Comprehensive UHPLC-MS screening methods for the analysis of triazolopyrazine precursor and its genotoxic nitroso-derivative in sitagliptin pharmaceutical formulation.

A case study on Sitagliptin drug products and Sitagliptin/Metformin drug products concerning contamination with N-nitrosamines was performed using two newly developed analytical methods for determination of N-nitroso-triazolopyrazine (NTTP; 7-nitroso-3-(trifluoromethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine) and its precursor triazolopyrazine (3-(trifluoromethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine). The method for determination of triazolopyrazine was previously unpublished, the method for determination of NTTP was published only for analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredient Sitagliptin and not the drug forms. Solving the N-nitrosamine contamination is requested by regulatory authorities all over the world and thus is vital for all pharmaceutical companies.

N-Nitrosation in the absence of nitrosating agents in pharmaceuticals?

The possibility of N-Nitrosation in the absence of nitrosating agents was studied on model solutions and film coated tablets containing metformin. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosation precursors (dimethylamine and nitrites) were determined using previously published fully validated analytical methods. Alternative routes to N-nitrosation were found.

The determination of two analogues of 4-(azidomethyl)-1,1'-biphenyl as potential genotoxic impurities in the active pharmaceutical ingredient of several sartans containing a tetrazole group.

4'-(azidomethyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carbonitrile (GTI-azide-1) and 5-(4'-(azidomethyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-1H-tetrazole (GTI-azide-2) are potentially genotoxic impurities that can be present at trace levels in the active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products of sartans containing a tetrazole group. A method of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, that allows the determination of those genotoxic impurities at sub-ppm level relative to the active pharmaceutical ingredient, was developed. The method utilises a very efficient liquid chromatograph Waters Acquity I-Class coupled with a highly sensitive tandem mass spectrometer Xevo TQ-XS.

Insight into the formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine in metformin products.

An effective analytical method for the quantification of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) using a liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was developed and applied to a process optimization study of the production of metformin film coated tablets in order to identify the key factors behind the NDMA formation in metformin products. The method uses a linear gradient elution with mobile phases 0.1 % formic acid in water for chromatography and methanol for chromatography and a column Acquity UPLC HSS T3 1.

Identification and structure elucidation of a new degradation impurity in the multi-component tablets of amlodipine besylate.

New unknown impurity at m/z 421.15 was observed during the accelerated stability analysis (40 °C/75% relative humidity) in the multi-component tablets of amlodipine besylate by reversed-phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). UHPLC-MS and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques were employed to identify and fully characterize the degradation compound.

HPLC/UV/MS method application for the separation of obeticholic acid and its related compounds in development process and quality control.

An HPLC method with UV and electrospray ionization - mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) detection was developed for the separation and determination of obeticholic acid (OBE) and its related compounds in development process and quality control. OBE and its related compounds were classified into three major group based on the mass spectra profiles: (A) those containing a hydroxyl group at position 3 and 7, (B) those containing a hydroxyl group and/or carbonyl group at position 3, hydrogen, ethyl or ethylidene group at position 6 and a hydroxyl group and/or carbonyl group at position 7, and (C) those containing carbonyl groups at position 3 and 7. ESI-MS ionization of OBE and its related compounds often produced intense adduct ions [M+H+98] and/or [M+H+196] that were identified as the adduct ions of phosphoric acid ([M+H+HPO] and [M+H+2HPO]) originating from the mobile phase.

Esterification of Ibuprofen in Soft Gelatin Capsules Formulations-Identification, Synthesis and Liquid Chromatography Separation of the Degradation Products.

Unknown impurities were identified in ibuprofen (IBU) soft gelatin capsules (SGCs) during long-term stability testing by a UHPLC method with UV detection and its chemical formula was determined using high resolution/accurate mass (HRAM) LC-MS. Reference standards of the impurities were subsequently synthesized, isolated by semi-preparative HPLC and characterized using HRAM LC-MS, NMR and IR. Two impurities were formed by esterification of IBU with polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is used as a fill of the SGCs, and were identified as IBU-PEG monoester and IBU-PEG diester.

Quantification of structurally related aliphatic amino alcohols in l-valinol by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography separation combined with postcolumn derivatization and fluorescence detection.

The amino alcohols in l-valinol were effectively separated and quantified using hydrophilic interaction chromatography with fluorescence detection. The influence of the mobile phase (salt type, buffer concentration, and pH) on retention was studied. A column TSKgel amide and mobile phase consisting of 10 mM acetate buffer pH 4.

HILIC-MS Determination of Genotoxic Impurity of 2-Chloro-N-(2-Chloroethyl)Ethanamine in the Vortioxetine Manufacturing Process.

In the last decade, pharmaceutical regulatory agencies are focused on monitoring and evaluation of trace-level genotoxic impurities (GTIs) in drug substances, which requires manufacturers to deliver innovative approaches for their analysis and control. GTIs in the low p.p.

