Application of thin-layer chromatography in enantiomeric chiral analysis-an overview

Two-dimensional material membranes for critical separations

In this review, we summarize the separation mechanisms and materials adopted for the fabrication of 2D material membranes as well as their applications in critical separations.

Evaluation of sulfated maltodextrin as a novel anionic chiral selector for the enantioseparation of basic chiral drugs by capillary electrophoresis

Introducing a new class of chiral selectors is an interesting work and this issue is still one of the hot topics in separation science and chirality. In this study, for the first time, sulfated maltodextrin (MD) was synthesized as a new anionic chiral selector and then it was successfully applied for the enantioseparation of five basic drugs (amlodipine, hydroxyzine, fluoxetine, tolterodine, and tramadol) as model chiral compounds using CE. This chiral selector has two recognition sites: a helical structure and a sulfated group which contribute to three corresponding driving forces; inclusion complexation, electrostatic interaction, and hydrogen binding. Under the optimized condition (buffer solution: 50 mM phosphate (pH 3.0) and 2% w/v sulfated MD; applied voltage: 18 kV; temperature: 20°C), baseline enantioseparation was observed for all mentioned chiral drugs. When instead of sulfated MD neutral MD was used under the same condition, no enantioseparation was observed which means the resolution power of sulfated MD is higher than neutral MD due to the electrostatic interaction between sulfated groups and protonated chiral drugs. Also, the countercurrent mobility of negatively charged MD (sulfated MD) allows more interactions between the chiral selector and chiral drugs and this in turn results in a successful resolution for the enantiomers. Furthermore, a higher concentration of neutral MD (approximately five times) is necessary to achieve the equivalent resolution compared with the negatively charged MD.

Maltodextrins as chiral selectors in CE: molecular structure effect of basic chiral compounds on the enantioseparation

Prediction of chiral separation for a compound using a chiral selector is an interesting and debatable work. For this purpose, in this study 23 chiral basic drugs with different chemical structures were selected as model solutes and the influence of their chemical structures on the enantioseparation in the presence of maltodextrin (MD) as chiral selector was investigated. For chiral separation, a 100-mM phosphate buffer solution (pH 3.0) containing 10% (w/v) MD with dextrose equivalent (DE) of 4-7 as chiral selector at the temperature of 25°C and voltage of 20 kV was used. Under this condition, baseline separation was achieved for nine chiral compounds and partial separation was obtained for another six chiral compounds while no enantioseparation was obtained for the remaining eight compounds. The results showed that the existence of at least two aromatic rings or cycloalkanes and an oxygen or nitrogen atom or -CN group directly bonded to the chiral center are necessary for baseline separation. With the obtained results in this study, chiral separation of a chiral compound can be estimated with MD-modified capillary electrophoresis before analysis. This prediction will minimize the number of preliminary experiments required to resolve enantiomers and will save time and cost.

Sample preparation for liquid chromatographic analysis of phytochemicals in biological fluids

INTRODUCTION

Natural products have been used traditionally for the treatment and prevention of diseases for thousands of years and are nowadays consumed as dietary supplements and herbal medicine. To ensure the safe and effective use of these herbal products, information about bioavailability of active compounds in plasma or target tissues should be provided via validated analytical methods combined with appropriate sampling methods.

OBJECTIVE

To provide comprehensive and abridged information about sample preparation methods for the quantification of phytochemicals in biological samples using liquid chromatography analysis.

METHODS

Sample pre-treatment procedures used in analytical methods for in vivo pharmacokinetic studies of natural compounds or herbal medicines were reviewed. These were categorised according to the biological matrices (plasma, bile, urine, faeces and tissues) and sample clean-up processes (protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction).

RESULTS

Although various kinds of sample pre-treatment methods have been developed, liquid-liquid extraction is still widely used and solid-phase extraction is becoming increasingly popular because of its efficiency for extensive clean up of complex matrix samples. However, protein precipitation is still favoured due to its simplicity.

CONCLUSION

Sample treatment for phytochemical analysis in biological fluids is an indispensable and critical step to obtain high quality results. This step could dominate the overall analytical process because both the duration of the process as well as the reliability of the data depend in large part on its efficiency. Thus, special attention should be given to the choice of a proper sample treatment method that targets analytes and their biomatrix.

