Analysis Cycle Time Research Articles

A semi-automated LC–MS/MS method for the determination of LCI699, a steroid 11β-hydroxylase inhibitor, in human plasma

A novel liquid chromatographic method with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS) for the determination of LCI699 was developed and validated with dynamic ranges of 0.0500-50.0 ng/mL and 1.00-1,000 ng/mL using 0.0500 mL and 0.100mL, respectively, of human plasma. LCI699 and the internal standard, [M+6]LCI699, were extracted from fortified human plasma via protein precipitation. After transfer or dilution of the supernatant followed by solvent evaporation and/or reconstitution, the extract was injected onto the LC-MS/MS system. Optimal chromatographic separation was achieved on an ACE C18 (50 mm × 4.6mm, 3 μm) column with 30% aqueous methanol (containing 0.5% acetic acid and 0.05% TFA) as the mobile phase run in isocratic at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The total analysis cycle time is approximately 3.5 min per injection. The addition of an ion-pair reagent, TFA (0.05%, v/v), to the mobile phases significantly improved the chromatographic retention and resolution of the analyte on silica based reversed-phase column. Although addition of TFA to the mobile phase suppresses the ESI signals of the analyte due to its ion-pairing characteristics in the gas phase of MS source, this negative impact was effectively alleviated by adding 0.5% acetic acid to the mobile phase. The current method was validated for sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, reproducibility, stability and recovery. For the low curve range (0.0500-50.0 ng/mL), the accuracy and precision for the LLOQs (0.0500 ng/mL) were -13.0 to 2.0% bias and 3.4-19.2% CV, respectively. For other QC samples (0.100, 6.00, 20.0 and 40.0 ng/mL), the precision ranged from 1.2 to 9.0% and from 3.8 to 8.8% CV, respectively, in the intra-day and inter-day evaluations. The accuracy ranged from -11.3 to 8.0% and -7.2 to 1.6% bias, respectively, in the intra-day and inter-day batches. For the high curve range (1.00-1,000 ng/mL), the accuracy and precision for the LLOQs (1.00 ng/mL) were 1.0-15.0% bias and 7.4-9.2% CV, respectively. For the other QC samples (3.00, 20.0, 200 and 750 ng/mL), the precision ranged from 0.8 to 7.0% and from 1.9 to 5.2% CV, respectively, in the intra-day and inter-day evaluations. The accuracy ranged from -2.5 to 4.0% and 0.7-1.0% bias, respectively, in the intra-day and inter-day batches. Additional assessments of incurred sample stability (ISS) and incurred sample reanalysis (ISR) were conducted to demonstrate the ruggedness and robustness of the assay method. The absence of adverse matrix effect and carryover was also demonstrated. The validated method was successfully used to support rapid turnaround human pharmacokinetic studies.

High-Throughput Quantitation of Large Molecules Using Multiplexed Chromatography And High-Resolution/Accurate Mass Lc–Ms

High-throughput screening with LC-MS has been routinely implemented to various degrees throughout the entire drug-discovery process. One of the major advantages of utilizing LC-MS earlier at the lead discovery stage is reducing the cost of sample analysis while increasing assay selectivity. Avoiding labeling agents and other non-native species in an assay environment can reduce costly sample preparation, while chromatographic separation of the analyte of interest from interferences in the sample matrix has been shown to increase selectivity and sensitivity. In this paper, we utilize high-resolution MS-LC multiplexing to analyze phosphorylated peptides as part of a screening assay. Commonly used enzyme buffers were used to prepare phosphorylated peptide standards of varying concentrations and these were plated into a 96-well plate format for LC-MS analysis. The overall cycle time for analysis from sample to sample, LLOQ, Z' and coefficient of variance were determined. High-resolution MS coupled with LC multiplexing provides high-quality sample analysis at sampling rates of up to 18 s per sample. Samples analyzed in both simple and complex sample matrixes demonstrated an LOQ of 5 nM with linear response across the working range of the assay. Overall statistical analysis of the large samples produced Z' = 0.85 for sample sets in sodium citrate solution and Z' = 0.66 for sample sets in HEPES solution indicating a robust analytical method.

