Capillary electrochromatography with novel stationary phases. IV. Retention behavior of glycosphingolipids on porous and non-porous octadecyl sulfonated silica

Analytical Techniques in Lipidomics: State of the Art

Current studies related to lipid identification and determination, or lipidomics in biological samples, are one of the most important issues in modern bioanalytical chemistry. There are many articles dedicated to specific analytical strategies used in lipidomics in various kinds of biological samples. However, in such literature, there is a lack of articles dedicated to a comprehensive review of the actual analytical methodologies used in lipidomics. The aim of this article is to characterize the lipidomics methods used in modern bioanalysis according to the methodological point of view: (1) chromatography/separation methods, (2) spectroscopic methods and (3) mass spectrometry and also hyphenated methods. In the first part, we discussed thin layer chromatography (TLC), high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). The second part includes spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy (RS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The third part is a synthetic review of mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), hyphenated methods, which include liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and also multidimensional techniques. Other aspects are the possibilities of the application of the described methods in lipidomics studies. Due to the fact that the exploration of new methods of lipidomics analysis and their applications in clinical and medical studies are still challenging for researchers working in life science, we hope that this review article will be very useful for readers.

Capillary electrophoresis-based methods for the determination of lipids--a review

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a high-resolution technique for the separation of complex biological and chemical mixtures. CE continues to emerge as a powerful tool in the determination of lipids. Here we review the analytical potential of CE for the determination of a wide range of lipids. The different classes of lipids are introduced, and the different modes of CE and optimization methods for the separation of lipids are described. The advantages and disadvantages of the different modes of CE compared to traditional methods like gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) in the determination of lipids are discussed. Finally, the potential of CE in the determination of lipids in the future is illustrated.

Theory and practical understanding of the migration behavior of proteins and peptides in CE and related techniques

CEC is defined as an analytical method, where the analytes are separated on a chromatographic column in the presence of an applied voltage. The separation of charged analytes in CEC is complex, since chromatographic interaction, electroosmosis and electrophoresis contribute to the experimentally observed behavior. The putative contribution of effects such as surface electrodiffusion has been suggested. A sound theoretical treatment incorporating all effects is currently not available. The question of whether the different effects contribute in an independent or an interdependent manner is still under discussion. In this contribution, the state-of-the-art in the theoretical description of the individual contributions as well as models for the retention behavior and in particular possible dimensionless 'retention factors' is discussed, together with the experimental database for the separation of charged analytes, in particular proteins and peptides, by CEC and related techniques.

Capillary electrochromatography with monolithic silica columns

Two synthetic routes have been introduced and evaluated for the preparation of hydrophilic silica-based monoliths possessing surface-bound cyano functions. In one synthetic scheme, the silica monolith was reacted in a single step with 3-cyanopropyldimethylchlorosilane to yield a cyano phase referred to as CN-monolith. In a second synthetic route, the silica monolith was first reacted with gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (gamma-GPTS), followed by a reaction with 3-hydroxypropionitrile (3-HPN) to give a stationary phase denoted CN-OH-monolith. Although the gamma-GPTS was intended to play the role of a spacer arm to link the 3-HPN to the silica surface, this spacer arm became an integral part of the hydrophilic stationary phase. Thus, the CN-OH-monolith can be viewed as a double-layered stationary phase (i.e., stratified phase) with a hydroxy sub-layer and a cyano top layer. Due to its stronger hydrophilic character, the CN-OH-monolith yielded higher retention and better selectivity than the CN-monolith. The CN-OH-monolith was demonstrated in the normal-phase capillary electrochromatography (CEC) of various polar compounds including phenols and chloro-substituted phenols, nucleic acid bases, nucleosides, and nitrophenyl derivatives of mono- and oligosaccharides. The CN-OH-monolith yielded a relatively strong electroosmotic flow over a wide range of mobile phase composition, thus allowing rapid separation of the polar compounds studied.

Capillary electrochromatography with monolithic stationary phases

This article, which is closely related to part II, is concerned with the evaluation of the retentive properties of cationic stearyl-acrylate monoliths (i.e. cationic C17 monoliths) over a wide range of elution conditions with various uncharged and charged solutes including proteins. The retention parameters for charged solutes including the retention factor k* observed under capillary electrochromatography conditions and the velocity factor k(ep)*, which reflects the electrophoretic process, were measured for weak, moderate and strong basic compounds. These retention parameters allowed the assessment of the respective contributions from electrophoretic and partitioning separation mechanisms. The cationic C17 monoliths exhibited sufficient hydrophobic interactions with relatively weak basic solutes. Moderate and strong bases showed migration behaviors dominated by their relatively strong electrophoretic mobility with marginal chromatographic partitioning. At low pH, the cationic C17 monoliths allowed the separation of proteins with minimum electrostatic interactions between proteins and the cationic sites on the surface of the stationary phase. The utility of the cationic C17 monoliths was demonstrated in the rapid and efficient separation of two crude extracts of membrane proteins, namely galactosyl transferase and cytochrome c reductase. Short capillary columns (8.5 cm effective length) of the cationic C17 monoliths allowed rapid and efficient separations of neutral and charged pesticides and metabolites, phenylthiohydrantoin amino acids and proteins at the time scale of seconds at relatively high flow velocity.

