Method development gradient separations

Chromatography. A number of HPLC and TLC methods have been developed for separation and isolation of the brevetoxins. HPLC methods use both C18 reversed-phase and normal-phase silica gel columns (8, 14, 15). Gradient or iso-cratic elutions are employed and detection usually relies upon ultraviolet (UV) absorption in the 208-215-nm range. Both brevetoxin backbone structures possess a UV absorption maximum at 208 nm, corresponding to the enal moeity (16,17). In addition, the PbTx-1 backbone has an absorption shoulder at 215 nm corresponding to the 7-lactone structure. While UV detection is generally sufficient for isolation and purification, it is not sensitive (>1 ppm) enough to detect trace levels of toxins or metabolites. Excellent separations are achieved by silica gel TLC (14, 15, 18-20). Sensitivity (>1 ppm) remains a problem, but flexibility and ease of use continue to make TLC a popular technique. 

Selectivity of the separation in TLC is achieved by various of the aforementioned techniques (e.g. multiple development, gradient elution, sequence TLC, AMD, HPPLC or OPLC). Multidimensional TLC methods are described in Section 7.4.4. 

Many industrial laboratories conducting significant amounts of additive analyses have developed a universal HPLC method which may be used to separate most of the additives of interest. Thomas [417] has reported a method that can separate over 20 common primary and secondary stabilisers. Verdurmen et al. [197] employ a gradient ranging from 60 % acetonitrile/40 % water to 100% acetonitrile subsequently, all components are eluted off the column in isocratic mode. Irganox 1063 is used as a suitable internal standard since this compound is not frequently encountered in commercial polymers, elutes without overlap to other additives and shows good UV absorbency. In order... 

Others have examined the necessary parameters that should be optimized to make the two-dimensional separation operate within the context of the columns that are chosen for the unique separation applications that are being developed. This is true for most of the applications shown in this book. However, one of the common themes here is that it is often necessary to slow down the first-dimension separation system in a 2DLC system. If one does not slow down the first dimension, another approach is to speed up the second dimension so that the whole analysis is not gated by the time of the second dimension. Recently, this has been the motivation behind the very fast second-dimension systems, such as Carr and coworker s fast gradient reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) second dimension systems, which operate at elevated temperatures (Stoll et al., 2006, 2007). Having a fast second dimension makes CE an attractive technique, especially with fast gating methods, which are discussed in Chapter 5. However, these are specialized for specific applications and may require method development techniques specific to CE. 

The use of high flow and fast gradient HPLC has gained a lot of popularity because of the ability to reduce LC/MS/MS cycle times during bioanalysis. In the case of fast gradient HPLC, peak shapes were improved and method development times were minimized, especially when multiple analytes with diverse functionalities had to be separated. Flows as high as 1.5 to 2 mL/min were achieved on a 2.1 x 30 mm Xterra C18 column.7 Details are discussed in a recent review.8... 

An unknown mixture can be screened on a set of orthogonal systems as a first step in the method development procedure. The chromatographic and/or electrophoretic system, on which the best separation was achieved, can then be retained for further method optimization. Sequentially, the pH and the organic modifier composition of the mobile phase can be adjusted to improve the separation on the CS. If necessary, also the temperature can be modified, while for gradient methods the gradient slope can be considered. For CE methods, the optimization steps will be different from RP chromatography methods. Other factors will be optimized depending on the type of CE method, e.g., CZE and MEKC. However, for the development of CE methods, we would like to refer to Chapter 4 of this book. 

The approach to method development is similar to the one described for HPLC and can be characterized as a rapid stationary phase screen using column and solvent switching with gradient elution followed by development of an isocratic preparative method. SFC has been successfully applied to the analytical and preparative separation of achiral and chiral compounds. 

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