Simultaneous Determination of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride by LC-MS/MS in Human Plasma and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

The aim of the proposed research work was to develop and validate a simple, selective high sensitive and high-throughput assay for the simultaneous estimation of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride in human plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Atorvastatin–Glimepiride combines a competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase and a sulfonylurea anti-diabetic drug. The purpose of this study was to develop single method for Atorvastatin and Glimepiride in plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) that would result into a simultaneous estimation of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride avoiding acid –lactone inter conversions right from sample collections to analysis on the LC-MS/MS. Sample collection procedure optimized for Atorvastatin holds good for Glimepiride, hence resulting into a simultaneous estimation of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride. Liquid-liquid extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to positive ion mode tandem mass spectrometry was used to develop the method and was validated according to US FDA guidelines. The calibration curves for two analytes were linear (R2 ≥ 0.9950, n = 4) over the concentration range of 0.2 - 30 ng/mL for Atorvastatin and 1 - 250 ng/mL for Glimepiride. Mean extraction recoveries 80.34 ± 9.43 for Atorvastatin and 88.19 ± 7.13 for Glimepiride. Intra- and inter-run mean percent accuracy was between 85% - 115% and percent imprecision was ≤15%. Stability studies revealed that Atorvastatin and Glimepiride were stable in plasma during bench top (10.5 h at room temperature), in Injector (47.5 h), at the end of three successive freeze and thaw cycles and long term at -65℃ ± 15℃ for 114 days. The method was successfully applied to the study of pharmacokinetics of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride in healthy volunteers. Simultaneous estimation of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride is cost effective, reduces analysis cycle time, enables effective utilization of resources and reduces bleeding burden on human volunteers.

Rapid screening of drug compounds in urine using a combination of microextraction by packed sorbent and rotating micropillar array electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Screening of drugs from urine samples can be non-selective or laborous, using either immunological, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or liquid chromatography (LC)/MS methods. Therefore, a rapid screening method for selected drugs in urine sample was developed in a proof-of-principle manner, utilizing simple and fast techniques for both sample treatment and sample analysis. Sample treament of spiked urine samples was performed with microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS). Five different sorbent materials (C(2), C(8), C(18), M1 (cation exchanger), and Sil (pure silica)) were tested for the MEPS. The sample analysis was performed using a circular microchip with 60 micropillar electrospray ionization (μPESI) tips combined with a mass spectrometer (either a triple-quadrupole or ion-trap mass spectrometer) without any chromatographic step. The sample treatment/analysis setup was tested using three drug compounds at a concentration of 1 μM. We found that the C(2), C(8) and C(18) sorbents in combination with 96% alkaline methanol as an eluent worked the best. All compounds were easily detected and identified by MS/MS in spiked urine samples. The whole qualitative analytical procedure was rapid as the sample treatment together with the MS analysis took about 5 min per sample. A rapid screening method for selected drugs from urine samples was developed, providing adequate selectivity and sensitivity, as well as a short total analysis cycle time. This new method can provide a new alternative for screening purposes, as both the extraction and analysis steps could be totally automatized.

