Application of solid-phase microextraction in the determination of diazepam binding to human serum albumin

Solid-phase microextraction for assessment of plasma protein binding, a complement to rapid equilibrium dialysis

Aim: Determination of plasma protein binding (PPB) is considered vital for better understanding of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activities of drugs due to the role of free concentration in pharmacological response. Methodology & results: Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was investigated for measurement of PPB from biological matrices and compared with a gold standard approach (rapid equilibrium dialysis [RED]). Discussion & conclusion: SPME-derived values of PPB correlated well with literature values, and those determined by RED. Respectively, average protein binding across three concentrations by RED and SPME was 33.1 and 31.7% for metoprolol, 89.0 and 86.6% for propranolol and 99.2 and 99.0% for diclofenac. This study generates some evidence for SPME as an alternative platform for the determination of PPB.

Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) and Association between the Placental Transfer Efficiencies and Dissociation Constant of Serum Proteins-PFAS Complexes

Information on placental transfer and adverse outcomes of short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFASs) is limited, and factors responsible for PFAS placental transfer are still unclear. In the present study, concentrations of 21 PFASs were analyzed in 132 paired maternal and cord serum samples collected from residents in Beijing, China, and the placental transfer efficiency (PTE) of each PFAS was calculated. PTEs of short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), including PFBA (146%), PFBS (97%), PFPeA (118%), and PFHxA (110%), were first reported, and a complete U-shaped trend of PTEs from C4 to C13 of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) was obtained. Positive association between maternal weight and PTE of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) ( p < 0.05) and negative association between maternal PFBA concentration and birth length ( p < 0.01) were observed. Using in vitro experiments, we further determined equilibrium dissociation constants ( K_ds) of human serum albumin (HSA)-PFAS complexes ( K_d-HP), serum proteins-PFAS complexes ( K_d-SP), and liver-fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP)-PFAS complexes ( K_d-LP) and found that they were all significantly correlated with PTEs of PFASs. The correlation coefficient was 0.92, 0.89, and 0.86, respectively ( p < 0.01 in all three tests), suggesting that K_ds of protein (serum)-PFAS complexes can play an important role in trans-placental transfer of PFASs in human and K_d-HP plays a pivotal role.

A flow-through aqueous standard generation system for thin film microextraction investigations of UV filters and biocides partitioning to different environmental compartments

In this paper problems associated with preparation of aqueous standard of highly hydrophobic compounds such as partial precipitation, being lost on the surfaces, low solubility in water and limited sample volume for accurate determination of their distribution coefficients are addressed. The following work presents two approaches that utilize blade thin film microextraction (TFME) to investigate partitioning of UV filters and biocides to humic acid (dissolved organic carbon) and sediment. A steady-state concentration of target analytes in water was generated using a flow-through aqueous standard generation (ASG) system. Dialysis membranes, a polytetrafluoroethylene permeation tube, and a frit porous (0.5 μm) coated by epoxy glue were basic elements used for preparation of the ASG system. In the currently presented study, negligible depletion TFME using hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and octadecyl silica-based (C18) sorbents was employed towards the attainment of free concentration values of target analytes in the studied matrices. Thin film geometry provided a large volume of extraction phase, which improved the sensitivity of the method towards highly matrix-bound analytes. Extractions were performed in the equilibrium regime so as to prevent matrix effects and with aims to reach maximum method sensitivity for all analytes under study. Partitioning of analytes on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was investigated in ASG to facilitate large sample volume conditions. Binding percentages and DOC distribution coefficients (Log K_DOC) ranged from 20 to 98% and 3.71-6.72, respectively. Furthermore, sediment-water partition coefficients (K_d), organic-carbon normalized partition coefficients (Log K_OC), and DOC distribution coefficients (Log K_DOC) were investigated in slurry sediment, and ranged from 33 to 2860, 3.31-5.24 and 4.52-5.75 Lkg^-1, respectively. The obtained results demonstrated that investigations utilizing ASG and TFME can yield reliable binding information for compounds with high log K_OW values. This information is useful for study of fate, transport, and ecotoxicological effects of UV filters and biocides in aquatic environment.

