Hemanth Kumar Chanduluru
and
Abimanyu Sugumaran
*
SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, India. E-mail: abipharmastar@gmail.com; abimanys@srmist.edu.in; Tel: +91 7904062599
First published on 28th February 2022
Analytical research with adverse environmental impact has caused a severe rise in concern about the ecological consequences of its strategies, most notably the use and emission of harmful solvents/reagents into the atmosphere. Nowadays, industries are searching for the best reproducible methods. Voriconazole is a second-generation azole derivative used effectively in the treatment of Candida and Aspergillus species infections and oropharyngeal candidiasis in AIDS patients. Recently it has become the drug of choice in treating mucormycosis in several countries, which raises the need for production in large quantities. The present review deals with various recent important analytical techniques used to estimate voriconazole and its combination in pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids. The methods show their own unique way of analyzing voriconazole in different matrices with excellent linearity, detection, and quantification limits. Additionally, this article deals with methods and solvents analyzed for their impact on the environment. This is followed by estimating the degree of greenness of the methods using various available assessment tools like analytical eco-scale, national environmental method index, green analytical procedure index, and AGREE metrics to confirm the environmental impact. The scores obtained with the evaluation tools depict the quantum of greenness for the reported methods and provide an ideal approach adopted for VOR estimation. Very few methods are eco-friendly, which shows that there is a need for the budding analyst to develop methods based on green analytical principles to protect the environment.
VOR has become an essential drug for treating mucormycosis or black fungus in the initial stages of their existence as well as SARS-CoV-2. VOR is also used for people diagnosed with Candida and Aspergillus species infection, which have death rates of more than 60%. In addition, they are more likely to develop candidemia, leading to resistance to triazole antifungal drugs if not appropriately treated.5 While there are several treatment alternatives, currently available antifungal medicines do not meet the needs of many patients, especially those who take their medication by oral administration or through intravenous injection. Voriconazole (VOR) is the most critical triazole antifungal drug to enter the arsenal of antifungal agents. It has a structure similar to that of fluconazole and an activity spectrum comparable to that of itraconazole. In May 2002, the FDA approved VOR to treat Fusarium species refractory Scedosporium apiospermum and invasive aspergillosis infections. VOR has also been shown to be a promising drug for empiric treatment of febrile neutropenia in studies.6 The Jing Wang et al. study revealed that VOR is effectively used as the best prophylaxis option for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.7 Voriconazole has high bioavailability (96%) and has been shown to penetrate various eye areas, with adequate concentrations obtained to cover a wide variety of keratitis-causing fungi. Voriconazole eye drops, produced ad hoc and then used off-label, have been recommended successfully to treat keratitis. Voriconazole showed adequate penetration via the cornea into the aqueous humour after topical treatment without affecting intraocular tolerability.8
VOR is available in different dosage forms for the treatment of many fungal infections. Analytical techniques are used throughout the drug development process, from pre-clinical to post-clinical testing, to understand the drug's physical and chemical stability, impact on dosage form selection and design, and quantification of impurities. Various technological enhancements in separation science, modern sophisticated spectroscopic and liquid chromatographic techniques, and the use of bioanalytic tools for molecular recognition and testing have been of great advantage to pharmaceutical analysis in recent years. The whole dosage form development process requires effective, precise analytical procedures to support every step. Pharmaceutical companies are obliged to use the most accurate, prudent, and dependable quality control methods to quantify VOR. The reported best analytical methods for estimating VOR present in different pharmaceutical dosage forms are highlighted to illustrate the importance of VOR analyses (Fig. 2 and 3).
Fig. 3 Analytical methods reported for VOR from 1997 to September 2021 (source: Google, PubMed, Taylor and Francis, Elsevier, Science Direct, and Scopus). |
Analytical methods such as chromatographic techniques utilize toxic solvents and have a deleterious effect on the environment.
RP-HPLC consists of a stationary phase (column) and mobile phase (solvents) with a flow rate of 0.8–1.5 mL min−1. On average, usage of HPLC on a single day with a 50:50 ratio of organic phase and buffer with 1 mL min−1 flow rate generates 1.5 L/24 h (750 mL of organic waste and 750 mL of aqueous buffer waste containing toxic chemicals in a single working day). Developing an eco-friendly method by controlling the waste generated without affecting the method quality and performance for analyzing compounds in HPLC is a mammoth task. However, this problem can be reduced by applying green analytical principles in drug analysis. This particular review aims to summarize and examine various VOR estimation methodologies currently available using different instrumental methods along with the estimation of the degree of the greenness of the same.
Anastas14 portrayed 12 green analytical chemistry principles from the general green chemistry principles to help analysts in developing an environmentally fit method that can be used in the long term without affecting the environment.
As it is mentioned early that application of all the principles in analytical methods is practically very difficult so some strategies have to be applied for developing the methods that should be environmentally safe.
