Hollow fiber-based liquid-phase microextraction combined with on-line sweeping for trace analysis of Strychnos alkaloids in urine by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

J Chromatogr A. 2007 Mar 2;1143(1-2):270-5. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2007.01.027. Epub 2007 Jan 12.

Abstract

A new method for the enrichment of Strychnos alkaloids in biological samples via liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) based on porous polypropylene hollow fibers combined with on-line sweeping in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) was developed. Strychnos alkaloids were first extracted from urine sample which was adjusted to alkaline conditions (0.5 mol l(-1) NaOH). The unionized analytes were subsequently extracted into 1-octanol impregnated in the pores of hollow fibers, and then into an acidic acceptor solution (100 mmol l(-1) H3PO4) inside the hollow fiber. The extract was analyzed directly by on-line sweeping in MEKC. In the method, the compound berberine was used as the internal standard (I.S.) for the improvement of the experimental reproducibility. The calibration curve was linear over a range of 20-200 ng ml(-1) for both strychnine and brucine in human urine sample, with a correlation coefficient of 0.996 and 0.997, respectively. The detection limits (S/N=3:1) for strychnine and brucine were 1 and 2 ng ml(-1), respectively. The LPME-sweeping method has been successfully applied to the analysis of strychnine and brucine in real urine sample, indicating that LPME-sweeping-MEKC is a promising combination for analysis of basic drugs present at low levels in some biological matrices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calibration
  • Chromatography, Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary / methods*
  • Humans
  • Reference Standards
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Strychnine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Strychnine / urine*
  • Strychnos / chemistry*

Substances

  • brucine
  • Strychnine