On-line Solid-phase Extraction High-performance Liquid Research Articles

Simultaneous Determination of Six Alkaloids in Rat Plasma with On-line SPE–HPLC Using a Homemade Four-Hydrogen Furfuryl-Based Polymer Monolithic Sorbent

A four-hydrogen furfuryl-based polymer monolithic column for solid-phase extraction was prepared via in situ radical polymerization, using tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate as the monomer. The monolith was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption–desorption method, showing relatively uniform porous structure with micro-, meso- and macro-pores and a relatively high surface area of 54.99 m2 g−1. Online solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography was carried out to quantitatively analyze six alkaloids, including caffeine, hydroxy-α-sanshool, hydroxy-β-sanshool, hydroxy-γ-sanshool, hydroxy-γ-isosanshool and γ-sanshool in rat plasma. The results show that the prepared polymer monolithic sorbent exhibits good clean-up ability for bio-matrix, as well as good extractive ability for the six concerning alkaloids in rat plasma. Method validation shows that the correlation coefficients of the linear regressions are higher than 0.998 and the accuracy represented by spiked recovery ranges in 94.37–100.7%, 99.52–101.1%, 98.93–100.8%, 98.36–101.6%, 99.22–101.2% and 99.86–101.4% for the six alkaloids, respectively, as well as the LOD ranges in 2.10–3.90 ng mL−1 and the LOQ in 6.35–10.14 ng mL−1. Compared to the reference works, the present work is a simple and effective method for online extraction and simultaneous determination of six alkaloids in plasma with high accuracy and low cost.

Quantification of DEET and neonicotinoid pesticide biomarkers in human urine by online solid-phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Neonicotinoid insecticides are widely used replacements for organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, but the extent of human exposure is largely unknown. On the other hand, based on urinary concentrations of DEET metabolites, human exposure to N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) appears to be widespread. We developed a fast online solid-phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method to measure in 200μL of human urine the concentrations of six neonicotinoid biomarkers (acetamiprid, N-desmethyl-acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, 5-hydroxy-imidacloprid, thiacloprid), and two DEET biomarkers (3-diethyl-carbamoyl benzoic acid, 3-ethyl-carbamoyl benzoic acid). Limits of detection ranged from 0.01 to 0.1μg/L, depending on the biomarker. Accuracy ranged from 91 to 116% and precision ranged from 3.7 to 10 %RSD. The presented method can be used to increase our understanding of exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides and DEET, and to evaluate the potential health effects from such exposures.

Development of an SPE Method Using Ionic Liquid-Based Monolithic Column for On-Line Cleanup of Human Plasma and Simultaneous Determination of Five Steroid Drugs

An 1-vinyl-3-hexyl imidazolium bromide ionic liquid-based monolithic column was prepared via in situ free radical polymerization, which was used as the sorbent of on-line solid phase extraction. The prepared material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption instrument and mercury intrusion porosimetry, respectively, and the results showed that the homemade monolith occupied relatively uniform porous structure and high-specific surface area of 212.53 m2 g−1. On-line solid phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography was performed to quantitatively analyze five steroid drugs, including betamethasone, norgestrel, halcinonide, beclomethasone dipropionate and testosterone propionate in human plasma. The determination procedure was carried out following the optimization of the mobile phase composition. Methodological validation showed that correlation coefficients of the linear regressions were in the range of 0.9989–0.9992; the values of relative standard deviation for precision were in the range of 1.39–6.15% for intra-day and 0.32–6.34% for inter-day, respectively; the values of accuracy expressed by recovery were in the range of 99.02–101.98, 93.27–102.89, 102.79–104.01, 100.04–102.61 and 100.77–102.44% for the five drugs in order, respectively; the values of relative standard deviation for repeatability calculated according to retention times and peak areas of the five drugs were in the ranges of 0.28–0.76% (n = 5) and 0.84–2.63% (n = 5), respectively. The results showed that the polymer monolithic column was feasible for an on-line solid phase extraction column, exhibiting good selectivity and high permeability.