Płotka55 developed a new tool in 2021 named complementary GAPI or complex GAPI, which is an advancement of GAPI. This complex GAPI is a combination of classical GAPI and E-Factor, where E-Factor mainly focused on the synthesis of the chemicals along with the product yield, purity, waste, etc. Because the study design is solely concerned with the development of analytical methods and their greenness estimate, and there is no published literature on synthesis data of analyte and solvent, the implementation of the complex GAPI is minimal.
PP for reagents used:
• Less than 10 g or mL = 1 PP.
• 10–100 g or mL = 2 PP.
• More than 100 g or mL = 3 PP.
PP based on chemicals used:
• Pictogram with danger representation = 2 PP.
• Pictogram with warning representation = 1 PP.
• No Pictogram representation = 0 PP.
PP based on energy used per sample.
• Less than or equal to 0.1 kW h = 0 PP.
• Less than or equal to 1.5 kW h = 1 PP.
• More than or equal to 1.5 kW h = 2 PP.
PP based on waste generated.
• No waste = 0 PP.
• Less than 10 g or mL = 1 PP.
• 1–10 g or mL = 3 PP.
• More than 10 g or mL = 5 PP.
The results of greenness from the eco scale.
• Eco score ≥ 75 = worthy green method.
• Eco score ≥ 50 = optimal green method.
• Eco score < 50 = not a green method.
The above assessment tools have been utilized to demonstrate the greenness in reported methods for the analysis of VOR to scrutinize and select the best approach in terms of eco-friendliness. Although each greenness assessment tool utilizes a different way of analyzing the greenness profile, the final results help to picturize and identify the more environmentally benign method with its environmental impact. Here, four assessment tools were used for assessing the greenness of the reported methods.
S. no. | Matrix of VOR | Reagents or solvents | Detection (nm) | Linearity (μg mL−1) | NEMI | GAPI | AES | AGREE | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bulk and tablet | MeOH | 252 | 5–80 | 8 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 15 | 66 | |||
Σ = 85 | |||||||||
2 | Bulk and tablet | Milli Q pore water | 255 | 5–35 | 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 0 | 68 | |||
Σ = 100 | |||||||||
3 | Tablet | MeOH | 256 | 5–30 | 8 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 15 | 67 | |||
Σ = 85 | |||||||||
4 | Tablets | (1) 0.1 M HCl and tropaeoline ooo | (1) 500 | (1) 5.0–2 | 8 + 0 + 1 + 5 = 14 | 71 | |||
Σ = 86 | |||||||||
(2) pH 1.5 buffer and azo carmine-G | (2) 550 | (2) 10–50 | 8 + 0 + 1 + 5 = 14 | ||||||
Σ = 86 | |||||||||
5 | Bulk powder and pharmaceutical dosage form | 0.1 N HCl | 256 | 10–60 | 8 + 0 + 1 + 5 = 14 | 69 | |||
Σ = 86 | |||||||||
6 | Tablets | Phosphate buffers (pH 2.0, 4.0, 6.8, and 7.0) | 200–400 | 5–60 | 1 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 1 | 70 | |||
Σ = 99 |
S. no. | Drug substance | Stationary phase and mobile phase | Linearity (μg mL−1) | Rt (min) | NEMI | GAPI | AES | AGREE | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a VOR – voriconazole; MeOH – methanol; ACN – acetonitrile; FeCl3 – ferric chloride; KH2PO4 – potassium dihydrogen phosphate; NaOH – sodium hydroxide; HCl – hydrochloric acid; N – normal; NA – not available; LOQ – limit of quantification; LOD – limit of detection; mg mL−1 – microgram per millilitre; MP – mobile phase. | |||||||||
1 | VOR | Merck LiChrospher 100 RP-8 (125 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 20–100 | NA | 36 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 45 | 74 | |||
0.6% triethylamine (pH 6.0):MeOH (50:50 v/v) | Eco score = 55 | ||||||||
2 | VOR | Chiral cel-OD (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 10 μm) | 25–200 | 21.06 | 20 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 29 | 75 | |||
n-Hexane:EtOH 9:1 (v/v) | ES = 71 | ||||||||
3 | VOR | Diamonsil C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 1–100 | 14.002 | 12 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 21 | 76 | |||
ACN:water:CH3COOH (40:60:0.25 v/v/v) | ES = 79 | ||||||||
4 | VOR | C-18 Hypersil BDS column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 20–400 | 12.98 | 15 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 24 | 77 | |||
Water:ACN:MeOH (50:25:25 v/v/v) | ES = 76 | ||||||||
5 | VOR | Hypersil C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 5–25 | NA | 4 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 13 | 78 | |||
ACN:water (40:60 v/v) | ES = 87 | ||||||||
6 | VOR | Zorbax SB-C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 10–100 | 6.7 | 7 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 14 | 79 | |||
