An ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of teicoplanin in plasma of neonates

The development and validation of an ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method was performed with the aim to be applied for the quantification of plasma teicoplanin concentrations in neonates. Pharmacokinetic data of teicoplanin in the neonatal population is very limited, therefore, a sensitive and reliable method for the determination of all isoforms of teicoplanin applied in a low volume of sample is of real importance. Teicoplanin main components were extracted by a simple acetonitrile precipitation step and analysed on a C18 chromatographic column by a triple quadrupole MS with electrospray ionization. The method provides quantitative data over a linear range of 25-6400ng/mL with LOD 8.5ng/mL and LOQ 25ng/mL for total teicoplanin. The method was applied in plasma samples from neonates to support pharmacokinetic data and proved to be a reliable and fast method for the quantification of teicoplanin concentration levels in plasma of infants during therapy in Intensive Care Unit.

Simultaneous determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in rice using solid-phase extraction and RP-HPLC with photodiode array detection

An analytical method based on an optimized solid-phase extraction procedure and followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation with diode array detection was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of phenolic acids (gallic, protocatechuic, 4-hydroxy-benzoic, vanillic, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, and cinnamic acids), flavanols (catechin and epicatechin), flavonols (myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, hyperoside, and rutin), flavones (luteolin and apigenin) and flavanones (naringenin and hesperidin) in rice flour (Oryza sativa L.). Chromatographic separation was carried out on a PerfectSil Target ODS-3 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 3 μm) column at temperature 25°C using a mobile phase, consisting of 0.5% (v/v) acetic acid in water, methanol, and acetonitrile at a flow rate 1 mL min(-1) , under gradient elution conditions. Application of optimum extraction conditions, elaborated on both Lichrolut C(18) and Oasis HLB cartridges, have led to extraction of phenolic acids and flavonoids from rice flour with mean recoveries 84.3-113.0%. The developed method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, stability, and sensitivity. Repeatability (n = 5) and inter-day precision (n = 4) revealed relative standard deviation (RSD) <13%. The optimized method was successfully applied to the analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids in pigmented (red and black rice) and non-pigmented rice (brown rice) samples.

Optimization and validation of the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection method for the separation of tocopherol and tocotrienol isomers in cereals, employing a novel sorbent material

The separation and determination of tocopherols (Ts) and tocotrienols (T3s) by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been developed and validated after optimization of various chromatographic conditions and other experimental parameters. Analytes were separated on a PerfectSil Target ODS-3 (250 × 4.6 mm, 3 μm) column filled with a novel sorbent material of ultrapure silica gel. The separation of Ts and T3s was optimized in terms of mobile-phase composition and column temperature on the basis of the best compromise among efficiency, resolution, and analysis time. Using a gradient elution of mobile phase composed of isopropanol/water and 7 °C column temperature, a satisfactory resolution was achieved within 62 min. For the quantitative determination, α-T acetate (50 μg/mL) was used as the internal standard. Detection limits ranged from 0.27 μg/mL (γ-T) to 0.76 μg/mL (γ-T3). The validation of the method was examined performing intraday (n = 5) and interday (n = 3) assays and was found to be satisfactory, with high accuracy and precision results. Solid-phase extraction provided high relative extraction recoveries from cereal samples: 87.0% for γ-T3 and 115.5% for δ-T. The method was successfully applied to cereals, such as durum wheat, bread wheat, rice, barley, oat, rye, and corn.

Development and validation of an HPLC method for the determination of ten sulfonamide residues in milk according to 2002/657/EC

A HPLC method with diode-array detection, at 265 nm, was developed and validated for the determination of ten sulfonamides (SAs): sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfathiazine (STZ), sulfamethoxine (SMTH), sulfamethizole (SMZ), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMPZ), sulfamonomethoxine (SMMX), sulfamethoxazole (SMXZ), sulfisoxazole (SIX), sulfadimethoxine (SDMX), and sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) in milk. A mixture of ethyl acetate, n-hexane, and isopropanol was used for the extraction of target analytes from milk. The mobile phase, a mixture of 0.1% v/v formic acid, CH(3) CN, and CH(3) OH was delivered to the analytical column under a gradient program. The procedure was validated according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC in terms of selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Mean recoveries of sulfonamides from milk samples spiked at three concentration levels (0.5×MRL, 1×MRL, and 1.5×MRL) (MRL, maximum residue level) were 93.9-115.9% for SDZ, 97.8-102.9% for STZ, 94.6-107.0% for SMTH, 98.3-111.5% for SMZ, 95.3-108.4% for SMPZ, 97.9-106.0% for SMMX, 97.6-111.3% for SMXZ, 94.3-104.6% for SIX, 96.4-109.1% for SDMX, and 98.2-111.2% for SQX. All RSD values were lower than 8.8%. The decision limits CCa calculated by spiking 20 blank milk samples at MRL (100 μg/kg) ranged from 101.61 to 106.84 μg/kg, whereas the detection capability CCb ranged from 105.64 to 119.01 μg/kg.

