Potential Degradation Products Research Articles

Comprehensive monitoring of MEA degradation in a post-combustion CO2 capture pilot plant with identification of novel degradation products in gaseous effluents

A pilot plant campaign was performed to study MEA degradation in CO2 capture conditions and anticipate potential degradation products emissions to the atmosphere in industrial case. Aqueous 30% wt MEA was cycled between absorption and regeneration steps during 1700h in the presence of a synthetic flue gas containing 81% of N2, 14% of CO2, 5% of O2, 97ppm of NO, 9ppm of SO2 and 5ppm of NO2. Specific methods (sampling, sample conditioning and analysis) were developed to improve degradation products identification and to provide a quantification of targeted compounds in liquid phase and above all in absorber and stripper gas effluents. Especially, trace elements were detected in liquid phase thanks to Head Space-Solid Phase MicroExtraction (HS-SPME) and liquid–liquid extraction with ChemElut cartridges and in gas phase thanks to adsorbent tubes of different type: Sep-Pak® for aldehydes and ketones, Orbo 60 for N-nitrosodimethylamine, Tenax and active charcoal for non-specific adsorption. 32 degradation products were identified in liquid phase and 38 in gas phase, 17 of which for the first time, especially derivatives of pyridine and oxazolidine, 1H-pyrrole and a new nitrosamine, the N-nitroso-2-methyl-oxazolidine.

Whole Cell Biosensor for Screening Lignin‐degrading Enzyme Library

Lignin is a potential renewable raw material for synthesis of various value‐added chemicals that can substitute fossil‐derived consumer products. Huge lignin biomass is produced as by‐product of paper industry while cellulosic components of plant biomass are utilized in paper pulp. Instead of vast potential, lignin remains the least exploited component of plant biomass due to its extremely complex cross‐linked three dimensional structures that cannot be efficiently degraded by currently available enzymes. Effective lignin degrading enzymes could be developed by enzyme engineering. Directed evolution is a strong tool for enhancing activity of currently available enzymes but application of this technique for improving efficiency of lignin degrading enzyme is limited due to unavailability of any high throughput screening method. With an objective of detecting the lignin degradation products (LDPs), we identified two promoters in E.coli genome that are up‐regulated by potential lignin degradation products. The promoters were identified by RNA‐Seq analysis of E. coli cells pre‐exposed to the sub‐lethal dose of a LDP for different exposure times. A ‘very green fluorescence protein’ (vGFP) gene was recombinantly placed under control of these promoters within a customized plasmid. The whole cell sensor was developed by transforming E. coli BL21 cells with these constructs. Although the constructs showed some leaky expression in the E. coli BL21 cells, the cells responded by increasing fluorescence while grown in the presence of the lignin degradation products (e.g. vanillin, acetovanillone and guaiacol), which was detected by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. The sensors did not showed any increase of fluorescence by the presence of lignin or lignin model compounds. The fluorescence change by the presence of LDPs was dose‐dependent; one sensor can detect vanillin at the concentration as low as 0.5 mM. Both sensors showed best response to vanillin as an individual compound but better response was achieved with the mixture of the lignin degradation products.

Relating Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Effects to Reaction Mechanisms during Aerobic or Anaerobic Degradation of RDX (Hexahydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-Triazine) by Pure Bacterial Cultures.

Kinetic isotopic fractionation of carbon and nitrogen during RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) biodegradation was investigated with pure bacterial cultures under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Relatively large bulk enrichments in (15)N were observed during biodegradation of RDX via anaerobic ring cleavage (ε(15)N = -12.7‰ ± 0.8‰) and anaerobic nitro reduction (ε(15)N = -9.9‰ ± 0.7‰), in comparison to smaller effects during biodegradation via aerobic denitration (ε(15)N = -2.4‰ ± 0.2‰). (13)C enrichment was negligible during aerobic RDX biodegradation (ε(13)C = -0.8‰ ± 0.5‰) but larger during anaerobic degradation (ε(13)C = -4.0‰ ± 0.8‰), with modest variability among genera. Dual-isotope ε(13)C/ε(15)N analyses indicated that the three biodegradation pathways could be distinguished isotopically from each other and from abiotic degradation mechanisms. Compared to the initial RDX bulk δ(15)N value of +9‰, δ(15)N values of the NO2 (-) released from RDX ranged from -7‰ to +2‰ during aerobic biodegradation and from -42‰ to -24‰ during anaerobic biodegradation. Numerical reaction models indicated that N isotope effects of NO2 (-) production were much larger than, but systematically related to, the bulk RDX N isotope effects with different bacteria. Apparent intrinsic ε(15)N-NO2 (-) values were consistent with an initial denitration pathway in the aerobic experiments and more complex processes of NO2 (-) formation associated with anaerobic ring cleavage. These results indicate the potential for isotopic analysis of residual RDX for the differentiation of degradation pathways and indicate that further efforts to examine the isotopic composition of potential RDX degradation products (e.g., NOx) in the environment are warranted. This work provides the first systematic evaluation of the isotopic fractionation of carbon and nitrogen in the organic explosive RDX during degradation by different pathways. It also provides data on the isotopic effects observed in the nitrite produced during RDX biodegradation. Both of these results could lead to better understanding of the fate of RDX in the environment and help improve monitoring and remediation technologies.

