Automated continuous-flow in-syringe dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of mono-nitrophenols from large sample volumes using a novel approach to multivariate spectral analysis.

Continuous magnetic stirring-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid extraction followed by dispersive backextraction as a novel pre-treatment technique for adaptable and milliliter volumes of environmental samples has been developed. The procedure was automated using the technique "Lab-In-Syringe". The void of the automated syringe pump was used as size-adaptable extraction chamber. By a flow channel in the syringe piston, continuous flow through the syringe void was enabled. 1-Octanol was used as an extractant and dispersed by the action of a magnetic stirring bar, which was placed inside the syringe and driven by an external rotating magnetic field. Extract washing and dispersive backextraction in an alkaline aqueous acceptor phase were carried out after the preceding extraction from the acidified water sample. Analyte determination was achieved using multivariate spectrum analysis. The method was applied to determine priority pollutants, mono-nitrophenols, in surface water and enabled to reach limits of detection for o-, m-, p-nitrophenol (λ = 418, 390, 400 nm, respectively) of 0.14, 0.26, and 0.02 µmol L-1 (19.5, 36.2, and 2.8 µg L-1), respectively. Under optimized conditions, relative standard deviations were generally less than 5% and enrichment factors of o-, m-, p-nitrophenol 19, 25, and 21, respectively, were achieved using sample volumes of up to 24 mL. Average recoveries of o-, m-, p-nitrophenol from spiked surface water were 94, 82, and 92%, respectively. The concentration of humic acid was found 6-times reduced with respect to the analyte. In addition, adding spectral background modeling allowed nitrophenol determination with precision adequate for routine analysis.

New method for the determination of carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides in water samples using on-line SPE fused core column chromatography.

A new HPLC column-switching method using large volume sample injection and fused-core columns for on-line solid phase extraction have been developed for the determination of the following carbamates and pyrethroids: aldicarb, carbaryl, pirimicarb, carbofuran, kadethrin, flumethrin, fenpropathrin, fenoxycarb, tau-fluvalinate and fenvalerate, in surface water samples. Sudan I was used as internal standard. The proposed method was performed using 100 µl sample injection followed by an on-line solid phase extraction procedure and finally the compounds were identified and quantified by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The separation was carried out on C-18 reversed phase column based on fused-core particle technology. The influence of the injected sample volume, the variables affecting to SPE process and the conditions for the separation on an analytical column, were studied and optimized. The limits of detection ranged from 5.5 to 8.9 µg L(-1), and limits of quantification from 18.4 to 29.7 µg L(-1), while inter- and intra-day variability was under 15%. This new analytical procedure was satisfactorily applied for the determination of these organic pollutants in surface water samples located in Czech Republic. Concentration levels were found for some of these pollutants up to 26.11 µg L(-1) in the river Elbe and up to 34.53 µg L(-1) in the closed lakes samples.

Sample preparation and UHPLC-FD analysis of pteridines in human urine.

Elevated levels of pteridines can indicate the activation of cellular immune system by certain diseases. No work dealing with the simultaneous determination of urinary neopterin, biopterin and their reduced forms has been published. Therefore, a new SPE-UHPLC-FD method for the analysis of these compounds has been developed. The main emphasis was put on the stability of dihydroforms during the sample processing and storage. As a stabilizing agent, dithiothreitol, at various concentrations, and various pH values (3.8-9.8) of working solutions were tested. Chromatographic separation was performed under HILIC isocratic conditions on BEH Amide column. The method was linear for the calibration standard solutions in the range of 10-10,000 ng/ml (dihydroforms) and 0.5-1000 ng/ml (oxidized forms), and for real samples in the range of 25-1000 ng/ml (dihydroforms) and 1-100 ng/ml (oxidized forms). The development of a new SPE sample preparation method was carried out on different types of sorbents (based on a mixed-mode cation exchange, porous graphitic carbon and a polymer comprising hydrophilic and hydrophobic components). Final validation was performed on a MCAX SPE column. Method accuracy ranged from 76.9 to 121.9%. The intra- and inter-day precision did not exceed 10.7%. The method provided high sensitivity for the use in routine clinical measurements of urine (LLOQ 1 ng/ml for oxidized forms and 25 ng/ml for dihydroforms). Average concentrations of biopterin, neopterin, and dihydrobiopterin found in urine of healthy persons were related to the mol of creatinine (66.8, 142.3, and 257.3 µmol/mol of creatinine, respectively) which corresponded to the literature data. The concentration of dihydroneopterin obtained using our method was 98.8 µmol/mol of creatinine.