Analysis of free drug fractions in human serum by ultrafast affinity extraction and two-dimensional affinity chromatography

Ultrafast affinity extraction and a two-dimensional high performance affinity chromatographic system were used to measure the free fractions for various drugs in serum and at typical therapeutic concentrations. Pooled samples of normal serum or serum from diabetic patients were utilized in this work. Several drug models (i.e., quinidine, diazepam, gliclazide, tolbutamide, and acetohexamide) were examined that represented a relatively wide range of therapeutic concentrations and affinities for human serum albumin (HSA). The two-dimensional system consisted of an HSA microcolumn for the extraction of a free drug fraction, followed by a larger HSA analytical column for the further separation and measurement of this fraction. Factors that were optimized in this method included the flow rates, column sizes, and column switching times that were employed. The final extraction times used for isolating the free drug fractions were 333-665 ms or less. The dissociation rate constants for several of the drugs with soluble HSA were measured during system optimization, giving results that agreed with reference values. In the final system, free drug fractions in the range of 0.7-9.5% were measured and gave good agreement with values that were determined by ultrafiltration. Association equilibrium constants or global affinities were also estimated by this approach for the drugs with soluble HSA. The results for the two-dimensional system were obtained in 5-10 min or less and required only 1-5 μL of serum per injection. The same approach could be adapted for work with other drugs and proteins in clinical samples or for biomedical research.

Determination of rate constants and equilibrium constants for solution-phase drug-protein interactions by ultrafast affinity extraction

A method was created on the basis of ultrafast affinity extraction to determine both the dissociation rate constants and equilibrium constants for drug-protein interactions in solution. Human serum albumin (HSA), an important binding agent for many drugs in blood, was used as both a model soluble protein and as an immobilized binding agent in affinity microcolumns for the analysis of free drug fractions. Several drugs were examined that are known to bind to HSA. Various conditions to optimize in the use of ultrafast affinity extraction for equilibrium and kinetic studies were considered, and several approaches for these measurements were examined. The dissociation rate constants obtained for soluble HSA with each drug gave good agreement with previous rate constants reported for the same drugs or other solutes with comparable affinities for HSA. The equilibrium constants that were determined also showed good agreement with the literature. The results demonstrated that ultrafast affinity extraction could be used as a rapid approach to provide information on both the kinetics and thermodynamics of a drug-protein interaction in solution. This approach could be extended to other systems and should be valuable for high-throughput drug screening or biointeraction studies.

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction of Phacolysin and bovine serum albumin

The interaction between Phacolysin (PCL) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) under imitated physiological conditions was investigated by spectroscopic (fluorescence, UV-Vis absorption and Circular dichroism) techniques. The experiments were conducted at different temperatures (294K, 302K, 306K and 310K) and the results showed that the PCL caused the fluorescence quenching of BSA through a static quenching procedure. The binding constant (Ka), binding sites (n) were obtained. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS and ΔG) of the interaction system were calculated at different temperatures. The results revealed that the binding process was spontaneous and the acting force between PCL and BSA were mainly hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. According to Förster non-radiation energy transfer theory, the binding distance between PCL and BSA was calculated to be 2.41nm. What is more, both synchronous fluorescence and Circular dichroism spectra confirmed the interaction, which indicated the conformational changes of BSA.

High-throughput analysis of drug dissociation from serum proteins using affinity silica monoliths

A noncompetitive peak decay method was used with 1 mm×4.6 mm id silica monoliths to measure the dissociation rate constants (kd) for various drugs with human serum albumin (HSA) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP). Flow rates up to 9 mL/min were used in these experiments, resulting in analysis times of only 20-30 s. Using a silica monolith containing immobilized HSA, dissociation rate constants were measured for amitriptyline, carboplatin, cisplatin, chloramphenicol, nortriptyline, quinidine, and verapamil, giving values that ranged from 0.37 to 0.78 s(-1). Similar work with an immobilized AGP silica monolith gave kd values for amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and lidocaine of 0.39-0.73 s(-1). These kd values showed good agreement with values determined for drugs with similar structures and/or affinities for HSA or AGP. It was found that a kd of up to roughly 0.80 s(-1) could be measured by this approach. This information made it possible to obtain a better understanding of the advantages and possible limitations of the noncompetitive peak decay method and in the use of affinity silica monoliths for the high-throughput analysis of drug-protein dissociation.

