Rapid Screening Method for Statins Using an Advanced Solid Core UHPLC Column and System Combination

Importance of the Topic

Statins are widely prescribed for lowering blood cholesterol levels and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Efficient screening of multiple statin compounds in pharmaceutical quality control and research settings is vital to ensure rapid and reliable analysis. High-throughput methods enable laboratories to increase sample throughput while maintaining data quality and accuracy.

Study Aims and Overview

This study explores the performance benefits of combining a 1.5 μm solid-core Accucore Vanquish C18+ column with the Vanquish UHPLC system to rapidly separate and quantify six commonly prescribed statins. The goal is to develop a sub-five-minute screening method with high resolution and reproducibility.

Used Instrumentation

• Accucore Vanquish C18+ 1.5 μm, 100 × 2.1 mm column
• Vanquish UHPLC system components: system base, binary pump, split sampler, column compartment, diode array detector
• Virtuoso vial identification and sample handling system
• Dionex Chromeleon 7.2 SR2 for data acquisition and analysis

Methodology

Six statins (pravastatin, amlodipine, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, cerivistatin, simvastatin) were prepared at 100 μg/mL in water/methanol. A binary mobile phase consisting of 20 mM ammonium acetate (pH 4.0) and acetonitrile with 0.1% acetic acid was employed. The gradient ranged from 40% to 70% organic over 3.9 min, returning to initial conditions by 5.0 min. Analysis was carried out at 40 °C using a flow rate of 650 μL/min, 2 μL injections, and UV detection at 240 nm.

Main Results and Discussion

The method achieved baseline separation of six statins within a four-minute detection window and a five-minute cycle time. Critical resolution between fluvastatin and atorvastatin exceeded 2.5. Retention time variability was under 0.2% RSD for all compounds. System pressure peaked at 1258 bar, demonstrating the robust high-pressure capability of the column-system pairing.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Five-minute UHPLC screening increases laboratory throughput
• Solid-core particle technology reduces band broadening and secondary interactions
• Excellent reproducibility supports reliable quality control
• High resolution enables accurate identification of closely eluting analytes

Future Trends and Possibilities

Advancements may include integration with mass spectrometry for enhanced specificity, further miniaturization and acceleration of UHPLC methods, adoption of green solvents to reduce environmental impact, and incorporation of automated sample handling and data processing workflows to boost laboratory efficiency.

Conclusion

The combination of Accucore Vanquish solid-core UHPLC column and Vanquish UHPLC system enables a rapid, reproducible, and high-resolution screening method for statins, achieving significant time savings without compromising analytical performance.