Fast Determination of Ciprofloxacin by Batch Injection Analysis with Amperometric Detection and Capillary Electrophoresis with Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detection

We report fast, precise, selective, and sensitive electroanalytical methods for the determination of ciprofloxacin in milk and pharmaceutical samples by batch‐injection analysis with amperometric detection (BIA‐AMP) and by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively‐coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE‐C⁴D). Both methods required simple sample preparation protocols before analysis (milk samples were just diluted and tablets powdered and dissolved in electrolyte/water). The analytical features of BIA‐AMP and CE‐C⁴D methods include, respectively, low relative standard deviation values for repetitive measurements (2.8 % and 1.7 %, n=10), low detection limits (0.3 and 5.0 µmol L^?1), elevated analytical frequency (80 and 120 h^?1) and satisfactory accuracy (based on comparative determinations by HPLC and recovery values for spiked samples).     

Simple and Fast Determination of Warfarin in Pharmaceutical Samples Using Boron‐doped Diamond Electrode in BIA and FIA Systems with Multiple Pulse Amperometric Detection

This paper proposes the use of the boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDDE) in flow and batch injection analysis (FIA and BIA) systems with multiple‐pulse amperometric (MPA) detection for the determination of warfarin (WA) in pharmaceutical formulations. The electrochemical behavior of WA obtained by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer shows an irreversible oxidation process at +1.0 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The MPA was based on the application of two sequential potential pulses as a function of time on BDDE: (1) for WA detection at +1.2 V/100 ms and; (2) for electrode surface cleaning at −0.2 V/200 ms. Both hydrodynamic systems (FIA‐MPA and BIA‐MPA) used for WA determination achieved high precision (with relative standard deviations around 2 %, n =10), wide linear range (2.0−400.0 μmol L⁻¹), low limits of detection (0.5 μmol L⁻¹) and good analytical frequency (94 h⁻¹ for FIA and 130 h⁻¹ for BIA). The WA determination made by the proposed methods was compared to the official spectrophotometric method. The FIA‐MPA and BIA‐MPA methods are simple and fast, being an attractive option for WA routine analysis in pharmaceutical industries.     

On‐Site Determination of Carbendazim,Cathecol and Hydroquinone in Tap Water Using a Homemade Batch Injection Analysis Cell for Screen Printed Electrodes

In this work, we present a simple homemade batch‐injection analysis cell for screen‐printed electrodes (BIA‐SPE). The potential of the proposed system for on‐site analysis was demonstrated by the determination of carbendazim, catechol, and hydroquinone in tap water. The system provided reduced injection volume (30 µL), high analytical frequency (≈200 h^?1) and low detection limits (nanomolar level). Moreover, the BIA‐SPE cell presented better stability (RSD≈0.4 %) than a conventional flow injection cell for SPE (RSD≈5.0 %) in organic media. The proposed homemade BIA‐SPE cell is very simple, inexpensive and can be easily constructed in any laboratory.     

Fast and Selective Simultaneous Determination of Acetaminophen,Aspirin and Caffeine in Pharmaceutical Products by Batch Injection Analysis with Multiple Pulse Amperometric Detection

In this work is presented a method for simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PA), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and caffeine (CA) in pharmaceutical tablets, using a bare boron‐doped diamond working electrode (BDDE) coupled to batch injection analysis system with multiple pulse amperometric detection (BIA‐MPA). The optimized sequence of fast potential pulses were applied on BDDE for acquisition of independent amperograms: +1.0 V for PA oxidation, +1.3 V for oxidation of PA and salicylic acid (SA) generated from a previous alkaline hydrolysis of ASA and +1.6 V in which the three analytes are oxidized (PA, SA and CA). Selective determination of PA is performed using the currents obtained at +1.0 V, while SA and CA signals are indirectly obtained using simple subtraction operations between peak currents from each amperogram and correction factors (CF's). The limitations of such approach on the precision and accuracy as function of BIA‐MPA conditions are discussed. Simultaneous determination of the target drugs in pharmaceutical tablets was performed by BIA‐MPA and the results compared to a HPLC‐DAD method. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method exhibits fast responses (180 injections per hour for the simultaneous determination of the three analytes) and suitable precision (RSD_PA: 0.78 %; RSD_SA: 1.09 %; RSD_CA: 2.73 %). BIA‐MPA method is simple, portable and presents relative low‐cost.     

