Investigation of unknown related substances in commercial erythromycin samples with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Factors Influencing the HPLC Determination for Related Substances of Azithromycin

The European Pharmacopoeia, the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, and the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China all prescribe a high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet method within a C18 column system for the separation of Azithromycin (AZT) and its related substances. The identification of impurities in the AZT complex was performed according to the relative retention time (RRT) between each impurity and AZT. However, the RRT values of impurities often vary on different types of C18 packing materials and at different column temperatures, which could affect the accurate and fast identification of impurities. In our study, five different commonly used C18 columns as well as nine different column temperature set points were assessed for the analysis of AZT and its related substances. A factorial design was applied to analysis the relationships between column types/column temperatures and RRT value of each impurity. The results showed that the change rates of the RRT values of impurities were different on different columns and at different column temperature set points. Therefore, the current method adopted by the three Pharmacopeias, in which the RRT values were used to identify the related substances, is not suitable to identify the ones in the AZT chromatographic system.

Photodegradation of azithromycin in various aqueous systems under simulated and natural solar radiation: kinetics and identification of photoproducts

This article describes the photolysis of azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic with reported occurrence in environmental waters, under simulated solar radiation. The photodegradation followed first-order reaction kinetics in five matrices examined. In HPLC water, the degradation rate was the slowest (half-life: 20h), whereas in artificial freshwater supplemented with nitrate (5mgL(-1)) or humic acids (0.5mgL(-1)) the degradation of azithromycin was enhanced by factors of 5 and 16, respectively, which indicated the role of indirect photolysis involving the formation of highly reactive species. Following chromatographic separation on a UPLC system, the characterization of the transformation products was accomplished using high-resolution QqToF-MS analysis. The presence of seven photoproducts was observed and their formation was postulated to originate from (bis)-N-demethylation in the desosamine sugar, O-demethylation in the cladinose sugar, combinations thereof, as well as from hydrolytic cleavages of the desosamine and/or cladinose residue. Two of these photoproducts could also be detected in natural photodegradation process in river water which was spiked with azithromycin.

Analysis of macrolide antibiotics, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, in food, biological and environmental matrices

Macrolides are a group of antibiotics that have been widely used in human medical and veterinary practices. Analysis of macrolides and related compounds in food, biological, and environmental matrices continue to be the focus of scientists for the reasons of food safety, pharmacokinetic studies, and environmental concerns. This article presents an overview on the primary biological properties of macrolides and their associated analytical issues, including extraction, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), method validation, and measurement uncertainty. The main techniques that have been used to extract macrolides from various matrices are solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. Conventional liquid chromatography (LC) with C18 columns plays a dominant role for the determination of macrolides, whereas ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) along with sub-2 microm particle C18 columns reduces run time and improves sensitivity. Mass spectrometry (MS), serving as a universal detection technique, has replaced ultraviolet (UV), fluorometric, and electrochemical detection for multi-macrolide analysis. The triple-quadrupole (QqQ), quadrupole ion trap (QIT), triple-quadrupole linear ion trap, time-of-flight (TOF), and quadrupole time-of-flight (QqTOF) mass spectrometers are current choices for the determination of macrolides, including quantification, confirmation, identification of their degradation products or metabolites, and structural elucidation. LC or UPLC coupled to a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in the multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode (LC/MS/MS) is the first choice for quantification. UPLC-TOF or UPLC-QqTOF has been recognized as an emerging technique for accurate mass measurement and unequivocal identification of macrolides and their related compounds.

Determination of erythromycin and related substances in commercial samples using liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry

A sensitive, precise and accurate quantitative liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for the measurement of erythromycin A (EA) and related substances in commercial samples was developed and validated. The samples were chromatographed on a reversed-phase column with a polar endcapping and analyzed by ion trap tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using positive electrospray ionization. The method showed high recovery (>or=98.82%), high sensitivity (lower limit of quantitation of 0.25 ng/mL for EA and less than 7.3 ng/mL for the related substances) and high precision (<or=0.52%) as well as excellent linearity (r(2)>or=0.991) with a run time of only 13 min. The method was successfully applied to the determination of EA and related substances in commercial samples. Moreover, using the advanced data-dependent acquisition capability of the ion trap software two new unexpected EA related substances could be detected and possible structures for these substances were postulated.

