Back to Journal

SM Analytical and Bioanalytical Techniques

A Validated Reversed Phase HPLC Method for Simultaneous Determination of the antihistaminic Cetirizine and Beta2-adrenergic agonist Salbutamol in their Co-formulated Tablets

[ ISSN : 2573-3729 ]

Abstract CITATION INTRODUCTION Experimental Results and Discussion Method Validation Applications Conclusion References
Details

Received: 07-Aug-2017

Accepted: 05-Sep-2017

Published: 08-Sep-2017

Fatma Ahmed Aly, Nahed EL-Enany, Heba Elmansi* and Amany Nabil 

Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Egypt

Corresponding Author:

Heba Elmansi, Analytical chemistry department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mansoura, Egypt, Email: dr_heba85@hotmail.com

Keywords

CTZ: Cetirizine; co-formulated tablet; HPLC; SAL: Salbutamol

Abstract

New HPLC method is adopted in this research for simultaneous determination of Cetirizine (CTZ) and salbutamol (SAL) in their tablets. The developed method used C18 column and a mobile phase composed of methanol: 0.1M phosphate buffer in the ratio (80:20 v/v) operating at pH 3.5.Nimsulide was used as internal standard (IS).The peak area ratio - concentration plot indicated the linearity over ranges of 5-50 and 4-80µg/mL for CTZ and SAL with limit of detection of 0.57 and 2.00µg/mL respectively. Comparing the proposed method with a comparison method revealed that there was no significant difference between the two methods in regards to accuracy and precision.

CITATION

Aly FA, EL-Enany N, Elmansi H and Nabil A. A Validated Reversed Phase HPLC  Method for Simultaneous Determination of the antihistaminic Cetirizine and Beta2-adrenergic agonist Salbutamol in their Co-formulated Tablets. SM Anal Bioanal Technique. 2017; 2(2): 1011.

INTRODUCTION

Cetirizine (CTZ) and Salbutamol (SAL) are co-formulated for treatment of common cold and allergy [1]. Cetirizine (CTZ, Figure 1a) is [2-[4-[(4-Chlorophenyl) phenylmethyl]-1–piperazinyl] ethoxy] acetic acid). It is long acting antihistaminic which used for relief of allergic conditions [2]. The BP described non-aqueous potentiometric titration method for CTZ determination [3]. Previously published methods described for determinations of CTZ include HPLC either in pharmaceutical preparations [4-6] or in biological fluids [7,8], fluorimetry [9] and spectrophotometry [10].

Salbutamol (SAL, Figure 1b) has a chemical name of 2-tert-Butylamino-1-(4-hydroxy-3- hydroxymethylphenyl) ethanol. It is B2-receptor agonist which acquiring a bronchodilation action and used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in managing asthma [2]. The BP recommended non-aqueous potentiometric titration method using perchloric acid as a titrant [3]. Determination of salbutamol was reported in several former publications such as HPLC [11-13], spectrophotometry [14,15], flow injection [16,17], capillary electrophoresis [18].

Figure 1: Chemical structure of the studied drugs a. Cetirizine, b. Salbutamol

The combination of CTZ and SAL with a pharmaceutical ratio of 5:2 respectively is present under the trade name Vetirex1. This combination is used for common cold and allergic conditions. Up till now; no reported method was described for the determination of CTZ and SAL. This encourages us to develop a simple HPLC method for their simultaneous determination.

Experimental

HPLC analysis was performed using Perkin Elmer TM series 200 chromatograph (USA) with 200 µL loop supplied with injector valve of Rheodyne. Series 200 UV/VIS. Detector was used and set at wave length 230 nm. The column used for analysis was Shimadzu VP-ODS column (250 mm x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm particle size).

Materials and reagents

Cetirizine (batch # 3003CZ8RJ) pure sample was provided from Apex Co. (Cairo, Egypt). Its percentage purity was found to be 99.95(as labeled). Salbutamol (batch # 511/55/03/5018) was obtained from Pharaonia Co. Alex, Egypt. Its purity was found to be 100.15% as labeled from the manufacturer. Nimesulide (IS) was of 99.90% purity, with batch No# 000604. It is provided from Pharaonia Co., Alex, Egypt. Zyrtec® tablet (batch #6221045001829) labeled to contain 10 mg CTZ/tablet, manufactured by Glaxosmithkline Company obtained from a community pharmacy. Ventolin® (2mg) tablet (batch #6221045000969) contains 2 mg SAL per tablet, produced by Glaxosmithkline Company bought from a community pharmacy. Sodium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium hydroxide were provided from ADWIC CO., Egypt. Solvents (HPLC grade) were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (Germany). O-phosphoric acid (85 % w/v) was provided from RiedeldeHaen (Germany).