Solid-phase extraction for purification of alkannin/shikonin samples and isolation of monomeric and dimeric fractions

Isohexenylnaphthazarins (IHN), commonly known as alkannins and shikonins (A/S), are potent pharmaceutical substances with a wide spectrum of wound healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activity. Purification of A/S is crucial for their use in pharmaceuticals and for biological experimentation. Dimeric and oligomeric A/S derivatives co-exist with the active monomeric ones in most of the samples produced either by (semi)-synthesis or biotechnologically or isolated from natural products. Oligomeric A/S derivatives have not been studied for biological activity hitherto and a method to isolate them is essential.In the present study, solid-phase extraction (SPE) was applied for purification of commercial samples and isolation of monomeric and oligomeric A/S fractions, testing several stationary phases. Sephadex LH-20 cartridges achieved efficient purification for commercial samples containing both monomeric and dimeric A/S derivatives and also separation and isolation of both pure monomeric and dimeric A/S fractions for biological experiments. A high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection method was applied for detection, identification and quantification of monomeric and oligomeric shikonin fractions.

Development of an HPLC multi-residue method for the determination of ten quinolones in bovine liver and porcine kidney according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC

A sensitive multi-residue analytical method was developed for the determination of ten quinolones: enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine in bovine liver and porcine kidney. A simple liquid extraction step followed by a solid phase extraction clean up procedure was applied for the extraction of quinolones from liver and kidney tissues. Recoveries of the extraction varied between 82 and 88% for bovine liver and 92 and 95% for porcine kidney. Separation was performed on an ODS-3 PerfectSil Target (250 x 4 mm) 5 microm analytical column at 25 degrees C. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of TFA 0.1%-CH(3)CN-CH(3)OH, delivered at a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min according to a gradient program. Elution of quinolones and the internal standard (caffeine, 7.5 ng/microL) was complete within 27 min. Photodiode array detection was used for monitoring the eluants at 275 and 255 nm. The method was fully validated according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC, determining linearity, selectivity, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. The LODs of the specific method of quinolone determination in bovine liver varied between 3 and 7 microg/kg and in porcine kidney between 3 and 4 microg/kg.

Determination of anabolic steroids in muscle tissue by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A specific and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-APCI-MS/MS) has been developed for the determination of four anabolic steroids [trenbolone, methylboldenone, methyltestosterone, and norethandrolone] in bovine muscle. Methyltestosterone- d 3 was used as internal standard. The procedure involved enzymatic hydrolysis, extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether, defattening, and final cleanup with solid-phase extraction with Oasis HLB cartridges. The analytes were analyzed by reversed-phase LC-MS/MS, acquiring two diagnostic product ions from the chosen precursor [M + H] (+) for the unambiguous confirmation of hormones. The method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC for the detection and confirmation of residues in products of animal origin. The limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantitation (LOQ) were found to be 0.3 ng/g and 1.0 ng/g, respectively. The accuracy and precision have been determined, with recoveries ranging from 83% to 104% and the CV factor not exceeding the value of 7%. The decision limits CCalpha were calculated and ranged from 0.05 to 0.15 ng/g while the detection capabilities CCbeta ranged from 0.09 to 0.25 ng/g. The method proved to be sensitive and reliable and thus renders an appropriate means for residue analysis studies.

