An improved HPLC method for rapid quantitation of diazepam and its major metabolites in human plasma

A rapid and specific HPLC method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of diazepam and its main active metabolites, desmethyldiazepam, oxazepam and temazepam in human plasma. Plasma samples were extracted using toluene. HPLC system included a Chromolith Performance RP-18e 100 mm x 4.6mm column, using 10mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5)-methanol-acetonitrile (63:10:27, v/v) as mobile phase running at 2 mL min(-1). UV detector (lambda=230 nm) was used. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 2-800 ng mL(-1) for diazepam and 2-200 ng mL(-1) for the three metabolites (r(2)>0.99). The lower limit of quantification was 2 ng mL(-1) for all analytes. Within and between-day precisions in the measurement of QC samples were in the range of 1.8-18.0% for all analytes. The developed procedure was used to assess the pharmacokinetics of diazepam and its main metabolites following single dose administration of 10mg diazepam orally to healthy subjects.     

Direct determination of endogenous melatonin in human saliva by column-switching semi-microcolumn liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with on-line analyte enrichment

An analytical method that enables direct and sensitive determination of endogenous melatonin (MLT) in human saliva was developed by means of column-switching semi-microcolumn liquid chromatography (i.d.: 1-2 mm)/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The system allows direct injection analysis of a 400-microL aliquot of saliva with minimal sample pretreatment (internal standard (IS) addition and vortex mixing) and a relatively short run-time (10 min). The system consists of three columns to attain large volume injection and on-line analyte enrichment. A pre-column packed with a silica-based mixed-functional C8 (4.0 mm i.d. x 20 mm) was used for on-line sample cleanup. MLT and an IS, the d7 isomer of MLT (d7-MLT), were heart-cut by valve switching and enriched at the top of the intermediate trapping column packed with a silica-based C18 (4.0 mm i.d. x 10 mm). Subsequently, the analytes were backflushed into a semi-micro C18 silica column (2.0 mm i.d. x 150 mm) for the final separation. MLT and IS were ascertained by positive electrospray ionization and selected ion monitoring (SIM). MLT was monitored based on its fragment ion at m/z 174.1 by in-source collision-induced dissociation (CID). The validation of this method revealed a detection limit of 2.5 pg mL(-1) at a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 5. The linearity of the method was established in the ranges 5-250 and 100-2500 pg mL(-1) with a coefficient of determination of greater than 0.998. Accuracies, evaluated at five levels in the range 5-1000 pg mL(-1), were between 81 and 108% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) ranging from 1.3-20%. The method was successfully applied for the endogenous saliva MLT monitoring of two healthy subjects.     

Development of a method for the determination of danofloxacin in plasma by HPLC with fluorescence detection

A simple and sensitive HPLC method has been developed for the determination of danofloxacin (DAN) in plasma. Sample preparations were carried out by adding phosphate buffer (pH 7.4, 0.1 M), followed by extraction with trichloromethane. DAN and the internal standard, sarafloxacin (SAR), were separated on a reversed-phase column, and eluted with aqueous solution-acetonitrile (80:20 v/v). The fluorescence of the column effluent was monitored at lambda(ex) = 338 and lambda(em) = 425 nm. The retention times were 2.80 and 4. 40 min for DAN and SAR, respectively. The method was shown to be linear from 1 to 1500 ng/mL (r(2) = 0.999). The detection and quantitation limit were 1 and 5 ng/mL, respectively. Mean recovery was determined as 80% by the analysis of plasma standards containing 150, 750 and 1500 ng/mL. Inter- and intra-assay precisions were 4.0% and 2.4%, respectively.     

高效液相色谱-荧光检测法测定葡萄酒中总亚硫酸盐

 摘要：建立了测定葡萄酒中总亚硫酸盐的高效液相色谱方法。N-（9-吖啶基）马来酰亚胺与样品中亚硫酸盐反应生成一种较强的荧光络合物,利用荧光检测器进行检测。方法具有样品用量少、操作简便、灵敏度高等特点,回收率为98.0％～103.0％,相对标准偏差小于4.6％。     

Determination of atrasentan by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection in human plasma.