Simultaneous Quantification of Novel Antiretroviral Drug Combination by Stability-indicating High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method

Research in the many areas of human immunodeficiency virus treatment, eradication and prevention has necessitated measurement of antiretroviral concentrations in nontraditional specimen types. For HIV infection, drug combinations are typically used as highly active antiretroviral therapy, intended to maximize viral suppression. A novel four drugs combination was used, which contains two nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (lamivudine and tenofovir) and two protease inhibitors (darunavir and ritonavir). A new simple, efficient, and sensitive reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for simultaneously extraction and determination of the concentrations of lamivudine, tenofovir, darunavir and ritonavir in bulk and their tablets. Four compounds were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column at 30±2.0° using a gradient mobile phase combination containing potassium dihydrogen phosphate, acetonitrile and methanol. The pH was adjusted to 3.5±0.05 by the addition of ortho phosphoric acid. The samples were detected using a UV detector, 260 nm for lamivudine, tenofovir and darunavir and 240 nm for ritonavir. The procedure separated analytes and its potential degradation products, in an overall analysis time of about 15 min with lamivudine, tenofovir, darunavir and ritonavir eluting at about 2.385, 4.055, 11.353 and 14.010 min, respectively. The linear range of lamivudine, tenofovir, darunavir and ritonavir was 58.32-174.96 μg/ml, 58.32-174.96 μg/ml, 72.00-216.00 μg/ml and 112.50-337.5 μg/ml, respectively. The relative standard deviation for precision was less than 2.0%. The drug was subjected to acid, alkaline peroxide and photolytic stress conditions and the performance of the method was validated according to the present as per the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines for speci?city, linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness.

Bilberry extract, its major polyphenolic compounds, and the soy isoflavone genistein antagonize the cytostatic drug erlotinib in human epithelial cells.

Erlotinib (Tarceva®) is a chemotherapeutic drug approved for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Its primary mode of action is the inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). Recently, RTK-inhibiting polyphenols have been reported to interact synergistically with erlotinib. Furthermore some anthocyanidins and anthocyanin-rich berry extracts have been reported to inhibit tyrosine kinases, including the EGFR, which raises the question of potential interactions with erlotinib. Polyphenol-rich preparations such as berry- or soy-based products are commercially available as food supplements. In the present study we tested a bilberry extract, its major anthocyanin and potential intestinal degradation products, as well as genistein, with respect to possible interactions with erlotinib. Cell growth inhibition was assessed using the sulforhodamine B assay, while interactions with EGFR phosphorylation were analyzed by SDS-PAGE/western blotting with subsequent immunodetection. Genistein, bilberry extract, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and delphinidin were found to antagonize erlotinib whereas phloroglucinol aldehyde was found to enhance cytostatic effects of the drug on human epithelial A431 cells. Genistein also antagonized the EGFR inhibitory effects of erlotinib, whereas bilberry anthocyanins showed no significant interactions in this regard. Our data indicate that different polyphenols are potentially able to impair the cytostatic effect of erlotinib in vitro. Genistein interacts via the modulation of erlotinib-mediated EGFR inhibition whereas bilberry anthocyanins modulated the growth-inhibitory effect of erlotinib without affecting EGFR phosphorylation, thus indicating a different mechanism of interference.