Aliquots of the accurately weighed powdered tablets equivalent to 5.0 mg CTZ and 2.0 mg SAL were transferred to volumetric flasks 100 mL volume. Nearly 80 mL methanol was added and undergoes sonication for 10 minutes. The volume was then completed with methanol and filtered. Aliquots of this solution with the IS were transferred to a series of 10 mL volumetric flasks to obtain suitable concentrations within the working range. The mobile phase containing the mixture was eluted under suitable chromatographic conditions. The mean percent content was calculated using the regression equations or calibration graphs.

Analysis of single ingredient tablets of each drug

Ten tablets of Zyrtec® for CTZ or Ventolin® in case of SAL have pulverized accurately and mixed well. An accurately weighed quantity of 20 mg of each drug was transferred to 100 ml volumetric flasks, 80 ml methanol was added and sonicated for 10 min. Solutions were completed with methanol to the volume then filtered. A further dilution was performed to obtain the working concentration range after adding IS. The mean percent content was calculated.

Results and Discussion

The present study describes a simple and reliable HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of CTZ and SAL in their coformulated tablets. After optimization of the chromatographic conditions, CTZ was well separated from SAL with in short retention time (less than 5 min), with a higher number of theoretical plates at pH 3.5 with UV detection at 230 nm (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2: Typical chromatogram of laboratory prepared mixture under the described chromatographic conditions: (a): SAL (12 µg/mL) (b): NMS (IS) (20 µg/mL) (c): CTZ (30 µg/mL)

Figure 3: Typical chromatogram of laboratory prepared co-formulated tablet under the described chromatographic conditions. (a): SAL (12 µg/mL) (b): NMS (IS) (20 µg/mL) (C): CTZ (30 µg/mL)

Optimization of chromatographic conditions

Typical chromatogram of CTZ and SAL is illustrated in Figure 2. To achieve good separation in short run time, chromatographic conditions were optimized. The studied compounds exhibited maxima in their spectra at 211 and 231nm for CTZ and 228 nm and 278 nm for SAL. Therefore, the UV detection wavelength was selected to be 230 nm that allowed simultaneous determination of the two drugs with suitable sensitivity (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Absorption spectra of: CTZ (a), SAL (b), concentration of each 20 µg/mL in methanol.

Different columns were tried to choose the most suitable one for separation of the two drugs, this includes Shimadzu VP-ODS C18 column (250 mm), Shimadzu VP-ODS C18 column (150 mm) and Shim-pack CLC C8 column (250 mm).The first column allowed peaks separations with good resolution while the second and the third columns yielded overlapped peaks. To enhance resolution, efficiency and for good separation, modifications were made in the mobile phase composition including the organic modifier type and ratio, mobile phase pH and ionic strength of the buffer, the results were further explained in Table 1.

Table 1: Optimization of chromatographic conditions for HPLC determination of the studied drugs.

 

Parameter

No. of theoretical plates (N)

 

Resolution (Rs)

Tailing factor (T)

Capacity

Factor(K’)

Selectivity

factor (α)

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

 

 

 

pH of the mobile phase

2.5

1156

829

4.3

1

1.25

3.1

0.24

13

3.5

2600

1225

5.006

1

1.13

6.6

1.5

4.4

4

1296

1056

4.98

1.3

1.5

1.17

0.22

5.32

5

1032

987

3.98

1.31

1.51

2.1

0.6

3.4

 

 

Conc. of phosphate buffer

0.05

1600

1089

5.423

1.02

1.2

3

0.1

30

0.1

2600

1225

5.006

1

1.13

6.6

1.5

4.4

0.2

2381

1225

6.2

1.25

1.04

3.36

0.25

13.4

 

Conc. of methanol (%v/v)

50%

792

1024

6.3

2.3

2.49

1.2

0.13

9

70%

1995

924

5.568

1.7

1.25

3.1

0.24

13

80%

2600

1225

5.006

1

1.13

6.6

1.5

4.4

90%

797

1344

2.795

1.14

0.99

1.5

0.5

3

 

