Microsized graphite sensors for potentiometric determination of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride in pure powder, tablets, and plasma

Two cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride (CZ) microsized graphite selective sensors were investigated with dibutylsebacate as a plasticizer in a polymeric matrix of carboxylated polyvinyl chloride (PVC-COOH) in the case of sensor 1, based on the interaction between the drug and the dissociated COOH groups in the PVC-COOH. Sensor 2 was based on the interaction between the drug and ammonium reineckate, which acted as anionic electroactive material in the presence of polyvinyl chloride matrix. The two sensors were constructed by using 2-hydroxy propyl beta-cyclodextrin as an ionophore, which has a significant influence on increasing the membrane sensitivity and selectivity of both sensors. Fast and stable Nernstian responses of 1 x 10(-5) - 1 x 10(-2) and 1 x 10(-4) - 1 x 10(-2) M for the two sensors, respectively, with slopes of 58.6 and 55.5 mV/decade, respectively, over the pH range 2-4 were obtained. The proposed method displayed useful analytical characteristics for determination of CZ in its pure powder form with average recoveries 99.95 +/- 0.23 and 99.61 +/- 0.34% for sensors 1 and 2, respectively, and in plasma with good recoveries. The sensors were also used to determine the intact drug in the presence of its degradate and, thus, could be used as stability-indicating methods. The obtained results by the proposed methods were statistically analyzed and compared with those obtained by the U.S. Pharmacopeia method; no significant difference for either accuracy or precision was observed. Results obtained with the two electrodes revealed their performance characteristics, which were evaluated according to International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry recommendations.     

Microcoated wire sensors for the determination of anticancer drugs cyclophosphamide and ifosphamide in the presence of their degradates

The construction and electrochemical response characteristics of poly (vinyl chloride) and poly (vinyl chloride) carboxylate membrane sensors for the determination of cyclophosphamide and ifosphamide are described. Based on the formation of an ion-pair complex between the drug cation and sodium tetraphenylborate, two poly (vinyl chloride) sensors, namely a cyclophosphamide membrane sensor and ifosphamide membrane sensor were fabricated. They show a linear response for both drugs over the concentration range 10⁻²–10⁻⁴ M with cationic slopes of 56 and 54.6 mV per concentration decade, for sensor 1 and sensor 2, respectively. Based on the interaction between the drug solution and the dissociated COOH groups in the poly (vinyl chloride) carboxylate, sensor 3 was fabricated. It shows a linear response for both drugs over the concentration range 10⁻³–10⁻⁵ M with a cationic slope of 49.7 mV per concentration decade. The direct potentiometric determination of cyclophosphamide and ifosphamide in their pharmaceutical preparations using the proposed sensors gave average recoveries of 101.3±0.6, 100.8±10.7 and 102.0±11.0% for the sensors 1, 2 and 3, respectively, which compares reasonably well with the data obtained using the British Pharmacopoeial method (1993). Sensors 1 and 2 were also used to follow up the stability of the drugs studied in the presence of their degradates. These degradation products have no diverse effect on the responses of sensors 1 and 2.     

Miniaturized membrane sensors for the determination of rivastigmine hydrogen tartrate

Novel miniaturized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane sensors in all-solid state graphite and platinum wire supports were developed, electrochemically evaluated and used for the assay of rivastigmine hydrogen tartrate drug (RIV). The RIV sensors are based on the formation of an ion-association complex between the drug cation and tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate (TpClPB) anionic exchanger as electroactive material dispersed in a PVC matrix. Linear responses of 10(-2) - 10(-5) M and 10(-2) - 10(-4) M with cationic slopes of 56.4 mV and 53.6 mV over the pH range 4 - 7 were obtained by using the RIV-coated graphite (sensor 1) and platinum wire (sensor 2) membrane sensors, respectively. The proposed method displays useful analytical characteristics for the determination of RIV in Exelon capsules with average recoveries of 100.01+/-0.835, 100.09+/-0.896, and in plasma with average recoveries of 99.47+/-0.97, 99.58+/-0.82, and in rat brain homogenate with average recoveries of 98.16+/-1.62, 99.02+/-1.57, for sensors 1 and 2, respectively. The methods were also used to determine the intact drug in the presence of its degradation product and thus could be used as stability indicating methods. The results obtained by the proposed procedures were statistically analyzed and compared with those obtained by using a reported method. No significant difference for both accuracy and precision was observed.     

