Solid-phase fluorescence spectroscopy for the determination of acetylsalicylic acid in powdered pharmaceutical samples

A rapid, simple and rugged procedure without requiring any prior sample treatment was developed for the determination of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in tablets formulations by solid-phase fluorescence spectroscopy. The method was carried out on powdered samples, consisting of an active substance dispersed in lactose, maize starch, talc and magnesium stearate. Previous knowledge of the sample bulk composition is needed for proper application of the method. Wavelengths for maximum excitation and emission were 288 and 318 nm, respectively, and the fluorescence intensity was linear with ASA concentration within the 50-170 mg g⁻¹ range. Detection and quantification limits were 2.2 and 7.3 mg g⁻¹, and the analytical frequency was 200 h⁻¹. For a typical sample, the relative standard deviation of results was estimated as 2.3% (n = 10). Accuracy was assessed by comparing the analytical results obtained with the proposed method with those related to a reference method recommended by British Pharmacopoeia: no differences between the methods were found at the 95% confidence level.     

Quality control of Metamitron in agrochemicals using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the middle and near range

Two vibrational spectrometry-based methodologies were developed for Metamitron determination in pesticide formulations. Fourier transform-middle infrared (FT-MIR) procedure was based on the extraction of Metamitron by CHCl₃ and latter determination by peak area measurement between 1556 and 1533 cm⁻¹, corrected with a two points baseline established from 1572 to 1514 cm⁻¹. Fourier transform-near infrared (FT-NIR) determination was made after the extraction of Metamitron in acetonitrile and measuring the peak area between 6434 and 6394 cm⁻¹ corrected using a two points baseline defined between 6555 and 6228 cm⁻¹. Repeatability, as relative standard deviation, of 5 independent measurements at mg g⁻¹ concentration level, of 0.16% and 0.07% for MIR and NIR and a limit of detection of 0.03 and 0.004 mg g⁻¹ were obtained for MIR and NIR, respectively.NIR determination provides a sample frequency of 120 h⁻¹, higher than that found by MIR and liquid chromatographic methods (60 and 15 h⁻¹, respectively). On the other hand, the NIR method reduces the solvent consumption and waste generation, to only 1 ml acetonitrile per sample as compared with 3.4 ml chloroform required for the MIR determination and 60 ml acetonitrile used in the chromatographic reference procedure. So, vibrational procedures can be considered serious alternatives to long and time consuming chromatographic methods usually recommended for quality control of commercially available pesticide formulations.     

New automatized method with amperometric detection for the determination of azithromycin

A FIA-amperometric method for azithromycin determination was developed. A working glassy carbon electrode and a Ag/AgCl/NaCl (3 M) reference electrode were used. The determination is based on the electrochemical oxidation of the azithromycin at 0.9 V in Britton-Robinson buffer solution (pH 8.0). Due to the adsorption of the reaction products on the electrode surface, an effective cleaner cycle was implemented. By using the optimum chemical and FIA conditions, a concentration linear range of 1.0-10.0 mg L⁻¹ and a detection limit (LOD) of 0.76 mg L⁻¹ are obtained. The method was validated and satisfactorily applied to the determination of azithromycin in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of methyldopa in pharmaceutical formulations

A flow-injection spectrophotometric procedure is proposed for methyldopa determination in pharmaceutical preparations. The determination is based on formation of a yellow product (measured at 410 nm) after complexation of methyldopa with molybdate. Under optimal conditions, Beer's law is obeyed in a concentration range of 50-200 mg l⁻¹ methyldopa. Typical correlation between absorbance and analyte concentration was 0.9999. Usual excipients used as additives in pharmaceuticals do not interfere with the proposed method. The analytical frequency was 210 h⁻¹ and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was ≤2% for sample solution containing 150 mg l⁻¹ methyldopa (n = 11). The analytical results obtained in commercial formulations by applying the proposed FIA method were in good agreement with labeled values and those obtained by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia procedure at 95% confidence level.     