Characterization of potential impurities and degradation products in electronic cigarette formulations and aerosols

E-cigarettes are gaining popularity in the U.S. as well as in other global markets. Currently, limited published analytical data characterizing e-cigarette formulations (e-liquids) and aerosols exist. While FDA has not published a harmful and potentially harmful constituent (HPHC) list for e-cigarettes, the HPHC list for currently regulated tobacco products may be useful to analytically characterize e-cigarette aerosols. For example, most e-cigarette formulations contain propylene glycol and glycerin, which may produce aldehydes when heated. In addition, nicotine-related chemicals have been previously reported as potential e-cigarette formulation impurities. This study determined e-liquid formulation impurities and potentially harmful chemicals in aerosols of select commercial MarkTen® e-cigarettes manufactured by NuMark LLC. The potential hazard of the identified formulation impurities and aerosol chemicals was also estimated. E-cigarettes were machine puffed (4-s duration, 55-mL volume, 30-s intervals) to battery exhaustion to maximize aerosol collection. Aerosols analyzed for carbonyls were collected in 20-puff increments to account for analyte instability. Tobacco specific nitrosamines were measured at levels observed in pharmaceutical grade nicotine. Nicotine-related impurities in the e-cigarette formulations were below the identification and qualification thresholds proposed in ICH Guideline Q3B(R2). Levels of potentially harmful chemicals detected in the aerosols were determined to be below published occupational exposure limits.

Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating RP-HPLC Method for the Assay of Pristinamycin in Bulk and Tablet Dosage Form.

Pristinamycin is an antibiotic used mainly in the treatment of Staphylococcus infections. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and simple stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for the determination of pristinamycin in tablet dosage form. Pristinamycin was eluted on the ACE-5, C18-HL, 250 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm analytical column with a mobile phase consisting of 0.2% orthophosphoric acid and acetonitrile 63:37 v/v, pumped at 1.5 ml/min flow rate. The column was maintained at 40°C and 10 μl of the solutions were injected. UV detection was performed at 206 nm. The procedure separated pristinamycin and its potential degradation products in an overall analysis time of less than 10 min with pristinamycin eluting at about 3 min. The method was validated according to the regulatory guidelines with respect to specificity, precision, accuracy, linearity, and robustness. Forced degradation studies were also performed for pristinamycin bulk drug samples to demonstrate the stability-indicating power of the HPLC method. The % RSD of system precision and method precision was found to be 0.64 and 1.49%, respectively. The procedure provided a linear response over the concentration range 25–150 μg/ml (r = 0.9998). Finally, the applicability of the method was evaluated in the tablet dosage form as well as in stability samples.

Assessing the Risk of Formation of Potential Genotoxic Degradation Products in a Small-Molecule Kinase Inhibitor Drug Substance and Drug Product

Galunisertib is a kinase inhibitor designed to selectively inhibit TGF-β signaling. Drug substance stress degradation studies performed during clinical development demonstrated two degradation products via oxidation of the nitrogen(s) of the pyridine moieties in the presence of dilute hydrogen peroxide. These “N-oxide” potential degradation products generated positive alerts for mutagenicity by in silico structure–activity relationship-based genotoxicity assessment, and both tested positive in the Ames bacterial mutagenicity test. These compounds were also identified as potential process impurities that could originate through the use of hydrogen peroxide, and this reagent was subsequently removed from the synthetic route. A toxicology limit of not more than 166 ppm (w/w relative to the drug substance) combined for the two N-oxides was assigned on the basis of clinical dosing. An LC–MS method was developed to test for the N-oxides with a limit of quantitation set at <10% of the toxicology limit in both th...

Isolation, Characterization of a Potential Degradation Product of Aspirin and an HPLC Method for Quantitative Estimation of Its Impurities

In this work, a new degradation product of Aspirin was isolated, characterized and analyzed along with other impurities. New unknown degradation product referred as UP was observed exceeding the limit of ICH Q3B identification thresholds in the stability study of Aspirin and Dipyridamole capsule. The UP isolated from the thermal degradation sample was further studied by IR, Mass and (1)H NMR spectrometry, revealing structural similarities with the parent molecule. Finally, UP was identified as a new compound generated from the interaction of Aspirin and Salicylic acid to form a dehydrated product. A specific HPLC method was developed and validated for the analysis of UP and other Aspirin impurities (A, B, C, E and other unknown degradation products). The proposed method was successfully employed for estimation of Aspirin impurities in a pharmaceutical preparation of Aspirin (Immediate Release) and Dipyridamole (Extended Release) Capsules.