Characterization of impurities in dirithromycin by liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry

With a recently developed liquid chromatographic (LC) method, using a phosphate buffer, several unknown impurities present in dirithromycin samples were separated. In this paper, a reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method is described for the investigation of dirithromycin and related substances. The method employed uses a Zorbax Extend C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm I.D.), 5 microm, and a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile, 2-propanol, water and ammonium acetate solution pH 8.5. Mass spectral data are acquired on an LCQ ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ion (ESI) source operated in the positive ion mode. The LCQ is ideally suited for the identification of related substances because it provides on-line LC/MS(n) capability, which allows efficient identification without time-consuming isolation and purification procedures. Using this method, the fragmentation behavior of dirithromycin and its related substances was studied and the unknown impurities occurring in commercial samples were investigated. In total the structures of nine impurities were elucidated, among which three were different analogues with a modification in the side chain on the oxazine ring. Two impurities showed a different alkyl group in position C13. In two impurities the desosamine sugar was involved with changes in the degrees of methylation of the amino group. One unknown impurity was identified as dirithromycin F and another unknown was characterized as dirithromycin N-oxide.

Investigation of degradation products in a topical gel containing erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Benzamycin, combining benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin, is a topical gel used in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Because of the reactivity of benzoyl peroxide, preparations containing both erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide might be unstable and degradation products could be formed. To investigate and identify these latter products, a gradient-based liquid chromatographic method using volatile mobile phase constituents was developed. Mass spectrometry data were acquired on solutions containing erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide and on freshly prepared, 2-month-old and 18-month-old samples of Benzamycin. With the reference spectra as interpretative templates, it was concluded that erythromycin undergoes oxidation, followed by benzoylation.

Solid-phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry for analysis of trace concentrations of macrolide antibiotics in natural and waste water matrices

A method using solid-phase extraction (SPE) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) has been developed for determination of trace concentrations of erythromycin-H2O (ETM-H2O), roxithromycin (RTM) and tylosin (TLS) in natural and waste water matrices. These macrolides (MLs) were extracted from water samples using Oasis HLB cartridges, and the average recovery was 93.6 +/- 8.6, 92.1 +/- 10.0, and 94.3 +/- 8.9% for ETM-H2O, RTM and TLS in surface water, respectively. For water from the influent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), the average recovery was 84.8 +/- 14.0, 83.2 +/- 13.1, and 86.1 +/- 13.4% for ETM-H2O, RTM and TLS, respectively. Method detection limits in a natural water matrices were 0.07, 0.03, and 0.05 microg/l for ETM-H2O, RTM, and TLS, respectively. Fragment or product ions from MS spectra using in-source collision-induced dissociation and MS-MS spectra have been identified. The accuracy and day-to-day variation of the method fell within acceptable ranges. The method was evaluated by studying the occurrence of the three macrolides on a river and a WWTP in northern Colorado. None of the antibiotics were detected in the stream except immediately downstream of a WWTP, a result consistent with their presence in the influent and effluent of the treatment facility.

Identification of impurities in erythromycin by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric detection

A simple, isocratic liquid chromatographic (LC) method using volatile mobile phase constituents for the identification of related substances in erythromycin samples is described. For method development, evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) was used. An XTerra RP18 column was used at 70 degrees C with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-isopropanol-0.2M ammonium acetate pH 7.0-water (165:105:50:680). Mass spectral data were acquired on an ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray interface operated in the positive ion mode. First, a library was created using MS/MS and MS(n) spectra of reference substances available in the laboratory. Using these reference spectra as interpretative templates, eight novel related substances in erythromycin samples were identified: N-demethylerythromycin E, erythromycin E N-oxide, anhydroerythromycin C, N-demethylerythromycin B, anhydro-N-demethylerythromycin A, pseudoerythromycin E enol ether, EF lacking the neutral sugar and EA lacking the neutral sugar.