Type of organic modifier

80%, v/v

propanol

1251

984

3.007

2.52

1.28

0.67

0.19

3.46

acetonitrile

1212

1175

1.298

1.54

1.53

0.45

0.31

1.45

methanol

2600

1225

5.006

1

1.13

6.6

1.5

4.4

 

Flow rate (mL/min)

0.8

1394

1024

4.79

1.31

1.61

1

0.14

7.05

1

2600

1225

5.006

1

1.13

6.6

1.5

4.4

1.2

1277

887

2.309

1.07

1.25

1

0.15

6.6

To determine the suitable organic modifier, methanol, acetonitrile and n- propanol were used. It was found that acetonitrile and n-propanol showed overlapping peaks of the two drugs. Methanol was chosen for well separated peaks with an increased number of theoretical plates.

The result of altering mobile phase composition was checked using different mobile phases in which methanol ratio varies from 50 to 90% v/v. It was found that ratio 50-70% v/v methanol showed broad CTZ peak. Ratio more than 80% v/v methanol resulted in overlapped peaks. The ratio of (80:20 v/v) methanol: phosphate buffer resulted in well-separated peaks within a reasonable resolution time and with the higher theoretical plates.

The effect of pH of the mobile phase was studied over the range of 2.5-5.5. The peak area ratio of CTZ and SAL decreased with pH higher than 3.5 accompanied by decreasing in the number of theoretical plates. At pH lower than 3.5 there were overlapping between the solvent front and SAL peak. So, pH 3.5 was found to be the most suitable one.

The influence of ionic strength of phosphate buffer was investigated with mobile phases containing 0.05- 0.2 M phosphate buffer. 0.1 M phosphate buffer was selected as it gave well resolved peaks with a higher number of theoretical plates.Drotroverin, ketoconazole guaifenesin, ambroxol metoclopramide, and nimesulide were tested for the choice of IS.Nimsulide was found to be the most appropriate one yielding wellresolved peak from CTZ and SAL peaks with a suitable retention time (3.5min).

Method Validation

The studied method was validated according to ICH guidelines19 through determination of linearity, range, limits of detection and quantitation, accuracy, precision, robustness, selectivity, system suitability and solutions stability.

A linear relationship was investigated between peak area ratios drug/IS and drug concentration in µg /mL under optimum chromatographic conditions. The concentration ranges were 5.0-50.0 and 4.0-80.0 µg/mL for CTZ and SAL respectively. Statistical analysis of data showed higher values of correlation coefficient (r value > 0.999) and small values of intercept (Sa ), slope (Sb ), the standard deviation of residuals (Sy/x), relative standard deviation and standard error as presented in Table 2. The regression equations for CTZ and SAL are:

y = 0.0349x - 0.0813 for CTZ

y = 0.01x + 0.1921 for SAL

The Limit of Quantitation (LOQ) and the Limit of Detection (LOD) were determined according to ICH recommendations [19]. The results were represented in Table 2.

 

 

Parameter

HPLC Method

 

 

CTZ

 

 

SAL

Linearity range (µg/mL)

5.0-50.0

4.0-80.0

Intercept (a)

-0.081

0.192

Slope (b)

0.035

0.01

Correlation coefficient (r)

0.9999

0.9999

S.D. of residuals (Sy/x)

6.633 x 10-3

6.66 x 10-3

S.D. of intercept (Sa)

4.515 x 10-3

4.866 x 10-3

S.D. of slope (Sb)

1.707 x 10-4

1.013 x 10-4

S.D.

1.64

0.35

% RSD a

1.64

0.36

% Errorb

0.67

0.58

LOD (µg/mL)c

0.57

2.004

LOQ (µg/mL)d

1.9

4.88

 

Table 2: Analytical data of CTZ and SAL determination by the proposed method.

The comparison method for CTZ [4] determination in bulk and formulation involved the use of HPLC technique using methanol: 0.01 M disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer (60: 40 v/v), withC18 column and UV detection at 217 nm. An HPLC method [11] was used as a comparison method for SAL determination using acetonitrile: phosphate buffer (65:35 v/v) as a mobile phase. Column C18 was used at 235 nm. The results were compared in terms of accuracy and precision using Student t-test and the variance ratio F-test [20]. Nosignificant difference was observed (Table 3).

