Quantitation of polysorbate 20 in protein solutions using mixed-mode chromatography and evaporative light scattering detection

An HPLC assay requiring no complex sample preparation for the measurement of polysorbate 20 in protein solutions was developed. An on–off chromatography technique was employed involving a mixed-mode stationary phase (Waters Oasis MAX, mixed-mode anion-exchange and reversed-phase sorbent) to quantify polysorbate 20 in solutions containing >100 mg/mL of protein. With 2% formic acid mobile phase, proteins are typically positive charged and are not retained because of electrostatic repulsions from the quaternary amine in the mixed-mode resin. Other formulation components elute in void volume because of their hydrophilicity. Hydrophobic polysorbate 20 is retained, eluted with a step gradient and quantified as a single peak using an evaporative light scattering detector. The performance of the assay is evaluated according to International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines and shown to be suitable for polysorbate quantitation. Accuracy (96–108%) and repeatability (2.3% RSD) were demonstrated using protein samples spiked with polysorbate 20. This method was used to accurately measure polysorbate 20 in at least 25 different protein solutions spanning a wide range of formulations. Although the majority of the data reported here target polysorbate 20, this methodology can also be used to assay other common non-ionic surfactants such as polysorbate 80, Brij, Igepal, and Triton X-100.