Ammonium phosphate dibasic buffer (pH 6.0 with; 50 mM ortho phosphoric acid)–ACN (52:48 v/v) | ES = 86 | ||||||||
7 | VOR | Hypersil, C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 5–100 | 5.82 | 4 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 13 | 80 | |||
Water:ACN (50:50 v/v) | ES = 87 | ||||||||
8 | VOR | Bondapak C18 (10 μm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm) | 6.0–60 | 7.3 | 4 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 11 | 81 | |||
ACN:0.05 M disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 5.5) (1:1 v/v) | ES = 89 | ||||||||
9 | VOR | Intersil ODS C18 (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 7.94–11.91 ppm | 6.413 | 10 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 19 | 82 | |||
Phosphate buffer, ACN and MeOH (65:30:5 v/v/v) | ES = 81 | ||||||||
10 | VOR | C18 G column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 10–50 | 5.36 | 4 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 13 | 83 | |||
ACN and water (60:40 v/v) | ES = 87 | ||||||||
11 | VOR | Develosil C18 column (100 mm × 4.6 mm, 3 μm) | 12–100 | 2.5 | 4 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 13 | 84 | |||
MP A: phosphate buffer 0.05 M (pH 4.5) and ACN (800:200% v/v) | ES = 87 | ||||||||
MP B: CAN and water in the ratio 800:200% v/v | |||||||||
A:B = 35:65 | |||||||||
12 | VOR | C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 1 to 30 | 4.09 | 4 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 13 | 73 | |||
ACN and ultrapure water (50:50 v/v) | ES = 87 | ||||||||
13 | VOR | Prontosil C-18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 5 to 25 | 7.92 | 4 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 13 | 85 | |||
Isopropyl alcohol:water (80:20 v/v) | ES = 87 | ||||||||
14 | VOR | Inertsil ODS 3V (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | NA | 21.78 | 17 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 26 | 86 | |||
MP A: 0.05 M KH2PO4 (pH 2.5 buffer) | ES = 74 | ||||||||
MP B: ACN:MeOH (90:10 v/v) | |||||||||
15 | VOR, UFLC | C8 Luna column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 0.5–50 | 3.02 | 5 + 0 + 3 + 3 = 11 | 72 | |||
ACN:0.01% CH3COOH (50:50 v/v) | ES = 89 |
Khetre et al.87 utilized HPTLC to develop a technique for detecting VOR in human plasma in API and therapeutic dosage forms. This technique used silica-gel 60 F254 precoated on aluminum sheets as the stationary phase and mobile phase comprising MeOH:toluene (7:3 v/v), and VOR is quantified at 255 nm using densitometric analysis. VOR's Rf values were determined to be 0.58 ± 0.02. The linear connection between the 200–1000 ng per spot concentration range showed an excellent linear regression. The detection and quantification limits were 12.05 and 36.55 ng per spot, correspondingly. This study showed a superb quantification value when compared to the other methods.
Similarly, Dewani et al.88 developed an HPTLC method to determine VOR in human plasma using the mobile phase combination of triethylamine:MeOH:toluene in the proportion of 0.1:4:6 v/v/v, in silica gel 60 F254 as a stationary phase. The sample was prepared by dissolving plasma protein precipitation using ACN solvent. The analysis of the VOR has been performed at a wavelength of 254 nm in the concentration range between 50 and 400 ng per band, which exhibits a good range of linearity. The mean rate of drug recovery was determined to be 98.82% for VOR using the reported method.
In another study, Jain et al.89 quantified VOR in raw materials and cream formulations using the stationary phase of aluminum plates coated using silica-gel 60 RP-18F-254S and mobile phase with a mix of ACN:water (60:40 v/v). Under a 200 to 1200 ng per band concentration, the absorbance of 257 nm was calculated with an Rf of 0.48 ± 0.02. The R2 value is 0.999, indicating a strong linear correlation. The levels of detection and quantification are 19.99 ng and 60.60 ng, correspondingly. This method helps to identify the VOR in the cream formulation and makes the analysis simplified.
Also, Santosh V. et al.90 established a method for estimating VOR in pharmaceutical dosage form with a chromatographic separation on precoated aluminum plates using silica gel 60 F254 and mobile phase composed of MeOH:toluene (2:8 v/v), tracked at 256 nm by densitometric scanning. The Rf value of VOR was at 0.45 ± 0.02. The linear range was found to be 400–1600 ng per band. The quantitation and detection limits for VOR were identified to be 61.30 and 20.22 ng per band, correspondingly. The overall assessment of the available reported HPTLC methods is depicted in Table 3.
