Ruggedness tests for a high-performance liquid Chromatographic assay: Comparison of an evaluation at two and three levels by using two-level Plackett-Burman designs

Rational search of genetic design space for a heterologous terpene metabolic pathway in Streptomyces

Modern tools in DNA synthesis and assembly give genetic engineers control over the nucleotide-level design of complex, multi-gene systems. Systematic approaches to explore genetic design space and optimize the performance of genetic constructs are lacking. Here we explore the application of a five-level Plackett-Burman fractional factorial design to improve the titer of a heterologous terpene biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces. A library of 125 engineered gene clusters encoding the production of diterpenoid ent-atiserenoic acid (eAA) via the methylerythritol phosphate pathway was constructed and introduced into Streptomyces albidoflavus J1047 for heterologous expression. The eAA production titer varied within the library by over two orders of magnitude and host strains showed unexpected and reproducible colony morphology phenotypes. Analysis of Plackett-Burman design identified expression of dxs, the gene encoding the first and the flux-controlling enzyme, having the strongest impact on eAA titer, but with a counter-intuitive negative correlation between dxs expression and eAA production. Finally, simulation modeling was performed to determine how several plausible sources of experimental error/noise and non-linearity impact the utility of Plackett-Burman analyses.

Magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction using ZSM-5 zeolite/Fe2O3 composite coupled with screen-printed electrodes based electrochemical detector for determination of cadmium in urine samples

A novel, simple, fast, sensitive and environmentally friendly approach is presented to determine cadmium in urine samples, combining magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) for sample preparation and screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) for square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry. This association involves the miniaturization of sample preparation and measurement process. Firstly, cadmium was extracted directly from urine samples employing a ZSM-5/Fe₂O₃, then, the composite enriched with cadmium was deposited onto the SPCE and finally covered with a suitable electrolyte for electrochemical detection. Thereby, the elution and detection of cadmium were carried out in a single step. To optimize experimental parameters affecting MDSPE, a two-step multivariate strategy has been employed. The method has been evaluated under optimized extraction/elution conditions (i.e., type of sorbent, ZSM-5/Fe₂O_3; amount of sorbent, 10 mg; sample pH, 6.8; extraction time, 5.5 min; and HCl concentration, 0.5 M) using standard addition calibration. Standard addition calibration curves gave a good linearity in the range from 0 to 30 μg L^-1 with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.997 to 0.998 (N = 7). The limit of detection, evaluated empirically and statistically, ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 μg L^-1 and from 0.4 to 0.8 μg L^-1, respectively, which are lower than the threshold level established by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Spain) and World Health Organization for normal cadmium content in urine (i.e., 3.4 and 4.0 μg L^-1, respectively). The repeatability of the proposed method was evaluated at 5 and 20 μg L^-1 spiking levels obtaining coefficients of variation ranged between 12 and 15% (n = 6). A certified reference material (REC-8848/Level II) was analyzed to assess method accuracy finding 92% and 1.3 μg L^-1 as the recovery (trueness) and standard deviation values, respectively. Finally, the method was applied to spiked urine samples, obtaining good agreement between spiked and found concentrations (recovery ranged from 89 to 98% and CV values ranged from 7% to 14%). Therefore, this is a new and successful contribution to the portable total analytical systems.

Parameter optimization of environmental technologies using a LCA-based analysis scheme: A bioaugmentation case study

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has proven to be a useful tool in assessing environmental technologies in a retrospective manner. To fully uncover the environmental improvement potential while advancing technologies under technical and environmental constraints, this study recommended approaching the LCA proactively to assess the progress of parameter optimization before determining critical parameters. To that end, the present work introduced a multimethod eight-step (MMES) analysis scheme, which included an integration of LCA with Plackett-Burman multifactorial design, central composite design, and multi-objective optimization. By creating a large number of scenarios through experimental design, we jointly optimized technical efficiency and environmental sustainability, which allowed for the identification of critical parameters that likely had contradictory influences on different objectives. Through a case study concerning the bioaugmentation of constructed wetland (CW), we applied the MMES scheme to optimize the culture conditions of the strain Arthrobacter sp. ZXY-2 for enhanced atrazine removal. The results showed that, by reducing the Na₂HPO₄·12H₂O concentration from 6.5 g/L to 6 g/L in the culture condition, we decreased the freshwater ecotoxicity potential and maintained a high level of atrazine removal. Regarding the production process of microbial inocula, the strain ZXY-2 grown at the optimized culture reduced the total environmental impact from 13% to 50% compared with the original culture and helped the CW exhibit more favorable atrazine-removal performance. Taken together, the case study demonstrated the effectiveness of using the MMES scheme for parameter optimization of environmental technologies. For future development, the MMES scheme should extend the application to more fields and refine uncertainty management.

