Cédric Hubert

Study of the morphology of copper hydroxynitrate nanoplatelets obtained by controlled double jet precipitation and urea hydrolysis

A copper hydroxynitrate of stoichiometry Cu2(OH)3NO3, analogous to the layered double hydroxide family, was synthesized by the so-called controlled double jet precipitation technique, and by hydrolysis of urea in the presence of copper nitrate. Special attention has been focused on the size, morphology and agglomeration tendency of the particles. The aim of this work is to define the optimum precipitation conditions in terms of quality and dispersability of the recovered product. Such platelet-like particles can be used as anisotropic fillers in nanocomposite materials. Several reaction parameters such as flow and concentration of the reactant solutions, design of the reactor and addition of a growth modifier were studied. r 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Improvement of a stability-indicating method by Quality-by-Design versus Quality-by-Testing: A case of a learning process

The understanding of the method is a major concern when developing a stability-indicating method and even more so when dealing with impurity assays from complex matrices. In the presented case study, a Quality-by-Design approach was applied in order to optimize a routinely used method. An analytical issue occurring at the last stage of a long-term stability study involving unexpected impurities perturbing the monitoring of characterized impurities needed to be resolved. A compliant Quality-by-Design (QbD) methodology based on a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach was evaluated within the framework of a Liquid Chromatography (LC) method. This approach allows the investigation of Critical Process Parameters (CPPs), which have an impact on Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) and, consequently, on LC selectivity. Using polynomial regression response modeling as well as Monte Carlo simulations for error propagation, Design Space (DS) was computed in order to determine robust working conditions for the developed stability-indicating method. This QbD compliant development was conducted in two phases allowing the use of the Design Space knowledge acquired during the first phase to define the experimental domain of the second phase, which constitutes a learning process. The selected working condition was then fully validated using accuracy profiles based on statistical tolerance intervals in order to evaluate the reliability of the results generated by this LC/ESI-MS stability-indicating method. A comparison was made between the traditional Quality-by-Testing (QbT) approach and the QbD strategy, highlighting the benefit of this QbD strategy in the case of an unexpected impurities issue. On this basis, the advantages of a systematic use of the QbD methodology were discussed.

Towards a full integration of optimization and validation phases: An Analytical-Quality-by-Design approach

When using an analytical method, defining an analytical target profile (ATP) focused on quantitative performance represents a key input, and this will drive the method development process. In this context, two case studies were selected in order to demonstrate the potential of a quality-by-design (QbD) strategy when applied to two specific phases of the method lifecycle: the pre-validation study and the validation step. The first case study focused on the improvement of a liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) stability-indicating method by the means of the QbD concept. The design of experiments (DoE) conducted during the optimization step (i.e. determination of the qualitative design space (DS)) was performed a posteriori. Additional experiments were performed in order to simultaneously conduct the pre-validation study to assist in defining the DoE to be conducted during the formal validation step. This predicted protocol was compared to the one used during the formal validation. A second case study based on the LC/MS-MS determination of glucosamine and galactosamine in human plasma was considered in order to illustrate an innovative strategy allowing the QbD methodology to be incorporated during the validation phase. An operational space, defined by the qualitative DS, was considered during the validation process rather than a specific set of working conditions as conventionally performed. Results of all the validation parameters conventionally studied were compared to those obtained with this innovative approach for glucosamine and galactosamine. Using this strategy, qualitative and quantitative information were obtained. Consequently, an analyst using this approach would be able to select with great confidence several working conditions within the operational space rather than a given condition for the routine use of the method. This innovative strategy combines both a learning process and a thorough assessment of the risk involved.

Development and validation of a sensitive solid phase extraction/hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the accurate determination of glucosamine in dog plasma.