On-line SPE Using Ionic Liquid-Based Monolithic Column for the Determination of Antihypertensives in Human Plasma

A poly(ionic liquid-glycidylmethacrylate-co-ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) monolithic column was prepared via in situ free-radical polymerisation and used as an on-line solid-phase extraction column. The obtained monolithic column was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurement, and mercury intrusion porosimetry, which showed a relatively uniform and porous structure. During the on-line solid-phase extraction–high performance liquid chromatography protocol, nifedipine, nitrendipine, and felodipine were separated efficiently from human plasma using a methanol–water linear gradient at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. The extraction efficiency for the targets was satisfactory with no matrix interference. Under the optimized extraction conditions, the linear regression coefficient was >0.9973; precisions for inter- and intra-day assays presented as relative standard deviations were less than 7.29 %, and the accuracy and recovery was in the range of 96–105 and 90–106 %, respectively. As a result, the polymerization monolithic column exhibited high selectivity and good permeability, and it was feasible to be used as an on-line SPE column. Meanwhile, validation assays also demonstrated acceptable sensitivity and precision for simultaneous quantitative screening of nifedipine, nitrendipine, and felodipine in human plasma.

On-line solid-phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the quantitative analysis of tacrolimus in whole blood hemolyzate

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug essential for preventing organ rejection after transplantation. Since tacrolimus strongly binds to erythrocytes, therapeutic monitoring requires its quantification in whole blood lyzate, representing one of the most difficult to analyze biological fluids due to its high protein load. In this communication, we report on the successful combination of whole blood hemolysis employing ionic liquids, followed by sample preparation by means of on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) using restricted access materials (RAM), which permitted the efficient removal of hemoglobin and other large biomolecules. Among six different tested RAM columns, highest hemoglobin depletion and analyte extraction efficiency was obtained with a polymer-based, glycoprotein-coated RAM stationary phase (Biotrap 500 MS) operated at an alkaline pH of 10.7. Analyte quantification was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-selected reaction monitoring tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-SRM-MS/MS). The ability to quantify tacrolimus in therapeutically relevant concentrations in whole blood hemolyzates was demonstrated via external calibration with lower limits of detection and quantification of 2.00 and 7.23 ng mL(-1), respectively. Moreover, the investigation of heparin-pretreated blood samples during blood sampling led to an increase in sensitivity for the analyte, while the method appeared to be more robust with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as anticoagulant.

Bisphenol A in 24 h urine and plasma samples of the German Environmental Specimen Bank from 1995 to 2009: A retrospective exposure evaluation

Human exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) is omnipresent. Both the extent of the exposure and its toxicological relevance are controversially discussed. We aim to reliably determine and evaluate the extent of BPA body burden in the German population from 1995 to 2009 based on 600 24 h urine samples and corresponding plasma samples from the Environmental Specimen Bank. We determined total and unconjugated BPA in urine and plasma using on-line solid-phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1 μg/l. In the stored urines, total BPA was quantifiable in >96% (median: 1.49 μg/l; 95th percentile: 7.37 μg/l), whereas unconjugated BPA was quantifiable only in <15% of the samples. Total BPA concentrations decreased over time, but 24 h urine volumes increased. Therefore, daily intakes calculated from the 24 h urines remained rather constant at a median of 0.037 and a 95th percentile of 0.171 μg BPA/kg body weight/day. In 60 corresponding plasma samples, total BPA levels were generally below the LOQ of 0.1 μg/l and, if quantifiable, most BPA was unconjugated, thus hinting to external contamination. We see total BPA in urine as the most appropriate and robust marker for BPA exposure assessment (if controlled for BPA contamination). Unconjugated BPA in urine and unconjugated or total BPA in plasma where contamination or breakdown of the glucuronide cannot be ruled out are of no value for human exposure assessment.

Development and validation of automated SPE‐HPLC‐MS/MS methods for the quantification of asenapine, a new antipsychotic agent, and its two major metabolites in human urine

To support the evaluation of the pharmacokinetic parameters of asenapine (ASE) in urine, we developed and validated online solid-phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography methods with tandem mass spectrometry detection (SPE-LC-MS/MS) for the quantification of ASE and two of its major metabolites, N-desmethylasenapine (DMA) and asenapine-N⁺-glucuronide (ASG). The linearity in human urine was found acceptable for quantification in a concentration range of 0.500-100 ng/mL for ASE and DMA and 10.0-3000 ng/mL for ASG, respectively.

