Selective solid-phase extraction of catecholamines by the chemically modified polymeric adsorbents with crown ether

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Urinary catecholamines are vital biomarkers for various physiological and pathological conditions.
• Accurate measurement of catecholamines requires efficient sample preparation techniques to remove interfering substances.
• Existing methods for catecholamine extraction can be complex and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, selective, and efficient one-step solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for urinary catecholamines.
• To validate the SPE method for the quantification of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
• To assess the method's recovery rates and detection limits.

Main Methods:

• A novel SPE procedure utilizing chemically modified polymer resin (Amberlite XAD-4) with crown ether was developed.
• Urine samples were loaded onto the adsorbent cartridge at pH 4, followed by washing with methanol and water.
• Adsorbed catecholamines were eluted using 6.0 M acetic acid.
• Analysis was performed using reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Main Results:

• The SPE method demonstrated high selectivity and efficiency for urinary catecholamines.
• Recoveries for epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine from spiked urine samples exceeded 86%.
• The method achieved sensitive detection limits: 37 nmol/L for epinephrine, 52 nmol/L for norepinephrine, and 46 nmol/L for dopamine.

Conclusions:

• The developed one-step SPE method provides a robust and effective approach for urinary catecholamine analysis.
• This technique simplifies sample preparation, enhancing the accuracy and sensitivity of catecholamine measurements.
• The method is suitable for routine clinical and research applications requiring reliable catecholamine quantification.