A simultaneous, direct microwave/ultrasound-assisted digestion procedure for the determination of total Kjeldahl nitrogen

Simultaneous direct irradiation with microwaves and ultrasound was used to determine total Kjeldahl nitrogen. The method involves chemical digestion in two steps, mineralization with sulfuric acid and oxidation with H(2)O(2). The most influential variables for the microwave/ultrasound (MW/US)-assisted digestion were optimized using tryptophan as the model substance. The optimum conditions were: H(2)SO(4) volume, 10 mL; H(2)O(2) volume, 5 mL; weight of sample, 0.05 g; MW power, 500 W; US power, 50 W; digestion time, 7 min (i.e., 5 min mineralization and 2 min oxidation). A modification of the classical Kjeldahl (Hach) method and an US-assisted digestion method were used for comparison. The latter was also optimized; the optimum conditions were: H(2)SO(4) volume, 10 mL; H(2)O(2) volume, 5 mL; sonication time with H(2)SO(4), 15 min; sonication time with H(2)O(2),10 min; US power, 50 W; weight of sample, 0.05 g. Five pure amino acids and two certified reference materials (NIST standard reference materials 1547 (peach leaves), and soil, NCS DC 73322) were analyzed to assess the accuracy of our new MW/US-assisted digestion method, that was successfully applied to five real samples. The significant reduction in digestion time (being 30 min and 25 min for classical Kjeldahl and US-assisted digestion methods, respectively) and consumption of reagents show that simultaneous and direct MW/US irradiation is a powerful and promising tool for low-pressure digestion of solid and liquid samples.

Sensitive determination of free benzophenone-3 in human urine samples based on an ionic liquid as extractant phase in single-drop microextraction prior to liquid chromatography analysis

Benzophenone-3 (BZ3), one of the compounds most commonly used as UV filter in cosmetic products, can be absorbed through the skin into the human body, since it can be found at trace levels in urine from users of cosmetic products that contain BZ3. Moreover, different undesirable effects have been attributed to this compound. Thus, sensitive analytical methods to monitor urinary excretion of this compound should be developed. This paper presents a selective and sensitive methodology for BZ3 determination at ultratrace levels in human urine samples. The methodology is based on a novel microextraction technique, known as single-drop microextraction (SDME). An ionic liquid (IL) has been used as extractant phase instead of an organic solvent. After the microextraction process, the extractant phase was injected into a liquid chromatography system. The variables of interest in the SDME process were optimized using a multivariate optimization approach. A Plackett-Burman design for screening and a circumscribed central composite design for optimizing the significant variables were applied. Ionic strength, extraction time, stirring speed, pH, ionic liquid type, drop volume and sample volume were the variables studied. The optimum experimental conditions found were: sodium chloride concentration, 13% (w/v); extraction time, 25 min; stirring speed, 900 rpm; pH, 2; ionic liquid type, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C(6)MIM][PF(6)]); drop volume, 5 microL; and sample volume, 10 mL. The proposed method requires a standard addition calibration approach, and it has been successfully employed to determine free BZ3 in urine samples coming from human volunteers who applied a sunscreen cosmetic containing this UV filter. The limit of detection was in the order of 1.3 ng mL(-1) and repeatability of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation, was 6% (n=8).