Atrasentan is an endothelin antagonist selective for the ET(A) receptor in development at Abbott Laboratories for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and cell proliferation disorders. A simple and sensitive chromatographic method for the determination of atrasentan in human plasma has been developed and validated. The analytical method involves acidification of the plasma samples with 0.3 N HCl prior to extraction with 1:1 (v:v) hexane/tert-butylmethylether. The organic extract was evaporated to dryness, reconstituted with 20:80 (v:v) acetonitrile/0.05 M K(2)HPO(4) and washed with 75:25 (v:v) hexane/tert-butylmethylether. The organic layer was discarded and the aqueous layer was injected into the HPLC. Atrasentan and internal standard (ABT-790) were separated from interference using a 250 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm, 120 A Phenomenex Spherisorb C(8) analytical column with a 50 x 4.6 mm, Alltech Absorbosphere 5 microm CN guard cartridge using a mobile phase consisting of 25:15:5:55 (v:v:v:v) acetonitrile/isopropanol/methanol/0.05 M K(2)HPO(4), pH 7.0, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Fluorescence detection was achieved using lambda(ex) 278 nm and lambda(em) 322 nm. For a 1.0 mL plasma sample volume, the limit of quantitation was approximately 200 pg/mL. The method was linear from 0.2 to 1300 ng/mL (r(2) = 0.9986). Inter- and intra-day assay RSD (n = 6) were less than 10%. Mean accuracy determinations showed the quality control samples to range between 94 and 99% of the theoretical concentration.     

Isocratic chromatography of resveratrol and piceid after previous generation of fluorescent photoproducts: wine analysis without sample preparation

Resveratrol and its 3-glucoside (piceid), are stilbene-like molecules produced by plants. Both of them are weakly fluorescent, but highly fluorescent compounds are obtained when their hydroethanolic solutions are UV-irradiated, which implies a substantial improvement in the sensitivity of analytical methods. Experimental design (central composite design) together with the response surface methodology have been used to find optimum conditions for the fast, sensitive, and precise chromatographic analysis (with isocratic elution) of resveratrol and piceid in wine samples. These compounds have been UV-transformed into their respective photoproducts, which have been separated in a C18 column (Novapack C(18) 150x3.9 mm, 4 microm) by isocratic elution, using a mobile phase made up of acetonitrile and 4.1 vol% aqueous acetic acid, 19:81 v/v, at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, and fluorimetrically detected at 364 nm (lambda(exc) = 260 nm). Detection limits (S/N = 3) are 0.29 and 0.28 microg/L for resveratrol and piceid, respectively. The method has been applied to the analysis of these compounds in wine samples without a clean-up step. The analysis is completed in only 20 min. The standard addition method has been applied to the analysis of a commercial red wine and average recoveries near 100% were obtained for resveratrol and piceid. Three wine pools were satisfactorily analysed by external calibration.     

Sorptive extraction with in-sample acetylation for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of ethylphenol species in wine samples

An inexpensive and effective sample preparation procedure for the determination of three ethylphenolic off-flavours (4-ethylphenol, 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylcathecol) in wine samples is presented. Analytes were in situ acetylated and concentrated using a disposable silicone sorbent (DSS) exposed to the diluted sample. After that, the analytes were recovered with ethyl acetate and determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The influence of different parameters (volume of acetic anhydride, basic catalyst, ionic strength, sorbent format, sampling mode and extraction time) on the efficiency of derivatization and extraction steps is discussed. Under optimized conditions, 2 mL of wine were diluted with 15 mL of an aqueous solution of potassium bicarbonate (5%, m/v) in a 22 mL vessel, containing 2 g of sodium chloride. The volume of acetic anhydride and the extraction time were set at 90 μL and 2 h, and the extraction was carried out at room temperature (20±2°C). Analytes were concentrated using a silicone disc (5 mm diameter × 0.5 mm thickness) and further desorbed with 0.2 mL of ethyl acetate. The achieved limits of quantification (LOQs), defined as the concentration of each compound providing a signal 10 times higher than the baseline noise, stayed between 5 and 15 ng mL(-1). The method provided a linear response range of up to 5000 ng mL(-1) and relative recoveries from 91% to 116%. The 4-ethylphenol off-flavour was detected in most red wine samples at concentrations of up to 2700 ng mL(-1).     

Monitoring of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography after pre-column derivatization with glyoxal reagents

A new, simple and sensitive pre-column fluorescence derivatization high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the oxidative DNA stress marker, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, was developed. Solid-phase extraction using an Oasis HLB cartridge avoided troublesome sample preparation steps, interference from charged species and frequent and essential electrode maintenance in electrochemical procedures. 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and other guanine compounds were selectively derivatized with glyoxal reagents (phenylglyoxal, 3,4-methylenedioxyglyoxal, 2-naphtylglyoxal and 6-methoxynaphthylglyoxal) at 40-60 degrees C. Derivatization with 6-methoxynaphthylglyoxal at 40 degrees C for 30 min gave the strongest fluorescence product. The fluorescence derivatives from reaction with 6-methoxynaphthylglyoxal were separated on a Capcell Pak C18 SG 120A column (4.6 mm i.d. x 150 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile-5 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.0; 3:7, v/v) as mobile phase. The detection wavelength of the fluorescence derivative of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine was lambda(ex) 400 nm and lambda(em) 510 nm. The detection limit of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine was 1 ng/mL using 50 mL of urine. The calibration graphs were linear up to 30 microg/mL for 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine. The relative standard deviation of 20 ng/mL of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine was 7.0%. The proposed method was compared with the enzymatic ELISA 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine analysis method (8-OH-dG Check, JaICA, Shizuoka, Japan). The correlation coefficient was 0.79 (n = 20) and y = 0.85x + 5.34. The proposed method was applied to the monitoring of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine in urine from male heavy smokers.     

HPLC-UV method development and validation for the determination of low level formaldehyde in a drug substance

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) with diode-array detection is developed and validated for the quantitative determination of formaldehyde in a drug substance. Formaldehyde (HCHO) is reacted with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) to form a Schiff base (HCHO-DNPH derivatization product), which has an absorbing maximum (lambda max) at 360 nm. The HPLC method employs a C8, 3-microm particle size analytical column (150 mm x 4.6 mm), 15-microL injection volume, column temperature controlled at 30 degrees C, detection at 360 nm, and a water-acetonitrile (55:45, v/v) mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. These conditions resolve the HCHO-DNPH product from unreacted DNPH, the drug substance and related impurities, as well as diluent peaks within 20 min. The retention time of the HCHO-DNPH product is approximately 6.4 min. The method is linear, accurate in the specified range (0.33-333 ppm), and robust based on analyte (HCHO-DNPH derivatization product) stability in standard and sample. Detection limit is 0.03 ng (0.1 ppm).     

Validated spectrophotometric and fluorimetric methods for analysis of clozapine in tablets and urine

Five spectrophotometric methods and one fluorimetric method have been developed and validated for the analysis of clozapine. The spectrophotometric methods were based on the charge-transfer complexation reaction between clozapine as electron donor and each of iodine as sigma-acceptor or 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinondimethane (TCNQ), 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzo-quinone (DDQ), tetracyanoethane (TCNE), and p-chloranilic acid (pCA) as pi-acceptors. The obtained complexes were measured spectrophotometrically at 365, 843, 460, 414, and 520 nm for iodine, TCNQ, DDQ, TCNE, and pCA, respectively. The fluorimetric method was based on the oxidation of clozapine in the presence of perchloric acid by cerium (IV), and subsequent measuring the fluorescence of the produced cerium (III) fluorimetrically at lambda(excitation) 260 and lambda(emission) 355 nm. Under the optimum assay conditions, Beer's law was obeyed at concentrations ranged from 4-200 microg mL(-1) for the spectrophotometric methods and from 24-250 ng mL(-1) for the fluorimetric method. The limits of detection for the spectrophotometric methods were 1.12, 1.76, 2.22, 0.95, and 13.26 microg mL(-1) for iodine, TCNQ, DDQ, TCNE, and pCA, respectively. The limit of detection for the fluorimetric method was 6.69 ng mL(-1). The proposed methods were successfully applied to the analysis of clozapine in tablets with good recoveries. The fluorimetric method could also be applied to the analysis of clozapine in spiked urine samples. The molar ratios and the reaction mechanisms were investigated.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of acetaminophen with N-bromosuccinimide

A simple, sensitive, and selective method for determination of acetaminophen based on its oxidation using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) to produce a highly fluorescent product. Optimization of reaction variables was carried out concerning NBS concentration, pH, temperature, reaction time, and stability time. Under optimal analytical conditions, the fluorescent intensity was measured at lambda emission. 442 nm (excitation at lambda 330 nm). The linearity range is 120-800 ng/mL with lower detection limit of 33.6 ng/mL acetaminophen. The method was applied successfully to the determination of the compound in pharmaceutical preparations, with average recovery of 100.3 +/- 2%. The method was also applied successfully to the determination of the drug in spiked plasma samples, with an average recovery of 101.2 +/- 1%. Interference effects of some compounds, present in combination with acetaminophen, were studied and the tolerance limits of these compounds were determined.     

Determination of preservatives in cosmetics and food samples by micellar liquid chromatography

An analytical procedure has been developed for the analysis of benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, and butyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid by micellar liquid chromatography. After dilution in n-propanol the sample was directly injected onto a Lichrosorb ODS, 5 microm (250 x 4.6 mm ID) column and eluted with aqueous 2% Brij-35 adjusted to pH 3.0 with phosphoric acid:propanol (80:20 v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL min(-1) and UV detection at 254 nm. A linear calibration curve was obtained simultaneously for each component in the range of 50-500 microg mL(-1) for benzoic acid and 5-150 microg mL(-1) for the other components; detection limits were within 25-250 ng mL(-1) corresponding to 125-1250 pg per injection (5 microL). The reproducibility in terms of average peak area and average retention time was obtained with coefficients of variation (CV) of 1.2% and 0.5%. The method was applied to analysis of these compounds in cosmetics (shampoos, hand lotions, creams, and bath foam) and food samples.     

Determination of disulfiram by micellar liquid chromatography in illicit preparations

Presently, disulfiram is used in aversion therapy for recovering alcoholics. It acts by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase, leading to high blood levels of acetaldehyde. A simple direct injection micellar liquid chromatographic procedure was developed to determine disulfiram in illicit preparations (ayurvedic, herbal, divine ash, and traditional medicine), as well as in pharmaceuticals and biological samples (urine). After application of a predictive optimization strategy, the proposed method was developed using a 0.1 M sodium dodecyl sulfate-butanol 4% (v/v) buffered to pH 7 as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min, an octyl silyl (C8) 150 mm column, and diode array detection at 248 nm. Under the above conditions, the analysis time was below 8 min. Validation studies were based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The LOD (3 x SD criterion) was 15 ng/mL and LOQ (10 x SD criterion) was 70 ng/mL for disulfiram. The intraday and interday precisions were below 3.5%, recoveries were in the range of 97-102%, and robustness was below 3%. The optimized and validated micellar liquid chromatographic method was successfully applied to the determination of disulfiram in ayurvedic, herbal, divine ash, and other samples. The procedure developed could also be used in the fields of QC, routine analysis, and pharmacokinetic studies.     

An improved LC-MS/MS method for quantitative determination of metolazone in human plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A simple, rapid and accurate liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed. After a liquid-liquid extraction procedure, samples were chromatographed on an Agilent TC-C(18) (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column using an isocratic elution mobile phase composed of methanol and distilled water (70:30, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. After single-dose administration of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg metolazone, the t(1/2) values were 6.6 ± 2.8, 7.9 ± 1.2 and 7.6 ± 1.9 h, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters of multiple doses (1 mg metolazone) were as follows: t(1/2) was 8.9 ± 1.0 h; C(max) was 22.4 ± 5.0 ng/mL; and AUC(0-48) was 156.8 ± 31.6 ng h/mL.     

Determination of albendazole metabolites by direct injection of bovine plasma and multidimensional achiral-chiral high performance liquid chromatography

The development and validation of a fully automated achiral-chiral high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of albendazole metabolites: enantiomers of albendazole sulphoxide (ABZ-SO), albendazole sulphone (ABZ-SO(2)) and albendazole 2-aminosulphone (ABZ-SO(2)NH(2)) in bovine plasma are described. This method involves an octyl restricted access media bovine serum albumin column (C(8)-RAM-BSA) (50 mm x 4.6 mm I.D.) for sample clean-up, followed by enantioselective analysis on a column containing an amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) stationary phase (150 mm x 4.6 mm I.D.). The chromatographic separations of all target compounds were performed at 30 degrees C using a mobile phase composed of phosphate buffer (10 mmol L(-1); pH 7.5):acetonitrile (60:40, v/v), flow rate of 0.5 mL min(-1) and fluorescence detection at 290 nm and 320 nm, excitation and emission, respectively. The influence of different organic modifiers and chiral selector of the stationary phase on enantioseparation of ABZ-SO was investigated. The method developed was fully validated. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 40.00-1280 ng mL(-1) for each albendazole sulphoxide enantiomer, 10.0-320 ng mL(-1) for albendazole sulphone and 20.0-320 ng mL(-1) for albendazole 2-aminosulphone. The inter- and intra-day precision ranged from 0.760% to 7.79% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.), and the accuracy ranged 101% from 114% of the nominal values while the transfer efficiency was in the range of 84.4-103%. The method showed good linearity, precision, accuracy, sensitivity and selectivity allowing it to be appropriate for further pharmacokinetics and metabolism studies of albendazole.     

