Robustness assessment in computer-assisted liquid chromatography procedures based on desirability functions.

A novel approach based on the use of desirability functions is presented for the robustness assessment of liquid chromatographic separations as derived from computer-assisted methods development processes. The approach is based on generally accepted hypothesis that a robust separation procedure will be inert to small random variations of the operational variables, typically encountered in the day-to-day routine analytical practice. This means that peak positions along the chromatograms must keep standstill or move insignificantly when operational variables are not intentionally changed. Thus, the degree of peak positions variation as evaluated from mathematical retention models can be used to assess the robustness of the developed procedures before testing the actual performance experimentally. In the approach proposed, this assessment is obtained by fixing a bilateral partial desirability window around each peak in the simulated chromatogram. The whole chromatogram robustness is characterized by an overall desirability value calculated as the geometric mean of the partial desirability windows evaluation. An added advantage of this approach is that the robustness value calculated is normalized between zero and one and thus, easy to interpret. Thus, when chromatograms are simulated and small random variations are introduced into the operational factors of the model, values for the overall desirability close to one means that the procedure performs robustly. On the contrary, low values for the overall desirability clearly indicated a serious lack of robustness. When used in conjunction with the Pareto optimality approach, as shown here, this robustness assessment strategy allows testing several Pareto front solutions before the final experimental testing which is always needed. In this way, a dramatical reduction of the experimental effort is obtained. Although the approach is theoretically applicable to any chromatographic separation, examples of reversed phase liquid chromatographic procedures are used to show the performance of the proposed methodology.

Fractions of Rechtschaffner matrices as supersaturated designs in screening experiments aimed at evaluating main and two-factor interaction effects.

Optimal fractions of resolution V design matrices proposed by Rechtschaffner in 1967 are developed and applied as supersaturated designs in screening experiments. Rechtschaffner matrices allow evaluation of all main factors and two-factor interactions, which in many real-world studies are of practical significance. However, the number of experimental runs increases rapidly with the number of factors in the matrices, which are therefore impractical for more than 5-6 factors. On the contrary, saturated fractions based on Hadamard matrices, which are commonly applied in screening studies, cannot evaluate the interaction effects. Here, a procedure for selecting the optimum fractions of Rechtschaffner matrices is presented and provides supersaturated matrices that are well adapted to a variety of problems, thus allowing the development of screening studies with a relatively small number of experiments. The procedures developed to derive the size-reduced matrices and to evaluate the active factors are discussed and compared in terms of efficiency and reliability, by means of simulation studies and application to a real problem. These fractions are the first supersaturated design matrices capable of estimating interaction effects. Additionally, one important advantage of these supersaturated matrices is that they enable development of follow-up procedures in cases of inconclusive results, by enlarging the matrix and eventually resolving the full Rechtschaffner matrix of departure when it is necessary to evaluate the active factors and their interactions.

Microwave-assisted extraction followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (MAE-HSSPME-GC-MS/MS) for determination of polybrominated compounds in aquaculture samples.

This paper describes the first validated method for the extraction, purification and determination of trace levels of a number of pollutants of growing concern, including polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in aquaculture feeds and products. The new procedure comprises microwave-assisted extraction (MAE; optimized, using a central composite experimental design, to 15 min at 85 degrees C in 14 mL of 1:1 hexane/dichloromethane), and concentration by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HSSPME), and separation/quantification by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS/MS). The method was validated on the reference materials IAEA-406 and WMF-01. Limits of detection for fourteen of the fifteen analytes considered range from 10 to 600 pg g(-1), and limits of quantification from 50 pg g(-1) to 1.9 ng g(-1). Linear ranges, accuracies and precisions are reported.

Optimization of a microwave-assisted extraction method for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from fish samples.

A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) procedure has been developed and optimized for the extraction of six regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from muscle samples of polluted fish. The procedure involves the simultaneous microwave-assisted extraction of PAHs with n-hexane and the lipids hydrolysis with potassium hydroxide. Experimental design methodology allows a quick and robust optimization of operational parameters such as the extraction time, temperature, and solvent volumes. In these final optimized conditions, the procedure can be applied to a vast range of fat containing fish samples without significant changes, thus enabling its routine use. Recoveries around 90% for the studied compounds benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and quantification limits (between 0.07 and 0.53 ng/g dry weight) far below the regulated limits, have been obtained. The procedure is applied to several different fish samples. Further, accuracy validation using NIST SRM 2977 reference material was carried out.

Texture optimization of water-in-oil emulsions.