Fast and Simple Electrochemical Analysis Kit for Quality Control of Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs

The use of multiple‐pulse amperometry (MPA) for the determination of narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drugs using batch injection analysis (BIA) with carbon screen‐printed electrodes (SPE) is proposed, seeking to develop a practical and low‐cost analysis kit for application in routine quality control of these drugs. The electrochemical behaviors of aminophylline, carbamazepine, clindamycin, colchicine, minoxidil, prazosin, procainamide, theophylline, warfarin and verapamil were evaluated in different electrolytes, but just one, the 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, was chosen for determination of all the analytes. The amperometric detection was optimized as a function of the best oxidation potential for carbon SPE for each analyte, which was in a range from 0.7 to 1.1 V. The injection conditions were determined as a function of the velocity and the volume injected by the BIA system, which were 92.5 μL s⁻¹ and 100 μL, respectively. Under these conditions, a good repeatability (RSD<3 %), high analytical frequency (>215 determinations per hour), large linear ranges and low LOD (<0.42 μmol L⁻¹) for all the NTI drugs were obtained. Furthermore, the proposed method provided an easy qualitative analysis of the investigated analytes using MPA detection. The addition‐recovery studies in pharmaceutical samples containing NTI drugs and the comparison with official methods showed that the proposed analysis Kit is a very fast, simple and efficient alternative for quantification of these analytes.     

Electrochemical Oxidation of Astaxanthin on Glassy‐carbon Electrode and its Amperometric Determination Using Batch Injection Analysis (BIA)

This work presents the electrochemical oxidation of the antioxidant astaxanthin on a glassy‐carbon electrode (GCE) and its amperometric determination in salmon samples using a batch‐injection analysis (BIA) system. The proposed BIA method consisted of 80‐µL a fast microliter injection of sample at 193 µL s^?1 on the GCE immersed in the electrolyte, a mixture of acetone, dichloromethane, and water (80 : 10 : 10 v/v), containing 0.1 mol L^?1 HClO₄. Advantages include high precision (RSD of 2.4 %), sample throughput of 240 h^?1, and low detection limit (0.3 µmol L^?1 that corresponds to 0.1 µg g^?1) for the analysis of acetone extracts of salmon samples. Recovery values between 83 and 97 % attested the accuracy of the method.     

Liquid‐liquid Extraction Coupled to Batch Injection Analysis for Electroanalysis of Levofloxacin at Low Concentration Level

This work presents the integration between phase‐separation by magnetic‐stirring salt‐induced high‐temperature liquid‐liquid extraction (PS‐MSSI‐HT‐LLE) and batch injection analysis with amperometric detection (BIA‐AD) as an alternative strategy for pre‐concentration of analytes before hydrodynamic electroanalysis. To demonstrate the performance of this analytical system, the emerging contaminant levofloxacin was quantified in tap, aquarium and lake water at low concentration level. In the optimized conditions, BIA‐AD enabled fast (160 h⁻¹) and reproducible results (RSD<2 %) and the PS‐MSSI‐HT‐LLE allowed the detection of levofloxacin concentration levels not detected by direct electroanalysis (70 and 80 nmol L⁻¹) corresponding to 100‐folds enrichment factors. The performance of proposed method was evaluated by addition‐recovery test and was obtained satisfactory recovery values (between 70 and 96 %). Moreover, PS‐MSSI‐HT‐LLE allows the pre‐concentration of many samples simultaneously, which is advantageous over pre‐concentration on working electrode surface (stripping methods).     

Electroanalytical Detection of the Pesticide Paraquat by Batch Injection Analysis

Abstract

The Batch‐Injection Analysis (BIA) technique has been applied to the electroanalytical detection of the herbicide paraquat by square wave voltammetry (SWV) during sample injection. The results obtained showed that the herbicide can be detected at µg l^?1 levels with small injection volumes (<100 µl). The time of each measurement was less than two seconds. The BIA method presents many advantages such as being extremely fast, with high reproducibility, good sensitivity and simple without pre‐addition of or changing the supporting electrolyte.     