Simultaneous online SPE-LC-MS/MS quantification of six widely used synthetic progestins in human plasma

Co-administration of synthetic progestin containing hormonal contraceptives (HCs) and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is a common clinical situation which needs specific considerations due to drug interactions. Several studies have demonstrated that lamotrigine plasma levels are significantly decreased during co-medication with HCs, and that this interaction is associated with increased seizure frequency in most of the cases. Additionally, an increase in contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy could be observed during co-medication. Hence, monitoring of progestin plasma levels in patients with AED co-medication is of interest. A rapid and reliable online solid-phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (online SPE-LC-MS/MS) method using gradient elution in the LC domain was established and validated for the simultaneous quantitative determination of gestodene, dienogest, drospirenone, etonogestrel, cyproterone acetate, and levonorgestrel in human plasma. The online SPE-LC-MS/MS method covered a quantification concentration range of 5-100 ng/ml for dienogest, 1-100 ng/ml for etonogestrel and 2-100 ng/ml for all other analytes. Stable isotope-labeled internal standards were used for analyte quantification based on selected reaction monitoring experiments. Inter- and intra-assay precision and accuracy were determined from quality control (QC) samples at the lower limits of quantification and at low, medium, and high concentration levels within the calibration range. Inter-assay reproducibility at the QC levels was better than 10% (relative standard deviation, RSD), accuracy at these levels ranged from -3.7% to 11.3%. Total extraction efficiency, tested at three concentrations, ranged from 92.5% to 106.4%. Matrix interferences were excluded by post-column infusion experiments. To prove the applicability of the assay in clinical cohorts, a sample set (n = 298) stemming from study patients under AED/oral HC co-medication was screened for progestin plasma levels. This method has to be considered a research-use-only assay and must not be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, since it did not undergo formal performance evaluation in the sense of the IVD directive (98/79/EG) of the European Community.

Synthesis and application of multi-walled carbon nanotubes–molecularly imprinted sol–gel composite material for on-line solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography determination of trace Sudan IV

A novel composite material of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)–Sudan IV molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was prepared by surface molecular imprinting technique in combination with sol–gel technology. The MWNTs–MIPs were evaluated by scanning electron micrograph (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and adsorption experiments. The results showed that the MWNTs–MIPs exhibited good selective recognition to Sudan IV. The maximum saturated binding capacity ( Q max) is 63.2 μmol g −1. Applied as sorbent, the MWNTs–MIPs were used for the determination of trace Sudan IV in chilli powder by on-line solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography (SPE–HPLC). The results showed that an enrichment factor of 741 was achieved with a loading flow rate of 1.0 mL min −1 for sampling 50 mL. The MWNTs–MIPs provided a fast and convenience determination platform for Sudan IV in real samples.

Rapid determination of five antibiotic residues in swine wastewater by online solid-phase extraction–high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A simple and quick online solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled to liquid chromatography (LC)/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for the determination of the five antibiotics (florfenicol, FF; lincomycin, LCM; oxytetracyclin, OTC; tylosin, TS; valnemulin, VLM) in swine wastewater has been developed. After filtration, aliquots (100 microl) of wastewater samples were directly injected to a column-switching LC system. Some matrix interference was removed by washing up SPE column with 0.2% formic acid solution and acetonitrile. Antibiotics eluted from SPE column were separated on analytical column by converting switching valve and were detected by MS/MS. Calibration curves using the method of standard addition had very good correlation coefficients (r > 0.99) in the range of 0.1 to 2 ng/ml. The intra-day precision of the method was less than 12% and the inter-day precision was between 6 to 17%. The detection limits were 0.01-0.1 ng/ml. When this method was applied to wastewater samples in swine facilities, four compounds (LCM, OTC, TS, and VLM) were detected.

