Research reveals critical challenges in transferring analytical high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods to preparative fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) systems for therapeutic peptide purification. Scientists developed correction equations using impurity libraries to address parameter transferability issues, enabling more reliable scale-up from analytical testing to production-scale purification of peptide drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), researchers separated tarantula venom into eleven fractions, revealing neuroactive compounds that mimic FDA-approved drugs. RP-HPLC-isolated fractions demonstrated donepezil-like, diazepam-like, and lidocaine-like neurobehavioral effects in zebrafish, highlighting spider venom's potential for neurological disorder therapeutics through chromatographic purification.
Top articles published this week highlight the analytical challenges of metal speciation in biological systems, a new machine-learning framework called assisted active learning (AAL), and the value of in-person conferences.
In this month's LCGC Blog, Hayley Brawley and Alexia Kreinbrink explore the challenges facing chromatographers when exploring the complex world of metal speciation.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of blubber and skin samples from bottlenose dolphins in the Saint Peter Saint Paul archipelago revealed diverse organohalogen compounds including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and naturally produced methoxylated organobromines (MeO-BDEs), demonstrating long-range pollutant transport and establishing these marine mammals as effective sentinels for oceanic contamination monitoring.
Using reversed-phase and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, researchers identified 256 metabolites in gingival crevicular fluid, revealing elevated purine degradation and ceramide metabolites alongside diminished oxy fatty acids in periodontitis patients, advancing precision diagnostics through untargeted metabolomic profiling of this chronic inflammatory disease.
Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) was used in a research study to conduct comprehensive suspect screening across water, sediment, fish, wastewater, and sewage sludge samples from the Iberian Peninsula’s Tagus River basin, identifying 153 pharmaceutically active compounds, including cardiovascular, psychotropic, and pain management drugs between 2020 and 2022.
A study by Sungshin Women's University and Catholic University of Korea analyzed pre-prepared soup products using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify and quantify volatile compounds in commercial meat-based broths by comparing their chemical profiles, providing insights for developing authentic Korean-style home meal replacement products with optimized sensory characteristics.
A chromatography method developed to detect the antibiotic gentamicin in tiny ear fluid samples helps doctors precisely measure drug levels during inner ear treatments, ensuring patients receive safe, effective doses while fighting bacterial infections. This breakthrough is important because it allows precise measurement of life-saving antibiotics in microscopic biological samples, enabling safer treatments for serious ear infections.
To optimize sulforaphane (SFN) hydrolysis from broccoli seed hydrolysate (BSH), researchers employed liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This chromatographic standardization enabled production of SFN-rich extracts for evaluating anti-obesity efficacy in high-fat diet-fed mice through multiple analytical techniques.
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used by researchers to analyze carotenoid degradation during bread production, finding that xanthophyll esterification significantly improves stability. The study examined wheat genotypes and processing conditions, identifying baking as the critical degradation step and recommending technological innovations combined with genetic improvements to enhance carotenoid retention in wheat-based products.
In the first instalment of LCGC International's interview series exploring how artificial intelligence(AI)/machine learning (ML) is being used in separation science, we interviewed Emery Bosten from KU Leuven, Belgium, on the role of assisted active learning (AAL) for method development in liquid chromatography (LC).
To enable robust investigation of microbiota–host metabolic interactions, a targeted gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated by a research group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (Heidelberg, Germany) for the simultaneous quantification of 120 chemically diverse gut microbiota–derived metabolites across multiple biological matrices. LCGC International recently spoke to Nikita Denisov and Michael Zimmermann, two of the authors of a paper resulting from this work.
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) quantified dexamethasone release from coated cochlear implant carriers, showing sustained intracochlear delivery, basal–apical distribution, and improved pharmacokinetics versus fully loaded silicone rods after implantation.
Top articles published this week highlight International Day of Women and Girls in Science and a new acquisition from Waters Corporation.
A recent review article evaluates chromatographic and complementary analytical strategies for quantifying cardiovascular micro- and nanoplastics in complex human matrices. The authors contrasts particle-resolved vibrational methods with mass-based chromatographic approaches, highlighting strengths, limitations, and clinical relevance for deriving reliable polymer-specific exposure metrics linked to cardiovascular pathology and outcomes in translational cardiology research settings.
Click here to access the LCGC International January/February 2026 North American PDF in an interactive format.
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Researchers compared oral microbiota, salivary cytokines, and short-chain fatty acids in persistent Covid disease using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Age- and sex-matched analyses showed no significant SCFA differences after correction, though valeric acid trended higher. Cognitive impairment and fatigue were greater in patients, highlighting chromatography’s role in probing subtle metabolic signals variations overall.
Total knee arthroplasty alters endogenous pain-regulating pathways, including the endocannabinoid system. Using validated liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), perioperative cerebrospinal fluid and plasma endocannabinoids were quantified in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Distinct endocannabinoid profiles were associated with acetaminophen exposure, surgery, and postoperative pain outcomes.
Using untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) metabolomics, researchers compared black and white mantle regions of the Pacific oyster, identifying 527 differential metabolites.
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026, LCGC International spotlights women in chromatography advancing analytics, careers, lab culture, and sustainable methods.
Untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics was used to characterize plasma metabolic responses to carbohydrate restriction and low energy availability in elite endurance athletes. LC–MS profiling detected distinct lipid-centered perturbations under low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets not observed during short-term energy restriction, particularly following prolonged exercise, highlighting diet-specific metabolic signatures.
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026, LCGC highlights the women shaping chromatography, their curiosity-driven journeys, technical contributions, and the importance of representation, mentorship, and confidence in building a more inclusive scientific future.
A University of Bologna study describes a validated LC–MS/MS method for quantifying 13 PFAS in porcine liver and muscle. Chromatographic analysis revealed pronounced hepatic accumulation, with PFOS and PFOA consistently detected in liver but largely absent from muscle, supporting liver-focused, risk-based biomonitoring strategies in pork production.
A recent study evaluated the anticancer potential of Israeli black scorpion venom (SFV) against colorectal cancer (CRC) using integrated biochemical, computational, and biological approaches. SFV components were characterized by gel electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and ultraviolet–visible (UV-vis) spectrometry, followed by in silico docking against CRC- and apoptosis-related targets.
Waters has announced the completion of its acquisition of BD’s Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses.
Applying UHPLC–quadrupole-orbital trap MS–based untargeted metabolomics to evaluate psychrotrophic lactic acid bacteria as kimchi starters revealed strain-specific suppression of pathogen metabolic pathways, linking enhanced low-temperature antimicrobial performance to distinct metabolic inhibition mechanisms relevant for improving microbial safety in fermented foods.
A joint study between William & Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia) and James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia) analyzed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from commercially produced and locally sourced kombucha products using gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry and flame ionization detection (GC-TOF-MS/FID) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with TOF-MS and FID (GC×GC-TOF-MS/FID). LCGC International spoke with Sarah Foster, lead author of the paper resulting from this study, about the team’s findings and the key takeaways from this study.