A low thermal mass fast gas chromatograph and its implementation in fast gas chromatography mass spectrometry with supersonic molecular beams

A new type of low thermal mass (LTM) fast gas chromatograph (GC) was designed and operated in combination with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with supersonic molecular beams (SMB), including GC-MS-MS with SMB, thereby providing a novel combination with unique capabilities. The LTM fast GC is based on a short capillary column inserted inside a stainless steel tube that is resistively heated. It is located and mounted outside the standard GC oven on its available top detector port, while the capillary column is connected as usual to the standard GC injector and supersonic molecular beam interface transfer line. This new type of fast GC-MS with SMB enables less than 1 min full range temperature programming and cooling down analysis cycle time. The operation of the fast GC-MS with SMB was explored and 1 min full analysis cycle time of a mixture of 16 hydrocarbons in the C(10)H(22) up to C(44)H(90) range was achieved. The use of 35 mL/min high column flow rate enabled the elution of C(44)H(90) in less than 45 s while the SMB interface enabled splitless acceptance of this high flow rate and the provision of dominant molecular ions. A novel compound 9-benzylazidanthracene was analyzed for its purity and a synthetic chemistry process was monitored for the optimization of the chemical reaction yield. Biodiesel was analyzed in jet fuel (by both GC-MS and GC-MS-MS) in under 1 min as 5 ppm fatty acid methyl esters. Authentic iprodion and cypermethrin pesticides were analyzed in grapes extract in both full scan mode and fast GC-MS-MS mode in under 1 min cycle time and explosive mixture including TATP, TNT and RDX was analyzed in under 1 min combined with exhibiting dominant molecular ion for TATP. Fast GC-MS with SMB is based on trading GC separation for speed of analysis while enhancing the separation power of the MS via the enhancement of the molecular ion in the electron ionization of cold molecules in the SMB. This paper further discusses several features of fast GC and fast GC-MS and the various trade-offs involved in having powerful and practical fast GC-MS.

Backside failure analysis case study: Implementation of innovative Local Backside Deprocessing technique

This paper describes a failure analysis case study where innovative Local Backside Physical characterization technique was performed on an automotive custom Mix-Mode device.The full analysis flow is presented, starting with backside sample preparation in order to perform a backside electrical localization of the defect. Then the multiple challenges of that approach were discussed. The continuous need of decreasing the analysis cycle time was addressed without affecting the success ratio of such analysis flow. The part mechanical degradation was avoided with a local removal of the Silicon. That highly localized technique granted a direct access to the fault site.The tools and process used for this case are fully described underlining the main advantages of this technique in comparison to the global backside deprocessing or to other characterization techniques.That successful development was achieved while determining the failure mechanism, in correlation with the failure mode of the qualification reject.

The Study of CAD/CAE Integrated Technology in Network Environment

Based on the concept of parametric design, this paper realizes the parametric modeling and parametric finite element analysis by utilizing UG/OPEN secondary development tool and APDL module of ANSYS software respectively. This paper also achieves data sharing of CAD/CAE through compiling interface program between UG6.0 and ANSYS10.0. In addition, the remote design and analysis platform has been built by using ASP.NET technology, component technology, and database technology. We take piston-piston rod part of coal mining machine’s cutting unit as an example to verify the system. Meanwhile, it proves system can effectively shorten design and analysis cycle time, and reduce workload of designer. Therefore, this software has potential application value in engineering.

Using temperature to optimize resolution and reduce analysis times for bioanalytical diastereomer LC–MS/MS separations

A rugged and reproducible liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric bioanalytical method was developed for the quantitation of drug stereoisomers in human plasma. Column temperature was shown to be an important variable toward optimizing diastereomer selectivity, resolution and analysis cycle time. Non-linear Van’t Hoff plots and changes in peak shape with temperature suggested that selectivity was governed by multiple retention mechanisms. The high temperature chromatography method was validated and used to analyze samples from human clinical trials. Utilization of high temperature chromatography offered alternative selectivity and is a viable approach for difficult separations in regulated bioanalysis.