Voltammetric Determination of Pb,Cu and Hg in Biodiesel Using Gold Screen‐printed Electrode: Comparison of Batch‐injection Analysis with Conventional Electrochemical Systems

This article compares the use of batch‐injection analysis (BIA) with a conventional batch system for the anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV) determination of Pb, Cu and Hg in biodiesel using screen‐printed gold electrode (SPGE). The optimized BIA conditions were 200 µL of injection volume of the digested samples at 5 µL s^?1 directly on the working electrode of the SPGE immersed in 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl solution. Therefore, BIA‐ASV presented the advantages of low sample consumption, which extended the SPGE lifetime to a whole working day of analyses, and potential for on‐site analysis using battery‐powered micropipettes and potentiostats. Although presenting lower sensitivity than conventional systems, the BIA‐ASV presented detection limit values of 1.0, 0.5 and 0.7 µg L^?1, respectively for Pb, Cu and Hg, a linear range between 20 and 280 µg L^?1, and adequate recovery values (90–110 %) for spiked biodiesel samples.     

Electrochemical Portable Method for on site Screening of Scopolamine in Beverage and Urine Samples

Scopolamine (SCP) is a psychoactive drug often added to beverages for recreational or abuse purposes (loss of memory and non‐consensual practices). In this work, a simple and portable method for fast in field screening of SCP in beverage (beer, coke, energy drink, sugarcane spirit, vodka, and whisky) and urine samples is presented. The proposed method is based on batch injection analysis with square wave voltammetric (BIA‐SWV) detection using boron‐doped diamond (BDD) as the working electrode. A voltammetric profile with accurate information on the presence or absence of SCP is obtained using a small sample volume (～50 μL) and a simple sample pretreatment step (dilution in supporting electrolyte). Around two hundred analyses are possible using the proposed system (injection of single sample plug – 120 μL) without the need of electrodes handling or supporting electrolyte exchange (friendly to point‐of‐care or on site screenings). The quantification of SCP in beverages is also possible using the proposed portable protocol, with a limit of detection of 0.18 μmol L^?1 and recovery values between 87 to 113 %.     

Batch‐injection Amperometric Analysis on Screen‐printed Electrodes: Analytical System for High‐throughput Determination of Pharmaceutical Molecules

This work presents a single analytical system able to perform high‐throughput determinations of different pharmaceutical molecules on screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) assembled on a batch‐injection analysis (BIA) cell. Two types of SPEs, both containing a carbon conductive ink as working electrode, were selected for the determination of levamisole (LVM) in aqueous and sodium levothyroxine (NaLVT) in hydroethanolic media. The main analytical characteristics of the proposed system for both examples are high precision (RSD <3.8 %, n=10), low detection limits (submicromolar range), and high sample‐throughput (>150 h^?1) using a single SPE, demonstrating the extended lifetime of such sensors, which are adequate for routine pharmaceutical analysis. The proposed analytical system requires battery‐powered portable devices, including potentiostat and reader, electronic micropipette, BIA cell and SPEs, and can be applied for a wide range of pharmaceutical molecules. In case of analyte adsorption on electrode surface, fast electrode cleaning can be supplied by external stirring easily adapted to the cell, which is demonstrated in this work for NaLVT determination.     

A Simple Strategy for Simultaneous Determination of Paracetamol and Caffeine Using Flow Injection Analysis with Multiple Pulse Amperometric Detection

In this work, we report a simple and novel strategy for simultaneous analysis using flow injection analysis with multiple pulse amperometric (FIA‐MPA) detection. The proposed strategy was successfully used for simultaneous determination of paracetamol and caffeine (model analytes) in pharmaceutical formulations. A sequence of potential pulses (waveform) was selected in such a way that PA is selectively oxidized at E₁ (+1.20 V/50 ms) and both compounds (PA+CA) are simultaneously oxidized at E₂ (+1.55 V/50 ms); hence, current subtraction (using a correction factor) can be used for the selective determination of CA. The proposed FIA method is simple, cheap, fast (140 injections h^?1), and present selectivity for the determination of both compounds in pharmaceutical samples, with results similar to those obtained by HPLC at a 95 % confidence level.     

Determination of Amlodipine and Atenolol by Batch Injection Analysis with Amperometric Detection on Boron‐doped Diamond Electrode

This work describes the sequential determination of amlodipine (AML) and atenolol (ATN) by batch injection analysis (BIA) with pulsed amperometric detection (BIA‐PAD). Boron doped diamond (BDD) was used as working electrode. AML was detected at +1.00 V and ATN at +1.65 V. The proposed BIA method is simple, robust, precise (RSD <3.2 %; n=10), presents high analytical frequency (>70 injections h^?1), generates reduced volume of waste (without use of organic solvent) and requires minimal sample manipulation (dissolution and dilution in electrolyte). The limits of detection were 0.074 and 0.073 µmol L^?1 for AML and ATN, respectively. The results obtained with the proposed BIA method were compared to those obtained by HPLC and similar results were obtained (at 95% of confidence level).     

