Analytical Studies of Fluorescent Metabolites of Cancer Cells

Digital techniques for luminescence detection in liquid chromatography with an intensified linear photodiode array

The use of a rapid-scanning fluorescence detector in liquid chromatography is examined in the context of its potential contribution in pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis. The data generated by an intensified linear photodiode array detector is presented as an isometric plot of (I(em),lambda(em),t) at a defined excitation wavelength. Techniques examined for peak homogeneity assessment include: emission spectral normalisation at points through the chromatographic peak profile, second order differentiation (d(2)I/dt(2)) and the fluorescence emission ratio chromatogram, generated by calculating the ratio of emission intensifies at two defined emission wavelengths, at all points in the time domain elution profile. These techniques are illustrated with reference to some polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and to the beta-blocker drug atenolol and its related impurities. Future developments of this new detector technology in LC are also considered.

Novel applications of multichannel spectroscopy in pharmaceutical analysis

Multichannel detectors based on the linear photodiode array, the silicon vidicon tube and charge coupled (or injection) devices are reviewed with reference to their applications in analytical spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The use of computer-aided techniques, including second derivative spectroscopy and spectral deconvolution methods, for the multichannel spectroscopic analysis of pharmaceuticals is discussed, and applications are reviewed in clinical chemistry, enzyme analysis and studies on aromatic amino acids in proteins. In HPLC, the principles and applications of digital algorithms for validation of peak homogeneity are considered, with reference to spectral suppression, spectral deconvolution, absorbance ratio and the second derivative of the elution profile. The isometric projections of (A, lambda, t) data, and their cartographically equivalent contour plots, are discussed and the impact of multicolour graphics is assessed. The implications of two-dimensional multichannel detectors for detection of luminescence radiation are considered in the context of analytical spectroscopy, and detection in both HPLC and thin-layer chromatography. The potential contribution of charge coupled and charge injection devices as the next generation of multichannel detectors is considered.