Li Xiaojing, Fekete Agnes, Englmann Matthias, Götz Christine, Rothballer Michael, Frommberger Moritz, Buddrus Katharina, Fekete Jenoe, Cai Chunping, Schröder Peter, Hartmann Anton, Chen Guonan, Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, and Department of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
J Chromatogr A. 2006 Nov 17;1134(1-2):186-93. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2006.09.047. Epub 2006 Oct 17.
A robust method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by ultra high pressure liquid chromatography (with trade name of Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography: UPLC; Waters, Milford, MA, USA) is proposed for the determination of five derivatives of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) that play a biological role as signal molecules of several gram-negative bacteria. Different commercial SPE cartridges were tested for sample extraction, clean-up and preconcentration. Since the sample matrix was a complex growth media, careful optimization of the SPE with respect to washing procedure, elution solvent and sample solvent was necessary. No sample loss was observed when up to 100 mL spiked full media was added onto the cartridge. Applying UPLC for the determination of AHLs, the performance characteristics of the method showed good separation efficiency and high speed. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the method, supernatants with the known AHL producer Burkholderia cepacia LA3 grown in different media were investigated. Additionally, the method was successfully used for the degradation/uptake study of AHLs from a liquid matrix in which barley was grown under controlled condition.