A novel membrane sensor for histamine H1-receptor antagonist "fexofenadine".

The construction and general performance of thirteen new polymeric membrane sensors for the determination of fexofenadine hydrochloride based on its ion exchange with reineckate, tetraphenylborate and tetraiodomercurate have been studied. The effects of membrane composition, type of plasticizer, pH value of sample solution and concentration of the analyte in the sensor internal solution have been thoroughly investigated. The novel sensor based on reineckate exchanger shows a stable, potentiometric response for fexofenadine in the concentration range of 1 x 10(-2) - 2.5 x 10(-6) M at 25 degrees C that is independent of pH in the range of 2.0 - 4.5. The sensor possesses a Nernstian cationic slope of 62.3+/-0.7 mV/concentration decade and a lower detection limit of 1.3 x 10(-6) M with a fast response time of 20 - 40 s. Selectivity coefficients for a number of interfering ions and excipients relative to fexofenadine were investigated. There is negligible interference from almost all studied cations, anions, and pharmaceutical excipients, however, citrizine that has a structure homologous to that of fexofenadine was found to interfere. The determination of fexofenadine in aqueous solution shows an average recovery of 99.83% with a mean relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.5%. Direct potentiometric determination of fexofenadine in tablets gave results that compare favorably with those obtained by standard spectrophotometric methods. Potentiometric titration of fexofenadine with phosphomolybdic acid as a titrant has been monitored with the proposed sensor as an end point indicator electrode.     

Flow injection potentiometric determination of pancuronium bromide in pharmaceutical preparation and urine samples using modified carbon paste electrodes

Carbon paste electrodes for pancuronium bromide was prepared based on ion association complexes of pancuronium bromide with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) or ammonium reineckate using dibutyl phthalate as solvent mediator and tetradodecylammonium tetrakis-(4-chlorophenyl)borate (ETH 500) as lipophilic additive. The sensors showed a near-Nernstian slope of 28.1 mV concentration decade(-1) at 25°C within the concentration range 6.31×10(-6)-1.00×10(-2) M in case of pancuronium-tetraphenylborate electrode and 26.6 mV concentration decade(-1) in the concentration range 5.66×10(-5)-1.00×10(-2) M in case of pancuronium-reineckate electrode. The sensors were successfully applied for the potentiometric determination of pancuronium bromide in pharmaceutical preparation and biological fluids in batch and flow injection conditions.     

Determination of hydroxyurea in capsules and biological fluids by ion-selective potentiometry and fluorimetry

Two hydroxyurea selective electrodes were investigated with beta-cyclodextrin used as ionophore and either tetrakis (p-chlorophenyl) borate (electrode 1), or tetrakis [3,4-bis (trifluoromethyl) phenyl] borate (electrode 2), as a fixed anionic site in a polymeric matrix of carboxylated polyvinyl chloride. Linear responses of hydroxyurea within a concentration range of 10(-5)-10(-)3 M with slopes of 51.2 and 58.6 mV/decade with pH 3-6 were obtained by using electrodes 1 and 2, respectively. Two spectrofluorimetric methods involving the formation of drug-AI(III) complex (method 3) and drug-Mg(II) complex (method 4) at pH 5 were also investigated. These complexes emit fluorescence at wavelengths of 380 and 355 nm, after excitation at 305 nm, for AI and Mg complexes, respectively. The calibration graphs were rectilinear from 0.5 to 2.5 microg/mL for the AI complex and 1 to 5 microg/mL for the Mg complex. The 4 proposed methods display useful analytical characteristics for determination of hydroxyurea, with average recoveries of 100.2 +/- 0.83 and 99.4 +/- 1.81% in capsules and 99.7 +/- 0.70 and 99.4 +/- 1.25% in biological fluids for the potentiometric and fluorimetric methods, respectively. Results obtained by the proposed procedures were statistically analyzed and compared with those obtained by the U.S. Pharmacopeial method. The 4 proposed procedures were also used to determine the stability of the drug in the presence of its degradate, hydroxylamine.     

