RP-HPLC Column Research Articles

Chemometric evaluation of relationships between retention and physicochemical parameters in terms of multidimensional liquid chromatography of peptides

Statistical evaluation of relationships between chromatographic retention and physicochemical descriptors of peptides was performed. The relationships describing retention were derived for a set of 98 structurally diversified peptides chromatographed on HPLC columns using acetonitrile and water with the addition of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid as the mobile phase. It was found with the aid of multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis that the retention contributions of the amino acids comprising the individual peptide and the physicochemical parameters describing the bulkiness properties of peptides have the greatest influence on the retention of peptides, independent of the stationary phase used. Retention data were determined on six physicochemically different HPLC columns with the aid of experiments performed with various gradient times and column temperatures. Moreover, PCA permitted differentiation of the RP-HPLC columns used in terms of their similarities and dissimilarities in respect of peptide separations.

Chromatographic Evaluation of the Lipophilic Properties of Selected Pesticides

Monolinuron, chlortoluron, diuron, isoproturon, linuron, diflubenzuron, dimefuron, teflubenzuron, and lufenuron have been chromatographed on an RP-HPLC column and on RP-HPTLC plates with methanol–water in different volume proportions as mobile phases. The retention values log k, and RM were extrapolated to zero methanol content. Chromatographic lipophilicities (log kw, RMw, φo(HPLC), and φo(TLC)) were compared with measured (log Pexp) partition coefficients and with values (A log Ps, IA log P, C log P, log PKowin, and x log P) calculated by use of five different software products. The most significant correlations were found between the chromatographic lipophilicities and C log P values. Satisfactory linear correlation was also obtained between lipophilicity (log kw, RMw) and the valence Gutman index (Mν).

Implications of column peak capacity on the separation of complex peptide mixtures in single- and two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography

Column peak capacity was utilized as a measure of column efficiency for gradient elution conditions. Peak capacity was evaluated experimentally for reversed-phase (RP) and cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns, and compared to the values predicted from RP-HPLC gradient theory. The model was found to be useful for the prediction of peak capacity and productivity in single- and two-dimensional (2D) chromatography. Both theoretical prediction and experimental data suggest that the number of peaks separated in HPLC reaches an upper limit, despite using highly efficient columns or very shallow gradients. The practical peak capacity value is about several hundred for state-of-the-art RP-HPLC columns. Doubling the column length (efficiency) improves the peak capacity by only 40%, and proportionally increases both the separation time and the backpressure. Similarly, extremely shallow gradients have a positive effect on the peak capacity, but analysis becomes unacceptably long. The model predicts that a 2D-HPLC peak capacity of 15,000 can be achieved in 8 h using multiple fraction collection in the first dimension followed by fast RP-HPLC gradients employing short, but efficient columns in the second dimension.

Reversed-Phase HPLC Separation of Human Serum Employing a Novel Saw-Tooth Gradient: Toward Multidimensional Proteome Analysis

A novel reversed-phase (RP-) HPLC gradient profile applicable to multidimensional separations of complex protein mixtures is reported. This gradient profile elutes small numbers of proteins from the RP-HPLC column in discrete intervals while minimizing the amount of band broadening between elution intervals and maintaining constant flow through the HPLC column. Eluting the proteins in discrete intervals eases the instrumental requirements necessary for performing multidimensional separations and can be used to aid in the collection of well-defined fractions. The saw-tooth gradient was applied to the successful isolation of albumin from less abundant proteins in whole human serum and provides adequate separation of proteins in a low-molecular weight (LMW) fraction of human serum with resolution comparable to that achieved using a typical linear gradient profile.

