Solid-phase derivatization reactions for biomedical liquid chromatography

Pharmacokinetics of different domperidone preparations in humans

AIM: To determine the concentration of domperidone in human plasma by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and to study the pharmacokinetics of different domperidone preparations in humans.

METHODS: An HPLC-FLD method was developed to determine the concentration of domperidone in human plasma. The test formulation (domperidone dispersible tablets) and reference formulation (domperidone tablets) were given to 24 healthy male volunteers. The pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of the test formulation and reference formulation were evaluated.

RESULTS: The calibration curve was linear within the range of 0.1-8.0 µg/mL. The method recovery was 96.8%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of intra-day and inter-day were less than 15%. Stability met the requirements. The C_max, T_max and AUC_(0-∞) were 25.71 ng/mL, 0.718 h, and 105.2 ng/(h•mL), and 24.88 ng/mL, 0.689 h, and 107.6 ng/(h•mL), respectively. The relative bioavailability was 97.76%.

CONCLUSION: The method is sensitive without endogenous interference. The two kinds of preparations are bioequivalent.

Strategies for the enantiomeric determination of amphetamine and related compounds by liquid chromatography

This paper summarizes recent research on the stereospecific analysis of amphetamine, its analogs and metabolites, by liquid chromatography. The different methods proposed have been evaluated and compared in terms of resolution power, time of analysis, sensitivity, or potential for automation. Chiral derivatization, followed by separation of the diastereomers formed in achiral chromatographic systems, is still the method preferred for the analysis of amphetamines at trace levels, as derivatization also improves analyte detectability. This is the method of choice for the enantiomeric analysis of amphetamines at the low concentrations typically encountered in biological samples. In recent years, special attention has been devoted to the development of alternatives for the automation of the analytical process by integrating the derivatization step into the chromatographic scheme. A promising alternative is the employment of beta-cyclodextrins as chiral selectors, both immobilized on the stationary phase and added to the mobile phase. However, with a few exceptions, beta-cyclodextrins perform better for non-derivatized amphetamines. Therefore, the utility of these selectors in the analysis of biological samples is limited. The reliability of less-used chiral stationary phases (Pirkle type, cellulose based or protein based), as well as methods based on the mathematical treatment of the chromatographic signal, are also discussed.

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to enzyme-amplified biochemical detection for the analysis of hemoglobin after pre-column biotinylation

The determination of proteins with enzyme-amplified biochemical detection (EA-BCD) coupled on-line with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is demonstrated. The EA-BCD system was developed to detect biotin-containing compounds. Hemoglobin, which was used as a model compound, was biotinylated prior to sample introduction. Several biotinylation parameters, such as pH and removal of excess biotinylation reagent, were investigated. After biotinylation samples were introduced to HPLC followed by EA-BCD. To the HPLC effluent, alkaline phosphatase label streptavidin (S-AP) was added, which possesses high affinity to biotin and biotin-containing compounds. Excess S-AP was removed by means of an immobilized biotin column followed by substrate addition. The non-fluorescent substrate is converted to a highly fluorescent product by the enzyme label. A detection limit of 2 femtomol biotinylated Hb was achieved with good reproducibility and linearity. However, biotinylation at low analyte concentration suffers from low yield due to slow reaction kinetics. Finally, Hb was successfully extracted from urine with a recovery of 94%.

Enzyme amplification as detection tool in continuous-flow systems. II. On-line coupling of liquid chromatography to enzyme-amplified biochemical detection after pre-column derivatization with biotin

Enzyme-amplified biochemical detection (EA-BCD) was used as a post-column detection technique, coupled on-line with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The enzyme detection system was developed to detect biotin or biotin containing compounds. Biotinylation is widely used to label analytes of interest ranging from small molecules to proteins and DNA. Naphthalene aldehyde and anthracene aldehyde were used as model compounds. Both compounds were biotinylated off-line with biotin aminocaproic hydrazide (BACH). On-column biotinylation was performed by preconcentration of anthracene aldehyde on copper phthalocyanine. After biotinylation, samples were introduced to the HPLC system. Enzyme-labeled streptavidin, which possesses high affinity to biotin, was added post-column to the HPLC effluent. Excess of enzyme-labeled affinity protein was removed by means of an immobilized biotin column. After separation of free and bound fraction, substrate was added, which was converted to a fluorescent product by the enzyme label. Using alkaline phosphatase as an enzyme label, a mass detection limit after on-column preconcentration and biotinylation of 250 fmol was achieved.

