Separation, identification and quantification of riboflavin and its photoproducts in blood products using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: a method to support pathogen reduction technology.

A medical device using riboflavin (RB) and light is being developed for the reduction of pathogens in platelet concentrates (MIRASOL pathogen reduction technology [PRT]). A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the quantification of RB and its main photoproduct, lumichrome (LC) in blood components has been developed and validated. In addition, the same method has been used to identify and quantify the presence of additional photoproducts-catabolites of RB. Levels of these agents before and after treatment as well as endogenous levels present in normal donor blood are reported using this analytical technique. The method allows for quantitative and qualitative analysis of RB and LC in blood components using HPLC-fluorescence detection, a Zorbax SB-CN (stable bond cyano) column and a methanol-water mobile phase. Quantitation and qualitative analysis of additional photoproducts of RB was also performed, but the method has not been validated for these other components. The method described has passed an 8 day validation and has been found to be adequate for its intended use. The range of the method for RB is 0.016-1.500 microM and for LC is 0.060-1.500 microM. The method detection limit for RB is 0.0006 microM and for LC is 0.012 microM. The acceptance criteria for repeatability were met; the relative standard deviation for RB was 0.64% and for LC was 0.76%. The acceptance criteria for bias were met with a 97% average recovery for RB and a 102% recovery for LC. Samples were centrifuged and diluted 1:50 with 0.9% saline before analysis. No protein precipitation or extraction was required. A mass balance of approximately 93.4-94.4% was achieved after exposure of products to UV light in the intended pathogen reduction treatment method. The method permitted the identification of photoproducts in blood that were both naturally occurring and produced after photolysis of blood samples treated with the PRT process. The identity of these photoproducts has been established using HPLC Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) and UV spectroscopic methods and has been correlated with known metabolites and catabolites of RB. HPLC with fluorescence detection using a reverse phase cyano-column allows for accurate separation, identification and quantification of both RB and LC in blood products without the need for solvent extraction or protein precipitation. Additional photoproducts could also be identified and quantified using this method. The presence of these agents in normal, untreated blood suggests that their presence in blood is ubiquitous.