Quantifying the degradation of TNT and RDX in a saline environment with and without UV-exposure

Terrorist attacks in a maritime setting, such as the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, or the detection of underwater mines, require the development of proper protocols to collect and analyse explosive material from a marine environment. In addition to proper analysis of the explosive material, protocols must also consider the exposure of the material to potentially deleterious elements, such as UV light and salinity, time spent in the environment, and time between storage and analysis. To understand how traditional explosives would be affected by such conditions, saline solutions of explosives were exposed to natural and artificial sunlight. Degradation of the explosives over time was then quantified using negative chemical ionization gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/NCI-MS). Two explosives, trinitrotoluene (TNT) and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), were exposed to different aqueous environments and light exposures with salinities ranging from freshwater to twice the salinity of ocean water. Solutions were then aged for up to 6 months to simulate different conditions the explosives may be recovered from. Salinity was found to have a negligible impact on the degradation of both RDX and TNT. RDX was stable in solutions of all salinities while TNT solutions degraded regardless of salinity. Solutions of varying salinities were also exposed to UV light, where accelerated degradation was seen for both explosives. Potential degradation products of TNT were identified using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and correspond to proposed degradation products discussed in previously published works [1].

Reverse Phase Liquid Chromatographic Method for Analysis of Doxofylline in Presence of its Degradation Products

A simple, precise and novel reverse phase liquid chromatographic method for analysis of doxofylline in bulk drug as well as in pharmaceutical preparations in the presence of potential degradation products of doxofylline has been developed and validated. Forced degradation studies were carried on doxofylline in acidic, neutral and alkaline hydrolytic conditions in addition to oxidative, thermal and photolytic conditions. Optimum separation among doxofylline and its degradation products was achieved using a ternary mixture of water: methanol: ethyl acetate in the ratio of 80:10: 10 % v/v/v as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min on a Supelco C18 DB 150 mm X 4.6 mm column as the stationary phase when scanned at a wavelength of 277 nm. The retention time for the various degradation products were found to be sufficiently different with each other as well as with the parent drug at the optimized chromatographic conditions to permit their accurate quantitative estimation. The method was found to be linear at least in the range of 5- 25 μg/ml. The developed method was then validated for precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness and ruggedness in accordance with the ICH guidelines and other available regulatory guidelines.

Abiotic dechlorination in rock matrices impacted by long-term exposure to TCE

Field and laboratory tests were performed to evaluate the abiotic reaction of trichloroethene (TCE) in sedimentary rock matrices. Hydraulically conductive fractures, and the rock directly adjacent to the hydraulically conductive fractures, within a historically contaminated TCE bedrock aquifer were used as the basis for this study. These results were compared to previous work using rock that had not been exposed to TCE (Schaefer et al., 2013) to assess the impact of long-term TCE exposure on the abiotic dechlorination reaction, as the longevity of these reactions after long-term exposure to TCE was hitherto unknown. Results showed that potential abiotic TCE degradation products, including ethane, ethene, and acetylene, were present in the conductive fractures. Using minimally disturbed slices of rock core at and near the fracture faces, laboratory testing on the rocks confirmed that abiotic dechlorination reactions between the rock matrix and TCE were occurring. Abiotic daughter products measured in the laboratory under controlled conditions were consistent with those measured in the conductive fractures, except that propane also was observed as a daughter product. TCE degradation measured in the laboratory was well described by a first order rate constant through the 118-d study. Observed bulk first-order TCE degradation rate constants within the rock matrix were 1.3×10−8s−1. These results clearly show that abiotic dechlorination of TCE is occurring within the rock matrix, despite decades of exposure to TCE. Furthermore, these observed rates of TCE dechlorination are expected to have a substantial impact on TCE migration and uptake/release from rock matrices.

Microbial toxicity of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) determined with fluorescent and luminescent bioassays