Flow injection-chemiluminescence determination of propranolol in pharmaceutical preparations

A rapid and precise continuous-flow method is described for the determination of propranolol based on the chemiluminescence (CL) produced by its reaction with potassium permanganate in a sulphuric acid medium. The optimum chemical conditions for the chemiluminescence emission were investigated. Two manifolds were tested and their characteristics such as the length of the reactor, injection volume and flow rate were compared. When using the selected manifold, propranolol gives a linear calibration graph over the concentration range 1.0-17.5 mg l⁻¹. The detection limit calculated as proposed by IUPAC was 70 ng ml⁻¹ and the detection limit calculated as proposed by Clayton was 0.87 mg l⁻¹. For analysis of 10 solutions of 10.0 mg l⁻¹ propranolol, if error propagation theory is assumed, the relative error was 0.1%. The standard deviation (S.D.) for 10 replicate samples was 0.07 mg l⁻¹. The method has been validated versus a published fluorimetric method.The present chemiluminescence procedure was applied to the determination of propranolol in simple British and Spanish pharmaceutical formulations, with excellent recoveries, as the determination is free from interference from common excipients. However, some drugs, such as hydralazine and bendroflumethizide which may also be present in the formulation, increase the emission intensity.     

Simultaneous Spectrofluorimetric Determination of Paracetamol and Caffeine in Pharmaceutical Preparations in Solid‐Phase Using Partial Least Squares Multivariate Calibration

Abstract

Partial least‐squares algorithm (PLS)‐1 was used for the solid‐phase spectrofluorimetric determination of paracetamol (PA) and caffeine (CF) in pharmaceutical formulations. In despite of the closely overlapping spectral bands, the method allows the simultaneous quantification and sample preparation prior to analysis is not required. The calibration set consisted of 96 samples with 100–400 mg/g^?1 PA plus 10–65 mg/g^?1 CF; another set of 25 samples was used for external validation. Agreement between predicted and experimental concentrations was fair (r=0.993 and 0.964 for PA and CF models). Prediction performance was evaluated in terms of the coefficient of variability (CV), relative predictive determination (RPD), and ratio error range (RER). The PLS‐1 model was used for the determination of PA and CF in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Assessment of cadmium and iron adsorption in sediment,employing a flow injection analysis system with on line filtration and detection by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

This work presents an evaluation of iron and cadmium adsorption in sediment of the Furnas Hydroelectric Plant Reservatory located in Alfenas, Minas Gerais (Brazil). The metal determination was done employing a flow injection analysis (FIA) with an on-line filtering system. As detection techniques, flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for iron and thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (TS-FF-AAS) for cadmium determinations were used. The developed methodology presented good limits of detection, being 190 μg L⁻¹ for iron and 1.36 μg L⁻¹ for cadmium, and high sampling frequency for both metals 144 and 60 readings h⁻¹ for iron and cadmium, respectively. Both metals obey the Langmuir model, with maximum adsorptive capacity of 0⋅169 mg g⁻¹ for iron and 7⋅991 mg g⁻¹ for cadmium. For iron, a pseudo-first-order kinetic model was obtained with a theoretical Q_e = 9⋅8355 mg g⁻¹ (experimental Q_e = 9⋅5432 mg  g⁻¹), while for cadmium, a pseudo-second-order kinetic model was obtained, with a theoretical Q_e = 0.3123 mg g⁻¹ (experimental Q_e = 0⋅3052 mg g⁻¹).     

A tandem-flow assembly for the chemiluminometric determination of hydroquinone

A direct chemiluminescent procedure for determination of hydroquinone based on the emergent flow methodology known as multicommutation or tandem-flow is presented for first time. The manifold was based on a set of three channels and three solenoid valves; and, the determination was performed at 60 °C and at flow-rate of 7.5 ml min⁻¹. The complete cycle lasted 35 s, which resulted in a sample flow trough of 103 h⁻¹. The chemical process was the hydroquinone oxidation with the system sulphuric acid-potassium permanganate; and the light emission was clearly enhanced by the presence of quinine sulphate and benzalkonium chloride reaching a detection limit of 30 μg l⁻¹. The dynamic interval was over the range 0.1-15.0 mg l⁻¹ and a large list of interferents were assayed; the chemical robustness was also tested. The method was applied to different type of samples: namely, pharmaceutical formulations, a photographic solution and irrigation and residual superficial waters.     

