Optimizing the Separation of an Antiparasitic Medication using High- Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Abstract

Excess pharmaceutical waste in water is an emerging concern that can increase parasitic drug resistance, interrupt animal food chains, and threaten drinking water sources. In this work, a high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection (210 nm) was optimized for sensitively detecting and separating antiparasitic compounds praziquantel (PZQ) and metronidazole (MET). This method has the potential to commercially monitor antiparasitic treatments administered to aquatic species, which can ultimately prevent pharmaceutical waste in water. The latest HPLC method was altered over seven experiment trials to improve resolution and Gaussian shape of chromatogram peaks. The most efficient separation of PZQ and MET was achieved on a Phenomenex™ Luna C18 analytical column (150 x 4.60mm, 5μm, 100A) using acetonitrile:water at alternating ratios of 20:80 v/v and 80:20 v/v as a mobile phase. This separation resulted in the shortest acquisition time with satisfactory peak shape. Aquarium facilities may ultimately use this method to understand how to safely treat parasitic fish diseases while avoiding environmental damage.