On-line coupling of sequential injection extraction with restricted-access materials and post-column derivatization for sample clean-up and determination of propranolol in human plasma

Developments in on-line, post separation sample manipulation in the last 22 years: Pharmaceutical and biomedical applications

On-line post separation sample manipulation is a powerful approach increasing the sensitivity and selectivity in chemical analysis. Post separation sample manipulation includes the treatment of the analytes after their separation through a suitable separation technique, mainly liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. Typically, post separation approaches include either the addition of a reagent/solvent to derivatize the analyte/enhance the sensitivity, pH change, or the conversion of the analyte through a photochemical/electrochemical system (reagent-free systems). This review focuses on the developed methods using post-column manipulation of sample with pharmaceuticals and biomedical applications, covering the period from 2000 to midle-2023. Chemistries combined with fluorescence, UV-vis and mass spectrometric detection are discussed employing both liquid chromatography and electrophoretic techniques for separation. Noteworthy instrumental modifications are also discussed.

Direct doping analysis of beta-blocker drugs from urinary samples by on-line molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

The hydrophilic layer forms hydrogen bonds with water, minimizing the interference of this solvent in the analyte–polymer complex.

Electrically enhanced microextraction for highly selective transport of three β-blocker drugs

Facilitated transport of three β-blocker drugs including atenolol (ATE), betaxolol (BET) and propranolol (PRO) was investigated under electrical field across a supported liquid membrane (SLM) using phosphoric acid derivatives as selective ion carriers, dissolved in 2-nitro phenyl octyl ether (NPOE). In the presence of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (DEHP) and tris-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) in the membrane phase, the three β-blockers showed completely different transport behaviors which enabled highly selective separation of the drugs. Each β-blocker migrated from 3 mL of sample solutions, through a thin layer of specific organic solvent immobilized in the pores of a porous hollow fiber, and into a 15 μL acidic aqueous acceptor solution present inside the lumen of the fiber. The influences of fundamental parameters affecting the transport of target drugs including type of ion carrier for selective separation of each drug and its concentration in the membrane phase, extraction voltage, time of transport, pH of donor and acceptor phases, stirring speed of donor phase and salt effect were studied and optimized. After microextraction process, the extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Under optimal conditions, ATE was selectively extracted from different saliva samples with recovery of 37%, which corresponded to preconcentration factor of 74. A good linearity was achieved for calibration curve with a coefficient of determination higher than 0.997. Limits of detection and intra-day precision (n=3) were less than 2 μg L(-1) and 8.8%, respectively.

Recent advances in molecular imprinting technology: current status, challenges and highlighted applications

Molecular imprinting technology (MIT) concerns formation of selective sites in a polymer matrix with the memory of a template. Recently, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have aroused extensive attention and been widely applied in many fields, such as solid-phase extraction, chemical sensors and artificial antibodies owing to their desired selectivity, physical robustness, thermal stability, as well as low cost and easy preparation. With the rapid development of MIT as a research hotspot, it faces a number of challenges, involving biological macromolecule imprinting, heterogeneous binding sites, template leakage, incompatibility with aqueous media, low binding capacity and slow mass transfer, which restricts its applications in various aspects. This critical review briefly reviews the current status of MIT, particular emphasis on significant progresses of novel imprinting methods, some challenges and effective strategies for MIT, and highlighted applications of MIPs. Finally, some significant attempts in further developing MIT are also proposed (236 references).

Detection and quantitation of β-blockers in plasma and urine

β-blockers are a class of antihypertensive drugs that are used for the management of cardiac arrhythmias, cardioprotection after myocardial infarction (heart attack) and hypertension. They have revolutionized the medical management of angina pectoris and are recommended as first-line agents by national and international guidelines. Although β-blockers are still the cornerstone for the treatment of heart failure, some of the drugs in this category are prohibited in several sports requiring vehicle control and bodily movements as they reduce heart rate and tremors, and improve performance. As a result, urine analysis of β-blockers is mandatory in doping control and toxicological screening. The determination of plasma levels of β-blockers helps to ensure noncompliance in patients with persistent hypertonia to confirm the diagnosis of β-blocker poisoning and for therapeutic drug monitoring. This review provides a comprehensive account of various analytical methods developed for detection and quantitation of β-blockers in plasma and urine.