Determination of lithium in pharmaceutical formulations used in the treatment of bipolar disorder by flow injection analysis with spectrophotometric detection

In this work, a flow injection system with spectrophotometric detection was developed for the determination of lithium in pharmaceutical formulations used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Reaction between Quinizarine (1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone) and Li(I) ion in alkaline medium containing dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was explored for this purpose. The flow system was optimized regarding to its chemical (DMSO, Quinizarine and NaOH concentrations and sample pH) and physical parameters (sample loop volume, carrier flow rate and reactor length) in order to establish better conditions in terms of sensitivity and sampling frequency. The results obtained showed that the concentration of DMSO in the reagent solution presents remarkable influence on the magnitude of analytical signal. Chemical species that could be found in the formulations such as Na(I), K(I), Mg(II), Ca(II), Ti(IV), Cl⁻, CO₃²⁻ e sodium dodecylsulfate were tested as possible interfering ions. Among them, only non-monovalent cations presented noticeable interference on lithium signal. However, they were not found in concentrations high enough to cause interference in the determination of lithium in the samples. Sample preparation was performed by sonicating a slurry prepared by dispersing 100 mg of powdered sample in 15 mL of 0.10 mol L⁻¹ HCl solution. Results obtained by developed methodology were not statistically different from those obtained by flame emission spectrometry. In the optimized conditions the method presented a linear range of 5-40 mg L⁻¹ and a relative standard deviation of 3.6% at 5 mg L⁻¹ Li concentration. Detection and quantification limits were 0.54 and 1.8 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Sampling frequency, calculated as the time interval passed between two consecutive injections, was 60 samples per hour. The methodology was successfully applied in the determination of lithium in three commercial samples.     

A multicommuted flow system for sequential spectrophotometric determination of hydrosoluble vitamins in pharmaceutical preparations

A multicommuted flow system is proposed for spectrophotometric determination of hydrosoluble vitamins (ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavine and pyridoxine) in pharmaceutical preparations. The flow manifold was designed with computer-controlled three-way solenoid valves for independent handling of sample and reagent solutions and a multi-channel spectrophotometer was employed for signal measurements. Periodic re-calibration as well as the standard addition method was implemented by using a single reference solution. Linear responses (r=0.999) were obtained for 0.500-10.0 mg l⁻¹ ascorbic acid, 2.00-50.0 mg l⁻¹ thiamine, 5.00-50.0 mg l⁻¹ riboflavine and 0.500-8.00 mg l⁻¹ pyridoxine. Detection limits were estimated as 0.08 mg l⁻¹ (0.5 μmol l⁻¹) ascorbic acid, 0.8 mg l⁻¹ (2 μmol l⁻¹) thiamine, 0.2 mg l⁻¹ (0.5 μmol l⁻¹) riboflavine and 0.1 mg l⁻¹ (0.9 μmol l⁻¹) pyridoxine at 99.7% confidence level. A mean sampling rate of 60 determinations per hour was achieved and coefficients of variation of 1% (n=20) were estimated for all species. The mean reagent consumption was 25-fold lower in relation to flow-based procedures with continuous reagent addition. Average recoveries between 95.6 and 100% were obtained for commercial pharmaceutical preparations. Results agreed with those obtained by reference methods at 95% confidence level. The flow system is suitable for application in quality control processes and in dissolution studies of vitamin tablets.     

Determination of nitrogen in hydrolyzed protein formulations by continuous vapour phase FTIR

An on-line system with vapour generation (VG) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometric detection has been developed for the determination of free ammonium and organic nitrogen in agrochemical formulations containing hydrolyzed proteins. Commercial samples were digested, in batch mode, with sulphuric acid and the obtained solution was alkalinized on-line to transform the NH₄⁺ to NH₃ that was continuously monitored by FTIR. Free ammonium was determined in the same system after simple dilution of undigested samples with water. Different gas phase separators were assayed in order to introduce gaseous NH₃ into a home made IR gas cell of 10 cm pathlength, where the corresponding FTIR spectra were acquired by accumulating 10 scans per spectrum. The 967.0 cm⁻¹ band was used for the quantification of ammonia. The figures of merit of the proposed method involve a linear range up to 100 mg L⁻¹, a limit of detection (3σ) of 1.4 mg L⁻¹ of N, a limit of quantification (10σ) of 4.8 mg L⁻¹ of N, a precision (R.S.D.) of 3.0% for 10 replicate determinations of a 10.0 mg L⁻¹ of N and a sample measurement frequency of 60 h⁻¹. The method was successfully applied to the determination of free ammonium and total N in commercial amino acid formulations and results compare well with those obtained by the Kjeldhal method.     