Development and validation of an HPLC confirmatory method for the determination of seven tetracycline antibiotics residues in milk according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC

An HPLC method with diode-array detection, at 355 nm, was developed and validated for the determination of seven tetracyclines (TCs) in milk: minocycline (MNC), TC, oxytetracycline (OTC), methacycline (MTC), demeclocycline (DMC), chlortetracycline (CTC), and doxycycline (DC). Oxalate buffer (pH 4) was used with 20% TCA as a deproteinization agent for the extraction of analytes from milk followed by SPE. The separation was achieved on an Inertsil ODS-3, 5 microm, 250 x 4 mm(2 )analytical column at ambient temperature. The mobile phase, a mixture of A: 0.01 M oxalic acid and B: CH(3)CN, was delivered using a gradient program. The procedure was validated according to the European Union decision 2002/657/EC determining selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Mean recoveries of TCs from spiked milk samples (50, 100, and 200 ng/g) were 93.8-100.9% for MNC, 96.8-103.7% for OTC, 96.3-101.8% for TC, 99.4-107.2% for DMC, 99.4-102.9% for CTC, 96.3-102.7% for MTC, and 94.6-102.1% for DC. All RSD values were lower than 8.5%. The decision limits CC(a) calculated by spiking 20 blank milk samples at MRL (100 microg/kg) ranged from 101.25 to 105.84 microg/kg, while detection capability CC(b )from 103.94 to 108.88 microg/kg.

Development of an HPLC method for the monitoring of tricyclic antidepressants in biofluids

A simple, rapid and sensitive HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of four tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): amitriptyline, doxepin, clomipramine (CLO) and imipramine, in pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids. A Kromasil C(8 )analytical column (250 x 4 mm, 5 microm) was used for the separation, with a mobile phase consisting of 0.05 M CH(3)COONH(4) and CH(3)CN (45:55 v/v) delivered at 1.5 mL/min isocratically. Quantification was performed at 238 nm, with bromazepam (1.5 ng/microL) as the internal standard. The determination of TCAs in blood plasma was performed after protein precipitation. Urine analysis was performed by means of SPE using Lichrolut RP-18 Merck cartridges providing high absolute recoveries (> 94%). Direct analysis of urine was also performed after two-fold dilution. The developed method was fully validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, stability and sensitivity. Repeatability (n = 5) and between-day precision (n = 5) revealed RSD <13%. Recoveries from biological samples ranged from 91.0 to 114.0%. The absolute detection limit of the method was calculated as 0.1-0.6 ng in blood plasma and 0.2-0.5 ng in extracted urine or 0.4-0.7 in diluted urine. The method was applied to real samples of plasma from a patient under CLO treatment.

Development and validation of an HPLC confirmatory method for residue analysis of ten quinolones in tissues of various food-producing animals, according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC

The aim of this work was to develop an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of ten quinolones: enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine, in various tissues of food-producing animals. Separation was achieved on a PerfectSil Target column (250 mm x 4 mm, ODS-3, 5 microm), by MZ-Analysentechnik (Germany), at room temperature. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% TFA-CH(3)OH-CH(3)CN and was delivered by a gradient program of 35 min. The detection and quantitation was performed on a photodiode array detector at 275 and 255 nm. Caffeine (7.5 ng/microL) was used as the internal standard (IS). Analytes were isolated from tissue samples by 0.1% methanolic TFA solution. SPE, using LiChrolut RP-18 cartridges, was applied for further purification. The extraction protocol was optimized and the final recoveries varied between 92.0 and 107.4%. The method was fully validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Limits of quantitation for the examined quinolones extracted from each tissue were much lower than the respective Maximum Residue Levels, ranging between 30 and 50 microg/kg for bovine tissue, between 30 and 55 microg/kg for ovine tissue, and between 40 and 50 microg/kg for porcine tissue.

Development of a validated HPLC method for the determination of four penicillin antibiotics in pharmaceuticals and human biological fluids

A quantitative method for the determination of four penicillin antibiotics, amoxicillin (AMO), oxacillin (OXA), cloxacillin (CLO), and dicloxacillin (DICLO), has been developed. Separation was achieved on an Inertsil ODS-3 (250 x 4 mm, 5 microm) column after selective extraction of penicillin drugs from biological matrices by means of SPE. Gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% TFA (pH 1) and ACN, and PDA detection with monitoring at 240 nm was applied. Salicylic acid (5 ng/microL) was used as the internal standard. RP-8 Adsorbex Merck cartridges provided high absolute recoveries (98-101%). The developed method was fully validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, stability, and sensitivity. Repeatability (n = 8) and between-day precision (n = 8) revealed RSD <10%. Recoveries from biological samples ranged from 91 to 103%. The detection limits were estimated as 3.3 ng for AMO, OXA, and CLO, and 6.6 for DICLO in blood plasma. LOD in whole blood and urine was 6.6 ng. Injection volume was 20 microL. The method was applied to commercially available AMO containing pharmaceuticals and spiked biological matrices. The method was also applied to biological samples after AMO oral administration, where the drug was successfully identified and quantified.