Drug and instrument | Sample | Extraction | Column | Linearity | NEMI | GAPI | AES | AGREE | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a VOR – voriconazole; HPLC – high-performance liquid chromatography; Rt – retention time; SPE – solid-phase extraction; HCOOH – formic acid; KH2PO4 – potassium dihydrogen phosphate; NaH2PO4 – sodium dihydrogen phosphate; DAP – daptomycin; MeOH – methanol; ACN – acetonitrile; ITC – itraconazole; PSC – posaconazole; TED – tedizolid; LLE – liquid–liquid extraction; FLZ – fluconazole; IMB – imatinib; TFL – tadalafil; LC-MS/MS – liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; TEMED – N,N,N,N-tetramethyl ethylene diamine; K3PO4 – potassium phosphate; HPLC-FLD high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence detection; GPPP – glycine phenylalanine–phenylalanine peptide. | |||||||||
VOR, multidimensional HPLC with size-exclusion chromatography | Plasma | Sephadex G-25 superfine column of (100 × 10 mm ID) | Spherisorb ODS IMX (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 2.5 μm) | 10 to 3000 ng mL−1 | 15 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 24 | 93 | |||
ACN:0.1 M TEMED phosphate (pH 7.0) (42:58 v/v) | ES = 76 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Human plasma | With can | Kromasil C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 0.2–10 μg mL−1 | 5 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 12 | 94 | |||
0.04 M ammonium phosphate (pH 6.0 M):ACN (1:1 v/v) | ES = 88 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC-ESI-MS | Human plasma | Protein precipitation | C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.5 μm) | 2.49–293 ng mL−1 | 4 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 12 | 91 | |||
ACN:water (0.1% HCOOH) (40:60 v/v) | ES = 88 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Plasma | SPE through Bond Elute columns C18, 100 mg mL−1 | Luna 5 m C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 0.2–10 μg mL−1 | 6 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 13 | 95 | |||
ACN:TEMED (pH 7.4 using phosphoric acid) (45:55 v/v) | ES = 87 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Human plasma | Direct injection | Silica particles, bonded with a GFFP (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 0.5–10 μg mL−1 | 5 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 11 | 96 | |||
ACN:KH2PO4 (pH 6.0) (17:83 v/v) | ES = 88 | ||||||||
VOR, LCMS | Plasma | Online solid-phase extraction | Waters Oasis HLB (25 mm × 2.0 mm, 2.1 μm) | 78–5000 mg L−1 | 6 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 14 | 92 | |||
Water/methanol 95:5 (v/v) | Water:MeOH (95:5 v/v) | ES = 86 | |||||||
VOR, HPLC | Plasma | LLE | Chromolithic RP 18 monolithic silica rod (100 mm × 4.6 mm) | 0.05–10 μg mL−1 | 11 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 18 | 97 | |||
Tetrahydrofuran:ACN:NH4HCO3 (pH 5.8): (3:25:72 v/v/v) | ES = 82 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC-MS | Human plasma | Protein precipitation, automated SPE | LiCrospher 100 RP-18 (125 mm × 4 mm, 5 μm) | 78–5000 mg L−1 | 6 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 14 | 98 | |||
Water:ACN (50:50 v/v) | ES = 86 | ||||||||
VOR, LC-MS/MS | Rat plasma | With MeOH | Shim-pack HPLC column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 50–2500 ng mL−1 | 14 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 22 | 99 | |||
ACN:HCOOH:water (60:0.05:40 v/v/v) | ES = 78 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Rat and beagle dog plasma | With MeOH:ACN (1:2) | Diamonsil C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 0.10–50.0 μg mL−1 | 15 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 22 | 100 | |||
Water:ACN:CH3COOH (pH 4.0) (45:55:0.25 v/v/v) | ES = 78 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Serum | Vortexed with mobile phase | Nova-Pak CN-HP (100 mm × 3.9 mm, 4 μm) | 0.4–10.0 mg L−1 | 15 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 24 | 101 | |||
15% ACN (0.1% n-butyl amine, 0.2% H3PO4) | ES = 76 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Plasma | With can | C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm) | 0.25–16 mg L−1 | 10 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 17 | 102 | |||
50% MeOH:0.01 M CH3COONa (pH 5.0 v/v) | ES = 83 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Serum and plasma | LLE | Supelcosil LC-18-DB (25 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 0.1–20 μg mL−1 | 7 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 14 | 103 | |||
MP A: 10% ACN:90% 0.01 M K3PO4 pH 3.0 (v/v) | ES = 86 | ||||||||
MP B: 100% ACN | |||||||||
VOR, HPLC-FLD | Human plasma and saliva | With n-hexane:ethyl acetate (3:1 v/v) | LUNA C18 (250 mm × 3.0 mm, 5 μm) | 0.1–10 μg mL−1 | 17 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 24 | 104 | |||
ACN:0.01 M KH2PO4 buffer (0.01 M TEMED pH 6.8) (45:55 v/v) | ES = 76 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Plasma | With can | LiChrospher-100 RP-18 (125 × 4 mm, 5 μm) | 1.5–10 μg mL−1 | 7 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 14 | 105 | |||