Table 3: Application of the proposed and comparison methods [4,11] for determination of the studied drugs

 

Compound

HPLC Method

comparison methods4,11

Amount taken (µg/mL)

Amount found (µg/mL)

% Found

Amount taken

Amount found

% Found

 

 

 

 

CTZ

5

5.097

101.94

5

4.98

99.58

7

7.11

101.63

7

7.04

100.59

10

9.83

98.29

9

8.98

99.77

25

24.89

99.54

 

 

 

30

29.67

98.89

 

 

 

50

50.03

100.06

 

 

 

Mean

 

 

100.06

 

 

99.98

± S.D.

 

 

1.64

 

 

0.58

t

 

 

0.087

 

 

 

F

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAL

4

3.9

97.5

10

10.1

101.01

10

.9.8

98

20

19.79

98.99

35

35.1

100.29

30

830.1

100.34

50

49.5

99

 

 

 

60

60.9

101.5

 

 

 

80

79.1

98.9

 

 

 

Mean

 

 

99.2

 

 

100.11

± S.D.

 

 

0.35

 

 

1.437

t

 

 

0.95

 

 

 

F

 

 

2.07

 

 

 

Intraday precision and Inter-day precision analyses were determined using the proposed procedures and as shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Precision data of the proposed method.

 

 

 

Parameters

 

Intra-day

 

Inter-day

 

x ± S.D

 

% RSD

 

% Error

 

x ± S.D

 

% RSD

 

% Error

 

 

 

SAL

(µg/mL)

 

10.0

98.95 ±

0.51

 

0.51

 

0.30

99.68 ±

1.06

 

1.06

 

0.61

 

20.0

99.05 ±

1.42

 

1.44

 

0.83

99.57 ±

0.59

 

0.59

 

0.34

 

50.0

98.30 ±

0.62

 

0.64

 

0.37

99.92 ±

0.39

 

0.39

 

0.23

 

 

 

CTZ

(µg/mL)

 

25.0

98.20 ±

0.30

 

0.31

 

0.18

 

99.6 ± 1.08

 

1.09

 

0.63

 

30.0

97.87 ±

0.81

 

0.83

 

0.48

100.1 ±

0.90

 

0.90

 

0.52

 

50.0

 

98.57± 1.48

 

1.50

 

0.86

98.38 ±

0.82

 

0.84

 

0.48

The ability of the method to determine CTZ and SAL in their pharmaceutical co-formulated tablet without the interference of additives showed the selectivity of this method (Figure 3).

Applications

Laboratory prepared mixture analysis

Laboratory prepared mixture of CTZ and SAL was analyzed using the proposed method (Figure 2) and the results were compared statistically with those of comparison methods [4,11] as indicated in Table 5.

Parameter

Proposed method

Comparison methods4,11

 

Amount taken (mg/mL)

Amount found (mg/mL)

% Found

Amount taken (mg/mL)

% Found

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

 

HPLC

 

10

 

4

 

9.917

 

3.947

 

99.17

 

98.68

 

6.25

 

2.5

 

101.54

 

100.56

 

Method

 

25

 

10

 

25

 

10.105

 

100

 

101.05

 

7.5

 

3

 

100.51

 

100.63

 

 

30

 

12

 

29.667

 

11.947

 

98.89

 

99.56

 

8.75

 

3.5

 

100.22

 

99.6

 

 

20

 

20

 

19.917

 

20

 

99.59

 

100

 

9

 

9

 

100

 

98.39

 

 

15

 

30

 

14.833

 

29.95

 

98.89

 

99.82

 

5

 

10

 

99.24

 

101.27

 

Mean

 

 

 

 

 

99.31

 

99.82

 

 

 

100.3

 

100.09

 

± S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

0.59

 

1.68

 

 

 

0.73

 

1.12

 

t

 

 

 

 

 

0.708

 

1.224

 

 

 

 

 

F

 

 

 

 

 

1.82

 

10.78

 

 

 

 

Dosage form analysis

The suggested procedures were additionally utilized for the determination of CTZ and SAL in their laboratory prepared binary and single ingredient commercial tablets without interference from the excipients. Statistical comparison of the results with that obtained from the comparison methods4,11 using Student t-test and variance ratio F- test20 revealed a non-significant difference in terms of accuracy and precision (Tables 6 and 7).

