coefficient of R²=0.9911, and a detection limit of 0.4 ng ml⁻¹. This method was applied to determine TBM in realworld water samples with recoveries over the range of 89-97%.     

Development and validation method for determination of fluoxetine and its main metabolite norfluoxetine by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis in human urine

A simple, rapid and sensitive procedure using nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) to measure fluoxetine and its main metabolite norfluoxetine has been developed and validated. Optimum separation of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, by measuring at 230 nm, was obtained on a 60 cm × 75 μm capillary using a nonaqueous solution system of 7:3 methanol-acetonitrile containing 15 mM ammonium acetate, capillary temperature and voltage 25 °C and 25 kV, respectively and hydrodynamic injection. Paroxetine was used as internal standard. Good results were obtained for different aspects including stability of the solutions, linearity, and precision. Detection limits of 10 μg L⁻¹ were obtained for fluoxetine and its metabolite. This method has been used to determine fluoxetine and it main metabolite at clinically relevant levels in human urine. Before NACE determination, the samples were purified and enriched by means of extraction-preconcentration step with a preconditioned C₁₈ cartridge and eluting the compounds with methanol.