A novel 1,10-phenanthroline-sensitive membrane sensor for potentiometric determination of Hg(II) and Cu(II)cations

Preparation, characterization, and applications of a 1,10-phenanthrolinium cation (phenH(+))-sensitive potentiometric sensor are described. The sensor incorporates a liquid polymeric membrane consisting of phenH-tetraphenylborate, nitrophenyloctyl ether, and poly(vinyl chloride) as ion exchanger, plasticizer, and polymeric support, respectively. The sensor exhibits a fast and Nernstian response to phenH(+) over the concentration range of 6 x 10(-6)-2 x 10(-4) M with a monovalent cationic slope of 58.0+/-0.5 mV/log[phenH(+)] in acetate buffer of pH 4.2. The sensor is successfully applied to the monitoring of the potentiometric titration of Hg(II) and Cu(II) ions with phen solution in the presence of citrate and acetate buffers of pH 4.2, respectively. Sharp inflection breaks (90-180 mV) at 1:1 (metal:phen reaction) are obtained in the presence of chloride and thiocyanate background. This stoichiometry is explained by the formation of insoluble [HgCl(2)(phen)], [Hg(SCN)(2)(phen)], and [Cu(SCN)(2)(phen)] complexes. Optimization of each titration and the effect of foreign ions are evaluated. The method offers the advantages of adequate sensitivity, accuracy, and selectivity for the determination of mercury and copper in pharmaceutical, rock, and tea samples. The results are in good agreement with those obtained using the standard atomic absorption spectrometric and United States Pharmacopeial methods.     

A new lead(II)-selective PVC-coated graphite rod electrode based on a Schiff base complex.

A new lead(II)-selective electrode has been developed based on bis(acetylacetone)-p-phenylenediamine-lead(II) [LPb(NO3)2]H2O complex ionophore as a sensing material, dioctylphthalate (DOP) as a solvent mediator and PVC as a matrix. This electrode exhibits a linear Nernstian response over the concentration range of 1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-1) mol l(-1) of Pb(II) cation, with a cationic calibration slope of 30.0 +/- 0.2 mV/concentration decade and a detection limit of 2 x 10(-6) mol l(-1) (0.40 ppm). It has a fast response time and can be used for a period of 2 months without any divergence in potentials. The proposed electrode reveals a good selectivity for Pb(II) over a wide variety of other tested cations and could be used in the pH range of 4-8. It was successfully used for direct determination of Pb(II) concentration in some samples. The obtained results show a good agreement with those obtained by an atomic absorption spectrometric method. The average recovery obtained is 96.5 +/- 0.5% with standard deviation of 1.2% (n = 8).     

A novel ferroin membrane sensor for potentiometric determination of iron

A novel potentiometric approach for both batch and flow injection determination of iron(II) and/or iron(III) is described. It is based on the formation and monitoring of ferroin with a PVC membrane sensor containing ferroin-TPB as an electroactive component plasticized with 2-nitrophenyl phenyl ether. The sensor exhibits fast Nernstian response for ferroin with a cationic calibration slope of 30 +/- 0.2 mV/concentration decade down to 4 x 10(-7)M ferroin (0.03 ppm Fe) at pH 3-9. Interferences from common inorganic cations are negligible or can be eliminated by a pretreatment with DDC. The ferroin sensor was successfully applied to the determination of iron contents in water, alloys, rocks and pharmaceuticals. The results show good correlation with data obtained by the standard spectrophotometric ferroin method, the coefficient of correlation is better than 0.7%.     