An overview of the recent trends in development of HPLC methods for determination of impurities in drugs

An extensive survey of the literature published in various analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry related journals has been conducted and the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods which were developed and used for determination of process-related impurities in drugs have been reviewed. This review covers the time period from 1995 to 2001 during which around 450 analytical methods including all types of chromatographic and hyphenated techniques were reported. HPLC with UV detection was found to be the technique of choice for many workers and more than 200 methods were developed using LC-UV alone. A critical analysis of the reported data has been carried out and the present state-of-art of HPLC for determination of impurities of analgesic, antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-hypertensive, anti-depressant, gastro-intestinal and anti-neoplastic agents has been discussed.

Liquid chromatography analysis of erythromycin A in salmon tissue by electrochemical detection with confirmation by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method is described for the quantitation of erythromycin A (EA) in edible salmon tissue by liquid chromatography (LC) analysis using either electrochemical detection (ED) or electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (ESI/MS) detection. The salmon tissue is extracted with 10 mM ammonium formate. The extract is then purified by solid phase extraction using a hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) polymeric-based C18 packing, followed by partitioning of EA into methylene chloride at alkaline pH, evaporation, and final dilution. The mean recoveries of EA at 50, 100, 200, and 400 ppb levels in fortified salmon tissue were 63.8 +/- 6.0 and 75.5 +/- 5.4% by LC-ED and LC-ESI/MS, respectively. There was no evidence of formation of the anhydro-EA (m/z 716) decomposition product of EA (m/z 734) that was reported to occur by other published methods.

Analysis of unknown compounds in azithromycin bulk samples with liquid chromatography coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry

A selective reversed-phase liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS(n)) method is described for the identification of azithromycin impurities and related substances in commercial azithromycin samples. Mass spectral data are acquired on an LCQ ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface operated in positive ion mode. The LCQ provides on-line LC/MS(n) capability, making it ideally suited for identification purposes. In comparison with UV detection, this hyphenated technique provides as its main advantage efficient identification of novel substances without time-consuming isolation and purification procedures. Using this technique, six novel related substances detected in commercial azithromycin samples have been studied.

HPLC separation of antibiotics present in formulated and unformulated samples

Analysis of antibiotics in formulated and unformulated samples demand a highly specific and rapid method as many antibiotics (e.g. beta-lactams) have serious stability problems. HPLC techniques can provide a valuable tool for generating highly pure preparations for characterizing the antimicrobial activities. In the present review article, column and mobile phase conditions for the various classes of antibiotics viz. penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, quinolones, rifamycins etc. have been presented from April 1998 to November 2000. A brief discussion on chemical structure, spectrum of activity and action mechanism of each class has also been given.

Current literature in mass spectrometry

In order to keep subscribers up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, John Wiley & Sons are providing a current awareness service in each issue of the journal. The bibliography contains newly published material in the field of mass spectrometry. Each bibliography is divided into 11 sections: 1 Books, Reviews & Symposia; 2 Instrumental Techniques & Methods; 3 Gas Phase Ion Chemistry; 4 Biology/Biochemistry: Amino Acids, Peptides & Proteins; Carbohydrates; Lipids; Nucleic Acids; 5 Pharmacology/Toxicology; 6 Natural Products; 7 Analysis of Organic Compounds; 8 Analysis of Inorganics/Organometallics; 9 Surface Analysis; 10 Environmental Analysis; 11 Elemental Analysis. Within each section, articles are listed in alphabetical order with respect to author (3 Weeks journals - Search completed at 28th. June 2000)