Determination of pteridines in biological samples with an emphasis on their stability.

Pteridines are a group of endogenous heterocyclic compounds whose concentrations in biological fluids may be increased in some disorders, such as infections, autoimmune disorders and cancer. In particular, pteridine concentrations in urine may represent promising noninvasive markers. However, their specificity requires further investigation. Pteridines can occur in three oxidation states with different stability. In order to enable the analysis of the unstable di- and tetra-hydroforms either an oxidation (mainly with iodine) or stabilization by reducing agents is applied. Due to the high polarity of pteridines, many analytical procedures employed ion-pair, ion-exchange or hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography using mostly fluorescence detection. In the last decade, MS was found to be applicable. The objective of this Review is to show possibilities and different approaches in pteridine analysis in biological samples.

Use of ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to demonstrate decreased serum statin levels after extracorporeal LDL-cholesterol elimination.

BACKGROUND: Using our statin analysis method, it was possible to uncover a significant drop in statin levels (atorvastatin, simvastatin, and metabolites) after extracorporeal LDL-cholesterol elimination (EE) in severe familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The purpose of this work was to identify the mechanism underlying this drop and its clinical significance as well as to propose measures to optimize a pharmacotherapeutical regimen that can prevent the loss of statins. METHODS: Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) connected to the triple quadrupole MS/MS system was used. Patients. A group of long-term treated patients (3-12 years of treatment) with severe FH (12 patients) and treated regularly by LDL-apheresis (immunoadsorption) or haemorheopheresis (cascade filtration) were included in this study. RESULTS: After EE, the level of statins and their metabolites decreased (atorvastatin before/after LDL-apheresis: 8.83/3.46 nmol/l; before/after haemorheopheresis: 37.02/18.94 nmol/l). A specific loss was found (concentration of atorvastatin for LDL-apheresis/haemorheopheresis: 0.28/3.04 nmol/l in washing fluids; 11.07 nmol/l in filters). To prevent substantial loss of statin concentrations, a pharmacotherapeutic regimen with a longer time interval between the dose of statins and EE is recommended (15 hours). CONCLUSIONS: A specific loss of statins was found in adsorbent columns and filters. The decrease can be prevented by the suggested dosage scheme.

Tetracycline antibiotics in hospital and municipal wastewaters: a pilot study in Portugal.

This study investigated the occurrence of tetracyclines (TCs), namely minocycline (MIN), TC, and its epimer epitetracycline (ETC), and doxycycline (DC), in four hospital wastewater effluents and its fate in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), in Coimbra, Portugal. Analytical determination was carried out by solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. A gradient system with a mobile phase containing oxalic acid 0.02 M and acetonitrile was used. After postcolumn derivatization with magnesium reagent, TCs were detected at lambda(exc) 386 nm and lambda(em) 500 nm. The proposed method allowed good sensitivity, accuracy, and precision. LOQs were 0.5 microg l(-1) for ETC and TC and 15 and 5 microg l(-1) for MIN and DC, respectively. The recovery values ranged between 66.4% and 117.1%, and intraday and interday repeatability was lower than 6.8%. The method was successfully used to determine the presence of the above-mentioned TCs in 24 wastewater composite samples obtained from hospital effluents and from influent and effluent of the WWTP located in Coimbra, Portugal. MIN and TC were found in 41.7% of the samples; ETC and DC were found in 25% and 8.3% of the samples, respectively. The levels found ranged from 6 to 531.7 microg l(-1) in hospital effluents, while its concentrations in WWTP ranged from 95.8 to 915.3 microg l(-1). A seasonal influence in the concentrations found has also been observed, the levels found in samples collected during spring being higher than those observed in samples collected during autumn; however, these are only preliminary results. The WWTP removal rate ranged between 89.5% and 100%.

