Advantages of Using MaxPeak™ HPS Technology for the Analysis of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Significance of the Topic

Pharmaceutical laboratories require reliable high-sensitivity methods for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) analysis to ensure product quality, monitor manufacturing and formulation processes, and assess stability. NSAIDs can interact with metal surfaces in chromatography systems, causing sample loss, peak distortion, and reduced sensitivity.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates the performance of MaxPeak High Performance Surfaces (HPS) technology in improving chromatographic analysis of propionic and acetic acid derivative NSAIDs. The goal was to compare sensitivity and peak quality using MaxPeak HPS–enabled instrumentation against a conventional system without mobile phase additives or extensive passivation.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Seven NSAIDs (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, fenoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, flurbiprofen, indomethacin) prepared at ~0.4 mg/mL in 50/50 methanol/water.
• Isocratic separation at 50 °C, 1.3 mL/min using 10 mM ammonium formate pH 4.0 (A) and acetonitrile (B) (50:50).
• Detection with ACQUITY Array PDA at 215 nm for ibuprofen/ketoprofen and 265 nm for other NSAIDs.
• Systems: ACQUITY Arc System and Arc Premier System controlled by Empower 3 software.
• Columns: XBridge XP BEH C18 and XBridge Premier BEH C18, 2.5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm.

Main Results and Discussion

MaxPeak HPS technology substantially increased chromatographic response for all NSAIDs without ion-pairing agents or chelators:

• On ACQUITY Arc System with XBridge Premier column, peak height rose up to 1.6-fold and area up to 1.7-fold.
• On Arc Premier System with XBridge Premier column, peak height increased up to 4.7-fold and area up to 4.0-fold.

These gains are attributed to minimized analyte–surface interactions and reduced metal-ion complexation, improving sensitivity.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced sensitivity and lower detection limits for metal-sensitive compounds without additives or lengthy passivation.
• Simplified method development and maintenance due to reduced need for chelating agents and system cleaning.
• Compatibility with UV and LC–MS detection workflows in pharmaceutical QA/QC and research.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Extension of MaxPeak HPS surfaces to other metal-sensitive analytes such as biomolecules and oxidizable compounds presents future opportunities. Integration with advanced mass spectrometry and high-throughput screening platforms may further enhance analytical performance. Continued surface engineering innovations are expected to yield improved robustness and broader applicability.

Conclusion

MaxPeak HPS technology effectively overcomes metal-induced sensitivity losses in NSAID analysis by minimizing surface interactions without requiring additives or passivation, yielding superior peak response, streamlined workflows, and enhanced analytical performance for pharmaceutical laboratories.

References

• Bindu S, Mazumder S, Bandyopadhyay U. Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) And Organ Damage: A Current Perspective. Biochem Pharmacol. 2020;180:114147.
• Pekoe G, Van Dyke K, Peden D, Mengoli H, English D. Antioxidation Theory of NSAIDs Based Upon the Inhibition of Luminol-Enhanced Chemiluminescence. Agents Actions. 1982;12(3):371–376.
• Plumb R, Wilson I. Metal-Analyte Interactions – An Unwanted Distraction. The Column. 2021;17(8).