Page - (000111) - in Biomedical Chemistry: Current Trends and Developments

plate height and consequently produces a significant gain in efficiency that does not diminish at increased flow rates or linear velocities (Gilpin, 2008). UHPLC is becoming increasingly popular (Table 2.1.6) because it enables high speed analysis, superior resolution, increased sensitivity and reduced overall cost per analysis, ensuring that higher quality information is gained and laboratory productivity is optimized using sub-2 µm particle technology. However, certain practical concerns may need improvement, including sample introduction, reproducibility and the possible formation of temperature gradients within UHPLC columns at such high pressures. Moreover, extremely narrow sample plugs are required to minimize sample volume effect on peak broadening. Table 2.1.6: Examples of pharmacokinetic investigations performed during DDD, the bioanalytical conditions employed and respective parameters that were validated.