Surfactant-mediated capillary electrochromatography with octadecyl-silica- packed capillary columns for the separation of nonpolar compounds. Case of pyrethroid insecticides

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) with octadecyl-silica-packed capillary columns was evaluated in the separation of nonpolar compounds, e.g., pyrethroid insecticides, using surfactant-rich mobile phases. This novel concept is referred to as surfactant-mediated capillary electrochromatography (SM-CEC), and is based on including a charged surfactant, namely sodium di-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS), in the mobile phase. Under these conditions, DOSS plays the role of a slowly moving pseudostationary phase so that solutes are partitioned between a mobile phase, a fixed stationary phase and a slowly moving pseudostationary phase. The SM-CEC system was investigated with pyrethroid insecticides over a wide range of DOSS and acetonitrile concentrations in the mobile phase. Pyrethroid insecticides, which are very hydrophobic solutes consisting of geometric isomers and diastereomers, were better resolved in SM-CEC than in straight CEC.

Structure analysis of lipoglycans and lipoglycan-derived carbohydrates by capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Lipoglycans (lipopolysaccharides, lipoarabinomannans and glycolipids) are unique components of the cell membrane of all cells and the envelope of many bacteria. They play important roles in determining cell-environment interactions, which, however, are only partly understood due to incomplete description of their structural components, lipids and glycans. Capillary electrophoresis is an analytical technique of high separation efficiency and minimum sample requirements and has successfully been used for the analysis of several molecules of biological importance: proteins, nucleic acids and glycoconjugates. In the last years, a few applications of capillary electrophoresis to the analysis of lipoglycans have been reported. Analysis of lipoglycans involves the study of two parameters: intact molecules and carbohydrate parts. The conjunction of capillary electrophoresis and mass spectroscopy not only enhances the detection sensitivity, but also provides structural information on these structurally complex molecules. The interest in the field is rising and the results from the exact determination on the lipoglycan structure are expected to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism of lipoglycan binding to proteins and cells of host organisms as well as their relationship to the virulence and pathogenesis of bacteria. In this report, an overview of the capillary electrophoresis methods used to analyze and characterize the intact lipoglycans as well as their carbohydrate parts is presented.

Recent applications of capillary electrochromatography

A review is presented of the most important recent applications of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) for the analysis of acidic, basic, and neutral compounds, of biomolecules, environmental substances, natural products, pharmaceuticals, and chiral compounds. Packed-column CEC (packed-CEC), open-tubular (OT-CEC), as well as pressure-assisted CEC (pseudo-CEC) are hereby considered. Papers published between July 1999 and April 2001 were taken into account. Applications before July 1999 have been reviewed in Electrophoresis 1999, 20, 3027-3065.

Histidine-functionalized silica and its copper complex as stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography

A histidine-functionalized silica was prepared by covalent bonding of the functional groups to silane-treated silica gel. Conversion of functional groups was confirmed by infrared (IR) spectra, elemental analysis, and potentiometry. The functionality of the silica gel is 0.293 mmol g(-1). The coordination behavior of the histidine-functionalized silica was investigated by metal capacity and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). EPR measurements at different copper loadings were made. The results showed that the copper histidine complex might be distorted tetragonal. Both histidine-functionalized silica and its copper complex were employed as stationary phases for packed capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Electrical current was found helpful for evaluating the properties of frit construction and the stationary phase packing. Test samples include neutral compounds, inorganic anions and organic anions. Factors influencing the separation behavior have been studied. With copper-histidine functionalized silica under the condition of citrate buffer (10 mM, pH 4.0) and applied voltage of -20 kV, the separation of benzoic acid, D- and L-mandelic acid, phthalic acid and salicylic acid could be achieved within 12 min. The column efficiency for these acids was more than 1.2 x 10(5) plates m(-1), except salicylic acid.

