Enantiomeric separation of acidic herbicides by capillary electrophoresis using vancomycin as chiral selector

The Use of Antibiotics as Chiral Selectors in Capillary Electrophoresis: A Review

Chirality is becoming an essential issue in modern pharmaceutical research as regulatory agencies emphasize the safety and efficiency of enantiomers in drug development. The development of efficient and reliable chiral separation methods became a necessity in the last 30 years, and capillary electrophoresis (CE), due to its relatively low costs and “green” features, is attracting increased attention. Cyclodextrin (CD) and their derivatives are the most frequently used chiral selectors (CSs) in CE, however, the use of antibiotics as CSs represents an interesting alternative. Various classes of antibiotics (aminoglycosides, ansamycins, glycopeptides, lincosamides, macrolides, tetracyclines) have been used more or less successfully for the enantio-separation of pharmaceuticals. Antibiotics offer the possibility of a multitude of potential interactions (electrostatic, inclusion, hydrogen bonding, etc.) due to their chemical diversity, allowing the enantio-separation of analytes with a wide range of structural characteristics. This article aims to review the application of various classes of antibiotics in the CE enantio-separation of pharmaceuticals. Antibiotic physiochemical characteristics, variables impacting enantio-separation, advantages, and disadvantages when certain antibiotics are used as CSs in CE are also explored.

Application of antibiotics as chiral selectors for capillary electrophoretic enantioseparation of pharmaceuticals: a review

Recent years have witnessed several new trends in chiral separation, for example, the enantiorecognition ability of several new antibiotics has been explored using capillary electrophoresis (CE) prior to HPLC; antibiotics have been employed as chiral selectors (CSs) in a nonaqueous CE (NACE) mode; and several new detection techniques (namely, capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection) have been used in combination with CE for quantification of enantiomers. On account of these emerging trends, this article aims to review the application of various classes of antibiotics for CE enantioseparation of pharmaceuticals. A detailed account of the basic factors affecting enantioseparation, certain limitations of antibiotics as CSs and strategies to mitigate them, and advantages of NACE while using antibiotics as CSs has also been presented.

Use of macrocyclic antibiotics as the chiral selectors in capillary electrophoresis

Macrocyclic antibiotics, especially vancomycin, represent a class of versatile chiral selectors for enantioseparations by capillary electrophoresis (CE). In this chapter, we describe the protocol for performing CE enantioseparations with vancomycin as the chiral selector. Dynamic coating of the capillary with polymers including the positively charged polyelectrolyte hexadimethrine bromide or electro-neutral poly(dimethylacrylamide) proved to be very useful in order to reduce the adsorption of vancomycin onto the capillary wall resulting in an improved separation efficiency. The partial filling technique is employed for improvement of the detection sensitivity. Utilization of these techniques makes the CE enantioseparation with vancomycin more practical and robust.

Advanced CE for chiral analysis of drugs, metabolites, and biomarkers in biological samples

An analysis of recent trends indicates that CE can show real advantages over chromatographic methods in ultratrace enantioselective determination of biologically active compounds in complex biological matrices. It is due to high separation efficiency and many applicable in-capillary electromigration effects in CE (countercurrent migration, stacking effects) enhancing significantly (enantio)separability and enabling effective sample preparation (preconcentration, purification, analyte derivatization). Other possible on-line combinations of CE, such as column coupled CE-CE techniques and implementation of nonelectrophoretic techniques (extraction, membrane filtration, flow injection) into CE, offer additional approaches for highly effective sample preparation and separation. CE matured to a highly flexible and compatible technique enabling its hyphenation with powerful detection systems allowing extremely sensitive detection (e.g. LIF) and/or structural characterization of analytes (e.g. MS). Within the last decade, more as well as less conventional analytical on-line approaches have been effectively utilized in this field and their practical potentialities are demonstrated on many new application examples in this article. Here, three basic areas of (enantioselective) drug bioanalysis are highlighted and supported by a brief theoretical description of each individual approach in a compact review structure (to create integrated view on the topic), including (i) progressive enantioseparation approaches and new enantioselective agents, (ii) in-capillary sample preparation (preconcentration, purification, derivatization), and (iii) detection possibilities related to enhanced sensitivity and structural characterization.