Development of a validated HPLC method for the determination of four 1,4-benzodiazepines in human biological fluids

A simple and sensitive HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of four frequently prescribed 1,4-benzodiazepines: alprazolam (ALP), bromazepam (BRZ), diazepam (DZP), and flunitrazepam (FNZ). Separation was achieved on an Inertsil C8 analytical (250 mm x 4 mm, 5 microm) column, after selective extraction of benzodiazepine drugs from biological matrices by means of SPE. Isocratic elution was performed with a mobile phase consisting of CH3COONH4, 0.05 M CH3OH, and CH3CN (33:57:10 by volume). Quantification was performed at 240 nm with mefenamic acid (6 ng/microL) as the internal standard. DSC-18 Supelco cartridges provided high absolute recoveries (81-115%). The developed method was fully validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, stability, and sensitivity. Repeatability (n = 8) and between-day precision (n = 8) revealed RSD <12%. Recoveries from biological samples ranged from 81.2 to 115%. The detection limit of the method was calculated as 3.3-10.2 ng in blood plasma and 2.6-12.6 ng in urine for 20 microL injection volume. The method was applied to spiked biological matrices. Moreover, the method was applied to real samples of urine after an oral administration.

Chromatographic analysis of penicillins in pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids

Natural penicillin (benzylpenicillin) is the oldest antibiotic observed by Alexander Fleming in 1928. To broaden its spectrum of activity, natural penicillin was modified, giving rise to a group of antibiotics under the name 'penicillins'. Although an increasing number of bacteria appear to be resistant to them, penicillins are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections including Gram-positive, Gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Consequently, they are widely used in human and veterinary medicine to prevent and treat diseases. This review covers the analytical methodologies, mainly chromatographic, employed to the penicillins determination in pharmaceutical formulations, biological fluids and in production-scale fermentations reported in the literature. Results of published assays are comparatively presented focusing on sample preparation regarding isolation and purification, chromatographic conditions and method validation. Information on chemical structure, spectrum of activity and action mechanism of common penicillins has also been given.

Development and validation of an HPLC confirmatory method for the determination of tetracycline antibiotics residues in bovine muscle according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with diode-array detection, at 351 nm, was developed and validated for the determination of five tetracyclines (TCs): minocycline, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, and doxycycline in bovine muscle. Samples were macerated with a buffer solution, centrifuged, and purified using Abselut Nexus SPE cartridges. The separation of the examined TCs was achieved on an Inertsil ODS-3 5 microm, 250 x 4 mm analytical column, at ambient temperature. A multistep gradient elution was followed using 0.05 M oxalic acid and CH3CN, at a flow rate of 1.65 mL/min. The procedure was validated according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC determining selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. The results of the validation process demonstrate that the method can be readily applied to European Union statutory veterinary drug residue surveillance programmes. Mean recoveries of TCs from bovine muscle samples spiked at three concentrations (100, 250, and 400 ng/g) were in the range of 98.7-103.3%. Method's LOQ values achieved were 40 microg/kg for MNC, CTC, and DC and 25 microg/kg for OTC and TC. The decision limits (CCalpha) were in the range of 104.7-109.8 microg/kg, while the detection capability (CCbeta) was in the range of 108.4-116.7 microg/kg for all compounds.

