Application of monolithic supports to online extraction and LC-MS analysis of benzodiazepines in whole blood samples

Silica-Based Monolithic Columns as a Tool in HPLC-An Overview of Application in Analysis of Active Compounds in Biological Samples

Monolithic fillings used in chromatography are of great interest among scientists since the first reports of their synthesis and use were published. In the 20 years since silica-based monolithic columns were introduced into the commercial market, numerous papers describing their chromatographical properties and utility in various branches of industry and scientific investigations were presented. This review is focused on possible applications of commercially available silica-based HPLC monolithic columns in the analysis of biological samples.

Accurate quantification of EVT201 and its two metabolites in human urine using UHPLC-MS/MS method with solid phase extraction

A sensitive and accurate ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of EVT201 and its two metabolites, Ro46-1927 and Ro18-5528, in human urine. Different sample preparation methods were compared, and solid-phase extraction (SPE) was finally employed. Separation conditions and mass spectrometry parameters were optimized to achieve complete separation and enough sensitivity. Finally, the three analytes were separated on an Acquity BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) with a gradient mobile phase. The gradient elution consisted of acetonitrile (containing 0.1% formic acid) and 10 mM ammonium formate (containing 1% acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid) at a flow rate of 0.50 mL/min. Detection was performed on an electrospray ionization (ESI) source in positive mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The method was fully validated in accordance with the bioanalysis guidance in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It showed satisfying linearity, accuracy, and precision in the range of 0.2–200 ng/mL for all the three analytes. The mean extraction recoveries were 85.2%, 65.6%, 87.9%, and 86.4% for EVT201, Ro46-1927, Ro18-5528, and the IS, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the bioanalysis of 833 urine samples to determine the concentration of EVT201 and its two metabolites simultaneously.

The current role of on-line extraction approaches in clinical and forensic toxicology

In today's clinical and forensic toxicological laboratories, automation is of interest because of its ability to optimize processes, to reduce manual workload and handling errors and to minimize exposition to potentially infectious samples. Extraction is usually the most time-consuming step; therefore, automation of this step is reasonable. Currently, from the field of clinical and forensic toxicology, methods using the following on-line extraction techniques have been published: on-line solid-phase extraction, turbulent flow chromatography, solid-phase microextraction, microextraction by packed sorbent, single-drop microextraction and on-line desorption of dried blood spots. Most of these published methods are either single-analyte or multicomponent procedures; methods intended for systematic toxicological analysis are relatively scarce. However, the use of on-line extraction will certainly increase in the near future.

Methods for the determination of biomarkers of exposure to emerging pollutants in human specimens

Biomonitoring is a very useful tool for assessing human exposure to environmental pollutants. This review discusses recent methods for the quantitative measurement of biomarkers of exposure to different classes of chemicals used in personal-care products (e.g., musk fragrances, preservatives, UV filters, and insect repellents) and consumer products (e.g., organophosphate flame retardants, phthalate esters, perfluorinated compounds, and industrial phenols). The measurements are mainly taken in urine, blood, and breast milk. We also discuss the different procedures commonly used for sample-pretreatment, extraction, and clean up, and chromatographic techniques currently used to determine these compounds. Finally, we present data on the main biomarkers occurring in different human specimens.

Rapid LC–MS/MS quantification of the major benzodiazepines and their metabolites on dried blood spots using a simple and cost-effective sample pretreatment

Background: Dried blood spots (DBS) sampling has gained popularity in the bioanalytical community as an alternative to conventional plasma sampling, as it provides numerous benefits in terms of sample collection and logistics. The aim of this work was to show that these advantages can be coupled with a simple and cost-effective sample pretreatment, with subsequent rapid LC–MS/MS analysis for quantitation of 15 benzodiazepines, six metabolites and three Z-drugs. For this purpose, a simplified offline procedure was developed that consisted of letting a 5-µl DBS infuse directly into 100 µl of MeOH, in a conventional LC vial. Results: The parameters related to the DBS pretreatment, such as extraction time or internal standard addition, were investigated and optimized, demonstrating that passive infusion in a regular LC vial was sufficient to quantitatively extract the analytes of interest. The method was validated according to international criteria in the therapeutic concentration ranges of the selected compounds. Conclusion: The presented strategy proved to be efficient for the rapid analysis of the selected drugs. Indeed, the offline sample preparation was reduced to a minimum, using a small amount of organic solvent and consumables, without affecting the accuracy of the method. Thus, this approach enables simple and rapid DBS analysis, even when using a non-DBS-dedicated autosampler, while lowering the costs and environmental impact.