New approach of validation using internal normalization technique for quantification of related substances in raw material, intermediates and pharmaceutical substances by HPLC.

Internal normalization (IN) serves as a quantitative tool in gas chromatography. Nevertheless, its utilization in liquid chromatography is not widely employed, as several requirements need to be taken into account. However, IN can be used in case of relative amounts estimation when the absolute concentration is not the crucial factor.

Identification, characterization, synthesis and HPLC quantification of new process-related impurities and degradation products in retigabine.

Two new impurities were described and determined using gradient HPLC method with UV detection in retigabine (RET). Using LC-HRMS, NMR and IR analysis the impurities were identified as RET-dimer I: diethyl {4,4'-diamino-6,6'-bis[(4-fluorobenzyl)amino]biphenyl-3,3'-diyl}biscarbamate and RET-dimer II: ethyl {2-amino-5-[{2-amino-4-[(4-fluorobenzyl) amino] phenyl} (ethoxycarbonyl) amino]-4-[(4-fluorobenzyl)amino] phenyl}carbamate. Reference standards of these impurities were synthesized followed by semipreparative HPLC purification.

Retention behavior of a homologous series and positional isomers of aliphatic amino acids in hydrophilic interaction chromatography.

The retention behavior of several series of free α- and ω-amino acids and positional isomers of amino pentanoic acid in the hydrophilic interaction chromatography mode (HILIC) was studied. The study was carried out on three stationary phases followed by post-column derivatization with fluorescence detection in order to describe the retention mechanism of the tested amino acids. The effect of chromatographic conditions including acetonitrile content in the mobile phase, mobile phase pH (ranging from 3.

Rapid determination of ambrisentan enantiomers by enantioselective liquid chromatography using cellulose-based chiral stationary phase in reverse phase mode.

A sensitive, specific, and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of ambrisentan enantiomers has been developed and validated. Six chiral columns were tested in a reversed-phase system. Excellent enantioseparation with the resolution more than 2.

The formation of furfural compounds in selected saccharide- and polysaccharide-based pharmaceutical excipients.

The acid hydrolysis of various selected saccharide- and polysaccharide-based pharmaceutical excipients under acid hydrolysis and the formation of degradation compounds were studied. New degradation products formed from these excipients were discovered. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques were employed to identify and fully characterize these unknown compounds.

Identification, preparation and UHPLC determination of process-related impurity in zolmitriptan.

A new impurity was detected and determined using gradient ion-pair UHPLC method with UV detection in zolmitriptan (ZOL). Using MS, NMR and IR study the impurity was identified as (4S,4'S)-4,4'-(2,2'-(4-(dimethylamino)butane-1,1-diyl)bis(3-(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl)-1H-indole-5,2-diyl))bis(methylene)di(oxazolidin-2-one) (ZOL-dimer). The standard of ZOL-dimer was consequently prepared via organic synthesis followed by semipreparative HPLC purification.

Drug-excipient compatibility testing-Identification and characterization of degradation products of phenylephrine in several pharmaceutical formulations against the common cold.

Different pharmaceutical preparations against the common cold containing phenylephrine (PHE) and saccharose were studied. New impurities were discovered in these preparations after exposure using isocratic ion-pair chromatography separation on a C18 column. LC-MS and NMR techniques were employed to identify and to fully characterize these new compounds.

Rapid hydrophilic interaction chromatography determination of lysine in pharmaceutical preparations with fluorescence detection after postcolumn derivatization with o-phtaldialdehyde.

A rapid procedure for the determination of lysine based on hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) separation of arginine and lysine with fluorescence detection has been developed. The separation conditions and parameters of lysine postcolumn derivatization with o-phtaldialdehyde (OPA)/2-mercaptoethanol were studied. The various HILIC columns were employed using isocratic elution.

Fast HPLC method using ion-pair and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography for determination of phenylephrine in pharmaceutical formulations.

A rapid procedure based on a direct extraction and HPLC determination with fluorescence detection of phenylephrine in pharmaceutical sachets that include a large excess of paracetamol (65 + 1, w/w), ascorbic acid (5 + 1, w/w), and other excipients (aspartame and sucrose) was developed and validated. The final optimized chromatographic method for ion-pair chromatography used an XTerra RP18 column, 3 microm particle size, 50 x 3.0 mm id.

Liquid chromatographic separation of pregabalin and its possible impurities with fluorescence detection after postcolumn derivatization with o-phtaldialdehyde.

A rapid procedure based on direct extraction and RP-HPLC separation of pregabalin and its possible impurities with fluorescence detection has been developed. The separation conditions and parameters of derivatization reaction for postcolumn derivatization of pregabalin with o-phtaldialdehyde/2-mercaptoethanol were studied. Purospher STAR RP-8e column with isocratic elution was employed.