Validation of a novel HPLC sorbent material for the determination of ten quinolones in human and veterinary pharmaceutical formulations

A novel sorbent material of ultrapure silica gel provided with novel State of the Art Bonding- and Endcapping Technology commercially available under the name PerfectSil Target (250 x 4 mm, ODS-3, 5 microm, by MZ-Analysentechnik, Germany) was used and validated for the sensitive HPLC determination of ten quinolone antibiotics: enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin (DAN), enrofloxacin (ENR), sarafloxacin, oxolinic acid (OXO), nalidixic acid (NAL), and flumequine. The analytical column validation was performed in terms of separation efficiency, precision, and peak asymmetry. The separation was achieved at ambient temperature using a mobile phase of TFA (0.1%)-CH3OH-CH3CN delivered under the optimum gradient program, at a flow rate of 1.2 mU/min. Photodiode array detection was used and eluant was monitored at 275 nm. For the quantitative determination caffeine (7.5 ng/microL) was used as internal standard. The achieved LODs were 0.03 ng/microL per 50 microL injected volume for OXO, 0.1 ng/microL for DAN, ENR, and NAL, and 0.2 ng/microL for the remaining six studied quinolones. The method was validated in terms of interday (n = 6) and intraday (n = 5) precision and accuracy. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations destined either for human or for veterinary use.

Simultaneous determination of quinine and chloroquine anti-malarial agents in pharmaceuticals and biological fluids by HPLC and fluorescence detection

Even nowadays millions of people suffer and even die each year from malaria and hundreds of millions of people especially in tropical countries. Quinine (Q) a natural occurring alkaloid and chloroquine (CQ) a synthetic drug are widely used as anti-malarial agents. Herein an isocratic reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method is described for the simultaneous determination of quinine and chloroquine, at low concentrations, in pharmaceuticals and biological fluids. The present method is characterized by higher sensitivity and analytes are separated in less time than the already published methods. The analytical column, an MZ Kromasil, C18, 5 microm, 250 x 4mm, was operated at ambient temperature with backpressure values of 230 kg/cm(2). Mobile phase consisted of methanol-acetonitrile-0.1 mol/L ammonium acetate, (45:15:40 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Fluorescence detection was performed at excitation 325 nm and emission 375 nm, respectively. Salicylic acid was used as internal standard at a concentration of 0.5 ng/microL, resulting in a detection limit of 0.3 ng, while upper limit of linear range was 0.7 ng/microL for quinine and 0.5 ng/microL for chloroquine. Separation was completed within 5 min. The statistical evaluation of the method was examined performing intra-day (n=8) and inter-day calibration (n=8) and was found to be satisfactory, with high accuracy and precision results. Solid phase extraction provided high relative extraction recoveries from biological matrices: 92.1% for quinine and 105.4% for chloroquine from blood serum and 101.8% for quinine and 90.7% for chloroquine from urine.

Determination of fluoroquinolones in edible animal tissue samples by high performance liquid chromatography after solid phase extraction

In the present work, a rapid, accurate, and sensitive method has been developed for the quantitative determination of five fluoroquinolones (enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin) in edible animal tissues (muscle tissue, liver, kidney, and eggs). The separation was accomplished on an Inertsil (250 x 4 mm) C8, 5 microm, analytical column, at ambient temperature within 15 min. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of citric acid (0.4 mol L(-1))-CH3OH-CH3CN (87:9:4% v/v). UV detection at 275 nm yielded the following limits of detection: 100 pg per 20 microL injected volume for enoxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, 20 pg for ofloxacin, and 200 pg for enrofloxacin. Peaks in real samples were identified by means of a photodiode array detector. The method was validated in terms of intra-day (n = 8) and inter-day (n = 8) precision and accuracy. Tissue samples were purified from endogenous interference by solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB cartridges. The solid-phase extraction protocol was optimized in terms of retention and elution. Recovery rates at fortification levels of 40, 60, and 80 ng/g ranged from 82.5% to 111.1%. The applicability of the method was examined using real samples from a chicken treated orally with the five studied fluoroquinolones.

Direct determination of five fluoroquinolones in chicken whole blood and in veterinary drugs by HPLC

A direct, accurate, and sensitive chromatographic analytical method for the quantitative determination of five fluoroquinolones (enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin) in chicken whole blood is proposed in the present study. For quantitative determination lamotrigine was used as internal standard at a concentration of 20 ng/microL. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of enrofloxacin, as the main component of commercially available veterinary drugs. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics were separated on an Inertsil (250 x 4 mm) C8, 5 microm, analytical column, at ambient temperature. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of citric acid (0.4 mol L(-1))-CH3OH-CH3CN (87:9:4% v/v) leading to retention times less than 14 min, at a flow rate 1.4 mL min(-1). UV detection at 275 nm provided limits of detection of 2 ng/mL per 20 microL injected volume for enoxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, 0.4 ng/mL for ofloxacin, and 4 ng/mL for enrofloxacin. Preparation of chicken blood samples is based on the deproteinization with acetonitrile while the pharmaceutical drug was simply diluted with water. Peaks of examined analytes in real samples were identified by means of a photodiode array detector. The method was validated in terms of within-day (n=6) precision and accuracy after chicken whole blood sample deproteinization by CH3CN. Using 50 microL of chicken blood sample, recovery rates at fortification levels of 40, 60, and 80 ng ranged from 86.7% to 103.7%. The applicability of the method was evaluated using real samples from chicken under fluoroquinolone treatment.

