Decision-making tree for improving selectivity and sensitivity of sweeping-MEKC determination of hydrophobic analytes: Application to five cardiovascular drugs with greenness assessment

Efficient separation of five cardiovascular drugs has been achieved by a new micellar electrokinetic chromatographic method based on using a general strategy that can be applied for the separation of different hydrophobic analytes, while keeping the highest possible sweeping efficiency and hence the highest possible sensitivity. The studied drugs include valsartan, atorvastatin, ezetimibe, amlodipine, and simvastatin. The separation is accomplished in less than 12 mM by applying a basic background electrolyte composed of 10 mM disodium tetraborate buffer of pH 10.5 containing 25 mM SDS and 11% n-propanol at 30 kv. Cromolyn sodium is used as an internal standard. Variables that may influence the electrophoretic mobility of the five compounds are investigated. The calibration plots are linear within ranges of 0.5-20.0 mu g/mL, 0.5-10.0 mu g/mL and 10.0-100.0 mu g/mL for valsartan, ezetimibe and simvastatin (at 200 nm) and 1.0-30.0 mu g/mL for amlodipine, atorvastatin and simvastatin (at 240 nm). Correlation coefficients are >= 0.9997 and detection limits are ranged between 0.12 and 2.05 mu g/mL. The developed procedure is successfully utilized to estimate the studied compounds in different pharmaceutical preparations. The obtained data are statistically analyzed and evaluated. The greenness profile of the investigated approach has been assessed by a recent assessment tool to ensure the principles of green chemistry.

Automated summary

Efficient separation of five cardiovascular drugs has been achieved using a new micellar electrokinetic chromatographic method. The method is based on a general strategy that can be applied for the separation of different hydrophobic analytes, while maintaining high sweeping efficiency and sensitivity.