Computer controlled-flow injection potentiometric system based on virtual instrumentation for the monitoring of metal-biosorption processes

A completely automated flow-injection system was developed for the monitoring of biosorption studies of Cu(II) ion on vegetable waste by-products. The system employed flow-through Cu(II)-selective electrodes, of epoxy-resin-CuS/Ag₂S heterogeneous crystalline type, and computer controlled pumps and valves for the flow operation. Computer automation was done through a specially devised virtual instrument, which commanded and periodically calibrated the system, allowing for the monitoring of Cu(II) ions between 0.6 and 6530 mg L⁻¹ at a typical frequency of 15 h⁻¹. Grape stalk wastes were used as biosorbent to remove Cu(II) ions in a fixed-bed column with a sorption capacity of 5.46 mg g⁻¹, obtained by the developed flow system, while the reference determination performed by FAAS technique supplied a comparable value of 5.41 mg g⁻¹.     

Determination of methimazole and carbimazole by flow-injection with chemiluminescence detection based on the inhibition of the Cu(II)-catalysed luminol-hydrogen peroxide reaction

This paper reports an indirect flow-injection (FI) method for the determination of the anti-hyperthyroid drugs methimazole and carbimazole in pharmaceuticals. The method was based on the inhibition that these thioimidazole drugs caused on the Cu(II)-catalysed chemiluminescence (CL) reaction between luminol and H₂O₂. The CL reaction was induced on-line and injection of the sample produced negative peaks as a result of the Cu(II) complexation by the analytes. The height of the FI peaks was proportional to the drug concentration in the sample. The linear range was 2-100 and 3-120 mg l⁻¹ for methimazole and carbimazole, respectively. The relative standard deviation was 1.9% for methimazole and 2.1% for carbimazole at the 50 mg l⁻¹ level (n=10). Common excipients present in pharmaceutical tablets were found not to interfere with the analysis. The method was applied to the determination of methimazole and carbimazole in pharmaceutical formulations with recoveries in the range 100±4%.     

Solid-phase molecularly imprinted pre-concentration and spectrophotometric determination of isoxicam in pharmaceuticals and human serum

A selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) has been synthesized for isoxicam pre-concentration, followed by its spectrophotometric determination based on hydrogen bonding interactions between examined drug and alizarin yellow GG. This method is able to evaluate isoxicam in range of 1.0 × 10⁻³ to 20.0 μg mL⁻¹, with a limit of determination of 1.0 ng mL⁻¹. The retention capacity and pre-concentration factor of prepared sorbent are 18.5 mg g⁻¹ and 200, respectively; and the prepared MIPs can be reused at least for five times. The MIP capability for isoxicam selection and extraction from the solution is higher than non-imprinted polymer (NIP). Under optimum conditions, this procedure can be successfully applied to assay trace amounts of isoxicam in pharmaceutical and biological samples.     

Sequential injection method for the direct spectrophotometric determination of bismuth in pharmaceutical products

A spectrophotometric method is reported for the determination of bismuth in pharmaceutical products using sequential injection analysis. Methylthymol blue (MTB) was used as a color forming reagent and the absorbance of the Bi(III)-MTB complex was monitored at 548 nm. The various chemical and physical variables that affected the reaction were studied. A linear calibration graph was obtained in the range 0.0-75.0 mg l⁻¹ Bi(III) at a sampling frequency of 72 h⁻¹. The reagent consumption was considerably reduced compared to conventional flow injection systems, as only 150 μl of MTB were consumed per run. The precision was very satisfactory (s_r=0.5%, at 50.0 mg l⁻¹ Bi(III), n=12) and the limit of detection, c_L, was 0.250 mg l⁻¹. The developed method was applied successfully to the analysis of various pharmaceutical products containing Bi(III). The relative errors e_r, were <1.5% in all cases and were evaluated by comparison of the obtained results with those found using atomic absorption spectrometry as the reference method.     

Sequential injection spectrophotometric determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations

A fully automated sequential injection spectrophotometric method for the determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations is reported. The method is based on the condensation reaction of the analyte with 4-aminoantipyrine in the presence of potassium ferricyanide. The absorbance of the condensation product was monitored at 503 nm. A linear relationship between the relative peak height and concentration was obtained in the range 0.5-17.5 mg l⁻¹. The detection limit (as 3σ value) was 0.09 mg l⁻¹ and repeatability was 0.8 and 0.6% at 2.5 and 5 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Results obtained by this method agreed very well with those obtained by the AOAC official method.     