Development of a validated HPLC method for the determination of iodotyrosines and iodothyronines in pharmaceuticals and biological samples using solid phase extraction

Identification, separation and quantitation of iodoaminoacids, is essential for the biological research and the clinical diagnosis of thyroid gland disease. Under this aspect a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of thyroid gland hormones and some of their primary metabolites, 3,3',5,5'-tetra-iodo-L-thyronine (L-thyroxine), 3,3',5-tri-iodo-L-thyronine, 3,5-di-iodo-L-thyronine, L-thyronine, 3,5-di-iodo-L-tyrosine, 3-iodo-L-tyrosine and l-tyrosine. Analysis was performed on an Inertsil C(18) column with photodiode-array detection, using a 25 min gradient scale program of a binary mobile phase consisted of 0.1% aqueous solution of trifluoroacetic acid at pH 3 as solvent A and acetonitrile as solvent B, at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Quantitation was performed using were obtained using theophylline as internal standard. The method was applied to commercial pharmaceuticals and biological samples (serum, urine and tissue). Drug-free urine and serum samples were spiked with known concentrations of the analytes standards and pretreated by solid phase extraction to remove matrix interferences. C(18) cartridges were used, yielding recoveries ranging from 87.1% to 107.6% for serum samples and from 92.1% to 98.7% for urine samples. With regard to total-T(4) concentrations in serum samples, results are cross-validated with RIA and found to agree well.

Development of a validated HPLC method for the determination of B-complex vitamins in pharmaceuticals and biological fluids after solid phase extraction

An HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of seven water-soluble vitamins, viz. thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, and folic acid, in multivitamin pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids (blood serum and urine). Separation was achieved at ambient temperature on a Phenomenex Luna C18 (150 x 4.6 mm) analytical column. Gradient elution was performed starting at a 99:1 A:B v/v composition, where A: 0.05 M CH3COONH4/CH3OH (99/1) and B: H2O/CH3OH (50/50), at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. After a 4-min isocratic elution the composition was changed to 100% of B in 18 min and elution continued isocratically for 8 min. Detection was performed with a photodiode array detector at 280 nm. Each vitamin was quantitatively determined at its maximum wavelength. Spectral comparison was used for peak identification in real samples. Detection limits were in the range of 1.6-3.4 ng, per 20-microL injection, while linearity held up to 25 ng/microL. Accuracy, intra-day repeatability (n = 6), and inter-day precision (n = 7) were found to be satisfactory. Theobromine (2 ng/microL) was used as internal standard. Sample preparation of biological fluids was performed by SPE on Supelclean LC-18 cartridges with methanol-water 85/15 v/v as eluent. Extraction recoveries from biological matrices ranged from 84.6% to 103.0%.

The use of a monolithic column to improve the simultaneous determination of four cephalosporin antibiotics in pharmaceuticals and body fluids by HPLC after solid phase extraction—a comparison with a conventional reversed-phase silica-based column

The use of a monolithic column (Chromolith, SpeedROD RP-18e, by Merck) was studied on the determination of cephalosporin antibiotics. Results were compared with those from a previously developed analytical method using conventional silica-based analytical column. A rapid, accurate and sensitive method has been developed and validated for the quantitative simultaneous determination of four cephalosporins: Cephalexine and Cephadroxil (first generation), Cefaclor (second generation) and Cefotaxim (third generation) in pharmaceuticals as well as in human blood serum and urine. Hydroflumethiazide (HFM) (3,4-dihydro-6(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-7-sulfonamide-1,1-dioxide) was used as an internal standard at a concentration of 1.5 ng/microL. A rectilinear relationship was observed up to 5 ng/microL for the four compounds. Analysis time was less than 4 min. The statistical evaluation of the method was examined by means of within-day repeatability (n=8) and day-to-day precision (n=8) and was found to be satisfactory with high accuracy and precision results. The method was applied to the determination of the cephalosporins in commercial pharmaceuticals and in biological fluids: human blood serum after solid phase extraction and urine simply after filtration and dilution. Recovery of analytes in spiked serum samples was in the range from 88.7 to 107.8%, while for urine samples recovery was from 98.0 to 105.6%. By comparing the figures of merit for the monolithic column and the silica-based one, regarding the determination of the four cephalosporins investigated in the present study, the outstanding efficiency of the monolithic column can be noticed.