Novel ibuprofen potentiometric membrane sensors based on tetraphenylporphyrinato indium(III).

Two novel potentiometric membrane sensors responsive to the ibuprofen drug have been developed. These incorporate poly(vinyl chloride) and polyurethane matrix membranes containing 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphrinato (TPP) indium(II) ionophore plasticized with dibutylsebacate. The sensors show a near-Nernstian response with anionic slopes of -53 and -55 mV decade(-1), over the concentration range of 4.2 x 10(-6)-1.0 x 10(-2) and 3.3 x 10(-6)-1.0 x 10(-2) M ibuprofen within pH ranges of 4-9 and 5-9 for PVC and PU matrix membranes, respectively. A sensor based on a polyurethane membrane displays a lower detection limit and a wider linear working range, and a sensor based on a PVC membrane exhibits a better overall selectivity, especially in the presence of lipophilic organic anions. Both sensors are used for the quantification and quality-control assessment of ibuprofen in pharmaceutical preparations. The average recoveries are 99.1+/-0.3% and 99.3+/-0.3% for TPP In(III)-PVC and TPP In(III)-PU based membrane sensors, respectively. High selectivities towards ibuprofen in the presence of many anions, drug excipients and diluents are offered by both sensors, which exhibit a non-Hofmeister selectivity pattern.     

Stability-indicating methods for the determination of disopyramide phosphate

Four methods were developed for the determination of intact disopyramide phosphate in the presence of its degradation product. In the first and second methods, third-derivative spectrophotometry and first derivative of the ratio spectra were used. For the third-derivative spectrophotometric method, the peak amplitude was measured at 272 nm, while for the derivative ratio spectrophotometric method, disopyramide phosphate was determined by measuring the peak amplitude at 248 and 273 nm. Both methods were used for the determination of disopyramide phosphate in the concentration range 12.5-87.5 microg/mL, with corresponding mean recovery 100.8 +/- 0.7% for the first method and 99.9 +/- 0.7% and 99.6 +/- 0.7% for the second method at 248 and 273 nm, respectively. In the third method, an ion selective electrode (ISE) was fabricated using phosphotungstic acid as an anionic exchanger, PVC as the polymer matrix, and dibutylsebacate as a plasticizer. The ISE was used for the determination of disopyramide phosphate in pure powder form in the concentration range 10(-2)-10(-5) M. The slope was found to be 58.5 (mV/decade), and the average recovery was 99.9 +/- 1.6%. The fourth method depended on the quantitative densitometric determination of the drug in concentration range of 0.25-2.5 microg/spot using silica gel 60 F245 plates and ethyl acetate-chloroform-ammonium hydroxide (85 + 10 + 5, v/v/v) as the mobile phase, with corresponding mean accuracy of 100.3 +/- 1.1%. The 4 proposed methods were found to be specific for disopyramide phosphate in presence of up to 80% of its degradation product for the spectrophotometric methods, 90% of its degradation for the densitometric method, and 40% for the ISE method. The 4 proposed procedures were successfully applied for the determination of disopyramide phosphate in Norpace capsules. Statistical comparison between the results obtained by these methods and the official method of the drug was done, and no significant differences were found.     

A comparative study of liquid and solid inner contact roxatidine acetate ion-selective electrode membranes