Application of HILIC stationary phase to determination of dimethindene maleate in topical gel.

A novel high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of dimethindene maleate in pharmaceutical gel using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) with UV detection was developed and validated. Following optimal conditions for the analysis of dimethindene maleate were used: analytical column SeQuant ZIC-HILIC (50mmx2.1mm, 5microm), and mobile phase consisted of a mixture of acetonitrile and aqueous solution of acetic acid (25mM) and ammonium acetate (2.5mM) (87.5:12.5, v:v). The analysis time was less than 3min at a flow rate of 0.3mlmin(-1). UV detection was performed at 258nm. The method was validated and system suitability parameters were evaluated. The method is suitable for application for routine determination of dimethindene maleate in topical pharmaceutical preparation.

Determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in hospital and municipal wastewaters in Coimbra by liquid chromatography with a monolithic column and fluorescence detection.

The main goal of this work was determination of residues of the antibiotics ofloxacin (OFLO), norfloxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIPRO), and enrofloxacin (ENRO) in wastewater samples. The samples, after acidification to pH 4.5 and addition of EDTA, were extracted on an anion-exchange cartridge in tandem with an Oasis HLB cartridge. The LC-FD method, developed in previous studies, was based on application of a monolithic C(18) column. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method was 250 ng L(-1) for OFLO, 25 ng L(-1) for NOR and CIPRO, and 50 ng L(-1) for ENRO. Mean recovery ranged between 75 and 121% for OFLO, NOR, CIPRO, and ENRO. A total of 14 wastewater samples were analyzed; these were collected from four hospitals and from influent and effluent from a wastewater-treatment plant in Coimbra, Portugal, during spring and autumn. CIPRO was present in all the samples, NOR was detected second most often, followed by OFLO. ENRO was found at concentrations under the LOQ in five hospital samples, and the highest level was found in influent from the WWTP.

Fluorimetric SIA optosensing in pharmaceutical analysis: determination of paracetamol.

The coupling of sequential injection analysis (SIA) and fluorimetric solid phase transduction is here applied to the determination of paracetamol in pharmaceuticals. The reaction product between the analyte and sodium nitrite in acidic medium is inserted, after alkalinization, in the system. This product is transitorily retained on the active solid sensing phase (the anionic solid support QAE A-25) developing its native fluorescence signal, which is measured at 325/430 nm for the excitation and emission wavelengths respectively. The described system is linear within the range 6.6-80 microg ml(-1), with a 2 microg ml(-1) detection limit and a 2.5% R.S.D (n=10). The proposed fluorimetric SIA optosensor has been applied to the determination of paracetamol in several pharmaceutical preparations, obtaining satisfactory results.

Comparison of a novel ultra-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of retinol and alpha-tocopherol in human serum with conventional HPLC using monolithic and particulate columns.

Retinol and alpha-tocopherol are biologically active compounds often monitored in blood samples because of their evident importance in human metabolism. In this study a novel ultra-performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) method used for determination of both vitamins in human serum has been compared with conventional HPLC with particulate and monolithic C(18) columns. In UPLC a sub-two-micron particle-hybrid C(18) stationary phase was used for separation, in contrast with a five-micron-particle packed column and a monolithic column with a highly porous structure. Methanol, at flow rates of 0.48, 1.5, and 2.5 mL min(-1), respectively, was used as mobile phase for isocratic elution of the compounds in the three methods. Detection was performed at 325 nm and 290 nm, the absorption maxima of retinol and alpha-tocopherol, respectively. Analysis time, sensitivity, mobile-phase consumption, validation data, and cost were critically compared for these different chromatographic systems. Although cost and mobile-phase consumption seem to make UPLC the method of choice, use of the monolithic column resulted in almost the same separation and performance with a slightly shorter analysis time. These methods are alternatives and, in routine laboratory practice, more economical means of analysis of large numbers of biological samples than use of a traditional particulate column.