Capillary electrochromatography with polyacrylamide monolithic stationary phases having bonded dodecyl ligands and sulfonic acid groups: evaluation of column performance with alkyl phenyl ketones and neutral moderately polar pesticides

In this report, we describe the preparation of porous polyacrylamide-based monolithic columns via vinyl polymerization. These monoliths possess in their structures bonded dodecyl ligands and sulfonic acid groups. While the sulfonic acid groups are meant to support the electroosmotic flow (EOF) necessary for moving the mobile phase through the monolithic capillary, the dodecyl ligands are introduced to provide the nonpolar sites for chromatographic retention. However, incorporating the sulfonic acid groups in the monoliths does not only support the EOF but also exhibit hydrophilic interaction with moderately polar compounds such as urea herbicides and carbamates insecticides. Consequently, mixed-mode (reversed-phase/normal phase) retention behavior is observed with neutral and moderately polar pesticides. The amount of sulfonic acid group in the monolith can be conveniently adjusted by changing the amount of vinylsulfonic acid added to the polymerization reaction. Optimum EOF velocity and adequate chromatographic retention are obtained when 15% vinylsulfonic acid is added to the reaction mixture. Under these conditions, rapid separation and high plate counts reaching greater than 400000 plates/m are readily obtained.

Stationary phases for capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography

An overview of the most recent developments in column technology employed in capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC), mainly for the separation of small molecules and ions, is presented. Particular emphasis is laid on permanent coating. The wall modification methods in CE include covalent modification, adsorbed coatings and polymeric coatings, while those in CEC include packed columns, open-tubular columns and fritless columns. A short discussion on the characterization and selectivity of the bonded phases is also given.

Anion-exchange capillary electrochromatography with indirect UV and direct contactless conductivity detection

Conductivity detection is applied to ion-exchange capillary electrochromatography (IE-CEC) with a packed stationary phase, using a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector with detection occurring through the packed bed. Columns were packed with a polymeric latex-agglomerate anion-exchanger (Dionex AS9-SC). A systematic approach was used to determine suitable eluants for IE-CEC separations using simultaneous indirect UV and direct conductivity detection. Salicylate and p-toluenesulfonate were identified as potential eluant competing anions having sufficient eluotropic strength to induce changes in separation selectivity, but salicylate was found to be unsuitable with regard to baseline stability. It was also found for both indirect UV and direct conductivity detection that homogenous column packing was imperative, and monitoring of the baseline could be used to assess the homogeneity of the packed bed. Using a p-toluenesulfonate eluant, the separation of eight common anions was achieved in 2.5 min. Direct conductivity detection was found to be superior to indirect UV detection with regard to both baseline stability and detection sensitivity with detection limits of 4-25 microg/L being obtained. However, the calibration for each anion was not linear over more than one order of magnitude. When using conductivity detection, the concentration of the eluant could be varied over a wider range (2.5-50 mM p-toluenesulfonate) than was the case with indirect UV detection (2.5-10 mM), thereby allowing greater changes in separation selectivity to be achieved. By varying the concentration of p-toluenesulfonate in the eluant, the separation selectivity could be manipulated from being predominantly ion-exchange in nature (2.5 mM) to predominantly electrophoretic in nature (50 mM).

Fast separation of pyrimidine derivatives by capillary electrochromatography on ion-exchange/reversed-phase mixed-mode stationary phases

This work describes the use of mixed-mode stationary phases which exhibit both strong ion-exchange (either cation-exchange, SCX, or anion-exchange, SAX) and reversed-phase chromatographic characteristics in capillary electrochromatographic separations of pyrimidine derivatives. Different packing materials, namely C6, SCX/C6 and SAX/C6, were compared and the influence of the composition of the carrier electrolyte (concentration of acetonitrile and pH) on the retention behavior of the selected solutes was investigated. A separation of all eight pyrimidine derivatives could be obtained on a 6.5 cm column packed with the SAX/C6 stationary phase in less than 3 min, with good peak shapes and efficiencies in the range 39,000 to 81,000 plates per meter.

Enantiomeric separation by capillary electrochromatography. II. Chiral separation of dansyl amino acids and phenoxy acid herbicides on sulfonated silica having surface-bound hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin

A chiral silica-based stationary phase having surface-bound hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) with a relatively strong electroosmotic flow (EOF) was introduced for enantioseparation by capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The stationary phase contained a hydrophilic sulfonated sublayer to which a chiral top layer of HP-beta-CD was immobilized. While the sulfonated sublayer was to provide a relatively strong EOF, the top HP-beta-CD was to confer the desired chiral recognition towards enantiomeric solutes. This HP-beta-CD sulfonated silica (CDSS) stationary phase proved useful for the rapid separation of anionic enantiomers such as dansyl amino acids and phenoxy acid herbicides. The effects of the organic modifier content, pH, and ionic strength of the mobile phase on enantioseparation were investigated. Under the optimized separation conditions, ten dansyl amino acids and six phenoxy acid herbicides were enantioseparated with a resolution greater than unity.