Quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry impurity profiling methods for the analysis of parenteral infusion solutions for amino acid supplementation containing l-alanyl-l-glutamine

Potential impurities in a parenteral infusion solution for amino acid supplementation containing alanylglutamine (AlaGln) and glycyltyrosine (GlyTyr) as peptide constituents have been determined. Such complex multicomponent pharmaceutical formulations with reactive ingredients may yield a multitude of impurities in stress testing samples. Thus, three stability indicating LC–ESI-MS/MS methods were developed for the establishment of quantitative impurity profiles employing a Chiralpak QN-AX and a Polysulfoethyl A stationary phase in HILIC mode as well as a Gemini C18 stationary phase in gradient RPLC mode. The primary goal was to separate isobaric compounds (stereoisomers, constitutional isomers, retro-peptides) and to provide quantitative data of impurities identified in stressed nutritional infusion solutions. The optimized methods were calibrated by standard addition in the samples and validated according to ICH guidelines. The methods were then applied for the analysis of stressed sample solutions stored under different conditions. Major peptide impurities found in concentrations above the qualification threshold in stressed solutions stored at 40 °C for 6 months comprised cyclo(AlaGln) 808 μg/mL, pyroGluAla 122 μg/mL, AlaGlu 117 μg/mL, cycloGlyTyr 60 μg/mL, AlaGln epimers (DL + LD) 38 μg/mL, and TyrGly 27 μg/mL. A number of impurities above the reporting threshold were also detected including AlaAlaGln 18 μg/mL, cyclo(AlaGlu) 16 μg/mL, AlaGlu(AlaGln) 17 μg/mL, and AlaGlu(His) 12 μg/mL. The study showed that bioactive peptides may be formed in amino acid infusion solutions by condensation of amino acids and a careful control of these impurities is mandatory.

► Separation of stereoisomeric peptides.
► Accurate analysis of constitutional isomers indistinguishable by MRM transitions.
► Detection of peptides formed during processing of amino acid formulation.