A UPLC-UV method is described for the detection of bDtBPP and related breakdown compounds of Irgafos 168 from single-use bioprocessing bag films using a CSH (charged surface hybrid) fluoro phenyl column and UV detection at 220nm. The method limits of detection were between 16μgL-1 and 60μgL-1, repeatability was %RSD≤1.8 and linearity was R2≥0.9992. The method was applied to an extractables and leachables test of three single-use bioprocessing bag films. bDtBPP and oxidised Irgafos were detected from all three films in the extractables study, but not in the leachables study. A comparison of whole bag and small scale film extractions demonstrated that the small scale extractions were more suitable for finding concentration per area of film and/or estimating total load of extractables in the entire bag. The feasibility of upstream monitoring of extractable and leachable compounds with the Waters PATROL UPLC System via a Flownamics® sampling probe was also tested with cell growth medium spiked with bDtBPP. bDtBPP was only detected in at-line injections or online injections when the probe membrane was removed indicating that with the current sampling interface, monitoring of extractables and/or leachables is limited to at-line sampling.
Keywords: Disposables; Extractables; Single-use films; UPLC; Upstream monitoring; bDtBPP.
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