Chiral derivatizations applied for the separation of unusual amino acid enantiomers by liquid chromatography and related techniques

Amino acids are essential for life, and have many functions in metabolism. One particularly important function is to serve as the building blocks of peptides and proteins, giving rise complex three dimensional structures through disulfide bonds or crosslinked amino acids. Peptides are frequently cyclic and contain proteinogenic as well as nonproteinogenic amino acids in many instances. Since most of the proteinogenic α-amino acids contain at least one stereogenic center (with the exception of glycine), the stereoisomers of all these amino acids and the peptides in which they are to be found may possess differences in biological activity in living systems. The impetus for advances in chiral separation has been highest in the past 25 years and this still continues to be an area of high focus. The important analytical task of the separation of isomers is achieved mainly by chromatographic and electrophoretic methods. This paper reviews indirect separation approaches, i.e. derivatization reactions aimed at creating the basis for the chromatographic resolution of biologically and pharmaceutically important enantiomers of unusual amino acids and related compounds, with emphasis on the literature published from 1980s. The main aspects of the chiral derivatization of amino acids are discussed, i.e. derivatization on the amino group, transforming the molecules into covalently bonded diastereomeric derivatives through the use of homochiral derivatizing agents. The diastereomers formed (amides, urethanes, urea and thiourea derivatives, etc.) can be separated on achiral stationary phases. The applications are considered, and in some cases different derivatizing agents for the resolution of complex mixtures of proteinogenic d,l-amino acids, non-proteinogenic amino acids and peptides/amino acids from peptide syntheses or microorganisms are compared.

Role of Stereoselective Assays in Bioequivalence Studies of Racemic Drugs: Have We Reached a Consensus?

The existence of stereoselectivity in metabolism and drug disposition, coupled with the existence of genetic polymorphisms and modulation of enantiomeric kinetics via special delivery systems, provides some compulsion to assess bioequivalence using stereoselective data. However, examination of the literature suggests that nonstereoselective data are commonly used for the bioequivalence assessment of drug racemates.

Chiral discrimination and enantioselective analysis of drugs: an overview

Molecular recognition of different enantiomers of a drug has become of increasing importance in the last decade due to the racemic switch strategy adapted by the pharmaceutical industry. Different analytical techniques to carry out enantioselective analysis of chiral compounds have been suggested in the literature. In the following, a brief overview of different techniques used for enantioselective analysis is given. Challenging aspects of these techniques, such as the quality of analytical information received from each technique, advantages, and disadvantages are discussed. Alternatives (enantioselective membranes, amperometric biosensors, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs)), capable of meeting the requirements of industrial processes, in terms of productivity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental issues are critically reviewed.

Chiral separation principles in chromatographic and electromigration techniques

Almost half of the drugs in use today are chiral. It is well established that the pharmacological activity is mostly restricted to one of the enantiomers (eutomer). There can be qualitative and quantitative differences in the activity of the enantiomers. In many cases, the inactive enantiomer (distomer) shows unwanted side effects or even toxic effects. Even if the side effects are not that drastic, the distomer has to be metabolized and this represents an unnecessary burden for the organism. Therefore, the development of methods for the separation of enantiomers, both on analytical and preparative scale, has become increasingly important. Chromatographic techniques such as thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), and above all high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have been used for enantiomer separation for about two decades. More recently, electromigration techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography, have been shown to be powerful alternatives to chromatographic methods. This review gives a short overview of different chiral separation principles and their application. Several new developments are discussed.

Use oftert-butylbenzoylated tartardiamide chiral stationary phase for the enantiomeric resolution of acidic compounds by nano-liquid chromatography