Use of peak decay analysis and affinity microcolumns containing silica monoliths for rapid determination of drug-protein dissociation rates

This report examined the use of silica monoliths in affinity microcolumns containing human serum albumin (HSA) to measure the dissociation rates for various drugs from this protein. Immobilized HSA and control monolith columns with dimensions of 1 mm × 4.6 mm i.d. were prepared for this work and used with a noncompetitive peak decay method. Several drugs known to bind HSA were examined, such as warfarin, diazepam, imipramine, acetohexamide, and tolbutamide. Items that were studied and optimized in this method included the sample volume, sample concentration, and elution flow rate. It was found that flow rates up to 10 mL/min could be used in this approach. Work with HSA silica monoliths at these high flow rates made it possible to provide dissociation rate constants for drugs such as warfarin in less than 40s. The dissociation rate constants that were measured gave good agreement with values reported in the literature or that had been obtained with other solutes that had similar binding affinities for HSA. This approach is a general one that should be useful in examining the dissociation of other drugs from HSA and in providing a high-throughput method for screening drug-protein interactions.

Determination of antibiotic drug concentrations in circulating human blood by means of solid phase micro-extraction

BACKGROUND

Promising results in animals have shown the diagnostic potential of polypyrrole coated SPME fibres introduced directly into the blood stream. This study was intended to extend this technique to a clinically relevant antibiotic drug under close to physiological conditions in human blood.

METHODS

An artificial vein system was built up from heart and lung machine components. Determination of Linezolid (0-15 mug/mL) was performed by SPME from the flowing system ("online", flow velocities 2-50 cm/s), from blood withdrawn from the system ("offline") and by means of a SPE/HPLC method. SPME was done using new fibres ("new") for each analysis, and in the way that one fibre was reused ("re") for one series of measurements.

RESULTS

Drug SPME did not depend on blood flow velocities. Linear regression of data (concentration vs. amount extracted) yielded R(2)=0.998 for SPE/HPLC, R(2)=0.955 for SPME(online_new), 0.929 for SPME(online_re), 0.929 SPME(offline_new), 0.973 for SPME(offline_re), RSD were 52% (SPME(online_new)), 10% (SPME(online_re)), 47% (SPME(offline_new)), 18% (SPME(offline_re)), 8% (SPE/HPLC).

CONCLUSIONS

In-vein SPME has the potential to minimize blood requirement for diagnostic purposes and to speed up analysis of clinically relevant drugs, if inter-fibre variation can be reduced through standardized manufacturing.

Application of solid-phase microextraction in analytical toxicology

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a miniaturized and solvent-free sample preparation technique for chromatographic-spectrometric analysis by which the analytes are extracted from a gaseous or liquid sample by absorption in, or adsorption on, a thin polymer coating fixed to the solid surface of a fiber, inside an injection needle or inside a capillary. In this paper, the present state of practical performance and of applications of SPME to the analysis of blood, urine, oral fluid and hair in clinical and forensic toxicology is reviewed. The commercial coatings for fibers or needles have not essentially changed for many years, but there are interesting laboratory developments, such as conductive polypyrrole coatings for electrochemically controlled SPME of anions or cations and coatings with restricted-access properties for direct extraction from whole blood or immunoaffinity SPME. In-tube SPME uses segments of commercial gas chromatography (GC) capillaries for highly efficient extraction by repeated aspiration-ejection cycles of the liquid sample. It can be easily automated in combination with liquid chromatography but, as it is very sensitive to capillary plugging, it requires completely homogeneous liquid samples. In contrast, fiber-based SPME has not yet been performed automatically in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography. The headspace extractions on fibers or needles (solid-phase dynamic extraction) combined with GC methods are the most advantageous versions of SPME because of very pure extracts and the availability of automatic samplers. Surprisingly, substances with quite high boiling points, such as tricyclic antidepressants or phenothiazines, can be measured by headspace SPME from aqueous samples. The applicability and sensitivity of SPME was essentially extended by in-sample or on-fiber derivatization. The different modes of SPME were applied to analysis of solvents and inhalation narcotics, amphetamines, cocaine and metabolites, cannabinoids, methadone and other opioids, fatty acid ethyl esters as alcohol markers, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, benzodiazepines, various other therapeutic drugs, pesticides, chemical warfare agents, cyanide, sulfide and metal ions. In general, SPME is routinely used in optimized methods for specific analytes. However, it was shown that it also has some capacity for a general screening by direct immersion into urine samples and for pesticides and other semivolatile substance in the headspace mode.