The first contribution of capillary electrophoresis to the study of abiotic origins of homochirality: investigation of the enantioselective adsorption of 3-carboxy adipic acid on minerals

CE with UV detection was used for the first time to determine the enantioselective adsorption of the short-chain tricarboxylic acid, 3-carboxy adipic acid, on minerals as a mean of investigating plausible mechanisms for the origin of biochemical homochirality on Earth. The use of vancomycine as chiral selector in the separation buffer using the partial filling technique enabled the separation of the two enantiomers of this organic acid in about 12 min. Taking into account that this compound has a low absorption of the UV light, and in order to achieve the sensitivity needed to determine the enantiomeric excess of samples of 3-carboxy adipic acid adsorbed on minerals, we applied a strategy consisting of a field-amplified sample stacking together with the use of a bubble capillary and detection at low wavelength (192 nm). This combination enabled an LOD of about 10(-7) M and the determination of the enantiomeric excess of 3-carboxy adipic acid adsorbed on calcite and feldspar mineral samples at subnanomol levels of this acid. Results showed that an enantioselective adsorption of the enantiomers of 3-carboxy adipic acid on minerals took place.

One- and two-dimensional direct chiral liquid chromatographic determination of mixtures of diclofop-Acid and diclofop-methyl herbicides

Simple one- and two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods for the simultaneous enantiomeric determination of alkyloxyphenoxypropionic acid herbicides is presented. Compounds studied were ( R, S)-2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]propionic acid (diclofop-acid) and ( R, S)-2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)]methyl propionate (diclofop-methyl). Mobile phases necessary to separate their enantiomers on an alpha1-acid glycoprotein chiral stationary phase are different; therefore, the simultaneous separation by an isocratic mode is not possible. The chiral separation method proposed involves a one-step gradient allowing for the simultaneous determination of both racemic enantiomers. Detection limits of the method were 0.03 mg/L for both diclofop-acid enantiomers and 0.14 and 0.15 mg/L for diclofop-methyl enantiomers, respectively. The two-dimensional method involves the use of two chromatographs in one achiral-chiral coupling. The LC-LC method is more suitable for complex samples because it involves an online cleanup effect. Detection limits were 1.25 and 1.87 mg/L for diclofop-acid and 2.70 and 3.02 mg/L for diclofop-methyl enantiomers, respectively. Accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility have been studied in standard samples and a technical product.

Chiral discrimination and enantioselective analysis of drugs: an overview

Molecular recognition of different enantiomers of a drug has become of increasing importance in the last decade due to the racemic switch strategy adapted by the pharmaceutical industry. Different analytical techniques to carry out enantioselective analysis of chiral compounds have been suggested in the literature. In the following, a brief overview of different techniques used for enantioselective analysis is given. Challenging aspects of these techniques, such as the quality of analytical information received from each technique, advantages, and disadvantages are discussed. Alternatives (enantioselective membranes, amperometric biosensors, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs)), capable of meeting the requirements of industrial processes, in terms of productivity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental issues are critically reviewed.

Enantioseparation by CE with vancomycin as chiral selector: Improving the separation performance by dynamic coating of the capillary with poly(dimethylacrylamide)

An approach for improving the separation performance of the enantioseparation by CE with vancomycin as chiral selector is described. In the present method, a solution of poly(dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) was used for dynamic coating of the capillary wall to minimize the adsorption of vancomycin onto the capillary wall, and to depress the EOF. Compared with the bare fused-silica capillaries and the capillaries coated with the polycationic polymer hexadimethrine bromide (HDB), the PDMA-coated capillary displayed the best separation performance. The resulting coating could withstand hundreds of runs without losing its function. Moreover, a partial filling technique was applied to avoid interference in detection caused by the presence of vancomycin in the buffer. The separation time was shortened when a short-end-injection technique was applied. Several parameters such as buffer pH, vancomycin concentration and plug length of the vancomycin solution for the separation were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, all tested enantiomers, including FMOC amino acids derivatives, ketoprofen and fenoprofen, were baseline-separated in less than 4.2 min.