Fluorescence optosensing implemented with sequential injection analysis: a novel strategy for the determination of labetalol.

The coupling of sequential injection analysis and optosensing has been developed for the first time. It has been applied to the determination of labetalol in both pharmaceuticals and urine samples, with the analytical signal (native fluorescence) being monitored directly on sensing zone microbeads. The solid support used was the nonionic silica gel C18, using 20% methanol-water (v:v) as a carrier. By using a 1.5-ml sample volume, we achieved a detection limit of 3.3 ng ml-1. This sensitivity allowed the determination of the compound in urine samples. A recovery study was carried out at the labetalol levels usually found in urine after pharmaceuticals administration, and recovery percentages close to 100% were obtained. The relative standard deviation was 3.4% for 100 ng ml-1 labetalol. No pretreatment was needed for urine samples, only an appropriate dilution, therefore minimizing the time required per sample analysis. In addition, the determination of the analyte was also carried out in one pharmaceutical, with a satisfactory result being obtained.

HPLC determination of chlorhexidine gluconate and p-chloroaniline in topical ointment.

A novel fast isocratic reversed-phase HPLC method for simultaneous determination of chlorhexidine and its degradation product p-chloroaniline was developed. Zorbax SB Phenyl column (75 mm x 4.6 mm, 3.5 microm) was used for the separation. Mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and buffer solution of 0.08 M sodium phosphate monobasic containing 5 ml of triethylamine (0.5%) and adjust with 85% phosphoric acid to pH 3.0 in ratio 35:65 (v/v) pumped isocratically at flow rate 0.6 ml min(-1) was used. UV detection was performed at 239 nm, the total analysis time was about 10 min. The method is suitable for practical routine analysis of topical ointment in the quality control laboratory.

Estimation of ochratoxin A in portuguese population: new data on the occurrence in human urine by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

With increasing knowledge of the persistence of OTA in the food chain, exposure to this mycotoxin is a potential human health hazard to humans, and evaluating its presence in populations has become highly important. A sensitive and accurate analytical method for the determination of ochratoxin A in urine was validated, since is less invasive than blood monitoring. It involves extraction with 5% NaHCO3, immunoaffinity column (IAC) for clean-up and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD). The limit of quantification was 0.02 ng/mL of urine (1.3 ng/mL of the extract injected) and recovery of ochratoxin A from urine samples spiked at the three fortification levels, were higher than 90% with RSD lower than 9%. The identification of OTA was confirmed by methyl ester derivatization and then HPLC analysis. Based in ours first results we can assume that OTA conjugation with glucuronic acid in human urine occurs. In the present study, we follow up OTA levels in 60 urine samples of inhabitants from Coimbra city, Portugal, in order to evaluate population contamination, and the presence of OTA was found in 42 samples, at concentrations above the LOQ, ranged between 0.021 and 0.105 ng/mL.

HPLC determination of calcium pantothenate and two preservatives in topical cream.

A RP-HPLC method for simultaneous determination of calcium pantothenate and two preservatives methylparaben and propylparaben present in topical cream was developed. Different analytical columns with various stationary phases were tested. During method development, Supelco Discovery C18 column (125 mmx4.0 mm, 5 microm) and Zorbax SB-CN column (150 mmx4.6 mm, 5 microm) were tested. Both were not convenient for analytical separation because of the co-elution of calcium pantothenate with dead volume, and problems with the peak-shape of all components. Good separation was achieved using Zorbax TSM (250 mmx4.6 mm, 5 microm) and Hypersil ODS column (250 mmx4.6 mm, 5 microm), the latter was finally used for the analysis. The analysis time was 12 min, at flow rate 0.7 ml min-1. Chromatography was performed using binary mobile phase composed of methanol and phosphoric acid, pH 2.5, 65:35 (v/v). UV detection was accomplished at 214 nm. The method was validated according to ICH guideline recommendations. The method is suitable for practical routine analysis of commercially produced topical pharmaceutical preparations.