A comparative study was conducted using two designs of a roxatidine acetate (ROX)-selective electrode; a conventional liquid inner contact called electrode A and a graphite-coated solid contact called electrode B. The fabrication of electrodes was based on roxatidine-tetraphenylborate (ROX-TPB) as an ion-association complex in a PVC matrix using different plasticizers. Electrode A has a linear dynamic range of 2.2×10-5 mol/L to 1.0×10-2 mol/L, with a Nernstian slope of 54.7 mV/decade and a detection limit of 1.4×10-6 mol/L. Electrode B shows linearity over the concentration range of 1.0×10-6 mol/L to 1.0×10-2 mol/L, with a Nernstian slope of 51.2 mV/decade and a limit of detection of 1.1×10-7 mol/L which is remarkably improved as a result of diminishing ion fluxes in this solid contact, ion-selective electrode. The proposed sensors display useful analytical characteristics for the determination of ROX in bulk powder and its pharmaceutical formulation. The present electrodes show clear discrimination of ROX from several inorganic, organic ions, sugars, some common drug excipients and the degradation product (3-[3-(1-piperidinyl methyl) phenoxy] propyl amine) of ROX. Furthermore, the proposed electrodes were utilized for the determination of ROX in human plasma, where electrode B covers drug Cmax which indicated its applicability to pharmacokinetic, bioavailability and bioequivalent studies. The results obtained by the proposed electrodes were statistically analyzed and compared with those obtained by a reported HPLC method. No significant difference for either accuracy or precision was observed.     

Papaverine PVC membrane ion-selective electrodes based on its ion-exchangers with tetraphenylborate and tetrathiocyanate anions

The construction and general performance of novel potentiometric membrane ion selective electrodes for determination of papaverine hydrochloride has been described. They are based on the formation of the ion association complexes of papaverine (PA) with tetraphenylborate (TPB)(I) or tetrathiocyanate (TTC)(II) counter anions as electro-active material dispersed in a PVC matrix. The electrodes show fast, stable, near Nernstian response for 1 x 10(-2) to 6 x 10(-5) M and 1 x 10(-2) to 1 x 10(-5) M for PA-TPB and PA-TTC respectively at 25 degrees C over the pH range of 3-5.0 with a cationic slope of approximately 56.5 +/- 0.5 mV/decade for both sensors respectively. The lower detection limit is 4 x 10(-5) and 8 x 10(-6) M for PA- I and PA-II respectively with fast response time ranging from 20-45 sec. Selectivity coefficients for PA relative to a number of interfering substances were investigated. There is a negligible interference from the studied cations, anions, and pharmaceutical excipients. The determination of 4.0- 3000.0 microg/ml of PA in aqueous solutions shows an average recovery of 99.1% and a mean relative standard deviation of 1.4 at 100microg/ml. The direct determination of PA in some formulations (Vasorin injection) gave results that compare favorably with those obtained using the British Pharmacopoeia method. Potentiometric titration of PA with sodium tetraphenylborate and potassium thiocyanate as titrants utilizing the papaverine electrode as an end point indicator electrode has been carried out.     

Microfluidic polymer chip integrated with an ISFET detector for cationic surfactant assay in dental rinses.

A cationic surfactant ion-selective field-effect transistor (cationic surfactant-ISFET) has been developed based on the tetraphenylborate derivative known as sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate. The cationic surfactant-ISFET shows an almost Nernstian response to tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (Zephiramine) over a concentration range between 1.0 x 10(-6) M and 1.0 x 10(-3) M, with a slope of 58.5 +/- 1.7 mV/decade. The cationic surfactant-ISFET can be used over a range of pH values, between pH 3 and 9. The cationic surfactant-ISFET shows excellent selectivity for Zephiramine over small inorganic cations, but shows similar selectivity for other cationic surfactants, such as hexadecyltrimethylammonium and stearyltrimethylammonium ions. A microfluidic polymer chip was integrated with the cationic surfactant-ISFET, and this was fabricated using polystyrene plates and stainless wires as a template for the channel. Cationic surfactant-ISFETs used in a batch system and microchips integrated with cationic surfactant-ISFETs showed very similar performance in terms of low detection limits, slope sensitivity and the stability of the potential response. The microfluidic polymer chip was then applied to the determination of cationic surfactants in dental rinses.     