Electrokinetic partial filling technique as a powerful tool for enantiomeric separation ofDL-lactic acid by CE with contactless conductivity detection

A modified partial filling method for chiral separation of DL-lactic acid as the model chiral compound with vancomycin chloride as the chiral selector was developed by CE with contactless conductivity detection. Electrokinetic partial filling technique (EK-PFT) was used as an alternative method to the conventional hydrodynamic partial filling method. EK-PFT, in contrast to the hydrodynamic partial filling technique, allowed the removal of the chloride counterions from the chiral selector which otherwise led to poor sensitivity in conductivity detection. The baseline separation of DL-lactic acid as the model analyte was achieved in 5 min in a polyacrylamide-coated capillary. The best resolution was achieved by electrokinetic partial filling of vancomycin cations from the injection solution containing 5 mmol/L oxalate L-histidinium at pH 4.5 with 10 mmol/L vancomycin chloride. Computer simulation was used to explain the observed phenomena in the boundary between the inject vial and the capillary during the EK-PFT of vancomycin cations.

Environmental fate processes and biochemical transformations of chiral emerging organic pollutants

This review highlights the analytical chemistry, environmental occurrence, and environmental fate of individual stereoisomers of chiral emerging pollutants, which are modern current-use chemicals of growing environmental concern due to their presence in the environment and potential for deleterious effects. Comparatively little is known about individual stereoisomers of pollutants, which can have differential toxicological effects and can be tracers of biochemical weathering in the environment. Stereoisomers are resolved by gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Separation techniques in environmental analysis are typically coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), as these provide the sensitivity and selectivity needed. The enantiomer composition of phenoxyalkanoic and acetamide herbicides, organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides, chiral polychlorinated biphenyl metabolites, synthetic musks, hexabromocyclododecane, and pharmaceuticals in the environment show species-dependent enantioselectivity from biotransformation and other biologically mediated processes affecting enantiomers differentially. These enantiomer compositions are useful in detecting biologically mediated environmental reactions, apportioning sources of pollutants, and gaining insight into the biochemical fate of chiral pollutants in the environment, which are needed for accurate risk assessment of such chemicals.

Determination of Pb(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) with Capillary Electrophoresis Using Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid as a Complexing Agent and Vancomycin as a Complex Selector

The simultaneous determination of metal ions using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a complexing agent and vancomycin as a complex selector was successfully studied by capillary electrophoresis with the U-shaped cell. The partial filling method (counter current mode) was used in order to gain selectivity of the separation, and also to increase the detection sensitivity. The effect of the vancomycin concentration on the separation behavior of free EDTA and metal products, and the effect of the EDTA concentration on the stability of metal-EDTA products were considered. Under the optimal condition, the reproducibilities (RSD) of the migration time and the peak area were less than 3.39% and 9.61%, respectively. With the high sensitivity of the method, Pb(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) in tap water were successfully determined, and the recoveries were 99 - 105%. The concentrations of these metal ions found in tap water did not exceed the maximum allowed concentrations regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Sensitive chiral analysis by capillary electrophoresis

In this review, an updated view of the different strategies used up to now to enhance the sensitivity of detection in chiral analysis by CE will be provided to the readers. With this aim, it will include a brief description of the fundamentals and most of the recent applications performed in sensitive chiral analysis by CE using offline and online sample treatment techniques (SPE, liquid-liquid extraction, microdialysis, etc.), on-column preconcentration techniques based on electrophoretic principles (ITP, stacking, and sweeping), and alternative detection systems (spectroscopic, spectrometric, and electrochemical) to the widely used UV-Vis absorption detection.

Analysis of triazolopyrimidine herbicides in soils using field-enhanced sample injection-coelectroosmotic capillary electrophoresis combined with solid-phase extraction

In this work, a combined methodology using off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE), on-line field-enhanced sample injection (FESI) and coelectroosmotic capillary electrophoresis with UV detection (CE-UV) is developed for the trace analysis of five triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilide pesticides (i.e., flumetsulam, florasulam, cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam and metosulam). An adequate background electrolyte (BGE) was obtained for the separation of these pesticides using hexadimethrine bromide (HDB) as electroosmotic flow (EOF) modifier. This BGE consisted of 0.00042% HDB, 11 mM formic acid, 16 mM ammonium carbonate and 2.5 mM alpha-CD solution at pH 7.6. The use of this running buffer together with the FESI preconcentration method provided limits of detection (LODs) in the low microg/L range (i.e., between 13.0 and 31.5 microg/L). The optimized FESI-CE-UV method was combined with off-line SPE using C(18) cartridges and applied to the determination of the selected group of pesticides in soil samples. Recovery percentages ranged between 50 and 84% in these samples with LODs between 18 and 34 microg/kg. This work shows the great possibilities of the combined use of SPE-FESI-CE-UV to improve CE sensitivity allowing the achievement of LODs similar to other analytical techniques as GC or HPLC.