Separation and determination of terbinafine and its four impurities of similar structure using simple RP-HPLC method.

A novel reversed-phase HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of active component terbinafine, its one impurity 1-methylaminomethylnaphtalene and three degradation products, beta-terbinafine, Z-terbinafine and 4-methyl-terbinafine occurring in pharmaceutical formulations after long-term stability tests, was developed and validated using propylparaben as an internal standard. The chromatographic separation was performed on a NUCLEOSIL 100-5-CN column, mobile phase for separation of all compounds consisted of a mixture of tetrahydrofurane, acetonitrile and citrate buffer pH 4.50 (10:20:70,v/v/v). The analysis time was less than 32 min at flow-rate of 0.8 ml min(-1). UV detection was performed at 226 nm. The method was validated and system suitability parameters were investigated. Method robustness and short-term standard solution stability were verified. Limits of detection for terbinafine degradation products/impurity were from 0.023 to 0.098 microg ml(-1), limits of quantitation were from 0.078 to 0.327 microg ml(-1). The method was applicable for routine determination of terbinafine and all its found impurities of similar structure with sufficient selectivity, precision and accuracy.

Automation of simultaneous release tests of two substances by sequential injection chromatography coupled with Franz cell.

This presented paper deals with a methodology for the separation and simultaneous determination of two active substances in topical pharmaceutical formulation composed of lidocaine (L) and prilocaine (P). The methodology described is based on the sequential injection chromatography (SIC) with UV detection. Monolithic Column Chromolith Flash RP-18, 25mmx4.6mm (Merck, Germany) was used. Separation was performed using elution with binary mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-phosphate buffer 0.05M (40:80 (v/v))+0.01% triethylamine (adjusted to pH 7.1 with H(3)PO(4)) at a flow rate of 0.6mlmin(-1). The analysis duration was <7min. The method was linear over the range of 2.5-200mgl(-1) with a detection limit of 0.25mgl(-1) for both substances. The system was then coupled with Franz cell. Fully automated system for the in vitro release testing of semisolid dosage forms based on sequential injection analysis (SIA) was developed. Simultaneous measurement of L and P release was done by this system. Samples were taken in 10.5min intervals during 4h of the release test. Each test was followed by calibration with five standard solutions. Receiving medium was replenished automatically by the system.

Validation of an analytical methodology for determination of oxytetracycline and tetracycline residues in honey by HPLC with fluorescence detection.

An analytical method for the determination of OTC and TC residues in honey was developed. Sample treatment involves an extraction in EDTA-McIlvaine buffer, followed by a solid-phase cleanup step. With regard to the cleanup procedure, different SPE cartridges were evaluated and the results presented. The method was validated according to the guidelines laid down by the 2002/657/EC European Decision parameters: decision limit (Cc alpha) and detection capability (CC beta) were 20 and 21 microg/Kg and 49 and 50 microg/Kg for OTC and TC, respectively, and recoveries of OTC and TC from spiked samples, at three fortification levels, were higher than 87% for both compounds. The analytical method was applied to 57 honey samples.

Automated system for release studies of salicylic acid based on a SIA method.

The aim of this work was to describe a fully automated system for the in vitro release testing of semisolid dosage forms based on SIA technique. The system was tested for monitoring release profiles of different ointments containing 3% of salicylic acid (Belosalic, Diprosalic, Triamcinolone S). The native fluorescence of salicylic acid was used for fluorimetric detection. Phosphate buffer pH 7.4 was the receptor medium; samples were taken at 10 min intervals during 6 h of the release test; and each test was followed by calibration with five standard solutions. The linear calibration range was 0.05-10 microg ml(-1) (r = 0.9996, six standards); the maximal SIA sample throughput for this system was 120 h(-1), sample volume being 50 microl and flow rate 50 microl s(-1). The detection limit for salicylic acid was 0.01 microg ml(-1).