Table 6: Application of the proposed and comparison methods for determination of the studied drugs in their laboratory prepared co-formulated tablets

 

 

Parameter

Proposed method

Comparison methods4,11

Amount taken

(mg/mL)

Amount found

(mg/mL)

% Found

Amount taken

(mg/mL)

% Found

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

CTZ

SAL

HPLC

10

4

10.17

3.962

101.7

99.05

6.25

2.5

101.33

98.92

Method

25

10

24.92

10

99.67

100

7.5

3

97.8

97.77

 

30

12

30.5

11.89

101.7

99.04

8.75

3.5

100.95

99.06

Mean

 

 

 

 

101

99.36

 

 

100.02

98.58

± S.D.

 

 

 

 

1.41

0.55

 

 

2.52

0.71

t

 

 

 

 

0.75

1.5

 

 

 

 

F

 

 

 

 

2.87

1.65

 

 

 

 

Table 7: Application of the proposed and comparison methods for determination of the studied drugs in their single ingredient commercial tablets

Dosage Form

HPLC Method

Comparison methods 4,11

 

Amount taken (µg/mL)

Amount found

(µg/mL)

 

%Found

Amount Found

(µg/mL)

 

% Found

Zyrtic® tablets 10mg

6

6.023

100.38

5.892

99.10

CTZ/tablet

8

7.955

99.44

7.108

98.65

 

10

10.023

100.23

9.98

100.00

Mean

 

 

100.02

 

99.24

± S.D.

 

 

0.51

 

0.68

t

 

 

1.56

 

 

F

 

 

1.86

 

 

Ventolin® tablets 2 mg

10

10.105

101.05

10.082

100.82

SAL/tablet

20

20.105

100.53

19.837

99.19

 

30

30.263

100.88

30.082

100.27

Mean

 

 

100.82

 

100.09

± S.D

 

 

0.37

 

1.15

t

 

 

1.45

 

 

F

 

 

9.78

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

Our target was to develop new HPLC method for simultaneous determination of CTZ and SAL in their ratio (2.5:1). The suggested method was found to achieve simplicity, accuracy, and time-saving. It was applied successfully for determination of CTZ and SAL in their laboratory prepared co-formulated tablets in short analysis time (less than 5min).

References

1. GenericPedia – Encyclopedia of Generic Drugs. 2016.

2. Sweetman SC. Martindale: The complete drug reference 36th edn, Pharmaceutical press, Londen, 2009.

3. British Pharmacopoeia version17, The Stationary Office: London; electronicversion. VolumeI&II,2013.

4. Suryan AL, Bhusari VK, Rasal KS. Dhaneshwar SR. Simultaneous Quantitation and Validation of Paracetamol,    Phenylpropanolamine Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Hydrochloride by RP-HPLC in Bulk Drug and            Formulation.  IntJPharmSciand Drug Res. 2011; 3: 303-308.

5. El Walilya AFM, Koranya MA, El Gindyb A, Bedairc MF. Spectrophotometric and high performance liquid chromatographic determination of cetirizine dihydrochloride in pharmaceutical tablets. J Pharm and Biomed Anal. 1998; 17: 435-442.

6. Jabera AMY, Al Sherifeb HA, Al Omarib MM, Badwanb AA. Determination of cetirizine dihydrochloride, related impurities and preservatives in oral solution and tablet dosage forms using HPLC. J Pharm and Biomed Anal. 2004; 36: 341-350.

7. Rosseel MT, Lefebvre RA. Determination of cetirizine in human urine by high- performance liquid chromatography. J Chrom B: BiomedSci and Appl. 1991; 565: 504-510.

8. Macek J, Ptáček P, Klı́ma J. Determination of cetirizine in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Chrom B: BiomedSci and Appl. 1999; 736:231-235.

9. Wei XL, Lei XR, Gong Q, Wang LS and Liao Y. Determination of Cetirizine Dihydrochloride by Anti-Fluorescence Quenching on Rhodamine B-Sodium Tetraphenylborate System, Guangpu xueyu guangpu fen xi = Guangpu. 2011; 31:1596-600.