Comparison of vancomycin-based stationary phases with different chiral selector coverage for enantioselective separation of selected drugs in high-performance liquid chromatography

Two vancomycin-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) with different coverage of the chiral selector vancomycin (Chirobiotic V and Chirobiotic V2) were compared. beta-Blockers and profens, as structurally diverse groups of drugs, were chosen as analytes. Retention and enantioseparation of beta-blockers were studied in reversed-phase (RP) and polar-organic (PO) separation modes. Higher retention and better enantioresolution were obtained on the CSP with higher coverage of vancomycin in the both separation modes. Baseline separation of four beta-blockers (eight enantiomers) in the PO mode was achieved on the Chirobiotic V2 column within 15 min. The enantioseparation of profens did not bring so excellent and easy to interpret results. Higher retention of profens on the Chirobiotic V2 column was not always accompanied by an improvement of their chiral separation in the RP mode. The polar-organic mode was not suitable for these derivatives at all. The most interesting result was obtained with flobufen; its chiral center is further away from the rigid part of the molecule, which mostly causes difficulties in enantioselective recognition. Nevertheless, the enantiomers of flobufen were shown to be much better (baseline) resolved on the CSP with lower coverage of the chiral selector (Chirobiotic V).

Chiral analysis of pollutants and their metabolites by capillary electromigration methods

Chiral separation of enantiomers is one of the most challenging tasks for any analytical technique including CE. Since the first report in 1985 showing the great possibilities of CE for the separation of chiral compounds, the amount of publications concerning this topic has quickly increased. Although chiral electromigration methods have mainly been used for enantioseparation of drugs and pharmaceuticals, they have also been applied to analyze chiral pollutants. This article intends to provide an updated overview, including works published till January 2005, on the principal applications of CE to the chiral analysis of pollutants and their metabolites, with special emphasis on articles published in the last 10 years. The main advantages and drawbacks regarding the use of CE for chiral separation of pollutants are addressed including some discussion on the foreseen trends of electromigration procedures applied to chiral analysis of contaminants.

Enantiomeric separation of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides by nano liquid chromatography-UV detection on a vancomycin-based chiral stationary phase

Enantiomeric separation of mecoprop, dichlorprop, and fenoprop herbicides in their acid form, commonly used to control the growth of broad-leaved weeds, was carried out by nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) at a flow rate of 60 nL/min, using a packed capillary column with vancomycin-modified silica particles of 5 microm. The length of chiral stationary phase was 21 cm, while the total and effective lengths were 43 and 33cm, respectively. Inner diameter was 0.075 mm. Separated peaks were detected at 195 nm. Several mixtures of methanol, water, and 500 mM ammonium acetate buffer at different pH's were tested as mobile phase, and experimental parameters such as resolution (Rs), capacity factor (k), efficiency (N/m), and enantioselectivity factor (alpha) were measured under all the test conditions. Baseline enantiomeric separation was obtained for the three studied herbicides with alpha in the range 1.6-1.9, using as the mobile phase aqueous solutions containing 85% methanol, 5% of 500mM ammonium acetate pH4.5 buffer, and 10% water. Experimental results show that the vancomycin stationary phase presents a great enantiorecognition capability towards chlorophenoxy acid herbicides on using nano-LC.

Chiral separation by chromatographic and electromigration techniques. A review

This review gives a survey of different chiral separation principles and their use in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) highlighting new developments and innovative techniques. The mechanisms of the different separation principles are briefly discussed and some selected applications are shown.

Enantiomeric separation of hydroxy acids and carboxylic acids by diamino-beta-cyclodextrins (AB,AC,AD) in capillary electrophoresis

Selectively modified 6,6'-dideoxy-6,6'-L-diamino-beta-cyclodextrins (AB, AC, AD) were successfully used as chiral selectors for the enantiomeric separation of hydroxy acids and carboxylic acids (in particular, phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides) in capillary electrophoresis (CE). Chiral separations were obtained at a low selector concentration (1 mM) with good enantioselectivity and resolution factors. Separations were optimized as a function of pH. The different position of the charged groups on the upper rim greatly influenced the separation, accounting for electrostatic interactions between the protonated amino groups of the cyclodextrins (CDs) and the carboxylate of the selectands. The best enantiomeric separation of hydroxy acids was obtained with the AC regioisomer, whereas carboxylic acids were well resolved only by the AB regioisomer. A recognition model is proposed, based on two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2-D NMR) experiments, in which the orientation of the guest in the inclusion complex is determined by the electrostatic interactions between the selectand and the CD upper rim.