Development and validation of HPLC method for determination of indomethacin and its two degradation products in topical gel.

Indomethacin forms by decomposition two degradation products: 4-chlorobenzoic acid and 5-methoxy-2-methylindoleacetic acid. They have to be monitored together with an active substance both during manufacturing process and storage of pharmaceuticals. European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur. 4) describes titration method for determination of indomethacin, which is not very convenient in this case for practical use. Therefore, high performance liquid chromatography is the method-of-choice enabling determination of active substance and its degradation products during one-step procedure simultaneously and automatically. We have developed a fast, simple and fully automated analytical method for determination of indomethacin and its two impurities in pharmaceutical preparation using HPLC with UV detection. Various stationary phases were tested, especially new types of Zorbax columns made by Agilent. While the conventional C18 stationary phases were not convenient enough to achieve quick and reliable separation, Zorbax-Phenyl analytical column (75 mm x 4.6 mm, 3.5 microm) enables separation of indomethacin and its two degradation products during 7.5 min. Chromatography was performed using isocratic elution with binary mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 0.2% phosphoric acid (50:50, v/v) at flow rate 0.6 ml/min. Even faster separation of standards was obtained with analytical column Zorbax SB-CN (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm). The separation was effected with mobile phase of the same composition, only the flow rate was increased to 1.2 ml/min. The analytical run was shortened to 5 min. Both methods use detection wavelength 237 nm and both can use either ketoprofen or flurbiprofen as internal standard for quantitation. The first method was finally chosen for validation because of the occurrence of placebo interferences in the case of using Zorbax SB-CN. System suitability parameters and validation parameters including method precision, accuracy, linearity, selectivity and robustness were set up. Afterwards, the method was successfully applied for the practical determination of indomethacin and its degradation products in a topical gel and for compound degradation control during stability studies.

[Effect of manganese (II), cobalt (II), and nickel (II) ions on the growth and production of coumarins in the suspension culture of Angelica archangelica L]. / Vliv manganatých, kobaltnatých a nikelnatých iontu na rust a produkci kumarinu v suspenzní kulture Angelica archangelica L.

The plant cell reacts to an increased concentration of metals in the environment by various mechanisms. They include an increase in the formation of heat-shock proteins, metallothioneins, phytochelatins, amino acids (cysteine, histidine), organic acids (citric, malic), or secondary metabolites. The latter mechanism is being investigated for its possible use in explant cultures for the stimulation of secondary metabolism, which is the source of substances of pharmaceutical importance. The study tested manganese (II) (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mM in the medium), cobalt (II), and nickel (II) ions (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 microM in the medium) as potential elicitors of coumarin production. At the same time, toxicity of these metals for the culture was examined by evaluating their effect on growth (characterized by fresh and dry weight of biomass at the end of a two-week cultivation). Cultures were cultivated in the dark and in the light. It has been found that the growth of cultures is not influenced by manganese in concentrations ranging from 0 to 2 mM, then it slightly decreases, at a concentration of 50 mM it is lower by 20 % when cultivated in the dark and by 30 % when cultivated in the light in comparison with the control. Cobalt in concentrations of 0 to 50 microM does not significantly influence the growth of the culture, higher concentrations decrease the biomass yields, more markedly when cultivated in the light (at 500 microM Co by 60 %, in the dark only by 30 % in comparison with the controls). Nickel in concentrations of 0.1 to 200 microM does not influence growth, and in a concentration of 500 microM decreases it by approximately 30 % in comparison with the control both in the light and dark. Production of coumarins was not stimulated by any metal in comparison with the control cultures, only the removal of manganese from the medium in the culture cultivated in the dark increased production by about 15 % versus the control.