The inhibitory effects of the fuel additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and potential degradation products tert-butanol (TBA) and formaldehyde was examined using mixed microbial biomass, and six strains of bioluminescent bacteria and yeast. The purpose was to assess microbial toxicity with quantitative bioluminescent and fluorescent endpoints, and to identify sensitive proxies suitable for monitoring MTBE contamination. Bioluminescent Aliivibrio fischeri DSM 7151 (formerly Vibrio fischeri) appeared highly sensitive to MTBE exposure, and was a superior test organisms compared to lux-tagged Escherichia coli DH5α, Pseudomonas fluorescens DF57-40E7 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae BLYR. EC10 and EC50 for acute MTBE toxicity in A. fischeri were 1.1 and 10.9mgL−1, respectively. Long term (24h) MTBE exposure resulted in EC10 values of 0.01mgL−1. TBA was significantly less toxic with EC10 and EC50 for acute and chronic toxicity >1000mgL−1. Inhibition of bioluminescence was generally a more sensitive endpoint for MTBE toxicity than measuring intracellular ATP levels and heterotrophic CO2 assimilation. A weak estrogenic response was detected for MTBE at concentrations ⩾3.7g L−1 using an estrogen inducible bioluminescent yeast strain (S. cerevisiae BLYES). Microbial hydrolytic enzyme activity in groundwater was affected by MTBE with EC10 values of 0.5–787mgL−1, and EC50 values of 59-3073 for alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, beta-1,4-glucanase, N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase, and leucine-aminopeptidase. Microbial alkaline phosphatase and beta-1,4-glucanase activity were most sensitive to MTBE exposure with EC50⩽64.8mgL−1. The study suggests that bioassays with luminescent A. fischeri, and fluorescent assays targeting hydrolytic enzyme activity are good candidates for monitoring microbial MTBE toxicity in contaminated water.

Chemical and enzymatic methodologies for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure glyceraldehyde 3-phosphates

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphates are important intermediates of many central metabolic pathways in a large number of living organisms. d-Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (d-GAP) is a key intermediate during glycolysis and can as well be found in a variety of other metabolic pathways. The opposite enantiomer, l-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (l-GAP), has been found in a few exciting new pathways. Here, improved syntheses of enantiomerically pure glyceraldehyde 3-phosphates are reported. While d-GAP was synthesized by periodate cleavage of d-fructose 6-phosphate, l-GAP was obtained by enzymatic phosphorylation of l-glyceraldehyde. 1H- and 31P NMR spectroscopy was applied in order to examine pH-dependent behavior of GAP over time and to identify potential degradation products. It was found that GAP is stable in acidic aqueous solution below pH 4. At pH 7, methylglyoxal is formed, whereas under alkaline conditions, the formation of lactic acid could be observed.

From implantation to degradation — are poly (l-lactide)/multiwall carbon nanotube composite materials really cytocompatible?

Poly (l-lactide)'s (PLLA) biodegradable properties are of special value in orthopaedic applications, but its mechanical strength limits its usage. To overcome this PLLA can be reinforced by multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). In this study the PLLA and MWCNT were combined to prepare nanostructured composites (nanocomposite) at 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1wt.% reinforcement. The in vitro biocompatibility of these PLLA/MWCNT nanocomposites was evaluated taking into account the various stages of implantation including nanocomposite degradation. PLLA/MWCNT nanocomposites were highly biocompatible with human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMC). The potential surface degradation product, MWCNT, did not induce toxic responses on HBMC. However, the combination of MWCNT with lactic acid, resembling release after bulk degradation, significantly inhibited HBMC proliferation and activity. This study demonstrates the importance of comprehensive evaluations of novel materials for medical applications in predicting possible adverse effects during nanocomposite degradation. From the Clinical EditorThis study scrutinizes the cytocompatibility of poly-L-lactide reinforced by multiwall carbon nanotubes, and concludes that the combination of MWCNT with lactic acid significantly inhibited human bone marrow stromal cell proliferation and activity, highlighting the importance of comprehensive evaluations of novel materials.

Characterization of potential degradation products in a PEGylating reagent 20 kDa monomethoxy polyethylene glycol propionaldehyde by RP-HPLC, APCI-MS and NMR

Ensuring quality of PEGylating reagents is essential for the successful development and manufacturing of PEGylated biopharmaceuticals. However, little is known about how to maintain and verify the quality of PEG raw materials for PEGylated protein manufacturing. In this study, monomethoxy polyethylene glycol propionaldehyde (mPEG-aldehyde) was subjected to conditions that mimic accelerated stability conditions. Separation of trace-level degradation products in the presence of mPEG-aldehyde was achieved by derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), followed by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (RP-HPLC-UV) at 355nm. Structural characterization by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) identified formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, acrolein, benzaldehyde, and tolualdehyde as major degradation products or process-related impurities. The presence of formaldehyde and acrolein was confirmed by 1H NMR in the forced degraded mPEG-aldehyde samples without derivatization of mPEG-aldehyde. Findings from this study imply that reactive impurities could form as a result of inappropriate mPEG-aldehyde handling or storage. Further, a rapid screening method based on reversed phase HPLC was shown to be an effective screening assay used for routine screening of mPEG-aldehyde to ensure consistent PEGylated protein product quality.