Hemispherodextrins, a new class of cyclodextrin derivatives, in capillary electrophoresis

A capped cyclodextrin derivative (THCMH), called hemispherodextrin, was observed to behave as a very efficient chiral selector for a variety of phenoxyacid enantiomeric pairs, both at pH 6 and pH 9. The very low concentration necessary to obtain separation was particularly impressive. The behaviour of THCMH was compared with that of other hemispherodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives and the conclusions are reported. Some interesting conclusions are drawn by comparing the behaviour of THCMH with that of other hemispherodextrins reported elsewhere.

Formation and efficacy of vancomycin group glycopeptide antibiotic stereoisomers studied by capillary electrophoresis and bioaffinity mass spectrometry

The conformational stability of vancomycin group antibiotics (i.e., vancomycin and avoparcin) in aqueous solution has been studied. These complex glycopeptide antibiotics contain many chiral centers allowing the potential formation of stereoisomers. Using capillary electrophoresis these stereoisomers could be separated and detected by UV and/or mass spectrometry. Fresh aqueous samples of both vancomycin and avoparcin already contained a plethora of stereoisomers. Thermal degradation of the antibiotics was studied as well. For vancomycin thermal degradation led primarily to the formation of CDP-I and aglycons. In the case of avoparcin thermal degradation led mainly to the interconversion between stereoisomers. These antibiotic stereoisomers may exhibit different antibacterial efficacy. Solution-phase association constants of fresh and heated samples of these antibiotics and their bacterial cell wall mimicking receptors were determined by bioaffinity mass spectrometry and revealed that the heated samples exhibited, in general, a lower affinity. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (Micrococcus flavus) were determined and confirmed the decrease in antibacterial efficacy upon heating.

Chiral separations using the macrocyclic antibiotics: a review

The macrocyclic antibiotics have recently gained popularity as chiral selectors in CE, HPLC and TLC. The macrocyclic antibiotics used for chiral separations include the ansamycins, the glycopeptides, and the polypeptide antibiotic thiostrepton. Although not strictly considered macrocyclic antibiotics, the aminoglycosides are antibiotics that have been used for chiral separations in CE. More chiral analytes have been resolved using the glycopeptides than with the other macrocyclic antibiotics combined. The glycopeptides vancomycin, ristocetin A and teicoplanin have been used extensively as chiral selectors in CE, with ristocetin A appearing to be the most useful chiral selector followed by vancomycin and teicoplanin, respectively. The macrocyclic antibiotics have also been used as chiral bonded phases in HPLC, and HPLC stationary phases based on vancomycin, ristocetin A and teicoplanin have been commercialized. Ristocetin A seems to be the most useful glycopeptide HPLC bonded phase, but its greater expense can be a drawback. The macrocyclic antibiotics have been used with micelles to improve efficiency, provide unique selectivity, and extend the range of separations to neutral solutes. Changing the macrocyclic antibiotic used in CE or HPLC can significantly alter the enantioselectivity of the separations. In fact, the glycopeptide antibiotics are complementary to one another, where if a partial enantioresolution is obtained with one glycopeptide, there is a high probability that a baseline or better separation can be obtained with another.

Enantioseparations in capillary electromigration techniques: recent developments and future trends

This review summarizes the current status of enantioseparations using capillary electromigration techniques and gives the authors insights on the selected fundamental aspects and future trends in this field. The most recent developments in the field of chiral separations using capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) are summarized. The status of chiral electromigration techniques is evaluated tacking into account the most recent developments in related techniques such as chiral HPLC, GC and SFC.

Recent progress in chiral separation principles in capillary electrophoresis

This review summarizes recent developments in the field of chiral separations by electromigration techniques including capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE), isotachophoresis (ITP), electrokinetic chromatography (EKC), and capillary electrochromatography (CEC). This overview focuses on the development of new chiral selectors and the introduction of new techniques rather than applications of already established selectors and methods. The mechanisms of the different chiral separation principles are discussed.