Isolation and Partial Characterization of Phytotoxic Mycotoxins Produced by Sclerotinia sp., a Potential Bioherbicide for the Control of White Clover(Trifoliorum repens)

Sclerotinia sp. (isolate BWC98-105) causes stem blight and root rot in Leghum sp., and is presently being evaluated as a potential mycoherbicide for the control of Trifoliorium repens. Bioassays have shown that Sclerotinia sp. produces phytotoxic substance which is biologically active against T. repens. Two biologically active compounds, designated as compoundsI and II, were produced in vitro from the culture filtrate of BWC98-105 isolate Sclerotium sp. Compounds I and II were purified by means of liquid-liquid extraction and <TEX>$C_{18}$</TEX> open column chromatography (300 <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> 30 mm, i.d). To determine the purity, the purified compounds were analyzed by RP-HPLC. The analytical RP-HPLC column was a TOSOH ODS-120T (150 <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> 4.6 mm i.d, Japan), of which the flow rate was set at 0.7 mL/min using the linear gradient solvent system initiated with 15 % methanol to 85 % methanol for 50 min with monitoring at 254 nm. Under these RP-HPLC conditions, compounds I and II eluted at 3.49 and 4.13 min, respectively. Compound II was found to be most potent and host specific. However, compound I had a unique antibiotic activity against phytopathogenic bacteria like bacterial leaf blight (Xanthomonas oryzae) on rice, where it played a less important role in producing toxicity on T. repens. No toxin activity was detected in the water fraction after partitioning with several organic solvents. However, toxin activity was detected in the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions. In the leaf bioassay using compound II, the disease first appeared within 4-5 h as water soaked rot, which subsequently developed into well-defined blight affecting the whole plant.

Peptides and multiple antigen peptides from Schistosoma mansoni glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase: preparation, immunogenicity and immunoprotective capacity in C57BL/6 mice.

Four monoepitopic MAPs (MAP A, B, C and E) and one bis-diepitopic MAP B-E derived fromthe primary sequence of Schistosoma mansoni glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, previously tested in BALB/c mice, were examined for their immunogenicity and protective capacity in C57BL/6 mice. Despite multimerization into MAPs, MAP Aand MAP C were poorly immunogenic. In contrast toBALB/c mice, MAP E was non-immunogenic in C57BL/6 mice. Peptide B in the form of MAP B orbis-diepitopic MAPB-E elicited immune responses in C57BL/6 mice that were associated with a significant decrease in worm burden. The MAPs were prepared by the stepwise solid-phase peptide synthesis using Boc/Bzl chemistry, successfully purified on the RP-HPLC column and characterized by RP-HPLC, HPCE and MALDI-TOF MS techniques. A general strategy for MAPs purification is discussed here and the purification of MAP Band MAP E is documented in detail.

Rationalization of retention and overloading behavior of basic compounds in reversed-phase HPLC using low ionic strength buffers suitable for mass spectrometric detection.

The retention and overloading behavior of some basic (and acidic) compounds has been studied on different RP-HPLC columns in buffers of varying ionic strength. Anomalous retention patterns of acids and bases were found on one phase in low-pH, volatile buffers such as formic acid, favored for mass spectrometric analysis. Unusual retention compared to that in higher ionic strength phosphate buffers is attributed to the presence of positively charged sites existing on this phase at low pH. Overloading of bases as well as acids is shown to be a function of mobile-phase ionic strength. This result is a logical consequence of previous suggestions that mutual repulsion of ions held on the hydrophobic surface of the stationary phase, rather than overload of silanols, is largely responsible for overloading on pure silica RP columns. Thus, overloading occurs much more readily in low ionic strength formic acid buffers. Appreciable loss of efficiency can occur in such buffers when only 50 ng of some bases is analyzed on a standard-sized column.

Molecular species analysis of phosphatidylcholine by reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography.

The retention behavior of molecular species of phosphatidylcholine (PC) is studied by reversed-phase (RP) ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mobile phases contain tetraalkyl ammonium phosphates (TAAPs) in methano-acetonitrile-water. The stationary phase is alkyl-bonded silica. Competitive interactions of TAAPs, analyte solutes, and an RP-HPLC column result in reduced retention of PC molecular species. PC molecular species are eluted at longer retention times with a larger size of TAAP in the mobile phase, and an increase in the TAAP concentration invariably causes a decrease in PC molecular species retention times. There is a linear correlation between the logarithmic retention factors (k) of PC molecular species and the total number of carbon atoms of TAAP, and the logarithm of k values of PC molecular species can be approximated as a linear function of the logarithm of the counter-ion concentration. There is found to be no distinct dependence between k values of PC molecular species and the mobile phase pH.