DRIFTS Studies on the Role of Surface Water in Stabilizing Catechol–Iron(III) Complexes at the Gas/Solid Interface

Surface water plays a crucial role in facilitating or inhibiting surface reactions in atmospheric aerosols. However, little is known about the role of surface water in the complexation of organic acid molecules to transition metals in multicomponent aerosol systems. We report herein results from real time DRIFTS experiments that show in situ complexation of catechol to Fe(III) under humid conditions. Catechol was schosen as a simple model for humic-like substances (HULIS) in aerosols and aged polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). It was also detected in secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formed from the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with benzene. Given the importance of the iron content in aerosols and its biogeochemistry, our studies were conducted using FeCl3. For comparison, these surface-sensitive studies were complemented with bulk aqueous ATR-FTIR, UV-vis, and HPLC measurements for structural, quantitative, and qualitative information about complexes in the bulk, and potential degradation products in the dark. Under dry conditions, DRIFTS spectra show that gas phase catechol adsorbs molecularly and is fully protonated on samples containing FeCl3 with no evidence of complexation to Fe(III). Upon increasing the relative humidity to a value below the deliquescence of FeCl3, surface water facilitates ionic mobility resulting in the formation of monodentate catechol-Fe complexes. These complexes are stable at the gas/solid interface and do not undergo any further degradation in the dark as shown from bulk UV-vis and HPLC experiments. The implications of our studies on understanding interfacial and condensed phase chemistry relevant to multicomponent aerosols, water thin films on buildings, and ocean surfaces containing transition metals are discussed.

Determination of Degradation Products of Doxercalciferol by Solid-Phase Extraction and Reversed-Phase HPLC

In the current study, injectable formulations containing Doxercalciferol as the active pharmaceutical ingredient are analyzed by using gradient-elution high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Various related impurities and degradants are quantified by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) for enhanced sensitivity. The assay of possible related impurities and Doxercalciferol analogues present at trace quantities is performed by using Trans-1-α-hydroxy vitamin D2 (Doxercalciferol related degradation product/Impurity B) as standard and 1-β-hydroxy vitamin D2 (Doxercalciferol related degradation product/Impurity C) as internal standards for the SPE study. The current method is shown to be stability-indicating and free from interferences from any of the formulation excipients and potential degradation products and impurities. The validated method is shown to be reproducible, accurate, sensitive and selective.

FORCED DEGRADATION STUDY OF TORASEMIDE: CHARACTERIZATION OF ITS DEGRADATION PRODUCTS

Torasemide was subjected to forced degradation studies. Stress conditions were varied concerning hydrolysis (acid, base, and neutral), oxidation, photolysis, and thermal degradation in order to identify the potential degradation products and consequently establish the possible degradation pathways and intrinsic stability of the drug. The study was performed according to ICH guidelines and drug was found to be relatively stable in the solid form. It showed that torasemide degraded significantly under acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions and resulted in formation of degradation product R2. When temperature was increased the degradation was accelerated. Also, the drug showed slight instability under extreme oxidative stress conditions which resulted in formation of two degradation products in total. The drug and degradation products have been separated employing gradient elution method on Zorbax SB C18 analytical column. To characterize the degradation products LC–MSn was applied. The mass fragmentation pattern was established using single quadrupole and ion trap mass analyzers. Finally, the most possible degradation mechanism of torasemide in different experimental conditions was proposed.

The Assessment of Impurities for Genotoxic Potential and Subsequent Control in Drug Substance and Drug Product

The strategies implemented at Eli Lilly and Company to address European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration requirements governing the control of genotoxic impurities (GTIs) are presented. These strategies were developed to provide understanding with regard to the risk and potential liabilities that could be associated with developmental and marketed compounds. The strategies systematize the assessment of impurities for genotoxic potential, addressing both actual and potential impurities. Timing of activities is designed to minimize impact to development timelines while building a data package sufficient to either discharge the risk of potential GTI formation or support the implementation of a specification necessary for long-term control. This article presents the background associated with GTI control, the types of impurities that should be assessed, and the actions to be taken when an impurity is found to be genotoxic. A systematic approach to define potential degradation products derived from stress-testing studies is outlined with a proposal to perform a genotoxic risk assessment on these impurities. Finally, an Arrhenius-based strategy is proposed for a rapid assessment of the likelihood of potential degradation impurities to form in the commercial drug product formulation. Importantly, this article makes a proposal for discharging the risk of a potential GTI with supporting data.