0.04 M ammonium phosphate (pH 6.0):ACN (60:40 v/v) | ES = 86 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Serum | With MeOH | Hibar, LiChrospher C8 RP column (100 mm × 5 mm, 5 μm) | 0.26 to 10.1 μg mL−1 | 19 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 26 | 106 | |||
0.04 M KNaPO4 (pH 6.0):water:ACN (45:2.5:52.5 v/v/v) | ES = 74 | ||||||||
VOR, LCEIMS | Aqueous humour | NA | C18 column (300 mm × 5 mm, 15 μm) | 0.02–30 μg mL−1 | 15 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 23 | 107 | |||
70% ACN:30% water:0.01% TFA | ES = 77 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC-ESI-MS | Plasma | Protein precipitation | C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.5 μm) | 2.49–293 ng mL−1 | 10 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 18 | 108 | |||
ACN:water (0.1% HCOOH) 40:60 v/v | ES = 82 | ||||||||
VOR, LC-MS/MS | Serum | Vortexed and then centrifuged | C18 column (100 mm × 3.0 mm, 2.6 μm) | 0.1 and 10.0 μg mL−1 | 7 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 15 | 109 | |||
MP A: 0.1% HCOOH:2 mM CH3COONH4 | ES = 85 | ||||||||
MP B: 2 mM CH3COONH4, 0.1% HCOOH in MeOH | |||||||||
VOR N-oxide VOR, LCMS | Bovine serum | Centrifugation | HyPURITY Aquastar C18 (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 5 μm) | 0.10–10.08 mg L−1 | 7 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 14 | 110 | |||
MP A: CH3COOH, CH3COONH4 and TFA | ES = 86 | ||||||||
MP B: water:MeOH | |||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Human serum | With ice-cold ACN | SunFire C18 (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 0.25–16.0 μg mL−1 | 6 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 13 | 111 | |||
ACN:ultrapure water (70:30 v/v) | ES = 87 | ||||||||
VOR, LC-MS-MS | Human serum | Protein precipitated with 200 μL of ACN | EC-C18 (50 mm × 3.0 mm, 2.7 μm) | 0.05–10 μg mL−1 | 5 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 12 | 112 | |||
ACN:0.1% HCOOH in 10 mM CH3COONH4 (50:50 v/v) | ES = 88 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC-FLD | Human plasma and serum | Protein precipitation and ACN extraction | ODS HYPERSIL column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 0.1–10 μg mL−1 | 5 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 12 | 113 | |||
0.1 M CH3COONH4 solution, ACN and TFA (409:590:1 v/v/v) | ES = 88 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Human blood | With hexane and ethyl acetate | Eclipse X DB C18 (4.5 mm × 5 μm) | 1.0 to 8.0 μg mL−1 | 16 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 23 | 114 | |||
ACN:water (50:50 v/v) | ES = 77 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC-FLD | Human serum | Protein precipitation with ACN | LiChrospher RP-18e column (125 mm × 4 mm, 5 μm) | VOR 0.2–20.0 μg mL−1 | 13 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 20 | 115 | |||
10 mM KH2PO4 (10 mM of TEMED pH 6.5):ACN 65:35 (v/v) | ES = 80 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Plasma | Ultrafiltration method with tween 80 | LiChrospher (125 mm × 4 mm, 5 μm) | 0.05–10.0 μg mL−1 | 15 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 22 | 115 | |||
ACN:10 mM KH2PO4 (10 mM of TEMED) (pH 6.5) (35:65 v/v) | ES = 78 | ||||||||
VOR, LCMS | Human plasma | Vortexed and centrifuged by using MeOH | C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm × 3.5 μm) | 0.1–10.0 μg mL−1 | 15 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 24 | 116 | |||
MeOH:0.1% HCOOH (70:30 v/v) | ES = 76 | ||||||||
VOR, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy | Plasma | Centrifugation | Diamonsil C18 | 0.41–6.12 μg mL−1 | 4 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 11 | 117 | |||
ACN:0.1% HCOOH (43:57 v/v) | ES = 89 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Humans | Centrifugation | C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm) | 0.125–10 μg mL−1 | 5 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 12 | 118 | |||
ACN:0.05 M CH3COONH4:MeOH (20:40:40 v/v/v) | ES = 88 | ||||||||
VOR, HPLC | Beagle plasma | Vortexed and centrifuged by using MeOH | Venusil XBP C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 200–100000 ng mL−1 | 15 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 22 | 119 | |||
ACN:20 mM KH2PO4 (65:35 v/v) | ES = 78 | ||||||||
VOR, ITC, HPLC | Human serum | Heptane–isoamyl alcohol (90:10 v/v) | Zorbax SB-C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | 0.5–5.0 μg mL−1 | 19 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 26 | 120 | |||
50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.0 with 1 M KOH):MeOH:ACN (35:20:45) (v/v/v) | ES = 74 | ||||||||
VOR, PSC, HPLC | Human plasma | Hexane–methylene chloride (70:30 v/v) | C8 plus (250 mm × 3 mm, 5 μm) | VOR 0.2–10.0 mg L−1 | 15 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 22 | 121 | |||
Water:0.04 M NaKHPO4:ACN (2.5:45:52.5 v/v/v) | PSC 0.05–10.0 mg L−1 | ES = 78 | |||||||
