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Eco-optimized RP-HPLC method for chiral tazobactam and piperacillin drugs: integration with Box–Behnken design and multi-sustainability tools
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  • Published: 07 April 2026

Eco-optimized RP-HPLC method for chiral tazobactam and piperacillin drugs: integration with Box–Behnken design and multi-sustainability tools

  • Asma S. Al‐Wasidi1,
  • Jumana A. Sanari2,
  • Fahad M. Alminderej3,
  • Sayed M. Saleh3,
  • Hoda A. Ahmed4,5 &
  • …
  • Mahmoud A. Mohamed  ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3946-54656 

Scientific Reports , Article number:  (2026) Cite this article

We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Subjects

  • Biological techniques
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemistry
  • Microbiology

Abstract

Piperacillin-tazobactam (PIP-TAZ) is an effective antimicrobial agent, indicated primarily for severe infections resulting from susceptible organisms, and it has undisputed importance within antimicrobial therapy. PIP-TAZ combinations are widely used to treat severe infections caused by Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including those that produce β-lactamases. Our study involved the development of an environmentally friendly RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of TAZ and PIP. In lieu of conducting numerous experiments, an efficient method to achieve the three major parameters of chromatography—pH, flow rate, and column temperature—was optimized with the help of a Box-Behnken Design (BBD) to minimize variability. This approach streamlines the experimental process and enhances results reliability. By carefully controlling these parameters, researchers can achieve more consistent and reproducible chromatographic analyses. This research addresses the impact that these variables have on such critical responses as retention times for TAZ and PIP and their resolution. The identification of optimal conditions was based on desirable and overlay plots. The samples were dissolved in ethanol, water, and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in the mobile phase and separated through chromatography (58.5:40:1.5, v/v/v), and the pH was maintained at 3.5 with phosphoric acid. The method used UV detection at 230 nm, an injection volume of 20 μL, and a column temperature of 30°C. It was run at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. It used a Symmetry Shield RP18 column for 100-micron pore size, 5-micron particle size, and 4.6-mm by 250-mm dimensions. A comparison of carbon footprint reduction index (CaFRI), analytical greenness (AGREE), analytical eco-scales, green analytical procedure index (GAPI), modified GAPI (MoGAPI), and analytical method volume intensity (AMVI), which authenticates the accuracy, precision, and robustness of the method, was made in conjunction with a lesser environmental impact.

Data availability

Data is provided within the manuscript or supplementary information files.

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Acknowledgements

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number (PNURSP2026R35), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

The authors declare that no funding was received for this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, 11671, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Asma S. Al‐Wasidi

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Rd, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK

    Jumana A. Sanari

  3. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Qassim University, 51452, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia

    Fahad M. Alminderej & Sayed M. Saleh

  4. Department of Chemistry, College of Science in Yanbu, Taibah University, Yanbu Governorate, Saudi Arabia

    Hoda A. Ahmed

  5. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt

    Hoda A. Ahmed

  6. Hikma Pharmaceutical Company, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt

    Mahmoud A. Mohamed

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Contributions

Asma S. Al‐Wasidi: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – Review & Editing. Jumana A. Sanari: Data Curation, Validation, Visualization. Fahad M. Alminderej: Supervision, Formal Analysis, Funding Acquisition, . Sayed M. Saleh: Investigation, Resources, Writing – Final Draft. Hoda A. Ahmed: Software, Writing – Review & Editing. Mahmoud A. Mohamed: Method Development, Experimental Work, Project Administration, Writing – Original Draft.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mahmoud A. Mohamed.

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Cite this article

Al‐Wasidi, A.S., Sanari, J.A., Alminderej, F.M. et al. Eco-optimized RP-HPLC method for chiral tazobactam and piperacillin drugs: integration with Box–Behnken design and multi-sustainability tools. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44942-2

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  • Received: 19 August 2025

  • Accepted: 16 March 2026

  • Published: 07 April 2026

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44942-2

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Keywords

  • RP-HPLC
  • Antimicrobial drugs
  • Box-Behnken design
  • CaFRI
  • Greenness assessment
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