10 Pourghazi K, Khoshhesab ZM, Golpayeganizadeh A, Shapouri MR, Afrouzi H. Spectrophotometric determination of cetirizine and montelukast in prepared formulations. Intern J Pharm and Pharm Sci. 2011; 3:128-130.

11. Maithani M, Singh R. Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Salbutamol Sulphate and Theophylline in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms. J Anal and Bioanal Tech. 2011; 2:1-5.

12. Pai PNS, Rao GK, Murthy MS, Agarwal A, Puranik S. Simultaneous Determination of Salbutamol Sulphate and Bromhexine Hydrochloride in Tablets by Reverse Phase Liquid Chromatography. Indian j pharm sci. 2009; 71: 53-55.

13. Hutchings MJ, Paull JD, Morgan DJ. Determination of salbutamol in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. JChrom B: Biomed Sci and Appl. 1983; 277: 423-426.

14. Hadi H. Developed spectrophotometric determination of salbutamol sulphate in pharmaceutical samples by coupling with O-nitroanaine. Iraqi J Sci. 2008; 49:12-17.

15. Mohamed GG, Khalil SM, Zayed MA, El-Shall MA. 2, 6-Dichloroquinone chlorimide and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane reagents for the spectrophotometric determination of salbutamol in pure and dosage form. J Pharm and Biomed Anal. 2002; 28: 1127-1133.

16. Barnett NM, Hindson BJ, Lewis SW. Determination of Ranitidine and Salbutamol by Flow Injection Analysis with Chemiluminescence Detection. Anal ChimActa. 1999; 384: 151-158.

17. Šatı́nský D, Karlı́ček R, Svoboda A, Using on-line solid phase extraction for flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of salbutamol. Anal ChimActa. 2002; 455: 103-109.

18. Felix FS, Quintino MSM, Carvalho AZ, Coelho LHG, do Lago CL, AngnesL. Determination of salbutamol in syrups by capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection (CE-C4D). J Pharm and BiomAnal. 2006; 40: 1288-1292.

   19. ICH Harmonized Tripartite Guidelines, Validation of Analytical Procedures: Text and Methodology, Q2(R1),          Current Step 4 Version, Parent Guidelines on Methodology. 6; 1996. Incorporated in November (2005).

     20.   Miller, JC. Statistics and Chemometrics for Analytical Chemistry, 5th edition, Harlow, Pearson Education                Limited. 2005; 256: 39-73, 107-149.

Other Articles

Article Image 1

Drug Optimization: Fighting Research to Achieve the Greatest Use of Darunavir

A design has been development that provides higher activity to darunavir, an antiretroviral drug, aiming a lower dose in the battle against HIV in children and adults. Globally this research paves the way to get a new darunavir: β-cyclodextrin complex driving future perspectives to new anti HIV drugs for clinical applications. β-cyclodextrins not only promote the solubility of darunavir, but can drive to development of new complexes able to combat HIV in lower doses and, therefore lower toxic effects. Analysis methods by chromatography, also, were developed to evaluated the quality of the complexed darunavir. All this effort to contemplate the patients of all ages and provide quality medicines as well as a better quality of life.

Ana Carolina Kogawa¹ and Hérida Regina Nunes Salgado¹*


Article Image 1

Enhancing Throughput of Glutathione Adduct Formation Studies and Structural Identification Using a Software-Assisted Workflow Based on High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) Data

The bioactivation of drugs to Reactive Metabolites (RM) has been related to drug-induced liver injury and hypersensitivity reactions in patients. Therefore, many pharmaceutical companies are investigating the potential to form reactive metabolites in vitro as an integral part of the optimization of drug candidates. A computer assisted workflow to efficiently analyze larger numbers of compounds for the formation of glutathione trappable RM is presented here. A set of 95 compounds with known bioactivation potential was selected for this study. Incubations with human liver microsomes were prepared with GSH. The acquisition of MS/MS spectra was triggered by ion intensity. MS with singly and doubly charged ions were used for peak detection and MS/MS spectra were used for structural elucidation. A confidence classification system for the GSH peak detection (high, medium, low) was developed based on the detection of characteristic fragment ions or neutral losses and applied to remove potential false positive results. A comparative analysis of the HRMS results with literature data was carried out. The most frequently observed Neutral Loss (NL) found in singly charged GSH adducts (drug-glutathione conjugates) were, the Neutral Loss (NL, 129 Da) and Fragment Ion (FI, m/z 308) and in the doubly charged ones the Fragment Ion (FI, m/z 130). These NL and FI were used to identify GSH-related drug metabolites. MS/MS spectra were inspected to aid structural elucidations: 17% of drug substrates and 29 % of GSH adduct metabolites were identified with only doubly charged ions, stressing the importance of considering this charge state in the identification workflow. A total of 41 compounds that form GSH adducts were retrieved from literature (HRMS, identified 28 compounds (68%) in high confidence, and the same result was obtained using precursor ion scan). By the confidence analysis of GSH peaks, the quality of the each GSH adduct was determined.