Solenoid Micro‐pumps: A New Tool for Sample Introduction in Batch Injection Analysis Systems with Electrochemical Detection

This work presents the use of solenoid micro‐pumps as a new strategy for sample introduction in batch‐injection analysis (BIA). The volume of solution dispensed on each pulse of the solenoid micro‐pump (μL) is used as fixed and reproducible injection volume for BIA. In this system, the injection steps are possible in stopped flow mode resulting in low background noise levels, which would not be possible under continuous flow conditions and using solenoid micro‐pumps. As a proof‐of‐concept, amperometric and square‐wave voltammetric (SWV) determination of dopamine was demonstrated as well as anodic‐stripping voltammetry (ASV) of metals. The micro‐pump provided injections of 14 μL of solution per pulse at 512 μL s⁻¹ over the electrode during electrochemical measurement. Moreover, fast injections of analyte or electrolyte were programmed during deposition or conditioning steps of ASV for analyte preconcentration or electrode cleaning. The proposed system improved limits of detection and sensitivity (2‐fold), precision and sample throughput in comparison with traditional BIA due to enhanced mass transfer and consequent reduced dispersion of analyte, and possible control of injections without analyst intervention. This work opens new possibilities of applications of the BIA system, including on‐line sample treatment (derivatization or dilution steps).     

Amperometric Folic Acid Quantification Using a Supramolecular Tetraruthenated Nickel Porphyrin µ‐Peroxo‐Bridged Matrix Modified Electrode Associated to Batch Injection Analysis

A supramolecular Nickel (II) porphyrin complex containing four pyridyl‐bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl)chloro ruthenium meso substituents was submitted to successive voltammetric cycles in high alkaline media to produce a supramolecular matrix with Nickel centers linked by µ‐peroxo bridges, producing a highly stable thin film able to act as redox mediator for electrocatalytic oxidation of folic acid. The characterization of electrode surface material was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The modified electrode was inserted into a batch injection electrochemical cell used for the rapid and precise quantification of folic acid in pharmaceutical products. The favorable hydrodynamic conditions provided by amperometry‐BIA association allowed a very high throughput with good linear range (1 to 200 µmol L^?1) and low detection limit (7.37×10^?7 mol L^?1). The electrochemical method was applied to the quantification of folic acid in different tablet samples. The results were comparable with values indicated by the manufacturer and those found using high HPLC according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia; commercial samples were submitted to a procedure in order to remove lactose of tablets, since carbohydrates act as interfering species. This procedure together with the electrochemical method showed to be simple, rapid, efficient and an appropriate alternative for quantifying this compound in real samples.     

Batch Injection Analysis Utilizing Modified Electrodes with Tetraruthenated Porphyrin Films for Acetaminophen Quantification

Batch injection analysis (BIA) utilizing amperometric detection with glassy carbon electrodes modified with [Co(TPyP){Ru(bipy)₂Cl}₄](TFMS)₅?H₂O porphyrin films were explored for acetaminophen analysis in pharmaceutical formulations. BIA is an interesting alternative for application of electrodes modified with tetraruthenated porphyrins. This sensor exhibited sharp current response peaks, rapid washout and excellent reproducibility for BIA‐amperometric quantification of acetaminophen. Also, a wide linear working range (10^?4 to 10^?6 mol L^?1) as well as high sensitivity and sampling frequency rate (detection limit=1.1×10^?7 mol L^?1, sampling frequency=120 injections/h) and a small volume of analysis (100 μL/injection) was achieved. Furthermore, the proposed method permits the direct quantification of acetaminophen in many pharmaceutical products, avoiding cumbersome processes as previous separations, solvent extraction or sample filtration. The new procedure was applied to the analysis of commercial pharmaceutical products and the results were in excellent agreement with the ones obtained by spectrophotometric method. Accordingly, this amperometric method showed to be very well suited for quality control analysis and other applications with similar requirements.     