Development of a validated liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of eight fat-soluble vitamins in biological fluids after solid-phase extraction

In the present study, a simple and rapid reversed-phase HPLC procedure has been developed for the simultaneous determination of eight fat-soluble vitamins (retinol, menadione, menaquinone, delta-tocopherol, cholecalciferol, alpha-tocopherol, alpha-tocopherol acetate and phylloquinone) in biological fluids: blood serum and urine. The analytical column, Phenomenex Luna C18 (150 mm x 4.6 mm) 3 microm, was operating at ambient temperature. Mobile phase consisted of a mixture of CH3OH-CH3CN delivered using a linear gradient, starting with a composition of 50-50% v/v and ending at 30-70% at a flow rate of 1.3 ml/min. Xanthophyll was used as internal standard (2 ng/microl). Detection and identification was performed using a photodiode array detector. Eluent monitoring was achieved at 280 nm for vitamins and 450 nm for the internal standard. However, quantitation was performed at maximum wavelength for each vitamin. Detection limits were found in the range of 1.4-6.6 ng per 20-microl injected samples, while linearity held up to 25 ng/microl. The statistical evaluation of the method was examined performing intra-day (n = 6) and inter-day calibration (n = 7) and was found to be satisfactory, with high accuracy and precision results. The biological fluids were treated using solid-phase extraction cartridges, to remove all endogenous interferences from sample matrix. The solid-phase extraction protocol was optimized in terms of retention and elution. High extraction recoveries from biological matrices: blood serum and urine, (average recovery ranging between 95 and 97.6% for blood serum and between 94.2 and 95.8% for urine) were achieved for the eight fat-soluble vitamins, using Cyclohexyl J.T. Baker SPE cartridges with methanol as eluent, requiring small volumes, 100 microl of blood serum and 100 microl of urine.

Rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of four cephalosporin antibiotics in pharmaceuticals and body fluids

A rapid, accurate and sensitive method has been developed and validated for the quantitative simultaneous determination of four cephalosporins, cephalexin and cefadroxil (first-generation), cefaclor (second-generation) and cefataxim (third-generation), in pharmaceuticals as well as in human blood serum and urine. A Spherisorb ODS-2 250 x 4-mm, 5-microm analytical column was used with an eluting system consisting of a mixture of acetate buffer (pH 4.0)-CH(3)OH 78-22% (v/v) at a flow-rate 1.2 ml/min. Detection was performed with a variable wavelength UV-Vis detector at 265 nm resulting in limit of detection of 0.2 ng for cefadroxil and cephalexin, but only 0.1 ng for cefotaxime and cefaclor per 20-microl injection. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) (6-chloro-3,4-dihydro-7 sulfanyl-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1-1-dioxide) was used as internal standard at a concentration of 2 ng/microl. A rectilinear relationship was observed up to 8, 5, 12 and 35 ng/microl for cefadroxil, cefotaxime, cefaclor, cephalexin, respectively. Analysis time was less than 7 min. The statistical evaluation of the method was examined by means of within-day repeatability (n=8) and day-to-day precision (n=9) and was found to be satisfactory with high accuracy and precision. The method was applied to the determination of the cephalosporins in commercial pharmaceuticals and in biological fluids: human blood serum after solid-phase extraction and urine simply after filtration and dilution. Recovery of analytes in spiked samples was in the range from 76.3 to 112.0%, over the range of 1-8 ng/microl.