VOR, PSC, HPLC | Human plasma | LLE with diethyl ether | ReproSil-Pur Basic C18 (150 mm × 2 mm × 5 μm) | 1.0–20.0 μg mL−1 | 7 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 14 | 122 | |||
ACN:0.09 M monobasic ammonium phosphate (pH 5.3) (50:50 v/v) | ES = 86 | ||||||||
VOR, ITC, PSC, HPLC-MS | Human plasma | Protein precipitation extraction with ACN | C18 Atlantis T-3 (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) | ITC 0.04–1.18 μg mL−1 | 6 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 13 | 123 | |||
Water (0.05% HCOOH):ACN 50:50 and 20:80 from 6.5 min | PSC 0.04–3.20 μg mL−1 | ES = 87 | |||||||
VOR 0.09–8.32 μg mL−1 | |||||||||
VOR, PSC, FLZ, ITZ, LC-MS/MS | Human serum | Protein precipitation | Phenomenex Luna C8 (50 mm × 2 mm, 3 μm) | VOR 0.01–10 μg mL−1 | 5 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 11 | 124 | |||
MP A: 0.1% HCOOH and 10 mM HCOONH4 in water | POS 0.02–40 μg mL−1 | ES = 89 | |||||||
MP B: 0.1% HCOOH in ACN | FLU 0.2–200 μg mL−1 | ||||||||
ITZ 0.02–20 μg mL−1 | |||||||||
VOR, TFL, HPLC | Plasma | Without extraction | Shim-Pack XR-ODS (100 mm × 2.0 mm, 2.2 μm) | 0.1 μg mL−1 and 0.5 μg mL−1 | 4 + 1 + 0 + 1 = 6 | 125 | |||
50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 3.0)/propylene carbonate:ethanol (10:90 v/v) | ES = 94 | ||||||||
VOR, ITC, PSC, UPLC-MS/MS | Human plasma | Centrifugation | BEH C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) | VOR 0.13 and 6.54 mg L−1 | 7 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 14 | 126 | |||
MP A: 10 mM CH3COONH4 in water and 0.1% HCOOH | POS 0.16 and 5.66 mg L−1 | ES = 86 | |||||||
MP B: MeOH and 0.1% HCOOH | ITC 0.18 and 3.64 mg L−1 | ||||||||
VOR, IMB, UPLC-MS/MS | Rat plasma | Protein precipitation by can | Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) | Imatinib, y = (2.70755x + 166.088, r2 = 0.99818) | 6 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 13 | 127 | |||
ACN:0.1% HCOOH in water (50:50 v/v) | VOR, y = (5.20704x + 3.45498, r2 = 0.99939) | ES = 87 |
In another study, Lin et al.129 established a technique for determining VOR concentrations in a patient's plasma sample using sweeping-micellar electrokinetic chromatography on a fused silica capillary of 75 cm × 50 mm ID column. The solution included 110 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate, 20% ACN, and 40 mM phosphoric acid. The voltage applied was −23 kV, and the wavelength of detection was 254 nm. VOR was isolated from endogenous materials within 10.5 min under optimum analytical conditions, limiting the detection at 0.075 g mL−1. Plasma VOR levels were quantified in 16 individuals; the findings were consistent with those acquired by the HPLC method. This method may be recognized as a new technique by applying a new concept called sweeping-micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Still, this technique was eventually used to develop a green analytical method. In this technique, the authors used ACN as an organic modifier, making this method vulnerable towards eco-friendly usage. However, these types of methods are encouraged and need to be optimized by applying some biodegradable solvents.
Similarly, Corbini et al.130 devised a new technique for quantifying VOR using differential pulse polarography (DPP) in pharmaceuticals. A distinct peak (−1.01 V versus Ag/AgCl) was produced using a 0.01 M KH2PO4 buffer (pH 4.5) supporting electrolyte. Accordingly, the concentration stood linear in the series of 0.5 to 5.0 μg mL−1, through a LOD and LOQ of 0.03 and 0.10 μg mL−1. This resultant method consumes fewer toxic substances and may be used for sustainable development.
Smith et al.131 developed a GCMS method to determine VOR in serum. The sample extraction was performed with the help of cold methanol and ethyl acetate by adding the internal standard THC-deuterium 9 (THC-d9) and derivatized using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoro acetamide (BSTFA). The run time used for every run was about 11 min with a linearity range of 0.4 to 10 μg mL−1. This method showed a better result with no interaction with the other drugs. It was the best adaptable one for VOR analysis in the serum without interference from the other substances.
Recently, Lerch et al.132 developed a rapid and efficient analytical technique called paper spray mass spectrometry (PSMS), used for the first time to quantify VOR in the complex biological matrix without using chromatographic or traditional sample separation. An innovative PSMS technique for quantitating VOR in equine tears has been determined and corroborated over a series of 10 to 1000 ng mL−1. The method demonstrates excellent accuracy, linearity (r2 > 0.990), inter and intra-day precision, and selectivity for the quantitation limit in equine tears. VOR was computed using three products compared to an internal standard with an isotope label, voriconazole-d3, with a 250 ng mL−1 standard concentration in samples. The authors further applied this technique to the analysis of 126 test samples, and acquired the sample dilution's integrity, and carryover impact was further examined and determined within acceptable limits.
