Comparison of the sequential simplex method and linear solvent strength theory in HPLC gradient elution optimization of multicomponent flavonoid mixtures

Summary Using a camomile flavonoid extract as the sample and four different reversed-phase partition systems, the ability of the Simplex procedure to produce optimum gradient separation of unknown multicomponent mixtures was checked against the linear solvent strength (LSS) gradient elution theory. On the same partition systems the mean solvent strenghts were measured by experimentally determined logk vs. mobile phase composition plots. These mean solvent strengths are compared to those inferred from the optimum gradients and the usefulness of LSS theory in multicomponent mixture gradient elution optimization is discussed.Dadicated to Prof. Dr. A Liberti on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

On the statistical independence of various column contributions to band broadening. Part 1: Second moment contributions from statistically independent,longitudinal diffusion in both phases

The total length-based second moment contribution from longitudinal sample diffusion in both phases on a column, σD , is derived by adding individual partial differential contributions to a partial differential equation accounting for the longitudinal diffusion processes only. Although each diffusion-dispersed sample part is equilibrated between two phases, the resulting σ,D (= 2D _mt _m + 2D _st _s) can be interpreted as the sum of two independent contributions in accordance with the variance addition rule. (D _m and D _s are the mean diffusion coefficients and t _mand t _s the mean residence times of the sample in the mobile and stationary phases, respectively.) The same σD expression is derived from the random walk model of Giddings by treating the diffusional process in each phase as statistically independent of the other processes. Under these conditions the broadening contribution from longitudinal diffusion in the mobile phase is shown to be independent of the velocity profile.     

Micellar Liquid Chromatography Study of Quantitative Retention–Activity Relationships for Antihypertensive Drugs

Use of micellar mobile phases in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) results in hydrophobic and electrostatic sites for interaction. Modified stationary phases in micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) are structurally similar to biomembranes. To confirm this we focused on the effects of the type and concentration of surfactant (Brij 35, SDS, and CTAB) and mobile phase pH on the retention of antihypertensive drugs on modified C₁₈ stationary phases. Quantitative retention-activity relationships are proposed for the drugs and the different surfactants and compared with those obtained using aqueous–organic mobile phases. Finally, a correlation was obtained between the logarithm of retention factors (log k) and the toxicity (LD₅₀) of antihypertensive drugs. Revised: 14 September 2005 and 4 April 2006     

Simultaneous determination of theophylline,tolbutamide, mephenytoin,debrisoquin, and dapsone in human plasma using high‐speed gradient liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry on a silica‐based monolithic column

Theophylline, tolbutamide, mephenytoin, debrisoquin, and dapsone are marker substrates for CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4, respectively. A silica‐based monolithic column (Chromolith SpeedROD RP‐18e, 50×4.6 mm) was used to separate these five marker substrates of cytochrome P450 within only 84 s. Linear gradient elution was from acetonitrile‐water‐formic acid (10 : 90 : 1, v/v/v) to acetonitrile‐water‐formic acid (90 : 10 : 1, v/v/v) in 1.4 min. The flow rate was 2.5 mL/min. The retention time was 0.52 min for theophylline, 0.67 min for debrisoquin, 0.78 min for dapsone, 0.96 min for mephenytoin, and 1.13 min for tolbutamide. Detection was by tandem mass spectrometry using a PE Sciex API 3000 mass spectrometer with a Turbo‐Ionspray source in positive mode. A simple protein precipitation method was used. This method was validated over the concentration range of 5–2000 ng/mL based on the sample volume of 0.1 mL.     

Enantiomeric separation of racemic sulphoxides on chiral stationary phases by gas and liquid chromatography

Summary The enantiomeric resolution of seven racemic sulphoxides on chiral stationary phases has been investigated by gas and liquid chromatography. In gas chromatography the separations were performed on octakis-(2,6-di-O-pentyl-3-O-butyryl)-γ-cyclodextrin (FS Lipodex-E) and heptakis-(2,6-di-O-methyl-3-O-pentyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DMP-β-CD). Both stationary phases were suitable for separation of the enantiomers of the sulphoxides. With one exception for each series all racemetes could be resolved on both stationary phases; FS Lipodex-E was more enantioselective than DMP-β-CD, whereas the latter seemed more generally applicable. Liquid chromatographic separations with Chiralcel-OB as stationary phase were significantly improved by optimization of mobile phase composition and temperature. Resolution factors up to R_s=6 were achieved indicating that the improved separations could now be easily used for preparative purposes.     