Microwave-assisted headspace single-drop microextration of chlorobenzenes from water samples

A one-step and in-situ sample preparation method used for quantifying chlorobenzene compounds in water samples has been developed, coupling microwave and headspace single-drop microextraction (MW-HS-SDME). The chlorobenzenes in water samples were extracted directly onto an ionic liquid single-drop in headspace mode under the aid of microwave radiation. For optimization, a Plackett-Burman screening design was initially used, followed by a mixed-level factorial design. The factors considered were: drop volume, aqueous sample volume, stirring speed, ionic strength, extraction time, ionic liquid type, microwave power and length of the Y-shaped glass-tube. The optimum experimental conditions found from this statistical evaluation were: a 5 microL microdrop of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate exposed for 20 min to the headspace of a 30 mL aqueous sample, irradiated by microwaves at 200 W and placed in a 50 mL spherical flask connected to a 25 cm Y-shaped glass-tube. Under the optimised experimental conditions, the response of a high performance liquid chromatographic system was found to be linear over the range studied and with correlation coefficients ranging between 0.9995 and 0.9999. The method showed a good level of repeatability, with relative standard deviations varying between 2.3 and 8.3% (n=5). Detection limits were found in the low microg L(-1) range varying between 0.016 and 0.039 microg L(-1). Overall, the performance of the proposed method demonstrated the favourable effect of microwave sample irradiation upon HS-SDME. Finally, recovery studies from different types of environmental water samples revealed that matrix had little effect upon extraction.

Ruggedness and robustness testing

Due to the strict regulatory requirements, especially in pharmaceutical analysis, analysis results with an acceptable quality should be reported. Thus, a proper validation of the measurement method is required. In this context, ruggedness and robustness testing becomes increasingly more important. In this review, the definitions of ruggedness and robustness are given, followed by a short explanation of the different approaches applied to examine the ruggedness or the robustness of an analytical method. Then, case studies, describing ruggedness or robustness tests of high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC), capillary electrophoretic (CE), gas chromatographic (GC), supercritical fluid chromatographic (SFC), and ultra-performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) assay methods, are critically reviewed and discussed. Mainly publications of the last 10 years are considered.

Sample preparation optimization for assay of active pharmaceutical ingredients in a transdermal drug delivery system using experimental designs

A simple but very effective sample preparation method is discussed for a matrix or drug-in-adhesive type of transdermal drug delivery system (TDS). The method is a one-step extraction using a methanol/water solvent system. Because of the unique design and physical property of the delivery system, special considerations were taken in selection of sample solvent, sample container and extraction enhancement device. The main focus of the article is on method optimization using experimental designs. A Plackett-Burman design was used to screen multiple method factors including extraction solvent strength, extraction solvent volume, shaking speed of a reciprocating shaker, and shaking time. Later, two of the factors were studied in more details using a 4 x 5 general factorial design. From the experimental results, the so-called main effects plots and interaction plots were generated using a statistical software. The plots are helpful in choosing the method conditions.

Prevalidation in pharmaceutical analysis

A complete prevalidation, as a basic prevalidation strategy for quality control and standardization of analytical procedure was inaugurated. Fast and simple, the prevalidation methodology based on mathematical/statistical evaluation of a reduced number of experiments (N < or = 24) was elaborated and guidelines as well as algorithms were given in detail. This strategy has been produced for the pharmaceutical applications and dedicated to the preliminary evaluation of analytical methods where linear calibration model, which is very often occurred in practice, could be the most appropriate to fit experimental data. The requirements presented in this paper should therefore help the analyst to design and perform the minimum number of prevalidation experiments needed to obtain all the required information to evaluate and demonstrate the reliability of its analytical procedure. In complete prevalidation process, characterization of analytical groups, checking of two limiting groups, testing of data homogeneity, establishment of analytical functions, recognition of outliers, evaluation of limiting values and extraction of prevalidation parameters were included. Moreover, system of diagnosis for particular prevalidation step was suggested. As an illustrative example for demonstration of feasibility of prevalidation methodology, among great number of analytical procedures, Vis-spectrophotometric procedure for determination of tannins with Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent was selected. Favourable metrological characteristics of this analytical procedure, as prevalidation figures of merit, recognized the metrological procedure as a valuable concept in preliminary evaluation of quality of analytical procedures.

