Dana Moravcová

Zwitterionic silica-based monolithic capillary columns for isocratic and gradient hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography

This study introduces zwitterionic monolithic capillary columns intended for isocratic and gradient HILIC separations. Silica-based monolithic capillary columns (100 μm × 150 mm) prepared by acidic hydrolysis of tetramethoxysilane in the presence of polyethylene glycol and urea were modified by a sulfoalkylbetaine zwitterion ([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium hydroxide) to HILIC stationary phase. The prepared columns were evaluated under the isocratic and gradient separation conditions using a standard mixture containing nucleic acid bases, nucleosides, and 2-deoxynucleosides. Mobile phases contained high concentration of acetonitrile (95-85%, v/v) and 5-50mM ammonium acetate or ammonium formate in the pH range of 3-6. The synthesized columns showed a long-term stability under the separation conditions while the high permeability and efficiency originating from dual structure of the silica monolith were preserved. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for the retention times of tested solutes were lower than 2% under the isocratic conditions and lower than 3.5% under the gradient conditions.

Separation of nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides using two zwitterionic silica-based monolithic capillary columns coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

The capability of employing synthesized zwitterionic silica-based monolithic capillary columns (140 mm × 0.1mm) for separation of highly polar and hydrophilic nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides in hydrophilic interaction chromatography is reported. The suitability of the columns for on-line conjunction with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry was explored. Our results show that the grafted layer of zwitterionic monomer ([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium hydroxide or 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) on the silica monolithic surface significantly improved the separation selectivity and reproducibility, as compared to the bare silica monolith. The stepwise elution from 90% to 70% of acetonitrile enabled separation of a complex sample mixture containing 21 compounds with a total analysis time less than 40 min.

Short monolithic columns for purification and fractionation of peptide samples for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis in proteomics.

This study records a novel application of methacrylate-based monolithic columns for MALDI-TOF/TOF MS analyses in proteomics for pre-concentration and separation of peptides derived from protein digestion. Reversed-phase monolithic capillary columns (30mm x 0.32mm i.d.) were created inside the fused silica capillary via thermal-initiated free-radical polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and lauryl methacrylate monomers in the presence of 1-propanol and 1,4-butandiol as a porogen system. The elution of peptides was achieved using a linear gradient of acetonitrile from 0 to 60% in water with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid formed in a microsyringe. Individual fractions of separated peptides were collected on the MALDI target spots covered with alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid used as a matrix and then they were analyzed using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. The developed method was tested with a mixture of tryptic peptides from bovine serum albumin and its applicability was also tested for tryptic in-gel digests from barley grain extracts of water soluble proteins separated using SDS gel electrophoresis. The number of detected peptides was approximately three to four times higher compared to the analysis without previous separation. These results show an improved quality of sample information with the higher amount of identified peptides which increased protein sequence coverage and improved sensitivity of mass spectrometry measurements.

Monoliths in capillary electrochromatography and capillary liquid chromatography in conjunction with mass spectrometry

Here, we have reviewed separation studies utilizing monolithic capillary columns for separation of compounds preceding MS analysis. The review is divided in two parts according to the used separation method, namely CEC and capillary LC (cLC). Based on our overview, monolithic CEC‐MS technique have been more focused on the syntheses of highly specialized and selective separation phase materials for fast and efficient separation of specific types of analytes. In contrast, monolithic cLC‐MS is more widely used and is often employed, for instance, in the analysis of oligonucleotides, metabolites, and peptides and proteins in proteomic studies. While poly(styrene‐divinylbenzene)‐based and silica‐based monolithic capillaries found their place in proteomic analyses, the other laboratory‐synthesized monoliths still wait for their wider utilization in routine analyses. The development of new monolithic materials will most likely continue due to the demand of more efficient and rapid separation of increasingly complex samples.

Capillary electromigration separation of proteins and microorganisms dynamically modified by chromophoric nonionogenic surfactant.

A chromophoric nonionogenic surfactant poly(ethylene glycol) 3-(2-hydroxy-5-n-octylphenylazo)-benzoate, HOPAB, has been prepared and used as a buffer additive for a dynamic modification of proteins and/or microorganisms including Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus epidermidis (biofilm-positive and biofilm-negative), and the strains of yeast cells Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis (biofilm-positive and biofilm-negative) during a capillary electrophoresis and a capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) with UV detection at 326 nm. Values of isoelectric points of labeled proteins and microorganisms have been calculated using UV-detectable pI markers and have been found comparable with pI of the native compounds. Minimum detectable amount has been assessed lower than picograms of proteins and lower than a hundred cells injected into a separation capillary. The introduced labeling method facilitates CIEF separation of microorganisms from the clinical sample of the infected urine at their clinically important levels in the pH gradient pH range of 2-5 and their subsequent cultivation. At the same time, it has enabled the determination of albumin in human urine as a major clinical marker of urinary tract infections and kidney diseases.