Determinations of geniposide using LC/MS/MS methods via forming ammonium and acetate adducts

In this paper, we report method development work to determine geniposide using LC/MS/MS via the formation of positive and negative ion adducts. Geniposide, which has been recognized to have choleretic effects, is the major iridoid glycoside component of Gardenia herbs. To enhance the sensitivity of LC/MS detection of geniposide, a small amount of volatile additives such as ammonium acetate and acetic acid are added into mobile phase solvents to form positive and negative adducts, which can then ionize via electrospray processes. The formation of positive adducts is due to the complexation between geniposide and ammonium ions ([M + NH₄]⁺). The formation of anionic adducts [M + CH₃COO]⁻ is believed to occur via hydrogen bonds bridging acetate ions and glucose groups on the geniposide molecule. Mobile phase solvents containing acetonitrile and aqueous solution (0.2 mM ammonium acetate or 0.1% acetic acid) at the ratio 15: 85 are employed to elute geniposide using C8 reverse phase liquid chromatography columns with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry determinations. Using geniposide standards, the methods are validated at the concentration ranges of 5 to 1000 ng/mL and 20 to 5000 ng/mL using ammonium and acetate adducts respectively. The correlation coefficients of the standard curves are 0.9999 using both ammonium and acetate adducts. The detection limits of using ammonium and acetate adducts are 1 and 5 ng/mL respectively. The measurement accuracy and precision of using ammonium adducts are within 12% and 3% respectively, whereas the accuracy and precision are within 6 and 11% respectively using acetate adducts. When the validated calibration curves of the ammonium adduct of geniposide are used to determine spiked control samples in rat blood dialysates, the determination errors of accuracy and precision are within 12% and 10% respectively.     

Determination of Tetracyclines in Honey Using Liquid Chromatography with Ultraviolet Absorbance Detection and Residue Confirmation by Mass Spectrometry

A determination method has been optimized and validated for the simultaneous analysis of tetracycline （TC）, oxytetracycline （OTC）, chlortetracycline （CTC） and doxycycline （DC） in honey. Tetracyclines （TCs） were removed from honey samples by chelation with metal ions bound to small Chelating Sepharose Fast Flow columns and eluted with Na2EDTA-Mcllvaine pH 4.0 buffers. Extracts were further cleaned up by Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction （SPE）, while other solid-phase extraction cartridges were compared. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a polar end-capped C 18 column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of oxalic acid, acetonitrile and methanol. LC with ultraviolet absorbance at 355 nm resulted in the quantitation of all four tetracycline residues from honey samples fortified at 15, 50, and 100 ng/g, with liner ranges for tetracyclines of 0.05 to 2 μg/mL. Mean recoveries for tetracyclines were greater than 50% with R.S.D. values less than 10% （n= 18）. Detection limits of 5, 5, 10, 10 ng/g for oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline, respectively and quantitation limits of 15 ng/g for all the four tetracyclines were determined. Direct confirmation of the four residues in honey （2-50 ng/g） was realized by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC/MS/MS）. The linear ranges of tetracyclines determined by LC/MS/MS were between 5 to 300 ng/mL, with the linear correlation coefficient r〉 0.995. The limits of detection of 1 to 2 ng/g were obtained for the analysis of the TCs in honey.     

Ion chromatographic separation of hydrogen ion and other common mono- and divalent cations

We introduced an approach to the ion chromatographic determination of common mono- and divalent cations including hydrogen ion and demonstrated the ability of a C30 column dynamically coated first with dodecylsulfate and then with 18-crown-6 ether to separate the cations by ion-exchange mechanism. Using an ethylenediamine solution containing a small concentration of 18-crown-6 ether and lithium dodecylsulfate at pH 6.2 as eluent, the cations were eluted in the order Li < Na+ < NH4+ < H+ < K+ < Mg2+ < Ca2+ with symmetrical peaks. The conductivity vs. concentration plots were linear about three orders of magnitude, from millimolar to micromolar; and the detection limits were all < 0.6 microM. Rainwater was analyzed directly using this ion chromatographic system with satisfactory results.     

Determination of ten organic acids by low pressure liquid chromatography

Summary Organic acids, such as lactic, malic and citric acids, are involved in primary metabolism of all living organisms. Their presence in food products contributes to the flavour and their equilibrium with inorganic cations defines to a large extent the acidity of the food preparations. A resin cation-exchanger device, normally used for separating amino-acids, can be adapted for characterizing 10 organic acids: formic, propionic, fumaric, succinic, lactic, malic tartaric, citric, and oxalic. Two monitoring systems were used, one of them based on specific iron III salt coloration with hydroxy-acids.     

Novel method for bulk resistance evaluation in conductivity measurement for high-purity water

A major issue with the electrolytic conductivity measurement for pure water is the lack of standard or reference methods. A primary method traceable to SI and suitable for pure-water conductivity measurement was developed at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany, as the base for the calibration method for the conductivity measuring devices at the low conductivity level. This paper provides a novel method to calculate the bulk resistance of pure water using impedance measured at a single frequency, which is one of the key procedures for the primary methods.