Fabrication of an iodide-selective electrode based on phthalocyaninatotitanium(IV) oxide and the selective determination of iodide in actual samples

This work describes the development and fabrication of a selective polymeric membrane electrode for iodide ion based on a metallophthalocyanin complex with a titanium(IV) atom at the center (as an oxo-titanium, Ti=O, group), phthalocyaninatotitanium(IV) oxide (PcTiO), as a sensing carrier. The potential response characteristics of the electrode were investigated by changing the type of plasticizer as well as the amounts of the carrier and different lipophilic ionic site additives in the sensing membrane. It is shown that the membrane electrode incorporated with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether as the plasticizer and hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide as the appropriate cationic additive exhibits enhanced potential response toward iodide over other anions tested. Over the period of this study, the resulting electrode based on PcTiO displayed a stable near-Nernstian slope approaching -58.9 mV decade(-1) with a linear response spanning at least 5 orders of magnitude in concentration from 1.0 x 10(-1) to 9.2 x 10(-7) mol L(-1) and a detection limit of 8.5-10(-7) mol L(-1). The preferential potential response to iodide may be attributed to the unique recognition of carrier PcTiO in the organic membrane phase for iodide in solution. Under laboratory conditions, the present electrode also works well in partially nonaqueous media. The excellent analytical features of the proposed electrode could lead to its successful application in determining the end point in electrometric titration of iodide with Ag(+) and the direct potential determination of iodide concentration in wastewater and drug preparations.     

Chemically modified carbon paste electrode for iodide determination on the basis of cetyltrimethylammonium iodide ion-pair.

A new carbon paste electrode (CPE) for the determination of iodide ion based on a cetyltrimethylammonium iodide (CTMAI) ion pair as an electroactive material is described. The electrode shows a linear response for iodide ion over the concentration range of 4 x 10(-5) M to 1 x 10(-1) M with a lower detection limit of 4 x 10(-5) M at 25 degrees C. The electrode has a Nemstian slope of -55.0 +/- 0.4 mV/decade and a fast potential response of 45 s, which is almost constant over a pH range of 5.0 - 9.0. Selectivity coefficient data of the CTMAI-CPE for some common ions show negligible interference, and the electrode has high selectivity towards the iodide ion. An average recovery of 101.83% with a relative standard deviation of 1.53% has been achieved for the determination of iodide in Flaxedil (gallamine triethiodide) ampoules, a muscle relaxant drug. The electrode has been examined for the determination of iodide in saline water; the results were found to compare favorably with those obtained using Metrohm iodide ISE. The electrode has been utilized as an end-point indicator electrode for the determination of Hg(II) and phenylmercury(I) in their aqueous solutions using potentiometric titration with a potassium iodide standard solution.     

Screen-printed electrochemical sensors for label-free potentiometric and impedimetric detection of human serum albumin

Herein, two electrochemical methods based on potentiometric and impedimetric transductions were presented for albumin targeting, employing screen-printed platforms (SPEs) to make easy and cost-effective sensors with good detection merits. The SPEs incorporated ion-to-electron multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) transducer. Sensors were constructed using either tridodecyl methyl-ammonium chloride (TDMACl) (sensor I) or aliquate 336S (sensor II) in plasticized polymeric matrices of carboxylated poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC-COOH). Analytical performances of the sensors were evaluated using the above-mentioned electrochemical techniques. For potentiometric assay, constructed sensors responded to albumin with −81.7 ± 1.7 (r² = 0.9986) and −146.2 ± 2.3 mV/decade (r² = 0.9991) slopes over the linearity range 1.5 μM–1.5 mM with 0.8 and 1.0 μM detection limits for respective TDMAC- and aliquate-based sensors. Interference study showed apparent selectivity for both sensors. Impedimetric assays were performed at pH = 7.5 in 10 mM PBS buffer solution with a 0.02 M [Fe(CN)₆]^−3/−4 redox-active electrolyte. Sensors achieved detection limits of 4.3 × 10⁻⁸ and 1.8 × 10⁻⁷ M over the linear ranges of 5.2×10⁻⁸–1.0×10⁻⁴ M and 1.4×10⁻⁶–1.4×10⁻³ M, with 0.09 ± 0.004 and 0.168 ± 0.009 log Ω/decade slopes for sensors based on TDMAC and aliquate, respectively. These sensors are characterized with simple construction, high sensitivity and selectivity, fast response time, single-use, and cost-effectiveness. The methods were successfully applied to albumin assessment in different biological fluids.     