Determination of trihalomethanes in soil matrices by simplified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe extraction and fast gas chromatography with electron capture detection

A method based on QuEChERS extraction is proposed for the determination of trihalomethanes (chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromocloromethane and bromoform) in soil samples. The new version of QuEChERS adapted to soil samples consists of liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, the addition of water to moisten the samples, salting-out partitioning of the water with anhydrous MgSO 4, and direct injection of the organic extract, obtained after the centrifugation step, into the gas chromatograph. This simplified extraction procedure maintains the advantages of the original method and avoids some steps, making the final procedure simpler, faster, and cheaper, with the consequent reduction in errors associated with sample manipulation. The experimental conditions of the analytical method, based on fast gas chromatography (FGC) and micro-electron capture detection (μECD), were optimized. The column and oven program used allowed fast separation of the compounds in less than 4 min and the total analysis cycle time was as short as 10 min. The existence of a matrix effect was checked and the analytical conditions of the method were studied in a fortified garden soil sample. The highly sensitive and selective detector used afforded to detection limits in the order of ng/kg for the target compounds. To validate the proposed method two certified reference materials (CRMs) were analyzed.

Open Probe: A Device for Ultra Fast Electron Ionization Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Open Probe is based on a vaporization oven mounted on a transfer line of a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC/MS) which is connected to the MS ion source via a short flow restriction capillary. The probe oven is open to room air while having helium purge flow protection to eliminate or significantly reduce air leakage into the oven and MS ion source. Sample analysis can be as simple as touch (the sample), push (the sample holder) into the open probe oven, and have the results. Experiments were performed with a GC/MS with supersonic molecular beams and with a standard Agilent 5975 MSD. Powders and tablets analysis were performed by touching the sample with the bottom side of a melting point vial and inserting it into the open probe oven with total analysis cycle time of <30 s. Similarly, trace trinitrotoluene (TNT) on human fingerprints was analyzed. Additional sample holder types included swabs, spoons, and vials. The open probe is a leak-proof MS probe which is characterized by fast analysis cycle time, and it uses a low cost mass spectrometer of GC/MS with the benefits of electron ionization of library search and uniform, quantitative response without ion suppression effects.

Programmed temperature vaporizer based method for the sensitive determination of trihalomethanes and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes in soils

A methodology based on the coupling of a headspace autosampler with a GC and a MS detector operating in SIM mode has been developed for the determination of volatile organic compounds (THMs and BTEX) in soils. The GC device used is equipped with a programmable temperature vaporizer (PTV) packed with Tenax-TA ® to introduce the samples (the injection mode used was solvent vent), and a modular accelerated column heater (MACH™) to control column temperature. The proposed measurement procedure reduces the sample pretreatment step to a minimum. Combined use of solvent vent injection mode and mass spectrometry detection allows a highly sensitive method to be proposed, with limits of detection of the order of ng/kg for all the target compounds. Furthermore, the capillary column used allows rapid separations of compounds in less than 4.60 min, affording a very short total analysis cycle time of 9 min.

Determination of filbertone in spiked olive oil samples using headspace-programmed temperature vaporization-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A sensitive method for the fast analysis of filbertone in spiked olive oil samples is presented. The applicability of a headspace (HS) autosampler in combination with a gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a programmable temperature vaporizer (PTV) and a mass spectrometric (MS) detector is explored. A modular accelerated column heater (MACH) was used to control the temperature of the capillary gas chromatography column. This module can be heated and cooled very rapidly, shortening total analysis cycle times to a considerable extent. The proposed method does not require any previous analyte extraction, filtration and preconcentration step, as in most methods described to date. Sample preparation is reduced to placing the olive oil sample in the vial. This reduces the analysis time and the experimental errors associated with this step of the analytical process. By using headspace generation, the volatiles of the sample are analysed without interference by the non-volatile matrix, and by using injection in solvent-vent mode at the PTV inlet, most of the compounds that are more volatile than filbertone are purged and the matrix effect is minimised. Use of a liner packed with Tenax-TA allowed the compound of interest to be retained during the venting process. The limits of detection and quantification were as low as 0.27 and 0.83 microg/L, respectively, and precision (measured as the relative standard deviation) was 5.7%. The method was applied to the determination of filbertone in spiked olive oil samples and the results revealed the good accuracy obtained with the method.