Simultaneous kinetic spectrophotometric determination of cyanide and thiocyanate using the partial least squares (PLS) regression

The partial least squares (PLS-1) calibration model based on spectrophotometric measurement, for the simultaneous determination of CN⁻ and SCN⁻ ions is described. The method is based on the difference in the rate of the reaction between CN⁻ and SCN⁻ ions with chloramine-T in a pH 4.0 buffer solution and at 30 °C. The produced cyanogen chloride (CNCl) reacts with pyridine and the product condenses with barbituric acid and forms a final colored product. The absorption kinetic profiles of the solutions were monitored by measuring absorbance at 578 nm in the time range 20-180 s after initiation of the reaction with 2 s intervals. The experimental calibration matrix for partial least squares (PLS-1) calibration was designed with 31 samples. The cross-validation method was used for selecting the number of factors. The results showed that simultaneous determination could be performed in the range 10.0-900.0 and 50.0-1200.0 ng mL⁻¹ for CN⁻ and SCN⁻ ions, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of cyanide and thiocyanate in water samples.     

Sensitive sequential injection determination of naproxen based on interaction with beta-cyclodextrin

A sensitive sequential injection analysis (SIA) methodology for the fluorimetric determination of naproxen is proposed. The developed automatic analytical procedure is based on the complexation of naproxen with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) yielding an enhanced fluorimetric signal (λ_ex = 280 nm, λ_em = 356 nm).Linear calibration plots were obtained for naproxen concentrations up to 1 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹. The developed methodology exhibited a good precision, with a R.S.D. < 2.1% (n = 15). The detection limit of the determination was 1.9 × 10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹ with a sampling rate of about 70 h⁻¹. The automatic method was applied to the determination of naproxen in pharmaceutical formulations. The obtained results were compared with those furnished by the reference procedure and the relative deviations were lower than 3.6%. No interference was found from the excipients usually used in solid pharmaceutical formulations.     

Quantitation of low concentrations of polysorbates in high protein concentration formulations by solid phase extraction and cobalt-thiocyanate derivatization

A spectrophotometric method was developed to quantify low polysorbate (PS) levels in biopharmaceutical formulations containing high protein concentrations. In the method, Oasis HLB solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge was used to extract PS from high protein concentration formulations. After loading a sample, the cartridge was washed with 4 M guanidine HCl and 10% (v/v) methanol, and the retained PS was eluted by acetonitrile. Following the evaporation of acetonitrile, aqueous cobalt-thiocyanate reagent was added to react with the polyoxyethylene oxide chain of polysorbates to form a blue colored PS–cobaltothiocyante complex. This colored complex was then extracted into methylene chloride and measured spectrophotometrically at 620 nm. The method performance was evaluated on three products containing 30–40 mg L⁻¹ PS-20 and PS-80 in ≤70 g L⁻¹ protein formulations. The method was specific (no matrix interference identified in three types of protein formulations), sensitive (quantitation limit of 10 mg L⁻¹ PS) and robust with good precision (relative standard deviation ≤6.4%) and accuracy (spike recoveries from 95% to 101%). The linear range of the method for both PS-20 and PS-80 was 10 to 80 mg L⁻¹ PS. By diluting samples with 6 M guanidine HCl and/or using different methylene chloride volumes to extract the colored complexes of standards and samples, the method could accurately and precisely quantify 40 mg L⁻¹ PS in up to 300 g L⁻¹ protein formulations.     

Normal spectrophotometric and stopped-flow spectrofluorimetric sequential injection methods for the determination of alendronic acid, an anti-osteoporosis amino-bisphosphonate drug, in pharmaceuticals

A normal spectrophotometric and a stopped-flow (SF) spectrofluorimetric method have been developed and optimized for the determination of alendronic acid (ALD) in its pharmaceutical formulations. Both methods are automated using the sequential injection analysis (SIA) principle. The spectrophotometric assay is based on the reaction of the analyte with Cu(II) ions in acidic medium to form an UV-absorbing derivative (λ_max = 240 nm). The SF spectrofluorimetric method is based on the reaction of ALD with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol at basic medium (λ_ex = 340 nm/λ_em = 455 nm). Linear calibration curves were obtained in the range 1.0-60.0 mg l⁻¹ ALD for the UV method, and in the range 0.13-10.0 mg l⁻¹ ALD for the SF spectrofluorimetric one. The sampling rates were 60 and 30 h⁻¹, respectively. The developed assays are critically compared and their advantages are discussed. Both methods were applied to the analysis of an ALD containing pharmaceutical formulation with satisfactory accuracy and precision.