Phase-system switching as an on-line sample pretreatment in the bioanalysis of mitomycin C using supercritical fluid chromatography

Supercritical fluid extraction as a sample preparation technique for the direct isolation of drugs from plasma prior to analysis

Supercritical carbon dioxide was used for the direct extraction of drugs from plasma prior to analysis. The supercritical fluid was directly passed through plasma samples spiked with either a neutral (flavone) or an acidic (ketorolac) drug. The addition of an antifoam agent to the plasma prior to extraction was required to avoid restrictor plugging caused by denaturation of the plasma proteins by the supercritical fluid. The effluent from the extraction cell was bubbled through a small volume of methanol or into an empty tube to trap the extracted drug. The effect of extraction pressure and time on absolute recovery were examined. The absolute recovery, selectivity, precision and accuracy of the supercritical fluid extraction approach was compared to conventional liquid-liquid extraction using reversed-phase HPLC with ultraviolet detection.

Chromatographic analysis of anticancer drugs

The present review on the methods for the analysis of anticancer drugs should be seen as an addition to the excellent work of Eksborg and Ehrsson published half a decade ago in this journal (Vol. 340, p.31). The style and format have been followed closely, with the focus again on chromatographic techniques. We felt it important to add a list of compound (group) structures as a service to the reader. Methods have been reviewed for alkylating agents, platinum compounds, antitumour antibiotics, antimetabolites, alkaloids, suramin, 1-hydroxy-3-amino-propylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate and tamoxifen.

Bioanalytical applications of supercritical fluid chromatography

Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) has become a valuable tool in analytical chemistry. In the past few years considerable progress has been made in bioanalytical applications of both capillary and packed column SFC. Progress in this respect has especially been made with combined SFC-mass spectrometry, an important alternative to combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The various applications of capillary and packed column SFC are reviewed, while special attention is given to detection technique applicable in (bioanalytical) SFC. Considerable progress in SFC is expected in the near future.