New highly selective picrate sensors based on charge-transfer complexes.

Two novel highly selective potentiometric membrane sensors responsive to picrate ion were developed. They are based on the use of N,N'-dibenzoyl-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane (DD18C6)-picrate and Kryptofix 222-picrate charge-transfer complexes as novel electroactive materials in poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membranes plasticized with o-nitrophenyloctylether or dioctylphthalate. The sensors show a Nernstian response with anionic slopes of -59.0 +/- 0.1 and -58.0 +/- 0.2 mV decade(-1) over concentration ranges of 6.0 x 10(-5) - 1.0 x 10(-2) and 7.0 x 10(-5) - 1.0 x 10(-2) mol l(-1) picrate ion and pH ranges of 5-11.5 and 5.5-11.5 for DD18C6 and Kryptofix 222 based picrate sensors, respectively. Both sensors show highly selectivity towards picrate ion over many hydrophilic and lipophilic anions, and exhibit a non-Hofmeister selectivity sequence, which is an improvement over methods reported so far. The sensors are used for the titrimetric determination of alkaloids using picrate as a titrant.     

Membrane sensors for the selective determination of thiopental.

Novel miniaturized polyurethane (PU) membrane sensors in an all-solid state graphite support were developed, electrochemically evaluated and used for the assay of thiopental drug. The thiopental (T) sensors are based on the formation of ion-association complexes of thiopental with copper(II) and cobalt(II)-bathophenanthroline (bphen) counter anions as electroactive materials dispersed in a polyurethane matrix. The sensors show a linear response for thiopental over the range of 1 x 10(-1) - 5 x 10(-5) M thiopental at 25 degrees C over the pH range 6 - 11 with anionic slopes of -28.7 and -28.3 mV decade(-1) with Cu- and Co-bphen thiopental membrane sensors, respectively. These sensors exhibit a fast response time (25 - 45 s), a low detection limit (5 x 10(-6) M), a long lifetime (7 weeks) and good stability. The selectivity coefficients for thiopental sensors relative to the number of interfering anions, were investigated. These sensors were used for the direct potentiometry of thiopental in a pharmaceutical formulation and human serum. Results with mean accuracy of 99.8 +/- 0.5% of nominal were obtained, which compare well with data obtained using spectrophotometric (UV-Vis) and British Pharmacopoeia (BP) methods.     

Development of membrane electrodes for the selective determination of hyoscine butylbromide

Four polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane sensors for the determination of hyoscine butylbromide are described and characterized. The sensors are based on the use of the ion association complexes of hyoscine cation with ammonium reineckate counter anions as ion exchange sites in the PVC matrix. The membranes incorporate ion association complexes of hyoscine with dibutylsebathete (sensor 1), dioctylphthalate (sensor 2), nitrophenyl octyl ether (sensor 3) and β-cyclodextrin (sensor 4). The performance characteristics of these sensors were evaluated according to IUPAC recommendations, which reveal a fast, stable and linear response for hyoscine over the concentration range of 10⁻⁵-10⁻² M for sensors 1 and 2 and 10⁻⁶-10⁻² for sensors 3 and 4 with cationic slopes of −53.19, −55.17, −51.44 and −51.51 mV per concentration decade for the four sensors, respectively. The direct potentiometric determination of hyoscine butylbromide using the proposed sensors gave average recoveries % of 99.92 ± 1.11, 99.93 ± 1.00, 99.94 ± 1.18 and 99.87 ± 1.39 for the four sensors, respectively. The sensors are used for determination of hyoscine butylbromide in laboratory prepared mixtures, pharmaceutical formulations in combination with ketoprofen and in plasma. Validation of the method shows suitability of the proposed sensors for use in the quality control assessment of hyoscine butylbromide. The developed method was found to be simple, accurate and precise when compared with a reported HPLC method.