Esra Nurten Cece-Esencan¹, Fabien Fontaine², Guillem Plasencia²,³, Marieke Teppner³, Andreas Brink³, Axel Pähler³, and Ismael Zamora⁴*


Article Image 1

Evaluation of Solid Phase Extraction NH2 for Determination of Enniatins (A, A1, B, B1) and Beauvericin in Cereals by UPLC-MS/MS

We report herein, for the first time, the application of NH2 solid-phase extraction NH2 (NH2-SPE) cartridge for cleanup of enniatins (ENA, ENA1 , ENB, ENB1 ) and Beauvericin (BEA) in cereals. Samples were sequentially extracted with a solution containing 80% acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid and the extracts were cleaned up with NH2-SPE cartridges before being analyzed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). A CORTECS C18 column was used for separation of enniatins and beauvericin. Mass spectrometric analysis was conducted at the Positive Electrospray Ionization (ESI+) Mode with Multi Reactions Monitoring (MRM). Very good linear relationships between spiked levels of ENA, ENA1, ENB, ENB1, BEA in cereals and mass spectra were observed with regression coefficients of 0.995 to 0.999 and Detection Limits (LOD) range of 0.01 to 0.1 µg kg-1. Clean up with NH2-SPE cartridge gave more satisfactory recoveries ranging from 80.9% to 109.8% than with QuEChERS method that gave recoveries between 63.5% to 96.6%. Application of the NH2-SPE cartridge for the determination of enniatins and beauvericin showed detection levels ranging from 0.01 µg kg-1 to 127.87 µg kg-1 in corn and 0.01 µg kg-1 to 116.59 µg kg-1 for wheat.

Juan Sun, Weixi Li, Yan Zhang, Huijie Zhang, Li Wu, Xuexu Hu and Bujun Wang*


Article Image 1

Electroanalysis: Towards a

Recent trends in the sensor community, indicates that one of the major challenges and opportunities of the field relies on developing smart sensor platforms, which are cheap, efficient, easy-to-use, and capable of minimizing tasks at the end user stage, in comparison to traditionally used methods which require bulky instrumentations and qualified personnel.

Stefano Cinti*


Article Image 1

Chemistry in Sustainability and Chemistry of Sustainability: Waste of use of Fishing Industry for Removal of Waste Textile Industry

One of the negative consequences related to socioeconomic development in recent centuries has been the rise of environmental contamination. In light of this, human has sought to implement actions in all spheres (social, economic and cultural) aiming to minimize the impact on the environment. Concern about the pollution of bodies of water and industrial wastewater treatment is the biggest worry in this regard. Among various treatment methods highlights the adsorption solid phase, by being very efficient and economically feasible. The use of chitosan as an adsorbent makes the process more ecologically interesting, once chitosan is also retrieved from waste. In this study we evaluate the adsorption process of the bromothymol blue dye by the chitosan. The parameters that influence the sorption process were studied (pH, ionic strength, adsorbent mass and dye initial concentration), and the process thermodynamics.

Francisco JE¹, Cajé JCM¹, Semaan FS¹, and Pacheco WF¹*


Article Image 1

Sorption Properties of Methyl Orange onto Chemically Modified Chitosan: Thermodynamics and Kinetics Studies

A new kind of sorbent with high adsorption capacity and stability was prepared using chitosan and epichlorohydrin through a cross-linking reaction and assessed by using methyl orange. The sorption capability was evaluated by means of kinetics and equilibrium studies. Relevant factors for such sorption process were also assessed. After optimization of the relevant sorption factors, the percentages for methyl orange removal by chitosan and by modified chitosan were 82%, and 67%, respectively. Although the cross-linked chitosan offered the lowest removal percentage, this sorbent presented other relevant advantages when compared to non-modified chitosan, such as higher chemical and thermal stabilities.

