Spectrofluorimetric determination of piroxicam in the presence and absence of beta-cyclodextrin

The complexation between beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and piroxicam (PX) was investigated by both fluorescence and absorption spectrometry. A 1:2 guest:host stoichiometry for the complex was established, and its association constant was calculated by applying a non-linear regression method to the changes brought about by the presence of beta-CD in both the fluorescence and absorbance spectra of PX. During the study of the influence of the pH on the fluorescence emission of the complex, an efficient enhancement of the signals at acidic pH was observed. This suggests that the protonated form of PX is included more effectively than the ionized form in the beta-CD cavity. Based on the results obtained, spectrofluorimetric methods for the determination of PX were developed. The best limits of detection and quantification were obtained using beta-CD at an acidic pH. The dynamic range in this latter case was 0.02-1 microgram ml-1. The method was applied satisfactorily to the determination of piroxicam in a pharmaceutical preparation.