Direct determination of four fluoroquinolones, enoxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, in pharmaceuticals and blood serum by HPLC

A rapid, accurate and sensitive method has been developed for the quantitative determination of four fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents, enoxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, with high in-vitro activity against a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms.A Kromasil 100 C(8) 250 mm x 4 mm, 5 microm analytical column was used with an eluting system consisting of a mixture of CH(3)CN-CH(3)OH-citric acid 0.4 mol L(-1) (7:15:78 %, v/v). Detection was performed with a variable wavelength UV-visible detector at 275 nm resulting in limits of detection: 0.02 ng per 20 microL injection for enoxacin and 0.01 ng for ofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) was used as internal standard at a concentration of 2 ng microL(-1). A rectilinear relationship was observed up to 2 ng microL(-1) for enoxacin, 12 ng microL(-1) for ofloxacin, 3 ng microL(-1) for norfloxacin, and 5 ng microL(-1) for ciprofloxacin. Separation was achieved within 10 min. The statistical evaluation of the method was examined by performing intra-day (n=8) and inter-day precision assays (n=8) and was found to be satisfactory with high accuracy and precision. The method was applied to the direct determination of the four fluoroquinolones in human blood serum. Sample pretreatment involved only protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Recovery of analytes in spiked samples was 97+/-6% over the range 0.1-0.5 ng microL(-1).

Immunoaffinity chromatography for the sample pretreatment of Taxus plant and cell extracts prior to analysis of taxanes by high-performance liquid chromatography

The application of immunoaffinity chromatography for the purification of Taxus plant and cell extracts prior to the HPLC analysis is described. Polyclonal antibodies raised against 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB III), paclitaxel's main precursor in plant, were characterised by enzymed-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunoglobulins from selected antisera were immobilised on CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. The immunoaffinity column was used for the purification of plant and plant cell culture extracts prior to their analysis by HPLC. Immunoaffinity chromatography enabled the selective concentration of taxoids and enhanced sample clean-up.

Use of novel solid-phase extraction sorbent materials for high-performance liquid chromatography quantitation of caffeine metabolism products methylxanthines and methyluric acids in samples of biological origin

An automated reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method, using a linear gradient elution, is described for the simultaneous analysis of caffeine and metabolites according to their elution order: 7-methyluric acid, 1-methyluric acid, 7-methylxanthine, 3-methylxanthine, 1-methylxanthine, 1,3-dimethyluric acid, theobromine, 1,7-dimethyluric acid, paraxanthine and theophylline. The analytical column, an MZ Kromasil C4, 250 x 4 mm, 5 microm, was operated at ambient temperature with back pressure values of 80-110 kg/cm2. The mobile phase consisted of an acetate buffer (pH 3.5)-methanol (97:3, v/v) changing to 80:20 v/v in 20 min time, delivered at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min. Paracetamol was used as internal standard at a concentration of 6.18 ng/microl. Detection was performed with a variable wavelength UV-visible detector at 275 nm, resulting in detection limits of 0.3 ng per 10-microl injection, while linearity held up to 8 ng/microl for most of analytes, except for paraxanthine and theophylline, for which it was 12 ng/microl and for caffeine for which it was 20 ng/microl. The statistical evaluation of the method was examined performing intra-day (n=6) and inter-day calibration (n=7) and was found to be satisfactory, with high accuracy and precision results. High extraction recoveries from biological matrices: blood serum and urine ranging from 84.6 to 103.0%, were achieved using Nexus SPE cartridges with hydrophilic and lipophilic properties and methanol-acetate buffer (pH 3.5) (50:50, v/v) as eluent, requiring small volumes, 40 microl of blood serum and 100 microl of urine.

A rapid high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay for the determination of oxytetracycline in commercial pharmaceuticals

In the present study, a simple, sensitive and rapid reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection for the analysis of oxytetracycline (OTC) is developed and applied to the determination of the antibiotic in commercial pharmaceutical preparations (powder, capsules, vaginal tablets and ointment). The isocratic elution is performed with methanol-0.01 M oxalic acid, pH 3.0 (30:70, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.95 ml min, using a Silasorb C8 analytical column, 250 x 4 mm, 10 microm. Codeine is used as internal standard. Absorbance is monitored at 250 nm where both analyte of interest and internal standard have significant absorption. Total analysis time was approximately 7 min. Data with respect to precision and accuracy and limits of detection are reported and discussed. The described method can be readily utilised for analysis of pharmaceutical products and pharmacokinetic studies as well.

Determination of datura alkaloids by using chromatographic techniques: a review

A review of techniques used for the analysis of alkaloids in legume seeds, feedstuffs and plants is presented in this article. The analysis is performed by chromatographic techniques. Mainly Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Gas Chromatography (GC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) are applied.