Automated on-line column-switching HPLC-MS/MS method with peak focusing for measuring parabens, triclosan, and other environmental phenols in human milk

Parabens (esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid) and triclosan are widely used as preservatives and antimicrobial agents, respectively, in personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. Because of their widespread use and potential risk to human health, assessing human exposure to these compounds in breastfed infants is of interest. We developed a sensitive method, using a unique on-line solid-phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system with peak focusing feature, to measure in human milk the concentrations of five parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, and benzyl parabens), triclosan, and six other environmental phenols: bisphenol A (BPA); ortho-phenylphenol (OPP); 2,4-dichlorophenol; 2,5-dichlorophenol; 2,4,5-trichlorophenol; and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3). The method, validated by use of breast milk pooled samples, shows good reproducibility (inter-day coefficient of variations ranging from 3.5% to 16.3%) and accuracy (spiked recoveries ranging from 84% to 119% at four spiking levels). The detection limits for most of the analytes are below 1 ng mL −1 in 100 μL of milk. We tested the usefulness of the method by measuring the concentrations of these twelve compounds in four human milk samples. We detected methyl paraben, propyl paraben, triclosan, BPA, OPP, and BP-3 in some of the samples tested. The free species of these compounds appear to be the most prevalent in milk. Nevertheless, to demonstrate the utility of these measures for exposure and risk assessment purposes, additional data about sampling and storage of the milk, and on the stability of the analytes in milk, are needed.

Quantification of atrazine and its metabolites in urine by on-line solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

We have developed a method using on-line solid-phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC-MS/MS) and isotope dilution quantification to measure atrazine and seven atrazine metabolites in urine. The metabolites measured were hydroxyatrazine, diaminochloroatrazine, desisopropylatrazine, desethylatrazine, desethylatrazine mercapturate, atrazine mercaturate and atrazine itself. Our method has good precision (relative standard deviations ranging from 4 to 20% at 5, 10 and 50 ng/mL), extraction efficiencies of 67 to 102% at 5 and 25 ng/mL, relative recoveries of 87 to 112% at 5, 25, 50 and 100 ng/mL limits of detection (LOD) ranging from 0.03 to 2.80 ng/mL. The linear range of our method spans from the analyte LOD to 100 ng/mL (40 ng/mL for atrazine and atrazine mercapturate) with R (2) values of greater than 0.999 and errors about the slope of less than 3%. Our method is rapid, cost-effective and suitable for large-scale sample analyses and is easily adaptable to other biological matrices. More importantly, this method will allow us to better assess human exposure to atrazine-related chemicals.

Urinary 5-HIAA measurement using automated on-line solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Quantification of 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) in urine is useful for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with carcinoid tumors and for monitoring serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) metabolism in various disorders. We describe an automated method (XLC–MS/MS) that incorporates on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) detection to measure urinary 5-HIAA. Automated pre-purification of urine was carried out with HySphere-Resin GP ® SPE cartridges containing strong hydrophobic polystyrene resin. The analyte (5-HIAA) and internal standard (isotope-labelled 5-HIAA- d 2) were, after elution from the cartridge, separated by reversed-phase HPLC and detected with tandem MS. Total cycle time was 5 min. 5-HIAA and its deuterated internal standard (5-HIAA- d 2) were retained on and eluted from the SPE cartridges in high yields (81.5–98.0%). Absolute recovery was 96.5–99.6%. Intra-assay ( n = 20) and inter-assay ( n = 20) CVs for the measurement of 5-HIAA in urine in three concentration levels ranged from 0.8 to 1.4% and 1.7 to 4.2%, respectively. For urine samples from patients ( n = 78) with known or suspected metastatic carcinoid tumors, results obtained by XLC–MS/MS were highly correlated ( R 2 = 0.99) with the routinely used fluorometric method. This XLC–MS/MS method demonstrated lower imprecision and time per analysis (high-throughput) than manual solvent extraction methods and higher sensitivity and specificity than non-mass spectrometric detection techniques.

Determination of tetracyclines residues in honey by on-line solid-phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography

An automated system using on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection was developed for the determination of tetracyclines (TCs), such as tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC), chlortetracycline (CTC), metacycline (MC), and doxycycline (DC) in honey. One milliliter diluted honey sample was injected into a conditioned C18 SPE column and the matrix was washed out with water for 3 min. By rotation of the switching valve, TCs were eluted and transferred to the analytical column by the chromatographic mobile phase. Chromatographic conditions were optimized. TCs were separated in less than 8 min with a gradient elution using a mixture of 0.8% formic acid and acetonitrile. The UV detection was performed at 365 nm. The conditions for on-line SPE, including solvent and total time for loading sample and washing matrix were also optimized. Time for extraction and separation decreased greatly. For the five kinds of TCs, the limits of detection (LODs) at a signal-to-noise of 3 ranged from 5 to 12 ng g −1. The relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) for the determination of TCs ranged from 3.4 to 7.1% within a day and ranged from 3.2 to 8.9% in 3 days, respectively.