Silica-based monolithic capillary columns—Effect of preparation temperature on separation efficiency

The temperature effects during the sol-gel process and ageing of the silica-based monolith on the structure and separation efficiency of the capillary columns (100microm i.d., 150mm) for HPLC separations were studied. The tested columns were synthesized from a mixture of tetramethoxysilane, polyethylene glycol and urea under the acidic conditions. The temperature was varied from 40 degrees C to 44 degrees C and formation of bypass channels between the silica mold and the capillary wall was examined. The temperature of 43 degrees C was estimated as optimal for preparation of efficient silica capillary columns which were subsequently modified by octadecyldimethyl-N,N-diethylaminosilane or covered by poly(octadecyl methacrylate) and tested using standard mixture of alkylbenzenes under the isocratic conditions.

Silica-based monolithic capillary columns modified by liposomes for characterization of analyte-liposome interactions by capillary liquid chromatography.

This study introduces a silica-based monolith in a capillary format (0.1 mm × 100 mm) as a support for immobilization of liposomes and its characterization in immobilized liposome chromatography. Silica-based monolithic capillary columns prepared by acidic hydrolysis of tetramethoxysilane in the presence of polyethylene glycol and urea were modified by (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane, whereby amino groups were introduced to the monolithic surface. These groups undergo reaction with glutaraldehyde to form an iminoaldehyde, allowing covalent binding of pre-formed liposomes containing primary amino groups. Two types of phospholipid vesicles were used for column modification; these were 2-oleoyl-1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidyl choline with and without 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine. The prepared columns were evaluated under isocratic separation conditions employing 20mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 as a mobile phase and a set of unrelated drugs as model analytes. The liposome layer on the synthesized columns significantly changed the column selectivity compared to the aminopropylsilylated monolithic stationary phase. Monolithic columns modified by liposomes were stable under the separation conditions, which proved the applicability of the suggested preparation procedure for the synthesis of capillary columns dedicated to study analyte-liposome interactions. The column efficiency originating from the silica monolith was preserved and reached, e.g., more than 120,000 theoretical plates/m for caffeine as a solute.

Simple automated liquid chromatographic system for splitless nano column gradient separations

A simple splitless gradient liquid chromatographic system for micro and nano column separations has been assembled and tested. It consists of an OEM programmable syringe pump equipped with a glass microsyringe and ten-port selector valve. Gradient of mobile phase was created in the syringe barrel due to turbulent mixing. Capability of suggested system to create various gradient profiles was verified using 50-μl, 100-μl, and 250-μl glass syringes. Acetone, thiourea, and uracil were tested as gradient markers and finally, uracil was proved to be an excellent way of water-acetonitrile gradient tracing. It was found that up to 80% of the total syringe volume is available as a linear gradient section. In context to micro and nano column chromatography, the best results were obtained using the 100-μl syringe. Separations were performed on the capillary monolithic column Chromolith CapRod RP-18e (150mm×0.1mm) and system performance was evaluated using a test mixture of six alkylphenones as well as tryptic digest of bovine serum albumin. Results proved that suggested system is able to create uniform gradients with high repeatability of retention times of test solutes (RSD<0.3%). Repeatability of injection of sample volumes in the range of 0.1-3μl was evaluated using on-column preconcentration technique which means that sample was diluted in mobile phase of low eluting strength. Repeatability of the peak areas was measured and statistically evaluated (RSD<5%).

Combination of micropreparative solution isoelectric focusing and high-performance liquid chromatography for differentiation of biofilm-positive and biofilm-negative Candida parapsilosis group from vascular catheter.

This study utilizes the high-performance liquid chromatography technique in combination with the new micropreparative solution isoelectric focusing fractionation on non-woven fabric strip for the characterization and differentiation of biofilm-positive and biofilm-negative forms of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto on the basis of the changes in the composition of their cell-surface. Treatment of yeasts by boiling in distilled water relased surface substances from yeasts cells. Consequently, the optimized procedure has been used for fast identification of the highly pathogenic biofilm-positive Candida parapsilosis group in real clinical material - sonicate from vascular catheters. Moreover, the capillary isoelectric focusing was used as supporting and control technique. Obtained results suggest that this new method can be used to distinguish between biofilm-positive and negative forms of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto.

Bridged polysilsesquioxane-based wide-bore monolithic capillary columns for hydrophilic interaction chromatography

The synthesis and characterization of large-bore silica-based monolithic capillary columns (0.32mm×150mm) are presented. Columns were prepared by acidic hydrolysis of a mixture containing tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and 1,2-bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane (BTME) in different molar ratios in the presence of polyethylene glycol and urea. The monoliths were modified by zwitterionic monomer [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium hydroxide via 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate. Prepared stationary phases were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and chromatographic separation of nucleobases and their derivatives in the HILIC mode. The best chromatographic results were obtained with the column prepared from the reaction mixture containing BTME and TMOS in a 1:4 molar ratio. The permeability of such column reached 1.68×10-14m2 and the efficiency, expressed as a height equivalent of the theoretical plate, did not exceed 10.5μm for the tested compounds. The columns were successfully applied to HILIC separation of native and labeled oligosaccharides and glycans released from bovine ribonuclease B and human immunoglobulin G.