New spectrophotometric procedure for determining cefotaxime based on derivatization with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate into solid-phase extraction cartridges--application to pharmaceutical and urine samples

Cefotaxime was derivatised with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate (NQS), extracted into solid-phase cartridges (C18) and detected using a UV-visible detection system. Optimum conditions for this new procedure were: hydrogencarbonate-carbonate buffer, pH 10.5, 5-min reaction time at 25 degrees C and an NQS concentration of 7.1x10(-3) mol l(-1). The accuracy and the precision of the liquid-solid procedure were tested. The procedure was used to measure cefotaxime in pharmaceutical and urine samples. The results obtained were contrasted with those reported for a HPLC method for urine samples. The generalized H-point standard additions method was used to measure cefotaxime in urine samples.

Labeling reactions applicable to chromatography and electrophoresis of minute amounts of proteins

Chromatography and electrophoresis have become extremely valuable and important methods for the separation, purification, detection and analysis of biopolymers and HPLC/HPCE may become the premier, preferable approaches for both qualitative and quantitative analyses of most proteins, especially from recombinant materials. This includes smaller peptides, polypeptides, proteins, antibodies and all types of protein or antibody-conjugates (antibody-enzyme, protein-fluorescent probe, antibody-drug and so forth). This entire Topical Issue of Journal of Chromatography emphasizes the application of chromatography and electrophoresis to protein analysis. This particular review deals with approaches to the selective tagging or labeling of proteins at trace (minute) levels, again using either chromatography or electrophoresis, with the emphasis on modern HPLC/HPCE methods and approaches. We discuss here both pre- and post-column labeling methods and reagents, techniques for realizing selective labeling of proteins or antibodies, applicable approaches to protein preconcentration in both HPLC and HPCE areas and in general, methods for improving (lowering) detection limits for proteins utilizing chemical or physical derivatization and/or preconcentration techniques. There are really two major goals or emphases in that which follows: (1) methods for selective labeling of proteins prior to or after HPLC/HPCE and (2) labeling of proteins at trace levels for improved separation-detection and lowered detection limits. We discuss here a large number of specific references related to both pre- and post-column/capillary derivatizations for proteins, as well as methods for improved detectability in both HPLC and HPCE by, for example, analyte preconcentration on a solid-phase extractor or membrane support, capillary isotachophoresis and other methods. Selective reactions or derivatizations on proteins refers to the ability to tag the protein at specific (e.g. reactive amino sites) in a controlled manner, with the products having the same number of tags all at the very same site or sites. The products are all the same species, having the same number of tags at the same locations on the protein. Selective reactions can also refer to the idea of tagging all of the protein sample at only a single, same site or at all available sites, homogeneously.

On-line derivatization into precolumns for the determination of drugs by liquid chromatography and column switching: determination of amphetamines in urine

A chromatographic system for the on-line derivatization of drugs using column switching is described. The system uses a 20 mm x 2.1 mm i.d. precolumn packed with a unmodified ODS stationary phase. This column is used for sample cleanup and enrichment of the analytes. Next, the trapped analytes are derivatized by injection of the derivatization reagent into the precolumn. Finally, the derivatives are transferred to the analytical column for their separation under reversed-phase conditions. The influence of several parameters such as the reaction time, the amount of derivatization reagents, or the system design has been studied some amphetamines as model compounds and three derivatization reagents: sodium 1, 2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate, o-phthaldialdehyde, and 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate. The potential of the described approach is illustrated by determining amphetamine and methamphetamine in untreated urine at ambient temperature.