A Fluorescence-LC Method for the Determination of Sulfonamides in Biological Fluids with Pre-Column Derivatization

Quantitative analysis of drugs in biological matrices by HPLC hyphenated to fluorescence detection

An overview of the state-of-the art in HPLC coupled with fluorescence detection is presented. Over the last 20 years, the increasing number of methodological papers on this topic (4082 between 1994 and 2004 and 7725 between 2004 and 2014) is testament to its utility in bioanalytical applications. Compared with conventional UV absorbance detection used in HPLC, fluorescence detection can greatly enhance the sensitivity leading to limits of detection similar to those obtained with mass spectrometry, offering researchers a sensitive, robust and relatively inexpensive instrumental method. This work will focus on the analysis of pharmaceutical compounds in different biological matrices, either naturally fluorescent or derivatized with a fluorescent agent, and some of them chiral. Therapeutic applications, sample preparation and derivatization, sensitivity for each example are described.

Recent advances in sample preparation techniques and methods of sulfonamides detection - A review

Sulfonamides (SAs) have been the most widely used antimicrobial drugs for more than 70 years, and their residues in foodstuffs and environmental samples pose serious health hazards. For this reason, sensitive and specific methods for the quantification of these compounds in numerous matrices have been developed. This review intends to provide an updated overview of the recent trends over the past five years in sample preparation techniques and methods for detecting SAs. Examples of the sample preparation techniques, including liquid-liquid and solid-phase extraction, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and QuEChERS, are given. Different methods of detecting the SAs present in food and feed and in environmental, pharmaceutical and biological samples are discussed.

Ionic liquid-based aqueous two-phase system extraction of sulfonamides in milk

A simple method for the determination of six sulfonamides (SAs) in milk samples was developed. 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and trisodium citrate dihydrate were used to form aqueous two-phase system. The aqueous two phase system was applied to the extraction of the SAs and the determination of the analytes was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography. To achieve optimum extraction performance, several experimental parameters, including the type and the amount of salt, the type and amount of ionic liquid, ultrasonic time and pH of sample solution, were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal experimental conditions, good linearity was observed in the range of 8.55-1036.36ngmL(-1). The limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 2.04-2.84 and 6.73-9.37ngmL(-1), respectively. The present method was successfully applied to the determination of SAs in milk samples, and the recoveries of analytes were in the range of 72.32-108.96% with relative standard deviations ranging from 0.56 to 12.20%. The results showed that the present method was rapid, feasible and environmentally friendly.

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for rapid analysis of trace organic contaminants in water

Background

The widespread utilization of organic compounds in modern society and their dispersion through wastewater have resulted in extensive contamination of source and drinking waters. The vast majority of these compounds are not regulated in wastewater outfalls or in drinking water while trace amounts of certain compounds can impact aquatic wildlife. Hence it is prudent to monitor these contaminants in water sources until sufficient toxicological data relevant to humans becomes available. A method was developed for the analysis of 36 trace organic contaminants (TOrCs) including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, steroid hormones (androgens, progestins, and glucocorticoids), personal care products and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) using a single solid phase extraction (SPE) technique with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The method was applied to a variety of water matrices to demonstrate method performance and reliability.

Results

UHPLC-MS/MS in both positive and negative electrospray ionization (ESI) modes was employed to achieve optimum sensitivity while reducing sample analysis time (<20 min) compared with previously published methods. The detection limits for most compounds was lower than 1.0 picogram on the column while reporting limits in water ranged from 0.1 to 15 ng/L based on the extraction of a 1 L sample and concentration to 1 mL. Recoveries in ultrapure water for most compounds were between 90-110%, while recoveries in surface water and wastewater were in the range of 39-121% and 38-141% respectively. The analytical method was successfully applied to analyze samples across several different water matrices including wastewater, groundwater, surface water and drinking water at different stages of the treatment. Among several compounds detected in wastewater, sucralose and TCPP showed the highest concentrations.

Conclusion

The proposed method is sensitive, rapid and robust; hence it can be used to analyze a large variety of trace organic compounds in different water matrixes.

Ionic liquid-based microwave-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and derivatization of sulfonamides in river water, honey, milk, and animal plasma

The ionic liquid-based microwave-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-based MADLLME) and derivatization was applied for the pretreatment of six sulfonamides (SAs) prior to the determination by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). By adding methanol (disperser), fluorescamine solution (derivatization reagent) and ionic liquid (extraction solvent) into sample, extraction, derivatization, and preconcentration were continuously performed. Several experimental parameters, such as the type and volume of extraction solvent, the type and volume of disperser, amount of derivatization reagent, microwave power, microwave irradiation time, pH of sample solution, and ionic strength were investigated and optimized. When the microwave power was 240 W, the analytes could be derivatized and extracted simultaneously within 90 s. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of river water, honey, milk, and pig plasma samples, and the recoveries of analytes obtained were in the range of 95.0-110.8, 95.4-106.3, 95.0-108.3, and 95.7-107.7, respectively. The relative standard deviations varied between 1.5% and 7.3% (n=5). The results showed that the proposed method was a rapid, convenient and feasible method for the determination of SAs in liquid samples.

A novel chemiluminescence quenching method for determination of sulfonamides in pharmaceutical and biological fluid based on luminol-Ag(III) complex reaction in alkaline solution

A novel chemiluminescence (CL) quenching method for the determination of sulfonamides is proposed. The CL reaction between Ag(III) complex [Ag(HIO₆)₂]⁵⁻ and luminol in alkaline solution was investigated. The quenching effect of sulfonamides on CL emission of [Ag(HIO₆)₂]⁵⁻-luminol system was found. Quenching degree of CL emission was proportional to sulfonamide concentration. The effects of the reaction conditions on CL emission and quenching were examined. Under optimal conditions, the detection limits (s/n = 3) were 7.2, 17 and 8.3 ng/mL for sulfadiazine, sulfameter, and sulfadimethoxine, respectively. The recoveries of the three drugs were in the range of 91.3-110% with RSDs of 1.9-2.7% for urine samples, and 106-112% with RSDs of 1.6-2.8% for serum samples. The proposed method was used for the determination of sulfadiazine at clinically relevant concentrations in real urine and serum samples with satisfactory results.