Several racemic acidic compounds of pharmaceutical and environmental interest have been separated into their enantiomers by nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) employing a tert-butylbenzoylated tartardiamide chiral stationary phase (CHI-TBB). CHI-TBB was packed into a fused silica capillary of 100 microm id and retained by two frits made with a heated wire; detection was on-column at a window (about 0.5 cm) prepared by removing the polyimide layer. The normal phase mode was selected for eluting the studied acidic compounds and therefore n-hexane/2-propanol/acetic acid (89/10/1, v/v/v) was used as mobile phase. Working at a flow rate of 220 nL/min a good resolution was obtained for mecoprop, dichlorprop, diclofop, fenoxaprop (herbicides) and for DF 1738Y, DF 1770Y, DF 2008Y (drugs under evaluation). In order to optimize the chiral resolution we modified the polarity of the mobile phase by adding several polar additives such as ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, tert-butyl methyl ether. Better results were obtained for some herbicides on working with 2-propanol/CH2Cl2/n-hexane/acetic acid (8/4/87/1, v/v/v/v). The influence of the capillary temperature on chiral resolution was studied for two herbicides with different chemical structures, namely mecoprop and haloxyfop in the temperature range between 10 and 40 degrees C and with n-hexane/2-propanol/1% acetic acid (89/10/1, v/v/v) as the mobile phase. Linear correlation of ln k vs 1/T and In alpha vs 1/ T was observed; deltaH degrees values were negative, demonstrating that retention of analytes was an exothermic process. A decrease in resolution was observed with rising temperature, showing that enantioresolution was mainly influenced by selectivity factors.

Enantiomeric separation of some demethylated analogues of clofibric acid by capillary zone electrophoresis and nano-liquid chromatography

The enantiomeric separation of some demethylated analogues of clofibric acid, namely 2-(6-chloro-benzothiazol-2-ylsulfanyl)-, 2-(6-methoxy-benzothiazol-2-ylsulfanyl)-, 2-(quinolin-2-yloxy)-, 2-(6-chloro-quinolin-2-yloxy)-, 2-(7-chloro-quinolin-4-yloxy)-propionic acid (compounds A-E, respectively), has been studied by CZE and nano-LC using for the first technique two beta-CD derivatives and vancomycin added to the BGE and vancomycin-modified silica particles for the second one, with the aim to find the optimum experimental conditions for the baseline resolution. The type and the concentration of the chiral selector added to the BGE, the buffer pH, the type of organic modifier and its concentration, the capillary temperature and the applied voltage played a very important role in the enantioresolution of the analysed compounds. The use of 6-monodeoxy-6-monoamino-beta-CD allowed to achieve baseline resolution of four of five clofibric acid derivatives in less than 10 min while heptakis-(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-CD partially resolved the same compounds in their enantiomers. Employing vancomycin as the chiral selector in CZE, the counter-current partial filling method was chosen achieving baseline resolution of four analytes. All the studied compounds were enantioresolved employing a capillary column packed with vancomycin stationary phase by nano-LC, and the resolution was strongly influenced by the concentration of the organic modifier and by the pH of the mobile phase. The best results were achieved at pH 4.5 in presence of 60% of methanol (MeOH). However, longer analysis times were observed in the experiments carried out by nano-LC.

Use of teicoplanin stationary phase for the enantiomeric resolution of atenolol in human urine by nano-liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) was used for the enantiomeric resolution of atenolol employing a teicoplanin modified silica stationary phase prepared in our laboratory. Experiments were carried out in a fused silica capillary of 75 microm i.d. packed with chiral modified silica particles of 5 microm diameter. Separated enantiomers were revealed by on-line UV detector at 205 nm or electrospray-ion-trap mass spectrometer (ESI-MS). Atenolol enantiomers were eluted utilizing a mobile phase with the following composition: 500 mM ammonium acetate pH 4.5/methanol/acetonitrile 1:60:39 (v/v/v) allowing to achieve good enantioresolution in a reasonable analysis time (about 8 min) with a flow rate of about 900 nL/min. After comparing the sensitivity of the nano-LC method using a conventional UV detector for capillary electrophoresis, a zeta cell (3 nL volume) employed in nano-LC and the ion-trap MS the method was validated with the MS detector offering the highest sensitivity (limit of detection (LOD)=50 ng/mL; limit of quantification (LOQ)=400 ng/mL for each atenolol enantiomer). (-)-Psi-Nor-ephedrine was used as the internal standard. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of atenolol enantiomers present in human urine samples of a patient under atenolol therapy.

