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Abstract
A method of simultaneous identification of 25 molecules in human urine, bile and gastric contents using
liquid-liquid extraction followed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using multiple screening systems is
described. The analytes were extracted at 25°C under isocratic conditions using chloroform after acidification
with 1 to 2 drops of HCl 6 N for 10 mL of the biological sample, and dichloromethane after alkalization with
1 to 2 drops of NaOH 10 N for 10 mL of the biological sample. Employing LLE, the best conditions were
achieved with double extraction of 10 mL of the biological sample, pH=9.5 for alkaline extraction and pH=2
for acid extraction. The organic extractums were filtered and dehydrated using anhydrous sodium thiosulfate
powder and concentrated after evaporation of the organic solvents at 65°C. The extraction residues were
solubilized in 500 µl of methanol and spotted with the molecules of reference onto four TLC plates (10 cm ×
10 cm). The TLC plates were put into twin-through development chambers previously incubated 30 minutes
for saturation namely TA (methanol:ammoniac 5% (50:0.750, v/v)), TD (chloroform:acetone (40:10, v/v)),
TE (Ethyl acetate:methanol:ammoniac (42.3:5:2.5, v/v/v)), TB (cyclohexan:toluene:diethylamine (37.5:7.5:5,
v/v/v)). The mobile phase migrates by capillarity through the stationary phase, driving at different speeds the
molecules to be separated. The migration time (several minutes) depends on various parameters. When the
solvent front has moved through a distance considered as sufficient (a few centimetres), the TLC plates were
removed and dried, then exposed to ultraviolet light, the retardation factors Rf of each visible spot was
measured. Some chemical processes might also be used to reveal spots. The total number of substances
present in the biological sample was determined by counting the number of spots found on each TLC plate,
the biggest number among the four counted values is considered as the default number of the present
substances. A mathematical formula was applied to guess all possible matches according to a data table of R f
profiles of standards already calculated by the same method. The validation parameters obtained in LLE were
linearly range of 50-1000 µg mL-1 biological fluid (r≥0.9815). This method has shown its suitable
applicability in order to rapidly identify a wide verity of substances of toxicological interest present in the
biological samples. Moreover, it’s inexpensive and could be suggested in various routine drug screening
processes, especially for toxicological/forensic analysis.
- Plate development
2.1. Standard solutions and chemicals Aliquots of 10 mL of urine, bile and filtered
gastric contents spiked with 500 µL of each group
The standards were all obtained from Sigma- of eight standard solutions and 100 µL of
Aldrich ® (Spain). Stock standard solutions were reference solution (Paracetamol 3 µg mL-1,
prepared by dissolution of each drug in methanol Amitriptyline 3 µg mL-1, Prazepam 3 µg mL-1,
in order to obtain a concentration of 1 mg mL -1. Trimipramine 3 µg mL-1) were double-extracted.
Dilution series were prepared from the standard The first extraction was performed after
solutions in the following concentrations: 30, 50, acidification by 1 to 2 drops of HCl 6 N pH 2 with
75, 100, 300, 600 and 1000 ng mL-1. All these 10 mL of chloroform whereas the second
solutions were stored at -20°C in the absence of extraction was performed after alkalization by 1 to
light. 2 drops of NaOH 10 N pH 9.5 with 10 mL of
dichloromethane. The organic phases were
TA mobile phase was prepared by mixing dehydrated by anhydrous sodium sulfate filtered
methanol:ammoniac 5% (50:0.750, v/v). TD and transferred to conical tubes where they were
mobile phase was prepared by mixing evaporated at 65°C. The residues were dissolved
chloroform:acetone (40:10, v/v). TE mobile phase in 500 µL of methanol, mixed and spotted onto
was prepared by mixing Ethyl the TLC plates.
acetate:methanol:ammoniac (42.3:5:2.5, v/v/v).
TB mobile phase was prepared by mixing 2.5. Method validation
cyclohexan:toluene:diethylamine (37.5:7.5:5,
v/v/v). The development chambers were closed The proposed method was validated by
and saturated for 30 minutes. The TLC plates specificity, accuracy, precision, and robustness
were desiccated in the oven at 100°C for 30 according to the ICH guidelines and the guidelines
minutes. described by Ferenczi-Fodor et al.
Table 1. Robustness additional evaluation method by performing 3 different experiments by 3 different manipulators in 3 different days
with the same method parameters. (*) No spot was detected.
16 Carbamazepine 0,81 0,75 0,76 0,26 0,33 0,41 0,68 0,59 0,66 0,04 0,05 0,03
17 Lamotrigine 0,73 0,76 0,74 - - - 0,54 0,62 0,59 - - -
18 Diazepam 0,76 0,78 0,80 0,71 0,65 0,66 0,81 0,86 0,80 0,35 0,38 0,30
19 Furosemide 0,80 0,79 0,80 0,16 0,10 0,13 0,10 0,06 0,10 0,00 0,00 0,00
20 Levopromazine 0,59 0,62 0,60 - - - 0,73 0,78 0,76 0,69 0,74 0,70
21 Phenobarbital 0,74 0,75 0,73 0,61 0,62 0,64 0,75 0,78 0,70 - - -
Table 2. Rfs profiles of the 25 molecules with standard deviations values σ A, D, F, B calculated using equation (1).
Acknowledgements
References