Juliana CM Caje, Paula Marcelle de Oliveira, Felipe S Semaan, Raphael C Cruz, Ricardo J. Cassella and Wagner F. Pacheco


Article Image 1

Quantitative Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS/ MS) Method for the Determination of Tributyltin in Sediment: Validation according to EU Directive Requirement

The Directive 2013/39/EU has reviewed the list of priority substances under the European Water Framework Directive (WFD; Directive 2000/60/EC) and has strengthened the principle of flexibility for Member States in applying the Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) for alternative matrices. Coherently, it has established new EQS for biota and it has invited Member States to set EQS for more opportune matrices, able to advantage the monitoring strategy and offer the same level of protection, such as sediment. The present work developed a (HS)SPME-GC-MS/MS method for the analysis of Tributyltin (TBT) in sediment samples and, through an in depth validation process, it assessed the compliance with the technical specification required by the EU Directive 2009/90/EC for chemical status analysis under the scope of the WFD. The EQS established for TBT in sediment by the Italian Environmental Ministry was used as reference. The method fulfils the minimum performance criteria required by the EU Directive 2009/90/EC (Method Detection Limit (MDL) and Minimum Level Of Quantitation (ML), expressed as ng Sn g-1 d.w., were 0.2 and 0.5, respectively). More generally, the analytical figures of merit achieved, were satisfying for the target TBT concentration range (recovery: 90-111%, intermediate precision range: 6-12%).

Seta Noventa¹, Malgorzata Formalewicz¹, Jvan Barbaro², Claudia Gion¹, Federico Rampazzo¹, Massimo Gabellini³, Rossella Boscolo¹, and Daniela Berto¹*

 


Article Image 1

Method Development and Validation for the Determination of Pravastatin in Human Plasma by Lc-Ms/Ms

A simple, rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of pravastatin in human plasma. Pravastatin-D3 was used as an internal standard. The analyte was extracted from human plasma samples by liquid-liquid extraction technique. Due to the presence of isobaric metabolites, 3α-iso-pravastatin and 6-epi-pravastatin, chromatographic conditions were optimized, with a C18 column by using a mixture of 0.1% acetic acid in water and acetonitrile/ methanol (43:57,v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The calibration curve obtained was linear (r2 ≥ 0.9900) over the concentration range of 0.500-500 ng/mL. Method validation was performed as per FDA guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The method was suitable for supporting clinical studies.

Lian Chen, Paresh Joshi, Andrii Piatkivskyi, Kalem Aguilar, and Jenny Lin*


Article Image 1

Cramer Rao Lower Bound CRB Shape Detection Method

In this paper we investigate the problem of tracking a moving but non-vibrating cylindrical object and estimating its size and shape using an artificial lateral line system, an d determine the lower bound that the estimator can be reached. Based on a nonlinear analytical model for the moving object-induced flow field, a two-stage extended Kalman filter is proposed to estimate the location, velocity, size, and shapes of the object. Simulation results on tracking an ellipsoidal cross-section are presented to illustrate the approach.

Ahmad T Abdulsadda*


Article Image 1

Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Vitex agnus-castus L and Rosmarinus Officinalis L. Leaves Essential Oils Cultivated in Syria

Medicinal plants contain a wide variety of chemicals which have very important roles in numerous applications including medicinal and those related with industry. Essential oils represent valuable sources for natural antioxidants. The aim of our study was to evaluate the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils extracted from leaves of Syrian Vitex agnus-castus L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L., where is both essential oils were extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activities of these essential oils were determined by three different test systems, scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, total phenolic and flavonoids contents. The main constituents found in Vitex agnus-castus L. essential oil were 1,8-Cineole (19.34%) and Sabinene (12.50%), while the major constituents in Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil were 1,8-Cineole (28.03%) and α-Pinene (14.70%). The results showed that 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and total phenolic contents of Vitex agnus-castus L. essential oil were higher than Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil. Total flavonoids contents were not detected in both essential oils. The Vitex agnus-castus L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oils are sources of natural antioxidants. Therefore, further work is needed to identify the compound(s) responsible for the antioxidant activity of Vitex agnus-castus L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oils.

Faten Al Saka, Manal Daghestani, and Francois Karabet*