Use of vancomycin chiral stationary phase for the enantiomeric resolution of basic and acidic compounds by nano-liquid chromatography

In this paper we studied the potentiality of nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) for the enantiomeric resolution of both basic and acidic compounds of pharmaceutical interest using a vancomycin modified silica stationary phase. Experiments were carried out in a fused silica capillary of 75 microm I.D. packed with chiral modified silica particles of 5 microm diameter, the detection, was done on-line at 195 nm. Enantiomeric resolution of alprenolol, atenolol, metoprolol, oxprenolol, pindolol, propranolol (basic compounds) and some acidic analytes, namely 2-[(5'-benzoyl-2'-hydroxy)phenyl]propionic acid (DF1738Y), 2-[(4'-benzoyloxy-2'-hydroxy)phenyl]propionic acid (DF1770Y), ketoprofen, indoprofen and suprofen was studied by nano-LC utilizing mobile phases containing methanol-acetonitrile-ammonium formate or acetate. The effect of mobile phase composition (buffer type and concentration, organic modifier type and concentration) on chiral resolution (Rs), retention factor (k) and retention time (tR) was also investigated. Good enantiomeric resolution was achieved for basic compounds utilizing the mobile phase containing 90% (MeCN-MeOH)/5% water/5% of 100 mM ammonium acetate pH 4.5. Acidic compounds such as DF1738Y and DF1770Y were better resolved at lower pH 3.5 while ketoprofen, indoprofen and suprofen exhibited the highest resolution at pH 4.5; in this case the mobile phase contained MeOH or MeCN (90%), 5% buffer and 5% of water. The nano-LC method was validated using R-(+)-propranolol as an internal standard finding good repeatability, detection limit, correlation coefficient and recovery and applied to the assay of a pharmaceutical formulation containing a racemic mixture of metoprolol.

Thin layer chromatographic resolution of some 2-arylpropionic acid enantiomers using L-(-)-serine, L-(-)-threonine and a mixture of L-(-)-serine and L-(-)-threonine-impregnated silica gel as stationary phases

Impregnated silica TLC plates with L-(-)-serine and L-(-)-threonine and a mixture of L-(-)-serine and L-(-)-threonine (1:1) as chiral selectors were prepared to use as chiral stationary phases (CSPs) in thin layer chromatography. The resolution of the enantiomers of 2-arylpropionic drugs, including ibuprofen, ibuproxam, ketoprofen, pranoprofen, benoxaprofen, flurbiprofen and tiaprofenic acid was investigated on these CSPs. A mobile phase system of acetonitrile-methanol-water (16:4:0.5, v/v/v) was used. The spots were detected with iodine vapours and the detection limits were found to range between 0.25 and 0.5 micro g/mL for all racemic compounds investigated. The effect of temperature, pH and concentration of the impregnating chiral selectors on resolution has been studied.

Development of enantioselective chemiluminescence flow- and sequential-injection immunoassays for alpha-amino acids

The development of an enantioselective flow-through chemiluminescence immunosensor for amino acids is described. The approach is based on a competitive assay using enantioselective antibodies. Two different instrumental approaches, a flow-injection (FIA) and a sequential-injection system (SIA), are used. Compared to the flow-injection technique, the sequential injection-mode showed better repeatability. Both systems use an immunoreactor consisting of a flow cell packed with immobilized haptens. The haptens (4-amino-L- or D-phenylalanine) are immobilized onto a hydroxysuccinimide-activated polymer (Affi-prep 10) via a tyramine spacer. Stereoselective antibodies, raised against 4-amino-L- or D-phenylalanine, are labeled with an acridinium ester. Stereoselective inhibition of binding of the acridinum-labeled antibodies to the immobilized hapten by amino acids takes place. Chiral recognition was observed not only for the hapten molecule but also for a series of different amino acids. One assay cycle including regeneration takes 6:30 min in the FIA mode and 4:40 min in the SIA mode. Using D-phenylalanine as a sample, the detection limit was found to be 6.13 pmol/ml (1.01 ng/ml) for the flow-injection immunoassay (FIIA) and 1.76 pmol/ml (0.29 ng/ml ) for the sequential-injection immunoassay (SIIA) which can be lowered to 0.22 pmol/ml (0.036 ng/ml) or 0.064 pmol/ml (0.01 ng/ml) by using a stopped flow system. The intra-assay repeatability was found to be about 5% RSD and the inter-assay repeatability below 6% (within 3 days).

Chiral separation by chromatographic and electromigration techniques. A review

This review gives a survey of different chiral separation principles and their use in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) highlighting new developments and innovative techniques. The mechanisms of the different separation principles are briefly discussed and some selected applications are shown.