Strategy for developing and optimizing liquid chromatography methods in pharmaceutical development using computer-assisted screening and Plackett–Burman experimental design

We describe a three-step method development/optimization strategy for HPLC assay/impurity methods for pharmaceuticals, which include multiple-column/mobile phase screening using a system equipped with a column-switching device, further optimization of separation by using multiple organic modifiers in the mobile phase, and multiple-factor method optimization using Plackett-Burman experimental designs. In the first two steps, commercially available chromatography optimization software, DryLab, was used to perform computer simulations. This allows the method developer to evaluate each condition (one column/mobile phase combination) with retention data from two scouting gradient runs. This approach significantly reduces the number of runs in method development. After a satisfactory separation was obtained, we used a method optimization step with Plackett-Burman experimental designs. The purpose of the 16-injection set experiments was to evaluate nine method factors with regard to method precision, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The results provided logical justifications in selecting method parameters such as column temperature, detection wavelength, injection volume, and sample solvent, etc. In data analysis, instead of the traditional mathematical manipulations, we used the graphical methods to examine and present data by creating the so-called main effect plots. Because replicates of design points were not run, the data did not allow the testing of statistical significance. However, it provided visual presentations in a way that is easy to understand for the method developer and end user alike.

Robustness testing of chiral separations by capillary electrophoresis using highly-sulfated cyclodextrins

The robustness of a generic method for chiral separation in capillary electrophoresis using highly-sulfated cyclodextrins in a low pH phosphate buffer and the "short-end injection technique" was studied. In this study, we focused on the robustness of the separations and not of the quantitative analysis of the enantiomers. The robustness was evaluated for the enantiomeric separation of a basic (propranolol), a neutral (praziquantel) and an acidic (warfarin) compound. The influence of eight factors which were believed to affect significantly the separations was studied using a 11-factor, 12-experiment Plackett-design. Statistical interpretation of the factor effects on different analytical responses (selectivity and resolution) was performed. The separations of the three compounds could be considered as rather robust as the factor effects were generally not significant (alpha = 0.05) and small.

Guidance for robustness/ruggedness tests in method validation

This paper is intended to give guidance in setting-up and interpreting a robustness test. The different steps in a robustness test are discussed and illustrated with examples. The recommendations given for the different steps are based on approaches found in the literature, several case studies performed by the authors and discussions of the authors within a commission of the French SFSTP (Société Française des Sciences et Techniques Pharmaceutiques). In the end of the paper a worked-out example is given of a robustness test case study set up and interpreted according to the guidelines.

Robustness testing of a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic assay: comparison of fractional and asymmetrical factorial designs

Robustness tests were performed on a reversed-phase HPLC assay for triadimenol. Different experimental designs were compared. Two-level fractional factorial designs with different resolutions were used to study the influence of procedure-related factors. The factors chromatographic column manufacturer at four levels and instrument at three levels were stepwise included in the study using asymmetrical factorial designs. The significance of the factor effects was determined statistically, using two types of error estimates in the calculation of critical effects, and graphically, by means of half-normal plots. The asymmetrical designs turned out to be an efficient and economic method to examine the influence of factors at different numbers of levels in the robustness testing of analytical methods.

Nested designs in ruggedness testing

Nested designs were performed in order to execute a ruggedness test according to the United States Pharmacopeia definition for ruggedness, in which mainly non-procedure related factors are examined. Several nested designs have been executed on a high performance liquid chromatography assay to determine tetracycline and related substances in bulk samples of tetracycline. Factors such as different laboratories, analysts, instruments, columns, days and batches were examined. The interpretation methods described in the literature were found to cause problems. In these methods the variances of the examined factors are estimated from the calculated mean square values and from the equation for the expected mean squares. Very frequently, negative variance estimates were obtained. Their absolute values were found to be dependent on the influence of the factor examined below it in the design, on the examined response. Therefore an alternative interpretation method for nested designs, based on pooled variances, was proposed and found to be appropriate to use for ruggedness testing purposes. Both approaches, the one from the literature and the one proposed here, were tested on simulated data coming from a nested design with four factors and on the experimentally measured data.