Universal screening method for the determination of US Environmental Protection Agency phenols at the lower ng l −1 level in water samples by on-line solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry within a single run

The applicability of a previously optimized method for the analysis of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations phenols, based on on-line solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric (MS) detection in different matrix loaded water samples is demonstrated. The comprehensive optimization of the mobile phase conditions and their influence on the ionization process in atmospheric pressure ionization is described in detail. In particular, MS detection of the weakly acidic phenols such as phenol, monochlorinated phenols and methylated phenols requires the absence of acidic mobile phase modifiers and buffers. Thus lower retention times and slight peak broadening of the more acidic dinitrophenols are obtained if the entire range of EPA phenols is analyzed within a single chromatographic run. The figures of merit for the method were determined and the applicability to real water samples was investigated. Limits of detection for phenols ranging from 40 to 280 ng l −1 and relative standard deviations below 8% in SCAN mode are obtained for all phenols if only 10-ml river water samples with low dissolved organic carbon (DOC 5 mg C l −1) concentrations are preconcentrated. The method was used to detect 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol in river water samples in the lower ng l −1 range. The analysis of highly matrix-loaded samples (DOC 210 mg C l −1) requires a reduced enrichment volume resulting in decreased sensitivity. Still the method is capable of reaching excellent detection limits which demonstrates its excellent suitability for screening analysis.

Development of an automated on-line solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of aniline, phenol, caffeine and various selected substituted aniline and phenol compounds in aqueous matrices

A fully automated solid-phase extraction (SPE)–high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of substituted anilines and phenols in aqueous matrices at the low- to sub-μg/l level. Diode array and electrochemical detection operated in tandem mode were used for analyte detection. Two new polymeric sorbent materials (Hysphere-GP and Hysphere-SH) were evaluated for the on-line SPE of substituted anilines and phenols from aqueous matrices and their performance was compared with the PRP-1 and PLRP-S sorbents. Hysphere-GP sorbent packed in 10×2 mm cartridges was found to give better results in terms of sensitivity and selectivity of the overall analytical method. The proposed analytical method was validated for the analysis of these compounds in Axios river water that receives industrial, communal and agricultural wastes. The detection limits for all the compounds range between 0.05 and 0.2 μg/l, except for aniline and phenol which have detection limits of 0.5 and 1 μg/l, respectively (aniline detected by electrochemical detection). The recoveries for all the compounds are higher than 75% except for aniline (6%), phenol (50%) and 3-chlorophenol (67%). Finally, in order to evaluate the efficiency of the Hysphere-GP (10×2 mm) cartridges for sample stabilization and storage, the stability of the compounds of interest at the sorbed state onto these cartridges has been evaluated under three different temperature regimes (deep freeze, refrigeration, 20°C).

Selective analysis of the herbicides glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in water by on-line solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A fully automated on-line solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC–ESI-MS–MS) method was developed for the determination of glyphosate and its degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in the concentration range of 0.05 to 3 μg/l in various types of water. Derivatisation of glyphosate and AMPA directly in the native aqueous sample with 9-fluorenyl methoxycarbonyl chloride allowed the preconcentration by SPE and HPLC separation. Identification and quantification based on the constant ratio of three selected ions for each compound (precursor ion and two product-ions) together with the retention time proved to be a very selective procedure for the reliable determination of these pesticides. Although developed for drinking water and surface water, the selectivity of this method also allows their determination in waste water. Moreover, the structurally similar herbicide glufosinate could also be determined using the same derivatisation procedure and analytical method. Validation of the HPLC–MS method for glyphosate and AMPA showed detection limits as low as 0.03 μg/l. Recoveries of 96% and relative standard deviations for repeatability <8.4% were determined at 0.2 concentration.