Recent advances in column switching sample preparation in bioanalysis

Column switching techniques, using two or more stationary phase columns, are useful for trace enrichment and online automated sample preparation. Target fractions from the first column are transferred online to a second column with different properties for further separation. Column switching techniques can be used to determine the analytes in a complex matrix by direct sample injection or by simple sample treatment. Online column switching sample preparation is usually performed in combination with HPLC or capillary electrophoresis. SPE or turbulent flow chromatography using a cartridge column and in-tube solid-phase microextraction using a capillary column have been developed for convenient column switching sample preparation. Furthermore, various micro-/nano-sample preparation devices using new polymer-coating materials have been developed to improve extraction efficiency. This review describes current developments and future trends in novel column switching sample preparation in bioanalysis, focusing on innovative column switching techniques using new extraction devices and materials.

Novel strategies for sample preparation in forensic toxicology

This paper provides a review of novel strategies for sample preparation in forensic toxicology. The review initially outlines the principle of each technique, followed by sections addressing each class of abused drugs separately. The novel strategies currently reviewed focus on the preparation of various biological samples for the subsequent determination of opiates, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, cocaine, hallucinogens, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics and cannabinoids. According to our experience, these analytes are the most frequently responsible for intoxications in Greece. The applications of techniques such as disposable pipette extraction, microextraction by packed sorbent, matrix solid-phase dispersion, solid-phase microextraction, polymer monolith microextraction, stir bar sorptive extraction and others, which are rapidly gaining acceptance in the field of toxicology, are currently reviewed.

Benzodiazepines: sample preparation and HPLC methods for their determination in biological samples

Benzodiazepines (BDZs) belong to a group of substances known for their sedative, antidepressive, muscle relaxant, tranquilizer, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties. Their determination in biological fluids is essential in clinical assays as well as in forensics and toxicological studies. Researchers focus on the development of rapid, accurate, precise and sensitive methods for the determination of BDZs and their metabolites. A large number of analytical methods using different techniques have been reported, but none can be considered as the method of choice. BDZs are usually present at trace levels (microgram or nanogram per milliliter) in a complex biological matrix and the potentially interfering compounds must be isolated by various extraction techniques before analysis. An extended and comprehensive review is presented herein, focusing on sample preparation (pretreatment and extraction) and HPLC conditions applied by different authors. These methods enable bioanalysts to achieve detection limits down to 1-2 ng/ml using UV/diode array detection, readily available in most laboratories, and better than 1 ng/ml using electron capture detection, which is lower than that obtained using a nitrogen phosphorus detector. MS interfaced with electrospray ionization offered a similar sensitivity, while negative chemical ionization MS or sonic spray ionization MS provided sensitivity down to 0.1 ng/ml.

Applying cloud point extraction technique for the extraction of oxazepam from human urine as a colour or fluorescent derivative prior to spectroscopic analysis methods

Two new methods based on cloud point extraction (CPE) technique were developed and optimized for the extraction and preconcentration of oxazepam from human urine, as an azo or fluorescent derivative. The first method is a spectrophotometric one, which is based on the acid hydrolysis of the oxazepam to a benzophenone, diazotization of the benzophenone, and then the coupling with oxine to form an azo dye. The second method is a spectrofluorimetric one, which involves reduction of the target compound using Zn°/HCl at room temperature with the formation of a highly fluorescent derivative. The main factors affecting the chemical reactions and CPE were investigated and optimized systematically. Under optimum experimental conditions, the calibration graphs were linear in the range of 0.1 to 1.5 (0.05 to 2.0) µg/ml with correlation coefficients of 0.9989 (0.9985), for the CPE-spectrophotometric (CPE-spectrofluorimetric) method. The limit of detection was found to be 0.034 (0.018) µg/ml and the relative standard deviation was calculated to be 1.35 (2.52)%. Recoveries in the spiked samples ranged from 87 to 94%. Finally, the proposed methods were applied to the determination of oxazepam in human urine.

Restricted-access media supports for direct high-throughput analysis of biological fluid samples: review of recent applications

This review presents an update on the use of restricted-access materials (RAMs) for direct injection of biological samples. The fundamental improvements in the preparation of tailored RAMs and the diversity of applications with these phases are presented. Insights into diminishing the matrix effect by the use of RAM supports in methods by LC–MS and into the low number of methods for enantiomeric separations by direct injections of biological samples are addressed. The diversity of systems that incorporate RAMs for selective sample clean-up or fractionation in proteome and peptidome analysis is also covered.