The aim of this research is to demonstrate the effect of variations in certain parameters of the oily phase (OP) in water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions on rheological and texture properties of finished products. The formulated emulsions were selected according to an optimal experimental procedure. The applied variations were nature of the OP, its volume fraction, the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value, and the surfactant proportion. Results are presented for the followed tests carried out on the emulsions: texture analysis, rheology, and particle size analysis. The oils used in the study were sweet almond oil, liquid paraffin, maize oil, cyclomethicone, dimethicone, and wheat germ oil. The resulting data demonstrate a notable influence of the volume fraction oil on hardness, viscosity, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness of W/O emulsions. Emulsion hardness and viscosity increased as the OP percentage increased; this effect being even more pronounced for the vegetable oils. In contrast, emulsion adhesiveness and cohesiveness decreased as the volume fraction oil increased. The HLB value of the surfactant mixture of the emulsion also influenced hardness, adhesiveness, and elasticity, increasing or decreasing as HLB value did.

Maximizing production of Penicillium cyclopium partial acylglycerol lipase.

Penicillium cyclopium partial acylglycerol lipase production was maximized in shaken batch culture. The effect of inoculum size and substrate concentration on the lipase activity released in the culture medium was visualized using a surface response methodology based on a Doehlert experimental design. The main advantage of this approach is the low number of experiments required to construct a predictive model of the experimental domain. Substrate percentage (corn steep, w/v) ranged from 0.1% to 1.9% and inoculum from 100 spores/ml to 3,200 spores/ml. We determined that an optimal set of experimental conditions for high lipase production was 1.0% substrate and 3,200 spores/ml, with initial pH 5.0, temperature 25 degrees C and shaking speed 120 rpm. Between the conditions giving the minimum and the maximum lipase production, we observed a three-fold increase in both the predicted and the measured values.

An experimental design methodology applied to the enantioseparation of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug candidate.

An experimental design methodology has been applied to the enantioseparation of a new synthesized aryl propionic acid of pharmaceutical interest, namely 2-[(4'-benzoyloxy-2'-hydroxy)phenyl-propionic acid] (DF-1770y) by chiral capillary zone electrophoresis (CCZE). The chiral separation of the studied compound has been achieved employing vancomycin as the chiral selector. The partial filling-counter current method has been used in order to avoid the presence of the absorbing chiral selector in the path length of the detector and to increase the method sensitivity. A central composite design has been employed to optimize the experimental conditions for a fast separation of the enantiomers of the new synthesized aryl propionic acid. Critical parameters such as chiral selector concentration, pH and temperature have been studied to evaluate how they affected responses such as resolution and migration times. The desirability function approach has been employed in order to find the best compromise between the different experimental responses. The proposed CCZE method provided the baseline enantioseparation of the investigated drug. A Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 6.4 supplemented with 7 mM of vancomycin at 22 degrees C and -20 kV were the optimum experimental conditions allowing to achieve the highest enantioresolution of DF-1770y in less than 8.5 min.

Optimal design for the maximization of Penicillium cyclopium lipase production.

Penicillium cyclopium triacylglycerol lipase production was maximized in stationary batch culture. We used a surface response methodology based on a Doehlert experimental design to study the effect on the lipase activity released in the culture medium of the three most important factors: substrate concentration, pH and inoculum. Besides reducing the number of experiments required for optimization, this technique allowed us to quantify the lipase activity in any part of the experimental domain.We determined an optimal set of conditions for high lipase production: 1% substrate (corn steep), pH 5.5 and an inoculum of 10(4) spores/ml. Between conditions giving the minimum and the maximum lipase production, we observed a nine-fold increase of both the predicted and measured values.

Optimization methods in chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.

Many methods have been developed in order to optimize the parameters of interest in either chromatography or capillary electrophoresis. In chemometric approaches experimental measurements are performed in such a way that all factors vary together. An objective function is utilized in which the analyst introduces the desired criteria (selectivity, resolution, time of analysis). Simplex methods and overlapping resolution maps are declining. Factorial designs and central composite designs are more and more popular in electrodriven capillary separations since the number of parameters to master is much larger than in either GC or LC. The use of artificial neural networks is increasing. The advantage of chemometrics tools is that no explicit models are required, conversely the number of experiments to perform may be high and boundaries of the domain are not straightforward to draw and the approach does more than is required. When models are available optimization is easier to perform by regression methods. Computer assisted methods in RPLC are readily available and work well but are still in infancy in CE. Linear solvation energy relationships seem a very valuable tool but estimates of coefficients still require many experiments.

Screening of high shear mixer melt granulation process variables using an asymmetrical factorial design.