Micellar solid-phase microextraction for determining partition coefficients of substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in micellar media: possible prediction of hydrocarbon–micelle behaviour

Micellar solid-phase microextraction (MSPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been used to obtain partition coefficients of a group of 18 substituted aromatic hydrocarbons to ionic and nonionic micelles. Statistical and factor analyses have been utilized to establish some general equations relating molecular descriptors of non-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their partition coefficients obtained by MSPME. The obtained equations have correlation coefficients higher than 0.94. They are used to predict hydrocarbon-micelle partition coefficients for a group of hydrocarbons with reported literature values giving a correlation coefficient of 0.98 and a standard deviation of the prediction of 0.182. The predictive model was also applied to substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with partition coefficient values obtained by MSPME, with a 69% level of success.

Evaluation of bio-compatible poly(ethylene glycol)-based solid-phase microextraction fiber for in vivo pharmacokinetic studies of diazepam in dogs

Solid-phase microextraction probes based on poly(ethylene glycol)/C18-bonded silica were used for in vivo monitoring of drugs from circulating blood of beagles, over a period of 8 h. After sampling, the extracted drugs were subsequently quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. External calibrations in whole blood and phosphate-buffered saline were used to correlate the amount of analytes extracted in regard to the total and free concentrations in blood respectively. The probe provided sufficient sensitivity for the drugs in the blood matrix, while the need for drawing blood was eliminated. The limit of detections of the method from whole blood were 1.7, 1.4 and 2.8 ng mL(-1) for the analysis of diazepam, nordiazepam and oxazepam respectively, and the linear range was from 4 ng mL(-1) to 2 microg mL(-1). The method was applied for the monitoring of pharmacokinetic profiles of intravenous administration of diazepam and its two main metabolites in dogs, and the results were compared with profiles determined by conventional methods. This approach offered increased sensitivity and accuracy, short extraction time, and convenient calibration for in vivo sampling for dynamic monitoring.

Determination of drug plasma protein binding by solid phase microextraction

The plasma protein binding of drugs has been shown to have significant effects on the quantitative relationship between clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. In many clinical situations, measurement of the total drug concentration does not provide the needed information concerning the unbound fraction of drug in plasma, which is available for pharmacodynamic action. Therefore, the accurate determination of unbound plasma drug concentrations is important in understanding drug action. Many methodologies exist for determining the extent of plasma protein binding, but different methods produce a rather wide range of results for the same compound at the same concentration level. The solid phase microextraction (SPME) method reported in the present study attempts to eliminate many experimental variables that could lead to the lack of reproducibility, such as the variable content of organic solvent or ionic strength in plasma, pH shifts, and volume shifts. Five well-known drugs were chosen to study plasma protein binding: ibuprofen, warfarin, verapamil, propranolol, and caffeine, with high, intermediate and low binding properties. Dilution of plasma with isotonic PBS or incubation with 10% CO(2) in the atmosphere was found to compensate for changes in pH during incubation. The data obtained using these pH-controlled methods correlate well with the average values of plasma protein binding found in the literature. SPME, which uses an extraction phase that dissolves or adsorbs the drug of interest and rejects proteins, overcomes several limitations of currently available techniques and is a thermodynamically sound method, since the measurements are always performed at equilibrium. Compared to other methods, SPME offers several advantages: small sample size, short analysis time, possibility to automate, and ability to directly study complex samples.

Application of solid-phase microextraction in the investigation of protein binding of pharmaceuticals

Protein-drug interactions of seven common pharmaceuticals were studied using solid-phase microextraction (SPME). SPME can be used in such investigations on the condition that no analyte depletion occurs. In multi-compartment systems (e.g. a proteinaceous matrix) only the free portion of the analyte is able to partition into the SPME fiber. In addition if no sample depletion occurs, the bound drug-free drug equilibria are not disturbed. In the present study seven pharmaceuticals (quinine, quinidine, naproxen, ciprofloxacin, haloperidol, paclitaxel and nortriptyline) were assayed by SPME. For quantitative purposes SPME was validated first in the absence of proteins. Calibration curves were constructed for each drug by HPLC-fluorescence and HPLC-UV analysis. SPME was combined to HPLC off-line, desorption occurring in HPLC inserts filled with 200 microL methanol. Binding of each drug to human serum albumin was studied independently. Experimental results were in agreement with literature data and ultrafiltration experiments, indicating the feasibility of the method for such bioanalytical purposes.