A sensitive and accurate LC/MS method was developed for the monitoring of glucosamine (GLcN) dog plasmatic concentration. In this scope, relatively low plasmatic concentrations of GLcN were expected, ranging from 50 to 1000 ng/mL. Liquid chromatography coupled to simple quadrupole mass spectrometry detection (LC/MS) was selected bringing the selectivity and the sensitivity needed for this application. Additionally, a solid phase extraction (SPE) step was performed to reduce matrix and ion suppression effects. Due to the ionisable character of the compound of interest, a mixed-mode strong cation exchange (Plexa PCX) disposable extraction cartridge (DEC) was selected. The separation was carried out on a Zorbax SB-CN column (5 microm, 4.6mm i.d. x 250 mm), considering hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). Indeed, the mobile phase was made of methanol and 5mM ammonium hydrogen carbonate buffer at pH 7.5 (95/5, v/v). The detection was led at m/z ratios of 180.0 and 417.0, for GLcN and IS, respectively. Reliability of the results was demonstrated through the validation of the method using an approach based on the accuracy profile allowing managing the risk associated to the use of these methods in routine analysis: it is thus guaranteed that each future result will fall in the +/-30% acceptance limits with a probability of at least 90%. Successful application of the method to a preliminary pharmacokinetic study illustrated the usefulness of the method for pre-clinical studies.

Comparison of the quantitative performances and measurement uncertainty estimates obtained during method validation versus routine applications of a novel hydrophilic interaction chromatography method for the determination of cidofovir in human plasma

Method validation is essential to ensure that an analytical method is fit for its intended purpose. Additionally, it is advisable to estimate measurement uncertainty in order to allow a correct interpretation of the results generated by analytical methods. Measurement uncertainty can be efficiently estimated during method validation as a top-down approach. However, method validation predictions of the quantitative performances of the assay and estimations of measurement uncertainty may be far away from the real performances obtained during the routine application of this assay. In this work, the predictions of the quantitative performances and measurement uncertainty estimations obtained from a method validation are compared to those obtained during routine applications of a bioanalytical method. For that purpose, a new hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) method was used. This method was developed for the determination of cidofovir, an antiviral drug, in human plasma. Cidofovir (CDV) is a highly polar molecule presenting three ionizable functions. Therefore, it is an interesting candidate for determination by HILIC mode. CDV is an acyclic cytidine monophosphate analog that has a broad antiviral spectrum and is currently undergoing evaluation in clinical trials as a topical agent for treatment of papillomavirus infections. The analytical conditions were optimized by means of design of experiments approach in order to obtain robust analytical conditions. These ones were absolutely necessary to enable the comparisons mentioned above. After a sample clean-up by means of solid phase extraction, the chromatographic analysis was performed on bare silica stationary phase using a mixture of acetonitrile-ammonium hydrogen carbonate (pH 7.0; 20mM) (72:28, v/v) as mobile phase. This newly developed bioanalytical method was then fully validated according to FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requirements using a total error approach that guaranteed that each future result will fall within acceptance limits of ±30% with a probability of 95% over a concentration range of 92.7-1020ng/mL. A routine application of the cidofovir determination in two pre-clinical trials demonstrated that the prediction made during the pre-study validation was consistent by retrospective analysis of the quality control (QC) samples. Finally, comparison of the measurement uncertainty estimations calculated from the method validation with those obtained from the routine application of the method was performed, stressing that the estimations obtained during method validation underestimated those obtained from routine applications and that the magnitude of this underestimation was function of the cidofovir concentration. Finally, this new HILIC method is reliable, easily applicable to routine analysis and transposable at low cost in other laboratories.

Usefulness of capability indices in the framework of analytical methods validation

Analytical methods capability evaluation can be a useful methodology to assess the fitness of purpose of these methods for their future routine application. However, care on how to compute the capability indices have to be made. Indeed, the commonly used formulas to compute capability indices such as Cpk, will highly overestimate the true capability of the methods. Especially during methods validation or transfer, there are only few experiments performed and, using in these situations the commonly applied capability indices to declare a method as valid or as transferable to a receiving laboratory will conduct to inadequate decisions. In this work, an improved capability index, namely Cpk-tol and the corresponding estimator of proportion of non-conforming results (π(Cpk-tol)) have been proposed. Through Monte-Carlo simulations, they have been shown to greatly increase the estimation of analytical methods capability in particular in low sample size situations as encountered during methods validation or transfer. Additionally, the usefulness of this capability index has been illustrated through several case studies covering applications commonly encountered in the pharmaceutical industry. Finally a methodology to determine the optimal sample size required to validate analytical methods is also given using the proposed capability metric.