Comparison of peak shapes obtained with volatile (mass spectrometry-compatible) buffers and conventional buffers in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of bases on particulate and monolithic columns

Retention factor, column efficiency and asymmetry factor were recorded for nine basic compounds on a number of RP-HPLC columns using phosphate and a variety of (MS-compatible) volatile mobile phase buffers of acid and neutral pH, in order to assess any effects of the buffer on performance. With formic or acetic acid, some phases gave partial or complete solute exclusion effects (reduced or negative k) compared with results using phosphate buffers at low pH. Despite its possible suppression of mass spectrometer sensitivity, trifluoroacetic acid was useful in enhancing retention times of relatively hydrophilic protonated bases, due to ion-pair effects. Peak shape was relatively poor on some pure silica-based ODS phases at pH 7 compared with results at acid pH. At low pH and at pH 7, ammonium and potassium phosphate gave very similar k, but the former may be preferable due to its volatile cation. Improved peak shapes, attributed to superior silanol masking effects, were obtained with ammonium phosphate at pH 7, but not at acid pH. Ammonium acetate gave acceptable peak shape at pH 7, but due to very limited buffer capacity, poor results were obtained for solutes having a p K a close to the mobile phase pH. Due to its instability, ammonium hydrogen carbonate is not a viable alternative buffer at pH 7.

Overloading study of bases using polymeric RP-HPLC columns as an aid to rationalization of overloading on silica-ODS phases.

The separation of ionized bases by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with alkyl silica columns often leads to severely tailed bands that are highly detrimental. Band shape and its dependence on sample mass are notably different when mobile-phase pH is changed, and this behavior has not been previously explained. Ionized silanols present in the stationary phase have been credited with a role in determining peak shape. In the present study, separations on two different polymer columns were compared with those previously obtained on alkyl silica phases. Because silanols are absent from polymer columns, this comparison enabled us to assess the role of silanols in separations on alkyl silica phases and to offer an explanation of why band shape changes with sample size and mobile-phase pH for both polymer and silica-based phases.

Aspects of 6-[ 18F]fluoro-L-DOPA preparation: precursor synthesis, preparative HPLC purification and determination of radiochemical purity

A modified method for the synthesis of the intermediate product N-Boc-3,4-di(Boc-O)-6-iodo-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester of the [ 18F]FDOPA precursor preparation was developed. With the application of bis-(trifluoroacetoxy)-iodobenzene for the iodination step with elemental iodine the yield of the intermediate can be increased from 12% to 50–60%. By replacing silica-gel-based RP HPLC column by a polymer-based column for semi-preparative purification of [ 18F]FDOPA from the reaction mixture the radiochemical purity of the final product can be increased up to >99%. For the determination of the radiochemical impurity [ 18F]fluoride a HPLC method using a column with polymer-based RP material was introduced.

Minimal number of chromatographic test parameters for the characterisation of reversed-phase liquid chromatographic stationary phases

This paper focuses on the classification or differentiation of RP-HPLC columns based on measured chromatographic properties. A chemometric study has been conducted on a published data set consisting of 85 RP-HPLC columns and on a data set consisting of 47 self-tested columns. Principal component analysis enables determination of the number of parameters necessary for a rational differentiation. The results show that reducing the number of parameters for such differentiation still allows classification of the columns just as a higher number did. It is shown that three test parameters produce a classification similar to that obtained with five parameters.

High-throughput peptide synthesis and peptide purification strategy at the low micromol-scale using the 96-well format.