The effects of process conditions on the granulometric characteristics of a placebo formulation prepared in a 10 l high shear mixer by single-step melt granulation were studied. The factors under investigation were: binder grade, mixer load, presence of the deflector (all of analysed at two levels), binder concentration, impeller speed, massing time, type of impeller blades (these four at three levels) and jacket temperature (considered at four levels). Two granule characteristics were analysed: the geometric mean diameter and the percentage of particles finer than 315 microm. In order to screen simultaneously the above-mentioned factor levels, an asymmetrical factorial design was adopted, which allowed the reduction in the number of runs from 2592 to 25. Additionally, this technique permitted the selection of the factor levels which have the major 'weight' on the two granule characteristics under study. Two additional trials were performed to attest the screening validity.

Development of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine milling process to reduce initial burst release from PLGA microparticles.

The aim of this study was to prepare 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdUrd) loaded poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres with a reduced initial burst in the in vitro release profile, by modifying the drug grinding conditions. IdUrd particle size reduction has been performed using spray-drying or ball milling. Spray-drying significantly reduced drug particle size with a change of the initial crystalline form to an amorphous one and led to a high initial burst. Conversely, ball milling did not affect the initial IdUrd crystallinity. Therefore, the grinding process was optimized to emphasize the initial burst reduction. A first step allowed us to set qualitative parameters such as ball number (7) and cooling with liquid nitrogen to obtain a mean size reduction and a narrow distribution. In a second step, three parameters including milling speed, drug amount and time were studied by a response surface analysis. The interrelationship between drug amount and milling speed was the most significant factor. To reduce particle size it should be necessary to use a moderate speed associated with a sufficient drug amount (400-500 mg). IdUrd release from microparticles prepared by the o/w emulsion/extraction solvent evaporation process with the lowest crystalline particle size (15.3 microns) was studied. Burst effect could be reduced significantly. Concerning the first phase of drug release, the burst was 8.7% for 15.3 microns compared to 19% for 19.5 microns milled drug particles.

Experimental design for a pharmaceutical formulation: optimisation and robustness.

In pharmaceutical industries, the formulator is usually faced with the optimisation of the excipient mixture composition aimed to prepare a product with the required characteristics. Experimental research methodology represents an efficient approach for solving such optimisation problems. Planning mixture experiments using specific designs allows to analyse the blending properties of each mixture component and estimate an empirical model approximating the response of interest as a function of excipient proportions. In this study the evolution of theophylline solubility in a four-component system with constraints was analysed using two mixture design approaches: a classical mixture component proportion approach and a mathematically independent variable approach. An optimal region characterised by high solubility values was found and further explored in order to verify the insensitivity of theophylline solubility to slight variations of the excipient mixture composition.

Experimental design in the development of voltammetric method for the assay of omeprazole.

A multivariate strategy was used to optimize an adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of the antiulcer drug omeprazole. A 3/4 matrix was used for the variable screening while a central composite design was chosen in the subsequent step to evaluate the response surfaces. Simultaneous optimization of the response peak height (hp) and peak half width w1/2), the latter being a peak shape measure, was achieved. The factors accumulation time, pulse amplitude, scan rate and stirring rate were all found to be statistically significant for the response hp, while for the response w1/2 only the stirring rate was found to be significant. The optimized method shows a good linearity between peak height and analyte concentration in the concentration range from 8.33 x 10(-9) M to 1.42 x 10(-7) M with a LOD of 6.5 x 10(-9) M. The mean recovery of omeprazole in capsules was 101.9% with a SD of 2.04 (RSD = 200).

Influence of experimental parameters on the microencapsulation of a photopolymerizable phase.

Conditions of microencapsulation by in situ polycondensation, using melamine-formaldehyde as wall material, are influenced by the chemical nature of the core to encapsulate. In our study concerning the encapsulation of a photopolymerizable phase containing an electrically charged compound, it was necessary to modify the experimental process to obtain capsules of good quality. We used the factorial design method of screening by utilization of an asymmetric matrix, according to the collapsing principle of Addleman. The advantage of this method is that it allows determination of the simultaneous influences of the 11 experimental parameters involved in this preparation. The calculation method can be applied to more than two levels for some of the factors. The continuously varying parameters were altered between two extreme levels, chosen to allow encapsulation. For discontinuous factors, such as the molecular weight of the modifying system or nature of the aminoplast, we used the commercially available compounds, respectively three and four kinds. The results of the obtained capsules were determined by comparing microphotographic pictures. With 16 experiments we found four more factors influencing quality of capsules. We also determined the most favourable levels for the other seven parameters. The results allowed us to find optimal conditions in the experimental field. We obtained capsules of a satisfactory quality for this purpose, using only minimum experimentation.