A simple approach for ultrasensitive detection of bisphenols by multiplexed surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Bisphenol A (BPA) is well known for its use in plastic manufacture and thermal paper production despite its risk of health toxicity as an endocrine disruptor in humans. Since the publication of new legislation regarding the use of BPA, manufacturers have begun to replace BPA with other phenolic molecules such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol B (BPB), but there are no guarantees regarding the health safety of these compounds at this time. In this context, a very simple, cheap and fast surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method was developed for the sensitive detection of these molecules in spiked tap water solutions. Silver nanoparticles were used as SERS substrates. An original strategy was employed to circumvent the issue of the affinity of bisphenols for metallic surfaces and the silver nanoparticles surface was functionalized using pyridine in order to improve again the sensitivity of the detection. Semi-quantitative detections were performed in tap water solutions at a concentrations range from 0.25 to 20 μg L(-1) for BPA and BPB and from 5 to 100 μg L(-1) for BPF. Moreover, a feasibility study for performing a multiplex-SERS detection of these molecules was also performed before successfully implementing the developed SERS method on real samples.

Development and validation of a quantitative method for the selective determination of tin species in tin octoate by differential pulse polarography

Tin octoate is used as a catalyst in the synthesis of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber. This rubber is largely used in the medical field due to its great biocompatibility. In this framework, a high-speed and costless analytical method for the determination of stannic ions, Sn(IV), in the presence of stannous ions, Sn(II), has been developed. The separation of these two ions was carried out using differential pulse polarography (DPP). For this purpose, the tin species contents in the catalyst is quantitatively extracted under inert condition to avoid any changes in the ratio Sn(IV)/Sn(II). Polarography showed well-shaped oxidation and reduction peaks respectively at -650 and -860mV for stannous ions. The peak of the stannic ion was well separated and appeared at -1210mV. Many parameters such as extraction process, extraction time, pH, chelating agents and polarographic conditions were optimized. We have also demonstrated that no oxidation of the stannous ions occurred during the sample preparation. The dosing range considered in this study extends between 10 and 40mug/mL, corresponding to 6.8% and 27.2% of the degradation product (Sn(IV)) in the catalyst, regarding to the sampling. Finally this method was successfully validated using the total error concept.

ESTIMATION OF UNCERTAINTY FROM THE TOTAL ERROR STRATEGY: APPLICATION TO INTERNAL AND NORMATIVE METHODS

Abstract Based on the importance of uncertainty, another approach to estimate this parameter of performance considering the total error (systematic and random) was applied. The data were obtained from the two main steps of an analytical method lifecycle: validation and routine for levonorgestrel (LNG) assay and routine for oxygen assay. Results obtained allowed drawing suitable conclusion in terms of prediction of routine and establishment of norms.

Monitoring of anatabine release by methyl jasmonate elicited BY-2 cells using surface-enhanced Raman scattering

A new application of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in the field of plant material analysis is proposed in this study. The aim was to monitor the release of anatabine by methyl jasmonate (MeJa) elicited Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) cells. Gold nanoparticles (AuNps) were used as SERS substrate. The first step was to study the SERS activity of anatabine in a complex matrix comprising the culture medium and BY-2 cells. The second step was the calibration. This one was successfully performed directly in the culture medium in order to take into account the matrix effect, by spiking the medium with different concentrations of anatabine, leading to solutions ranging from 250 to 5000µgL(-1). A univariate analysis was performed, the intensity of a band situated at 1028cm(-1), related to anatabine, was plotted against the anatabine concentration. A linear relationship was observed with a R(2) of 0.9951. During the monitoring study, after the MeJa elicitation, samples were collected from the culture medium containing BY-2 cells at 0, 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h and were analysed using SERS. Finally, the amount of anatabine released in the culture medium was determined using the response function, reaching a plateau after 72h of 82µg of anatabine released/g of fresh weight (FW) MeJa elicited BY-2 cells.