Molecularly imprinted thin film self-assembled on piezoelectric quartz crystal surface by the sol–gel process for protein recognition

A novel method of combining sol-gel and self-assembly technology to prepare a human serum albumin (HSA)-imprinted film on the surface of piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) Au-electrode modified with thioglycolic acid was described in this paper. The imprinting process was characterized by using the piezoelectric quartz crystal impedance (PQCI) technique and electrochemical impedance technique. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to characterize the surface morphology of the resultant imprinted film. The piezoelectric technique and electrochemical impedance technique were also employed to investigate the binding performance of the sol-gel-imprinted film with the template protein. The results showed that the imprinted PQC film can give selective recognition to the template protein. The effects of salts and solvents on the binding capacity of the imprinted film with protein were discussed in detail. Other influencing factors (temperature and pH) have also been investigated. This self-assembly sol-gel imprinting technique was proved to be an alternative method for the preparation of biomacromolecule-imprinted thin film.

A Hollow Fiber Solvent Microextraction Approach to Measure Drug-Protein Binding

A new direct method has been developed to determine protein-drug binding based on hollow fiber membrane solvent microextraction. Hollow-fiber membrane solvent microextraction coupled with high-performance chromatography with UV detection was employed to evaluate the binding characteristics of drugs to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and blood serum. It was found that the BSA and matrix in the blood serum did not interfere with the measurement. The method is simple and fast. It lacks the drawbacks of some conventional analytical techniques, such as taking much long time and requiring large volume sample consumption.

Depletion solid-phase microextraction for the evaluation of fiber-sample partition coefficients of pesticides

A depletion solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method for the characterisation of SPME sorption for 13 pesticides selected as probe compounds is described. The sample is extracted and analysed multiple times by SPME-GC/MS. The observed depletion in peak areas is used for the calculation of extraction ratios that varied between 3 and 28% for a PDMS fiber with confidence intervals between 0.7 and 5.4%. Apparent fiber-sample partition coefficients can be calculated and extrapolated to equilibrium conditions if specific sorption kinetics are known. Under the chosen conditions, problems were encountered for more polar compounds (logK(ow)<3) due to inefficient extraction. The extracted amount was found to be the decisive parameter for depletion SPME and the extraction conditions therefore need to be adapted to the polarity of the analyte. The importance of the initial analyte concentration especially for mixed-mode fibers is demonstrated. Compared with conventional external calibration using liquid injection, depletion SPME eliminates uncertainties due to solvent effects during injection. Furthermore, it does neither require authentic reference compounds nor knowledge of the initial analyte concentration, and thus can even be used for unknowns.

Study of the interactions between phenolic compounds and micellar media using micellar solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography

Solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas-chromatography with mass-spectrometry detection has been employed to establish the sensitivity indexes as well as to study the partition coefficients of phenols into ionic and nonionic micelles. The sensitivity indexes values can be used to estimate qualitatively the affinity between phenols and micelles. The studied phenols, some of them with high environmental interest, include chloro-, alkyl-, and methoxy-phenols. The results obtained in this work, using 85 microm polyacrylate fiber and anionic (sodium dodecyl sulphate), cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), and nonionic (Triton X-100 and polyoxyethylene-10-lauryl ether) surfactants, indicate that SPME is a viable method for estimating the micelle partition coefficients.

Solid phase micro-extraction coupled with ion mobility spectrometry for the analysis of ephedrine in urine

Quantitative solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) coupled with ion mobility spectrometry is demonstrated using the analysis of ephedrine in urine. Since its inception in the 1970's ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has evolved into a useful technique for laboratories to detect explosives, chemical warfare agents, environment pollutants and, increasingly, for detecting drugs of abuse. Ephedrine is extracted directly from urine samples using SPME and the analyte on the fiber is heated by the IMS desorber unit and vaporized into the drift tube. The analytical procedure was optimized for fiber coating selection, extraction temperature, extraction time, sample pH, and analyte desorption temperature. The carryover effects, ion fragmentation characteristics, peak shapes, and drift times of ephedrine were also evaluated based on the direct interfacing of SPME to IMS. A limit of detection of 50 ng/mL of ephedrine in urine and a linear range of 3 orders of magnitude were obtained, showing that SPME-IMS compares well to other techniques for ephedrine and drug analysis presented in the literature.