The increasing demand for short- and medium-sized peptides in many fields of biological, medical and pharmaceutical research requires optimized and universally applicable high-throughput synthesis and purification techniques at the low-micromol scale. Here, we describe a continuous peptide synthesis/purification approach using the 96-well format. First, a micromol scale peptide synthesis on resin beads was optimized on a novel miniaturized 96-reaction vessel block employing standard Fmoc/tBu-chemistry. Almost 90% of the synthesized peptides contained the target sequence as the main component, as judged from matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectra. Impurities were mostly related to partially protected peptides. Second, we tested the applicability of ion pair reversed-phase solid-phase extraction (IP-RP-SPE) to purify individual peptides. Depending on the length and predicted hydrophobicity of the peptides, elution was performed with 25 or 35% aqueous acetonitrile in the presence of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Thus, scavengers used during TFA cleavage and partially protected peptides carrying very hydrophobic protecting groups were effectively removed. Using a narrow step gradient, the target peptides were even separated from deleted sequences and protected peptides with similar hydrophobicities. Third, we combined the micromol-scale synthesis in the 96-well format with purification by IP-RP-SPE on a 96-well micro-extraction plate format. This simple, fast and parallel approach was tested on 12-mer and 15-mer peptides to map epitopes of T- and B-cell clones, respectively. Approximately 80% of all peptides were obtained at purities > 90% without purification by RP-HPLC. In summary, this novel approach has several advantages: (i) the micromol-scale reduced the cost of peptide synthesis, (ii) large numbers of peptides were purified faster, (iii) the volumes of eluents and waste were significantly reduced, and (iv) the RP-HPLC column was not contaminated with hydrophobic impurities.

Isolation and characterization of a novel type of neurotoxic peptide from the venom of the South African scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus (Buthidae).

The venom of the South African scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus was characterized using a combination of mass spectrometry and RP-HPLC separation and bioassays. The crude venom was initially separated into 10 fractions. A novel, moderately toxic but very high abundance peptide (birtoxin) of 58 amino-acid residues was isolated, identified and characterized. Each purification step was followed by bioassays and mass spectroscopy. First a C4 RP-HPLC column was used, then a C18 RP Microbore column purification resulted in > 95% purity in the case of birtoxin from a starting material of 230 microg of crude venom. About 12-14% of the D214 absorbance of the total venom as observed after the first chromatography step was composed of birtoxin. This peptide was lethal to mice at low microgram quantities and it induced serious symptoms including tremors, which lasted up to 24 h post injection, at submicrogram amounts. At least seven other fractions that showed different activities including one fraction with specificity against blowfly larvae were identified. Identification of potent components is an important step in designing and obtaining effective anti-venom. Antibodies raised against the critical toxic components have the potential to block the toxic effects and reduce the pain associated with the scorpion envenomation. The discovery of birtoxin, a bioactive long chain neurotoxin peptide with only three disulfide bridges, offers new insight into understanding the role of conserved disulfide bridges with respect to scorpion toxin structure and function.

Estimating temperature dependence of solubility and octanol–water partition coefficient for organic compounds using RP-HPLC

Temperature dependence data for physical–chemical properties is increasingly required for modelling the fate of chemicals in the environment. Solubility and octanol–water partition coefficient ( K ow) are among the most important parameters. A simple and fast method is presented to determine solubility and K ow of organic chemicals at different temperatures (5°C, 15°C, 25°C, 35°C) utilising a variable temperature RP-HPLC column. Correlations between capacity factors ( k ′) and solubility and K ow were determined for some halogenated and methylated benzenes and showed that this approach could be used to predict acceptable results. New values for solubility and K ow as function of temperature for several compounds are presented.

Preparative isolation and dual column high-performance liquid chromatography of ginkgolic acids from Ginkgo biloba

A chromatographic procedure for the preparative isolation of six different 6-alkylsalicylic acids (syn. ginkgolic acids) with as alkyl substituents C13:0, C15:0, C15:1, C17:1, C17:2 and, tentatively C17:3 from Ginkgo biloba leaves was developed. The procedure consisted of a combination of normal-phase, reversed-phase and argentation chromatography. The compounds were characterised by means of UV, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry after silylation. A 15 cm C 18 RP-HPLC column connected in series with a 20 cm silver(I) loaded cation exchanger HPLC column in combination with the solvent methanol–water (93:7) acidified with 0.1% formic acid was capable of separating the ginkgolic acids C13:0, C15:1, C17:2, C15:0 and C17:1 within 21 min on an analytical scale. The separation is based on a combination of reversed-phase mechanisms and double bond complexation. Detection took place by UV at 311 nm. The separation is a good starting point for the development of a quantitative procedure for the five major ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo leaves and standardised extracts.

Fusarium solani major allergen peptide IV-1 binds IgE but does not release histamine.