In another study, Sahitya et al.133 used Candida albicans as the test microorganism to develop a novel microbiological technique for examining VOR tablets. It was necessary to experiment with different mediums, species, and circumstances to optimize the diffusion test. During a prospective validation, the method showed excellent linearity (0.995), accuracy less than 2% RSD, and consistency (mean recovery = 101.77%). VOR was evaluated using HPLC, which was used as a comparative method for the study. The results of both the microbiological and HPLC techniques have been compared using the Student's t-test. The VOR content measured from both ways has demonstrated a high degree of consistency. When employed in dosage forms for regular quality control analysis of VOR, the newly developed microbiological analytical technique gives a genuine indicator of biological activity. It may be utilized to detect actual biological activity.
Kaur et al.134 recently devised and evaluated an RP-HPLC technique for determining VOR using an AQbD approach. The authors used a Taguchi design to address specific constraints that affect factors, including theoretical plate count, retention time, peak area, and peak tailing. Response surface design is used for optimization studies to identify critical constraints such as organic phase mix in the mobile phase and flow rate that affect variables such as peak tailing, theoretical plates, peak area, and retention time by a central composite design. The optimum operating conditions for the technique were determined using graphical refinement and then verified by Monte Carlo simulations. The optimum mobile phase condition was ACN and 0.05% acetic acid (pH 4) (50:50 v/v). The flow rate of 1 mL min−1, at 256 nm detection, demonstrated linearity within 0.1–50 μg mL−1 in Hanks balanced salt solution and methanol. Corroboration data showed the proposed analytical method's efficacy and sensitivity in quantifying VOR. Quantification of VOR in pharmaceutical nano-formulations was effectively accomplished using the established analytical technique. The above-mentioned miscellaneous methods were assessed using the four green assessment tools and are depicted in Table 5.
S. no. | Method and solvent/chemicals | NEMI | GAPI | AES | AGREE | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | HPLC AQbD | 8 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 17 | 128 | |||
50:50 v/v ACN and water | ES = 83 | |||||
2 | Sweeping-micellar electrokinetic chromatography | 2 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 3 | 88 | |||
110 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate, 20% ACN, and 40 mM phosphoric acid | ES = 97 | |||||
3 | Differential pulse polarography (DPP) | 2 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 3 | 130 | |||
0.01 M KH2PO4 buffer (pH 4.5) | ES = 97 | |||||
4 | GCMS | 12 + 3 + 3 + 5 = 23 | 131 | |||
Cold methanol, ethyl acetate, derivatization by using BSTFA | ES = 77 | |||||
5 | PSMS | 0 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 1 | 132 | |||
ES = 99 | ||||||
6 | Microbiological technique | 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 1 | 133 | |||
ES = 100 | ||||||
7 | RP-HPLC | 12 + 1 + 0 + 3 = 16 | 134 | |||
AQbD | ES = 84 | |||||
ACN and 0.05% acetic acid (pH 4) (50:50 v/v) |
The HPLC methods utilized different solvents for the analysis of VOR in pharmaceutical substances. The eco-friendly method among the reported methods was Singh et al.85 In this, isopropyl alcohol and water was used as the mobile phase, which makes the process justifiable from an environmental standpoint. An approach can be picked based on the Rt as well. A method was developed by Lingamaneni K. et al.72 with an Rt of 3.02, which utilized less solvent compared to the other methods. The solvents used by the various reported methods in performing HPLC are depicted in Fig. 5. This indicates that most reported studies have utilized ACN and MeOH as solvents by changing the buffers at various pH levels. Among the fifteen reported methods four73,78,80,83 authors has employed the same mobile phase components, which showed the same green assessment results by changing the ACN:water composition. Adams et al.74 have used a mobile phase containing MeOH and triethylamine (TEA), in which TEA is considered toxic to human health and the environment as this reagent contains three pictograms indicating danger and has an NFPA score with three in both health and flammability, which leads to a decrease in the eco-score when applying the assessment tools. Nagarjuna et al.75 reported a method using ethanol and n-hexane as a mobile phase. Despite ethanol being considered an eco-friendly solvent, incorporating n-hexane made the method lose its environmental friendliness, as n-hexane contains four pictograms indicating danger. Both Huang et al. and Lingamaneni et al.72,76 have used a similar mobile phase composed of ACN and acetic acid. Still, variation in the assessment results was observed due to the run time and elution of the compound. As discussed earlier, the Lingamaneni et al. method had a better greenness profile than the other methods due to their run time. The remaining methods have utilized a common organic solvent such as ACN and MeOH along with a solid buffer. The different buffers used for the reported methods were phosphate with the corresponding salts of ammonium,79 sodium,81,82,84 and potassium,86 which produced similar results in the greenness assessment.
Analysis of VOR and its combinations in biological fluids shows the importance of the drug and the need to develop an eco-friendly method without compromising the method quality as a better alternative to the reported approaches. The reported methods used several extraction techniques to separate VOR and its combinations such as biological matrix-like liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), protein precipitation, centrifugation, vortexing, simple mixing with the solvent, and direct injection. Among these extraction methods, direct injection and green extraction may help the technique be more environmentally sound and eco-friendlier. In the analysis of bioanalytical samples, the most preferred organic phase was again MeOH, ACN, and an appropriate buffer. The selection of the organic phase and the corresponding number of times it appears in the reported methods are shown in Fig. 6. According to this, ACN is considered as the predominant solvent used in most of the available methods, followed by MeOH. The present assessment tools showed that most methods had a similar greenness because the mobile phase selection was very similar with very slight variation.