Optimizing capillary column backflush to improve cycle time and reduce column contamination

Interest in decreasing cycle times in capillary GC analyses has driven much of the instrumental developments of the last decade. Recent developments in GC instrumentation now make it reasonable to consider backflushing capillary columns on a routine basis. Significant reduction in analysis and total cycle times (typically 15-50% depending on the application) are readily achieved for analyses that currently require an extended temperature program and bakeout period to remove retained sample components and column contaminants. Setup and optimization of backflush conditions are relatively straight forward as long as some basic concepts are well understood. The parameters affecting capillary column backflushing are described. Examples are shown that help visualize what happens during backflush. The relationship between oven ramp rate and flow turns out to be an important variable that dictates minimum backflush times in temperature programmed CGC. Backflush times corresponding to 2-5 void volumes in the reversed direction are usually sufficient for backflushing, if performed after each temperature programmed run.

Isoconversion effective activation energies derived from repetitive injection fast gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Evolved gas analysis by using fast temperature programmed gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is described. A small volume gas chromatograph oven is used to permit rapid heating and cooling of a capillary gas chromatography column, resulting in short analysis cycle times. This capability permits automated sampling and analysis of a purge gas effluent stream generated during thermal analysis of a solid sample. Species-specific mass spectral information extracted from successively acquired chromatograms can be used to generate concentration profiles for volatile products produced during sample heating. These species-specific profiles can be used for calculation of isoconversion effective activation energies that are useful for characterizing the thermal reaction processes.

Determination of aromatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in gasoline using programmed temperature vaporization-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A sensitive method is presented for the fast analysis of three aromatic and six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (biphenyl, 3-methylbiphenyl, 4-methylbiphenyl, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, 1,2-benz( a)anthracene and chrysene) in gasoline samples. The applicability of a GC device equipped with a programmable temperature vaporizer (PTV) and an MS detector is explored. Additionally, a modular accelerated column heater (MACH™) was used to control the temperature of the capillary gas chromatography column. This module can be heated and cooled very rapidly, making total analysis cycle times very short. The proposed method does not require any previous analyte extraction and preconcentration step, as in most methods described to date. Sample preparation is reduced to simply diluting the gasoline samples in methanol. This reduces the experimental errors associated with this step of the analytical process. By using sampling injection in the solvent vent mode, and through choice of a suitable temperature, the lightest major components of the gasoline were removed. Moreover, use of a liner packed with Tenax-TA allowed the compounds of interest to be retained during the process. This working strategy could be extended to other groups of compounds through the choice of different venting temperatures. In this way, a large part of the gasoline components are eliminated, the life of the liner is prolonged, and it is possible to inject sample volumes that will not saturate the chromatographic column. The limits of detection ranged from 0.61 μg/L (pyrene) to 6.1 μg/L (biphenyl), and precision (measured as the relative standard deviation) was equal to or lower than 7.3%. The method was applied to the determination of analytes in gasoline samples and the results obtained can be considered highly satisfactory.

Improvement of sample throughput using fast gas chromatography mass-spectrometry for biochemical diagnosis of organic acid disorders

Background Gas chromatograph mass-spectrometric (GC/MS) method of analysis for urinary organic acids is used for the diagnosis of a variety of metabolic disorders. The method is time-consuming and does not allow for improvements in sample throughput. Although the sample preparation and the data processing have been improved, the long GC/MS analysis time still remains to be problematic. Methods The fast-GC/MS method, which utilizes a short microbore capillary GC column and fast temperature programming, was applied to the analysis for urinary organic acids. Urine samples obtained from 15 patients with 9 different disorders and 16 healthy controls were analyzed using conventional GC/MS and fast-GC/MS. Results Analysis cycle time was shortened from 1 h to 15 min. The automated data system uses retention indices determined by conventional-GC/MS for the identification of 134 organic acids. These retention indices can also be used in data obtained by fast-GC/MS. New fast-GC/MS method with the automated data system gave the same diagnostic results as conventional-GC/MS except for 1 healthy control. Conclusions The combined system of fast-GC/MS and the automated data system will be powerful tools in clinical laboratories due to increased sample throughput and reduced analysis costs.