High-Performance Frontal Analysis of the Binding of Thyroxine Enantiomers to Human Serum Albumin Binding of Thyroxine Enantiomers to Human Serum Albumin Kimura

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to characterize the binding property between thyroxine and human serum albumin (HSA) qualitatively and enantioselectively using high-performance frontal analysis (HPFA).

METHODS

An on-line HPLC system consisting of an HPFA column, an extraction column, and an analytical HPLC column was developed to be used to determine the unbound concentrations of thyroxine enantiomers.

RESULTS

Both enantiomers were bound to human serum albumin at two high-affinity sites with similar affinities. The binding constant (K) and the number of binding sites on an HSA molecule (n) evaluated from Scatchard plot analysis were K = 1.01 x 10(6)m(-1) and n = 1.90 for L: -thyroxine, and K = 9.71 x 10(5) m(-1) and n = 1.97 for D: -thyroxine. The binding sites were identified using phenylbutazone and diazepam as site-specific probes for sites I and II, respectively, and each enantiomer was found to bind to both sites. Incorporation of a chiral HPLC column into the on-line system permitted the investigation of enantiomer-enantiomer interactions, which revealed that both enantiomers competitively bind to the same binding sites without significant allosteric effects.

Binding study of drug with bovine serum album using a combined technique of microdialysis with flow-injection chemiluminescent detection

Microdialysis coupled with flow-injection chemiluminescence (FI-CL) has been developed to determine the binding parameters of a drug binding to protein by using antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride binding to bovine serum albumin as a model system. The drug and protein were mixed in different molar ratios in 0.067 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, and incubated at 37 degrees C in a water bath. The microdialysis probe was utilized to sample the mixed solution at a perfusion rate of 5 microL/min. The concentration of unbound tetracycline hydrochloride in the microdialysate was determined by FIA-CL. In vitro recovery of tetracycline hydrochloride under experimental conditions was 30.0%. The data obtained by the present microdialysis-FI-CL system was analyzed using the Scatchard analysis and Klotz plot. The results show that the Scatchard plot and Klotz plot are linear with good correlation coefficient, indicating a good agreement of the experimental data and to the theoretical equation. The FIA chemiluminescence system combined with microdialysis developed in this work demonstrated its use for determination of interaction between drug and protein by using relatively simple instrument.

Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled to Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon−Micelle Partition Coefficients

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography with MS detection has been employed to study the partition coefficients of PAHs to ionic and nonionic micelles. The results obtained in this work for seven PAHs, using 85-microm polyacrylate- and 100-microm poly(dimethylsiloxane)-coated fibers and anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate), cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), and nonionic (polyoxyethylene-10-lauryl ether) surfactants, indicate that SPME is a viable method for estimating the partition coefficients of PAHs to micelle. The procedure could also be potentially extended to the measurement of partition coefficients between a wide variety of semi- or nonvolatile compounds and micellar media.

Performance of an ultra-low elution-volume 96-well plate: drug discovery and development applications

Recently, sample preparation has been considered to be the major cause of bottlenecks during high-throughput analysis. With the assistance of robotic liquid handlers and the 96-well plate format, more samples can be prepared for subsequent liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis. Protein precipitation is still widely used despite potential loss of sensitivity or variable results due to ion suppression. The use of solid-phase extraction (SPE) clearly gives superior results but may not be as cost effective as protein precipitation due to the labor and material costs associated with the process. Here, a novel 96-well SPE plate is described that was designed to minimize the elution volume required for quantitative elution of analytes. The plate is packed with 2 mg of a high-capacity SPE sorbent that allows loading of up to 750 microL of plasma, while the novel design permits elution with as little as 25 microL. Therefore, the plate offers up to a 15-fold increase in sample concentration. The evaporation and reconstitution step that is typically required in SPE is avoided due to the concentrating ability of the plate. Examples of applications in drug discovery/development are shown and results are compared to protein precipitation. Excellent sensitivity and linearity are demonstrated.