Apart from the spectroscopy and chromatography methods, few reported methods explore the analysis of the drugs by applying the AQbD method for producing a long-term method, few other methods like sweeping-micellar electrokinetic chromatography, differential pulse polarography, paper spray mass spectrometry, and microbiological technique for the analysis of the VOR. The minimum linearity concentration reported was 2.49 ng mL−1 to the maximum of 100 μg mL−1.
The greenness was further analyzed using NEMI, GAPI, analytical eco-scale, and AGREE metrics for all reported methods, and the results are shown in Tables 1–5. As explained earlier, each tool used in assessing greenness follows a different method for performing the greenness assessment. Considering the reported methods, ACN is used to a greater extent than MeOH. Even though MeOH is less toxic when compared to ACN, only a few LC methods have been reported with MeOH and buffer as the mobile phase. Most methods mentioned using ACN as an organic modifier and other buffers show a repetitive technique that could be avoided. A green LC method has been reported to estimate VOR with the aid of eco-friendly solvents like propylene carbonate and ethanol and buffer with suitable method performance characteristics. There are very few green extraction processes utilized in the analysis of VOR in bio samples. Mainly the reported methods were composed of toxic solvents rather than green solvents.
The NEMI tool shows that two methods were eco-friendly among the spectrophotometric methods that used water and buffer as a solvent, one in HPLC methods that utilized isopropyl alcohol and water as mobile phase, no methods were green reported by HPTLC, and one in bio-analytical method that utilized propylene carbonate as a mobile phase. NEMI concludes that miscellaneous methods like sweeping-micellar electrokinetic chromatography, DPP, PSMS, and microbiological methods are safe and supportable for the environment.
The GAPI tool results strengthen NEMI's assumption in spectrophotometric, HPTLC, and bioanalytical methods, but picked a UFLC method as the best eco-friendly one among the reported ones; GAPI also indicates that the PSMS and microbiological methods are safest compared to the other methods concluded by the NEMI.
Pictographic assessment of AES is a numerical assessment tool that gives conclusive evidence with the help of a specific value. AES results support the inference given by GAPI for spectrophotometric, HPTLC, HPLC, and reported bio-analytical methods and strengthen it with a numerical value. In miscellaneous methods, AES showed a very slight edge toward the microbial method and showed a score of 100.
The final evaluation technique, AGREE, a very conclusive tool for green assessment, has confirmed the green-collar of the reported methods for greenness. AGREE has confirmed the method's greenness and supports AES's interpretation for spectrophotometric, HPTLC and reported bio-analytical methods but supported NEMI in the HPLC reported practices. Unlike AES, AGREE also showed a very slight edge toward the microbial process and showed a score of 0.95.
But prior consideration by four assessment tools states that the microbial examination method has the most eco-friendly results followed by the PSMS. The only drawback of these methods was that one consumes time. The other utilized only tears as a sample, nullifying the sampling procedure concept as it is not recognized as a transferable method. Only one bioanalytical method125 was eco-friendly, which utilized propylene carbonate as a solvent. The results indicate the importance of developing new green methods, which should be eco-friendly and easily applicable for industrial purposes.
Time is a crucial aspect for any industry in terms of production, as the quantity of production increases that directly enhances the effect of analysis time. So, it is always essential from an industrial point of view to consider an analytical method that can give the best results in less time by consuming less energy. Among the present methods for determination of VOR, the UV method consumes significantly less energy and time for analysis but has some flaws like reliability or reproducibility, whereas chromatographic methods are well adopted due to their several advantages. Among the chromatographic techniques, HPTLC is the most time and energy-consuming technique. LCMS and GCMS are the highly accurate methods for determinations but have a disadvantage like high energy consumption, which negatively affects the environment. The RP-HPLC is the most affordable and reliable in most industries for the analysis of pharmaceuticals, but this also has a disadvantage like energy consumption. Finally, the UPLC method is the most advantageous due to its highly reliable results in less time. Here, the application of time indicates an added advantage to the industries and reduces the generation of harmful greenhouse substances into the environment.
The new transformation of extractions included the usage of lower organic solvents, sorbents, better extraction and clean-up, fewer pre-treatment steps for a sample, and improved selectivity. Green microextraction technology is a user-friendly platform for analysts and far less environmentally damaging and provides even fewer toxic solvents, miniaturization, greater automation, and online coupling power with analysis techniques. Adopting these technologies for pharmaceutical analysis makes the method more stable, environmentally benign, and lasts longer.
Furthermore, no quantitative IR or NIR method was reported to estimate VOR, which should be developed and shall be the greenest method over LC and other methods and delivers the scope of developing quantitative IR methods to assess VOR.
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