Hyphenated techniques as tools for speciation analysis of metal-based pharmaceuticals: developments and applications

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2012 Jun;403(6):1501-22. doi: 10.1007/s00216-012-5915-9. Epub 2012 Apr 6.

Abstract

Method development and applications of hyphenated techniques as tools for speciation analysis of metal-based pharmaceuticals are summarized within this review. Advantages and limitations of the separation modes-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and gas chromatography (GC)-as well as the detection modes-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)-are discussed. ICP-MS detection is found to be advantageous for the quantification of drugs containing metals and other heteroatoms. The species-independent sensitivity and multielement capabilities of ICP-MS allow it to be used for quantification even when species-specific standards are not available, as well as to determine the stoichiometry in metallodrug-biomolecule interactions. Molecular information that is totally destroyed when ICP is applied as ionization source and is therefore not obtainable via ICP-MS detection can be accessed by the complementary technique of ESI-MS. Speciation analysis combining both elemental and molecular information is therefore a powerful tool for the analysis of metal-based pharmaceuticals and their metabolites in body fluids and other relevant matrices.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary
  • Humans
  • Metals / chemistry*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Metals
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations