Flow-injection spectrofluorometric determination of trace amounts of formaldehyde in water after derivatization with acetoacetanilide

A novel fluorophotometric method for formaldehyde determination in environmental waters was developed: the method does not require any enrichment procedures. A flow-injection analysis method for the spectrofluorometric determination of formaldehyde in waters, which is based on the reaction of formaldehyde with acetoacetanilide and ammonia, is proposed. The proposed method shows a good linearity from 0.50 to 40 × 10⁻⁷ M, and the limit of detection (LOD) of 3 × 10⁻⁹ M (0.09 ppb) is achievable. The sample throughput is 15 h⁻¹. One of the main advantages in the proposed method is that the reaction can be carried out at room temperature without any heating system. The effect of various interferences possibly present in the real water samples was investigated. Most cations and anions, as well as organic compounds, do not interfere with the determination of formaldehyde in environmental water samples. The proposed method is very simple, rapid, less expensive, and highly sensitive, and can be applied to the environmental water samples, such as rain, tap water and river water, at low concentration levels without any enrichment procedure.     

Celecoxib determination in different layers of skin by a newly developed and validated HPLC‐UV method

A simple, rapid and sensitive analytical procedure for the measurement of celecoxib (CXB) levels in skin samples after in vitro penetration studies was developed and validated. In vitro permeability studies in porcine skin were performed for quantification of CXB at different layers of skin, the stratum corneum (SC) and epidermis plus dermis (EP + D) as well as in the acceptor solution (AS) to assess CXB permeation through skin. CXB was quantified by HPLC using a C₁₈ column and UV detection at 251 nm. The mobile phase was methanol–water 72:28 (v/v) and the flow‐rate was 0.8 mL/min. The CXB retention time was 5 min. The assay was linear for CBX in the concentration range of 0.1–3.0 μg/mL in the AS (drug permeated through skin) and 5.0–50.0 μg/mL for drug retained in SC and [EP + D] in vitro. The linear correlation coefficients for the different calibration curves were equal or greater than 0.99. Intra‐ and inter‐assay variabilities were below 8.0%. Extraction of CXB from skin samples showed recoveries higher than 95.0% after 15 min of ultrasonic sound and centrifugation at 2500 rpm for 3 min. The method was considered appropriate for the assay of CXB in skin samples, after in vitro cutaneous penetration studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A validated spectrofluorometric assay for the determination of certain macrolide antibiotics in pharmaceutical formulations and spiked biological fluids

This paper describes a simple spectrofluorometric method for the analysis of 4 macrolide antibiotics. The method is based on the condensation of 10% (w/v) malonic acid and acetic acid anhydride under the catalytic effect of tertiary amine groups of the studied macrolides. The relative fluorescence intensity of the condensation product was measured at 397/452 nm (excitation/emission) for azithromycin dihydrate and at 392/445 nm (for clarithromycin, erythromycin ethylsuccinate, and roxithromycin. All variables affecting the reaction conditions were studied. The effects of potential interference due to common excipients, such as starch, lactose, sucrose, glucose, gum acacia, and magnesium stearate, as well as trimethoprim and sulfisoxazole acetyl formulated in primomycin capsules and pediazole oral suspension, respectively, were studied. A validation study for the proposed method was carried out according to U.S. Pharmacopeia 2002. The linearity ranges were 3-80 ng/mL for all of the cited macrolides. The limit of detection range was 0.74-1.20 ng/mL, while the limit of quantitation range was 2.47-4.02 ng/mL. The method was applied for the assay of the studied macrolides in pure pharmaceutical formulations and in spiked biological fluids. Results were compared with those obtained from the reported method, where calculated t- and F-values indicated high accuracy and good precision for the proposed method.     

Successful spectrofluorometric and chemiluminescence methods for the estimation of azathioprine as an immunosuppressive drug in pharmaceutical preparation

The determination of azathioprine (AZA), a mercaptopurine derivative, has attracted a particular attention in most researches. Herein, spectrofluorometric (I) and chemiluminescence (II) methods were successfully confirmed to estimate azathioprine (AZA) in bulk powder form and pharmaceutical preparation. The optimum conditions to improve the fluorescence and chemiluminescence intensity of AZA were investigated. The method (I) measured the native fluorescence intensity of AZA in methanol as solvent, without any addition. The micelle-enhanced fluorescence of AZA was affected by the surfactant addition, type of solvent, pH value, and the volume of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The method (II) consisted in the improvement of the weak signal of calcein–KMnO₄ chemiluminescence system by introducing synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the presence of AZA. The analytical curves were linear in the concentrations range 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ − 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M and 5.0 × 10⁻⁹ − 2.0 × 10⁻³ M with a detection limit equal to 1.5 × 10⁻⁹ M and 2.6 × 10 ⁻¹⁰ M for techniques (I) and (II), respectively. The statistical analysis indicated no significant difference between the proposed and reported methods. The suggested techniques were successfully used to determine azathioprine in its tablet form and were validated according to ICH guidelines.     

Screening method for organic aciduria by spectrofluorometric measurement of total dicarboxylic acids in human urine based on intramolecular excimer-forming fluorescence derivatization

A simple screening method of organic aciduria by spectrofluorometric measurement of total dicarboxylic acids in human urine is described. This method is based on an intramolecular excimer-forming fluorescence derivatization with a pyrene reagent, 4-(1-pyrene)butanoic acid hydrazide (PBH). Dicarboxylic acids in urine were converted to the corresponding dipyrene-labeled derivatives by reaction with PBH in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide and pyridine, and the derivatives afforded intramolecular excimer fluorescence (420-540 nm) which can clearly be discriminated from the normal fluorescence (360-420 nm) emitted from reagent blanks. The technique is so selective that it permits spectrofluorometric measurement of total amount of dicarboxylic acids by the direct derivatization of diluted urine samples. The same reaction mixture has also served as a liquid chromatographic (LC) sample for the separative determination of individual dicarboxylic acids. The spectrofluorometric data did not contradict with the LC data. These methods were usefully applied to preliminary screening test of glutaric aciduria. In conclusion, the present derivatization method allows rapid and direct determination of total amount of dicarboxylic acids in human urine samples.     

A new selective reagent for the spectrofluorometric determination of beryllium

The fluorescence properties of the beryllium and aluminum complexes with 2, 4-dioxo-4-(4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone-3-yl) butyric acid ethyl ester (Ligand) were studied and optimal conditions for their fluorometric determination were established. Beryllium can be determined in the linearity range of 0.5–2.0 μg/ml and aluminum 0.5–1.5 μg/ml. The effect of diverse ions on the determination of beryllium is discussed.A simple procedure for the fluorometric determination of beryllium in human blood plasma in the concentration range of 5–50 μg Be/ml is described.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib in pharmaceutical formulation and human serum

Celecoxib is a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, that has been recently and intensively prescribed as an anti-inflammatory drug in rheumatic osteoarthiritis. A robust, highly reliable and reproducible square-wave (SW) adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric procedure was developed for the determination of celecoxib in pharmaceutical formulation and human serum. The analytical procedure was based on the reduction of the CN of the pyrazole ring of the drug molecule at the mercury electrode surface in Britton-Robinson buffer of pH 7.0. The SW adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammogram of celecoxib showed a single well-defined peak at −1.54 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/KCl_s) using an accumulation potential of −0.70 V, frequency of 120 Hz, scan increment of 10 mV and pulse amplitude of 25 mV. Repeatability was examined for 1×10⁻⁸ M CXB drug solution after 30 s pre-concentration and a mean recovery of 99.4±0.4% (n=5) was achieved. For 90 s preconcentration, a linear concentration range of 1×10⁻⁹-2×10⁻⁸ M CXB and a detection limit of 1.86×10⁻¹⁰ M were achieved. The proposed procedure was successfully applied for the determination of the drug in capsules and human serum with mean recoveries of 101.5±0.6 and 98.8±1.1%, respectively. A detection and quantitation limits of 1.0×10⁻⁹ M (0.4 ng ml⁻¹) and 4.7×10⁻⁹ M (1.3 ng ml⁻¹) were achieved for the determination of the drug in human serum. Moreover, the procedure was useful for study of the pharmacokinetic profile of celecoxib in a healthy volunteer after administration of a single oral dose (celebrex®, 200 mg).     

A validated HPTLC method for determination of trans-caryophyllene from polyherbal formulations

Formulations of traditional medicines are usually made up of a complex mixture of herbs. However, effective quality control methods in order to select materials of the right quality are lacking. 'Amukkara choornam' is a polyherbal Siddha formulation used for gastritis, spleen enlargement, leucorrhoea, hiccups, anaemia, tuberculosis and kappa diseases. Trans-caryophyllene is an important constituent present in the ingredients of this formulation. In a literature survey, it was found that there is no such method for the quantification of trans-caryophyllene except gas chromatography or gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). So, a high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed and validated for the quantification of trans-caryophyllene in amukkara choornam. Pre-coated silica gel 60F-254 plates (10 × 10 cm2) were used for the analysis. The solvent system consisted of toluene-ethyl acetatate (9 : 3, v/v), and trans-caryophyllene was detected at 260 nm. The developed method was validated for linearity (R2 = 0.9996 ± 0.0034), limit of detection (LOD) (0.101 ng), limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.639 ng), accuracy (% recovery = 97.19 ± 1.204), and precision (CV < 5%, for both intra-day and inter-day precisions). The levels of trans-caryophyllene were found to be 3.5-4.10 μg per gram of herbal products.     

A validated HPLC method with ultraviolet detection for the determination of buformin in plasma

A sensitive and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic assay is developed and validated for the determination of buformin in plasma. After addition of metformin as the internal standard, the analytes were deproteinated with acetonitrile, washed with dichloromethane, and the resulting supernatant injected. Chromatography was performed at ambient temperature by pumping a mobile phase of 0.03 m diammonium hydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 7, 250 mL) in methanol (750 mL) at a fl ow rate of 1 mL/min through a silica column. Buformin and metformin were detected at 236 nm, and eluted 9.8 and 15.4 min, respectively. No endogenous substances were found to interfere. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 20-2000 ng/mL. The limit of quantitation was 20 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) was 8.3%, or less, and the accuracy was within 10.1% of the relative error (RE). The method is suitable in pharmacokinetic investigation of buformin.     

New,simple and validated kinetics spectrophotometric method for determination of moxifloxacine in its pharmaceutical formulations

The objective of this research was to develop a kinetic spectrophotometric method for determination of moxifloxacine (MOXF) in pure form and pharmaceutical formulations. The method was based on the formation of a colored N-vinyl chlorobenzoquinone derivative of MOXF by its reaction with 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone in presence of acetaldehyde.The formation of the colored product was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbance at 652 nm. Factors affecting the reaction were studied and optimized. The stoichiometry of the reaction was determined, and the reaction pathway was postulated. The activation energy of the reaction was calculated and found to be 6.65 kJ mol^?1. Under the optimized conditions, the initial rate and fixed time (at 5 min) methods were utilized for constructing the calibration graphs. The graphs were linear in concentration ranges 5–100 and 15–150 μg ml^?1 with limit of detection of 2.0 and 5.0 μg ml^?1 for the initial rate and fixed time methods, respectively. The analytical performance for both methods was fully validated, and the results were satisfactory. No interference was observed from the excipients that are commonly present in the pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of MOXF in its pharmaceutical formulations. The label claim percentages were 101.25 ± 0.73% and 100.92 ± 0.65% for the initial rate and fixed time method, respectively. Statistical comparison of the results with those obtained by a reference spectrophotometric method showed excellent agreement between the accuracy and precision of the two methods. The proposed method has great value in its application to the analysis of MOXF in quality control laboratories.     

A validated chromatographic method for the determination of flavonoids in Copaifera langsdorffii by HPLC

Hydroethanolic extracts of C. langsdorffii leaves have therapeutic potential. This work reports a validated chromatographic method for the quantification of polar compounds in the hydroethanolic extract of C. langsdorffii leaves. A reliable HPLC method was developed using two monolithic columns linked in series (100 x 4.6 mm - C18), with nonlinear gradient elution, and UV detection set at 257 nm. A procedure for the extraction of flavonols was also developed, which involved the use of 70% aqueous ethanol and the addition of benzophenone as the internal standard. The developed method led to a good detection response as the values for linearity were between 10.3 and 1000 microg/mL, and those for recovery between 84.2 and 111.1%. The detection limit ranged from 0.02 to 1.70 microg/mL and the quantitation limit from 0.07 to 5.1 microg/mL, with a maximum RSD of 5.24%. Five compounds, rutin, quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin and kaempferol, were quantified. This method could, therefore, be used for the quality control of hydroethanolic extracts of Copaifera leaves and their cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.     

A highly sensitive spectrofluorometric method for the determination of a new antidepressant drug, reboxetine, in tablets

A highly sensitive, selective, and rapid spectrofluorometric method has been developed for the determination of reboxetine (REB) in tablets. The method is based on derivatization with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzofurazan. The product showed an absorption maximum at 476 nm and a fluorescence emission peak at 533 nm in ethyl acetate. The optimum conditions of the reaction were investigated, and it was found that the reaction proceeded quantitatively at pH 8.5, 70 degrees C in 5 min. The calibration graph is rectilinear over the range of 0.02-0.40 microg/mL. The relative standard deviation values for intraday and interday precision were 0.40-0.93 and 0.54-1.37%, respectively. The proposed method was applied to the assay of REB in tablets. Mean recovery of REB from the tablets ranged between 99.91-100.20%. The results were compared statistically with those obtained by a method reported in the literature. The method is sensitive, simple, and selective, and can be used for routine quality control analysis.     

Novel spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of sulfite with rhodamine B hydrazide in a micellar medium

A novel spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of sulfite using rhodamine B hydrazide as fluorogenic reagent in the presence of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) surfactant micelles is described. The method is based on the mixture of sulfite with rhodamine B hydrazide, a colorless, non-fluorescent substance in Tween 80 surfactant micelles which gives rhodamine B-like fluorescence emission. The fluorescence intensity increase is linearly related to the concentration of sulfite in the range 5-800 ng ml⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1.4 ng ml⁻¹ (3σ). The optimal conditions for the detection of sulfite are evaluated and the possible detection mechanism is also discussed. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of total sulfite in wines and compares well with the standard iodimetric method.     

A validated HPLC method for determination of Artesunate in bulk and tablet formulation

The simple, accurate and precise HPLC method for determination of Artesunate in bulk and tablet dosage form has been developed. Quantitation of drug was carried out on Jasco HPLC system with HiQ-SiL C₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.), using acetonitrile: 1 M sodium acetate buffer (pH 3 adjusted with o-phosphoric acid) in the ratio 70: 30 as mobile phase. Method was developed using Artemether as internal standard and UV detector set at 220 nm. Linear concentration range was found to be 250–2500 μg/mL. The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of drugs in bulk and pharmaceutical formulation. The method was validated with respect to linearity, precision and accuracy as per the International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines.     

A novel spectrofluorometric method for the determination of methiocarb using an amphiphilic p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

The characteristics of host-guest complexation between tetrabutyl ether derivatives of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC4Bu) and methiocarb [3,5-dimethyl-4-(methylthio) phenyl methylcarbamate] were investigated by fluorescence spectrometry. Upon addition of methiocarb, the fluorescence intensity of SC4Bu was quenched regularly and a slight red shift was observed for the maximum emission peak. These results indicated that the SC4Bu-methiocarb complex was formed a 1:1 mole ratio. An association constant of 1.67×10(4) L mol(-1) was calculated by applying a deduced equation. The interaction mechanism of the inclusion complex was discussed. Based on the results, a novel spectrofluorimetric method was described for the determination of methiocarb with a detection limit at 0.05 μg mL(-1). This method is very simple and shows high sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of methiocarb in water samples.     

Simultaneous determination of celecoxib, meloxicam, and rofecoxib using capillary electrophoresis with surfactant and application in drug formulations

A simple and selective CE using surfactant with UV detection is described for the simultaneous determination of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, celecoxib, meloxicam, and rofecoxib. The simultaneous analysis of celecoxib, meloxicam, and rofecoxib was performed in Tris buffer (10 mM; pH 11) with 60 mM sodium octane-sulfonate and 20% ACN as an anionic surfactant and organic modifier, respectively. Under this condition, good separation with high efficiency and the required short analysis time is achieved. The linear ranges of the method for the determination of celecoxib, meloxicam, and rofecoxib were over 5-100 microg/mL; the detection limits at 200 nm (S/N = 3; injection 3.45 kPa, 5 s) were 2, 1, and 1 microg/mL, respectively. The small amount of sample required and the expeditiousness of the procedure allow content uniformity to be determined in individual pharmaceutical products.     

A fully validated method for the simultaneous determination of 11 antihistamines in breast milk by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Antihistamines are excreted into breast milk in small amounts; however, there are no adequate published studies or data concerning their effects on newborns and safety during breastfeeding. Thus, the development of sensitive and specific methodologies for the determination of antihistamines in breast milk is critical. A simple and sensitive GC–MS method for the simultaneous determination of 11 antihistamines (diphenhydramine, orphenadrine, chlorpheniramine, dimethindene, meclozine, hydroxyzine, loratadine, desloratadine, cetirizine, rupatadine and ebastine) in breast milk was developed and validated. The antihistamines were solid‐phase extracted and derivatized with acetic anhydride and n‐propanol. Diazepam‐d₅, hydroxyzine‐d₄ and cetirizine‐d₈ were used as internal standards. Absolute recovery values for all analytes ranged from 70.5 to 120.0%, while the limits of detection and quantification for all analytes were 1.50 and 5.00 ng/mL, respectively. All calibration curves were linear (R² ≥ 0.990) within the range 5.00–1000.0 ng/mL. Accuracy (E_r) ranged between −7.6 and 7.0%, while precision (RSD) was <12% for all antihistamines. The developed method is suitable for the investigation of antihistamine‐related clinical cases, as well as for pharmacokinetic and breastfeeding safety studies.     

A new validated high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of EGIS-9933 in rat plasma

Summary A new highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure for determination of EGIS-9933 (a newly developed anxiolytic compound) in rat plasma is described. A gradient, elution method with UV detection at 270 nm has been developed using a mobile phase of a mixture of A: methanol:acetonitrile 1:9 and B:0.5% triethilamine in water, the pH of B was adjusted to 3 with phosphoric acid. Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for the sample preparation. The calibration was linear in the 10–10000 ng mL⁻¹ concentration range. The limit of quantification was 10 ng mL⁻¹. The bioanalytical method was validated according to internationally accepted criteria for biological samples. Presented at: Balaton Symposium on High-Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 3–5, 1997.     

Optimized and validated initial-rate method for the determination of perindopril erbumine in tablets

A simple and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of perindopril in pharmaceutical preparations is described. The method is based on the interaction of drug with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at 40+/-1 degrees C. The reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the rate of change of the absorbance at 420 nm. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the calibration curve showed a linear relationship over the concentration range of 20-140 microg/ml. The activation parameter such as E(a), deltaH*, deltaS* and deltaG* for this reaction were calculated and found to be 27.31 kJ/mol, 24.69 kJ/mol, -138.84 J/K/mol and 61.50 kJ/mol, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of perindopril in commercial dosage forms. Statistical comparison of the results with the Abdellatef's spectrophotometric method shows excellent agreement and indicates no significant difference between the methods compared in terms of accuracy and precision.     

A validated stability-indicating LC method for simultaneous determination of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical samples

A stability-indicating liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in drug substances and dosage forms. Chromatographic separation of quinapril, hydrochlorothiazide and its degradation products was achieved on a RP-18 column, using acetonitrile and phosphate buffer (pH 4.6) as mobile phase in a gradient mode and detection at 216 nm. Stress testing was performed under hydrolytic, oxidative, thermal and photolytic conditions. The degradation products were well resolved from main peaks, proving the stability-indicating power of the method. The assay was linear for quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide concentrations of 40–200 µg mL^?1 and 25–125 µg mL^?1, respectively. The developed method was selective, accurate and precise for quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide determination. This method was used to quantify both drugs in combined commercial tablets. The results showed that the proposed method was found to be suitable for quantitative determination and the stability study of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical samples.