Tert.-butylcarbamoylquinine as chiral ion-pair agent in non-aqueous enantioselective capillary electrophoresis applying the partial filling technique

The potential of tert.-butylcarbamoylquinine as chiral selector (SO) added to a non-aqueous background electrolyte for the capillary electrophoretic separation of the enantiomers of N-derivatized amino acids (selectands, SAs) is evaluated. Separation is based on different ion-pair formation equilibrium constants of (R) and (S) enantiomers of the negatively charged chiral analytes with the positively charged quinine-derived chiral SO and on mobility differences of free and complexed SAs, so that differences in the overall migration behavior of the SA enantiomers result. To suppress problems associated with the high UV absorption of the chiral SO and thus the high detector background in the 'total filling technique', the 'partial filling technique' has been adopted. Several parameters including filling time and length of SO zone, respectively, SO concentration, type of background electrolyte, have been evaluated. Using such an optimized method, for example, (R) and (S) enantiomers of 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-protected proline could be separated with alpha=1.08, R(S)=6.60, and N=130,000 theoretical plates within 15 min. Similar alpha values, resolution, and efficiencies were observed for other DNP-protected, as well as for diverse, N-derivatized amino acids like N-benzoyl, N-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, N-3,5-dinitrobenzyloxycarbonyl amino acids. A repeatability study clearly validated the robustness of the method and revealed its practical applicability.

Analysis of agrochemicals by capillary electrophoresis

An increasing amount of articles using capillary electrophoresis as an investigation tool for pesticides and environmental pollutants were found over the last few years in analytical chemistry oriented journals. This review covers a wide literature range of the 1990s and concentrates on the analysis of organic agrochemicals (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, etc.) with capillary electrophoresis (capillary zone electrophoresis, micellar electrokinetic chromatography with CE-UV-visible or laser-induced fluorescence detection) as well as with the on-coming hyphenated techniques like capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The principal preconcentration methods that allowed real sample analysis with CE are also briefly discussed. The pesticides, the separation methods, the used electrolytes, the detection types, the detection limits and the preconcentration methods were classified and presented in tabulated form as a rapid information tool.

Herbicide and plant growth regulator analysis by capillary electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a relatively new analytical technique that is just beginning to be employed in the area of pesticide residue analysis. With the development of more sensitive detectors and in conjunction with CE separation powers, it should be a well accepted technique for pesticide residue analysis in the future. This review describes CE methods that have been developed to analyze herbicides and grow regulators in water, soil and food.

Capillary electrophoresis and electrochromatography of pesticides and metabolites

Synthetic pesticides are important chemicals since they are widely used to control many types of weeds, insects and other pests in a wide variety of agricultural and nonagricultural settings. This review article is aimed at describing the recent progress made in capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) of pesticides and their metabolites. The various electrophoretic systems and detection schemes that have been introduced so far for the CE and CEC of pesticides are discussed. Also included in this review article are the various approaches for trace enrichment that are involved in the analysis of dilute pesticide samples.

Evaluation of quail egg white riboflavin binding protein as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis by applying a modified partial filling technique

A preliminary evaluation of the enantioselective properties of quail egg yolk riboflavin binding protein (qRfBP) was carried out in capillary electrophoresis by using the complete filling technique. The most promising results obtained by this screening of nineteen chiral drugs were singled out with the aim of optimizing enantiomer separations by applying the partial filling technique, which allows operating at much higher protein concentrations without detection problems. The building of the separation zone in the partial filling technique has been modified in order to enable on-line monitoring, before each run, of the actual protein plug application velocity and, consequently, the building of a plug of the desired length. The electrophoretic conditions chosen gave opposite migration directions for the chiral selector and the analytes, with qRfBP migrating away from the detector. A polyvinyl alcohol-coated capillary was first totally filled with protein and the optimal plug length was obtained by further applying negative pressure together with positive voltage for the time needed. Separations of basic drugs were optimized by using protein concentrations ranging from 200 microM up to 900 microM and different plug lengths, while the running buffer pH (6.0), temperature (25 degrees C) and operating voltage (+20 kV) were kept constant. The enantioresolution of all solutes was affected by both the chiral selector concentration and protein plug length. Baseline separations were obtained for oxprenolol, prilocaine and bupivacaine.