Fusarium solani (FS) is an important allergen source afflicting 4% of the nasobronchial allergy patients. Fus s I3596*, a 65 kDa major glycoprotein allergen of FS reacts with 95% fungus sensitive patients. To purify and characterize a potent peptide from Fus s I3596* which may be useful for therapeutic purposes. The 65 kDa protein was sequentially cleaved with trypsin and cyanogen bromide (CNBr). The cleaved products were purified on reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (rpHPLC) column and functionally characterized by in vitro and in vivo methods for its IgE binding and histamine release. The protein on cleavage showed 11 peaks (I to XI). Of these, peaks I, III, IV and V were highly allergenic as determined by IgE ELISA. These peaks were further purified and peptide IV-1 was most potent in comparison to other peptides by ELISA-inhibition. This peptide showed IgE binding but could not evoke intradermal response in Fusarium-sensitive patients. Heparinized blood challenged with peptide IV-1 does not release histamine. Preincubation of heparinized blood with peptide IV-1 and challenging with crude extract blocked histamine release in a dose dependent manner. Peptide IV-1 binds to IgE but does not release histamine, demonstrating its potential use in therapy of Fusarium-allergic patients.

Rac/Cdc42 and p65PAK Regulate the Microtubule-destabilizing Protein Stathmin through Phosphorylation at Serine 16

We have identified a rapid protein phosphorylation event at residue serine 16 of stathmin using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry in combination with post-source decay analysis, which is induced by the epidermal growth factor receptor. Phosphorylation is specifically mediated by the small GTPases Rac and Cdc42 and their common downstream target, the serine/threonine kinase p65PAK. Both GTPases have previously been shown to regulate the dynamics of actin polymerization. Because stathmin destabilizes microtubules, and this process is inhibited by phosphorylation at residue 16, Rac and Cdc42 can potentially regulate both F-actin and microtubule dynamics.

An ichthyotoxic protein in the defensive skin secretion of the Red Sea trunkfish Ostracion cubicus

By the aid of acetone precipitation and RP-HPLC column chromatography coupled to various bioassays of ichthyotoxicity and cytolysis, a new ichthyotoxin designated “boxin” was isolated from the defensive skin secretion of the Red Sea trunkfish Ostracion cubicus. Boxin is a stable, heat and proteolysis resistant protein of 18 kDa. Its protein nature was assessed by spectral analysis, strong proteolysis, amino acid analysis and amino acid sequence determination. Similar to pahutoxin (PHN), an organic cationic surfactant derived from the same secretion, boxin is not effective by injection, and its ichthyotoxicity is achieved only upon delivery to the surrounding water. The latter suggests that fish lethality is mediated by externally allocated target sites (receptors). Boxin, however, differs from PHN by (1) possessing a 30 times higher ichthyotoxicity (mole per mole) and (2) being devoid of PHN's capacity to permeabilize biological membranes. From an ecological point of view, it is noteworthy that polypeptides are very useful in fulfilling allomonal functions in the marine environment due to the high information content inherent in their structures and their solubility in seawater.

Comparative study on camphor enantiomers behavior under the conditions of gas–liquid chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography systems modified with α- and β-cyclodextrins

The dependence of retention and selectivity parameters of camphor enantiomers on the concentration of α- and β-cyclodextrins were studied under conditions of GLC (matrix solvent: Glycerol, 95°C) and RP-HPLC (matrix solvent: Aqueous methanolic, 20°C). It has been found that β-cyclodextrin forms complex of 1:1 stoichiometry and does not recognize enantiomers of camphor. In contrast α-CD forming complexes of 1:2 stoichiometry appeared to be very efficient chiral selector of (+) and (−)-camphor. Relatively considerable differences have been observed between stability constants determined by GLC and RP-HPLC, what may be explained by the various natures of the matrix solvents and the various temperatures of the measurements. On the contrary, the enantioseparation factor α observed at higher concentrations of α-cyclodextrin stabilizes on the very similar value α +/− GLC ≅α −/+ HPLC ≅1.6 . Simple theoretical considerations focusing on the differences in the mechanisms of the studied processes have been performed. According to them the enantiomer forming the more stable complex with the cyclodextrin should be eluted from the RP-HPLC column first and GLC column last. This fact has been confirmed experimentally.