Robustness testing of a liquid chromatography method for the determination of vorozole and its related compounds in oral tablets

The robustness of a method for the determination of vorozole in oral tablets was examined by applying a two-level, seven factor Plackett-Burman statistical experimental design. Five method variables that are sensitive to variation, especially during method transfer, were evaluated for their influence on the system suitability criteria set in the method procedure and on the analysis time. The method variables were investigated in a specified range above and below the nominal method conditions. They included the concentration of an ion-pairing agent, the percentage organic modifier at the start of the linear gradient, the mobile phase flow rate, the percentage organic modifier at the end of the linear gradient and the pH of the mobile phase. Two dummy factors were included in the design to estimate the experimental error. It was found that none of the five studied variables affected significantly (t-test, alpha = 0.01) the capacity factor, the tailing factor or the analysis time. The resolution of the critical peak pair on the other hand, was significantly influenced by the factor pH. However, the responses for the resolution of all the experimental runs in the design were well above the system suitability limit stated in the normal assay procedure. Therefore, the method can overall be considered robust.

RTS, a computer program for the experimental set-up and interpretation of ruggedness tests

A computer program is described for the experimental set-up and interpretation of ruggedness tests. The implemented strategy was based on a number of case studies and contains both recommended designs and minimal designs. The minimal designs reduce the number of experiments, but they cannot be statistically interpreted based on the interaction or dummy factor effects. The use of randomization tests as an alternative statistical interpretation method for the significance of the effects was examined. Some of the minimal designs are expandable to designs with characteristics similar to those of the recommended designs. The program is designed to facilitate the selection of the designs and the interpretation of the results and to prevent or detect problems such as drifting of responses.

Ruggedness testing of chromatographic methods: selection of factors and levels

The first step in a ruggedness test is the selection of factors to be examined and their levels. In this paper, both topics are discussed, thereby completing a strategy described earlier. It is demonstrated, by means of some examples, that depending on the formulation (definition) of a factor, information that is physically more or less meaningful is extracted from the experimental design results. Among others, the inclusion of the compounds of a buffer and of the components of a mixture in a screening design were examined. A general guideline to select the levels of the factors in a ruggedness test was proposed. Some special cases, i.e. asymmetric intervals around the nominal level, were also discussed.

Validation of bioanalytical chromatographic methods

A strategy is discussed for the validation of chromatographic methods that are developed to quantify drugs in biological matrices. Both the validation terminology and the hypothesis testing are briefly reviewed. The emphasis is on the design of the experiments required to allow a reliable conclusion about acceptance or rejection of the bioanalytical method. In particular, it is explained how to evaluate the calibration line, devise experiments to estimate precision and bias and how to determine the stability of the analyte between the time of the sample collection and the analysis of the processed sample.

A ruggedness test strategy for procedure related factors: experimental set-up and interpretation

A strategy to perform ruggedness tests for mainly procedure related factors is described. The different steps in the set-up of the experiments and in the interpretation of the results are given. The described strategy is based on a number of case studies and allows a statistical interpretation of the significance of the effects. It was implemented in a software tool. This original strategy was completed with a number of minimal screening designs which reduce the number of experiments to perform, but in consequence only allow a limited or no statistical interpretation of the effects. Some of the minimal designs are expandable to designs with characteristics similar to those of the original strategy.

How to better define the characteristics of dispersion of results in liquid chromatographic analyses through an interlaboratory study. Example of collaborative studies on ketoprofen and spiramycin

The aim of this study was to use statistical tools, especially the analysis of variance (ANOVA), to improve knowledge of the characteristics of the dispersion of results in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods for quantitative analysis. It is in this regard that two interlaboratory studies have been carried out in collaboration with Rhône-Poulenc Rorer. The first concerned the analysis of a single drug product (ketoprofen) and was typically a "simple analysis". The second one involved a complex mixture of drug products and related substances (spiramycin), requiring far more constraining analysis conditions. Preliminary studies of the analyses were carried out to develop an optimized protocol. Statistical exploitation of the data for ketoprofen showed that there was no significant influence of the factors "laboratory" and "preparation", under the conditions of the study. On the other hand, in the case of spiramycin, a significant influence of the factors "laboratory" and "preparation" was observed under the conditions of the collaborative study, indicating that the latter factor must be taken into account to establish certified assays. Results of these two studies will help to determine the factors that have a significant influence, depending on the product and the chromatographic method used. By completing the statistical data base, interlaboratory studies will also contribute in the near future to the elaboration of more rigorous protocols for analytical transfers.