Identification of Drugs by Ultra Fast Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization‐Quadrupole Ion Trap/Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry

Hybrid quadrupole ion trap/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (QIT/TOFMS) was applied for detection of ultra fast liquid chromatography (UFLC). The system performance for fast qualitative analysis was evaluated using test drugs. The test drugs were separated on a C18 column (30 mm×2.0 mm I.D., particle size: 2.2 µm) with fast linear gradient elution using 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phase. The flow rate was set at 0.5 mL/min and the analysis cycle time was 4.5 min. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) of retention time and peak area for each drug (200 pg each) were 0.2% or better, lower than 3%, respectively. Mass accuracy of each compound was found to be 3.2 ppm or better. Rapid positive to negative polarity switching mode was demonstrated, showing good mass accuracy below 5 ppm. Moreover, an MS3 measurement was carried out and the formulae of compounds were confirmed using formula prediction software.

On-line capillary column immobilised metal affinity chromatography/electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry for the selective analysis of histidine-containing peptides

Capillary column immobilised metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) has been combined on-line with electrospray ionisation/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the fractionation of histidine-containing peptides. IMAC beads (Poros 20MC, 20 μm) containing imidodiacetate chelating groups on a cross-linked poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) support were packed into a fused silica column (250 μm i.d.), which was interfaced to the electrospray ion source of the spectrometer. A Cu(II) activated column was used to isolate histidine-containing peptides from tryptic and other peptide mixtures with an average breakthrough of 9.1%, to reduce the complexity of the mass spectral analysis. The analysis cycle time was reduced to less than 15 min, at an optimum flow rate of 7.5 μL/min, without sacrificing peptide selectivity. Direct coupling of capillary IMAC with MS allows on-line separation, using MS compatible loading and elution buffers, and detection in a high-throughput fashion when compared to off-line strategies.

On‐line pretreatment using methylcellulose‐immobilized cation‐exchange restricted access media for direct liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric determination of basic drugs in plasma

A novel methylcellulose-immobilized restricted access media column with strong cation-exchange groups on an internal surface (MC-SCX) was evaluated for the direct injection analysis of basic polar drugs in plasma by column-switching liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Analytical conditions, including an automated pretreatment step and MS detection, were optimized for a series of basic drugs (doxepin, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, clomipramine). On-line pretreatment with the MC-SCX column followed by fast gradient analysis using a C18 column resulted in a total analysis cycle time of 7 min for each spiked plasma sample. More than 150 plasma samples spiked with target compounds were measured without compromising MS detection (relative standard deviations less than 11% for all compounds, and regression coefficients greater than 0.99).

Development and application of a new on-line SPE system combined with LC–MS/MS detection for high throughput direct analysis of pharmaceutical compounds in plasma

A technique using a fully automated on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) system (Symbiosis, Spark Holland) combined with liquid chromatography (LC)–mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been investigated for fast bioanalytical method development, method validation and sample analysis using both conventional C 18 and monolithic columns. Online SPE LC–MS/MS methods were developed in the automated mode for the quantification of model compounds (propranolol and diclofenac) directly in rat plasma. Accuracy and precision using online SPE LC–MS/MS with conventional C 18 and monolithic columns were in the range of 88–111% and 0.5–14%, respectively. Total analysis cycle time of 4 min per sample was demonstrated using the C 18 column. Monolithic column allowed for 2 min total cycle time without compromising the quality and validation criteria of the method. Direct plasma sample injection without on-line SPE resulted in poor accuracy and precision in the range of 41–108% and 3–81%. Furthermore, the increase in back pressure resulted in column damage after the injection of only 60 samples.