Determination of Benzocaine and Tricaine in Fish Fillets Using BIA with Amperometric Detection

A system based on batch injection analysis (BIA) associated with amperometric detection at screen‐printed carbon electrode was used for the precise and rapid quantification of the anesthetics compounds benzocaine and tricaine in fresh fish fillets. Along this study, the best conditions for the BIA‐amperometry system were stablished for the rapid determination of these compounds. The results obtained demonstrate that the proposed method is an interesting alternative to the chromatographic methods, once it allows to perform rapid analysis (more than 300 injections per hour) with low limits of detection (3.02×10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for benzocaine and 3.19×10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for tricaine), using just 80 μL of sample for each analysis. Furthermore, it was possible to obtain high repeatability for both compounds analyzed, demonstrating good performance. The simple sample preparation developed in this study drastically reduced the amount of fat in the fish extract, favoring precision, as shown by the results of the recovery studies of both anesthetics contained in the fish samples (values above 99 % for both analytes).     

Carbon‐nanotube Modified Screen‐printed Electrode for the Simultaneous Determination of Nitrite and Uric Acid in Biological Fluids Using Batch‐injection Amperometric Detection

A portable electroanalytical system applied for rapid and simultaneous determination of uric acid (UA) and nitrite (NIT) in human biological fluids (urine, saliva and blood) is reported. The system is based on batch‐injection analysis with multiple‐pulse amperometric (BIA‐MPA) detection using screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) modified with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes. Sample dilution in optimized electrolyte (0.1 mol L⁻¹ Britton‐Robinson buffer pH 2) followed by injection of 100 μL on the electrode surface using an electronic micropipette is performed. UA is detected at +0.45 V and both UA+NIT at +0.70 V. Linear calibration plots for UA and NIT were obtained over the range of 1–500 μmol L⁻¹ with detection limits of 0.05 and 0.06 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. For comparison, a differential‐pulse voltammetric (DPV) method was optimized, and linear calibration plots for UA and NIT were obtained over range of 1–30 μmol L⁻¹ and 1–40 μmol L⁻¹ with detection limits of 0.1 and 0.3 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. BIA‐MPA is highly precise (RSD<1.3 %), fast (160 h⁻¹) and free from sample‐matrix interferences as recovery values ranged from 77 to 121 % for spiked samples (short contact time of sample aliquot with SPE). Contrarily, recovery tests conducted using DPV did not provide adequate recovery values (>150 %), probably due to the longer contact time of the SPE with the biological samples during analysis leading to a severe interference of sample matrices.     

Sensitive Determination of 2‐Methoxyestradiol in Pharmaceutical Preparations and Biological Fluids by KMnO4‐Na2SO3 Chemiluminescence System

A simple and novel flow‐injection chemiluminescence (FI‐CL) method was established for the determination of 2‐Methoxyestradiol (2‐ME) in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids. The method was based on the significant enhancement of the CL from the KMnO₄‐Na₂SO₃ reaction by 2‐ME in acidic medium. Under optimized conditions, the CL intensity was correlated linearly with concentration of 2‐ME in the range of 5.0 × 10^?8‐5.0 × 10^?6 M (r = 0.9995). The detection limit (3σ) of 2‐ME was 7.5 × 10^?9 M and the relative standard deviation was 0.8% at 5.0 × 10^?7 M 2‐ME (n = 8). The proposed method was successfully applied for the flow‐injection CL determination of 2‐ME in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids with the recoveries from 92.4 to 106.8%. The possible CL reaction mechanism was also discussed briefly.     

Simultaneous Determination of Caffeine,Ibuprofen, and Paracetamol by Flow‐injection Analysis with Multiple‐pulse Amperometric Detection on Boron‐doped Diamond Electrode

This work presents a simple, fast and low‐cost method for the simultaneous determination of three drugs by flow‐injection analysis with multiple‐pulse amperometric (MPA) detection using a wall‐jet flow cell with a boron‐doped diamond electrode. The amperometric determination of caffeine (CF), ibuprofen (IB) and paracetamol (PC) was performed by the application of a four‐potential waveform using the MPA technique. PC is oxidized at E₁ (1.20 V/70 ms) and thus selectively detected; PC and CF are oxidized at E₂ (1.49 V/40 ms); PC, CF and IB are oxidized at E₃ (1.70 V/70 ms); and E₄ (1.80 V/100 ms) is applied for electrode cleaning. The subtraction of currents obtained at the different potentials did not provide accurate determinations of CF and IB, thus it was required to investigate correction factors to determine CF and IB without the interference from PC and CF using the respective amperometric signals obtained at E₂ and E₃. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of three drugs in pharmaceutical samples with low generation of residues and a high analytical frequency (150 h^?1) in comparison with HPLC‐DAD method.