Simultaneous stereoselective analysis of tramadol and its primary phase I metabolites in plasma by liquid chromatography. Application to a pharmacokinetic study in humans

This paper describes a bioanalytical method involving a simple liquid-liquid extraction for the simultaneous HPLC determination of the enantiomers of tramadol, the active metabolite O-desmethyltramadol (M1), and the other main metabolite N-desmethyltramadol (M2) in biological samples. Chromatography was performed at 5 degrees C on a Chiracel OD-R column containing cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) as chiral selector, preceded by a achiral end-capped C8 column (LiChrospher 60-RP-selected B 5 microm, 250 mm x 4 mm). The mobile phase was a mixture of phosphate buffer containing sodium perchlorate (1 M) adjusted to pH 2.5-acetonitrile-N,N-dimethyloctylamine (74.8:25:0.2). The flow rate was 0.5 ml/min. Fluorescence detection (lambda(ex) 200 nm/lambda(em) 301 nm) was used. Fluconazol was selected as internal standard. The limit of quantitation of each enantiomer of tramadol and their metabolites was 0.5 ng/ml (sample size = 0.5 ml). The chiral conditions and the LC optimisation were investigated in order to select the most appropriate operating conditions. The method developed has also been validated. Mean recoveries above of 95% for each enantiomer were obtained. Calibration curves for tramadol enantiomers (range 1-500 ng/ml), M1 enantiomers (range 0.5-100 ng/ml), and M2 enantiomers (range 0.5-250 ng/ml) were linear with coefficients of correlation better than 0.996. Within-day variation determined on four different concentrations showed acceptable values. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was determined to be less than 10%. This method was successfully used to investigate plasma concentration of enantiomers of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol and N-desmethyltramadol in a pharmacokinetic study.     

Determination of cadmium, lead and copper in wine by potentiometric stripping analysis

A procedure for the determination of Cd, Pb and Cu in different wine samples after simple sample preparation on a mercury film electrode (MFE) by potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA) is presented. In 150 German wine samples collected in 1993/94 the following values were found: Cd mean: 0.63 ng/mL (range: 0.003– 0.98 ng/mL); Pb mean: 50 ng/mL (range: 4–254 ng/mL); Cu mean: 250 ng/mL (range: 50–394 ng/mL).     

Determination of apomorphine in canine plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

An LC-ESI-MS method was developed and validated for the assay of apomorphine in canine plasma using one-step liquid-liquid extraction. The analytes were separated on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 (150 mm x 2.0 mm id 3 microm) column and determined by MS in the positive ion mode. The linear range was 0.4-40 ng/mL with an LOD of 0.2 ng/mL for apomorphine in plasma. The intraday and interday precision and accuracy of quality control samples were < 5.9% RSD and < 7.5% bias for apomorphine. Extraction recoveries were > 80%. The validated method was successfully applied to analyze canine plasma samples in a pharmacokinetic study of apomorphine in dogs and detailed pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.     

Simultaneous determination of glucose, 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol and related sugar alcohols in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with benzoic acid derivatization

A new, simple and sensitive pre-column high-performance chromatographic method for the determination of diabetes marker d-glucose, 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol and related compounds is reported. Sugars (d-glucose, d-galactose, d-mannose, sucrose and arabinose) were derivatized with benzoic acid (BA) at 80 degrees C for 60 min. l-Fucose, fructose, d-lactose, l-rhamnose, arabinose and ascorbic acid were not reacted. Sugar alcohols (xylitol, erythritol, mannitol, sorbitol myo-inositol) were also derivatized with BA at 80 degrees C for 60 min. The fluorescence derivatives were separated on a TSK amide 80 column (4.6 mm i.d. x 250 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile-50 mm acetate buffer (pH 5.6; 4:96, v/v) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength of beizoic acid derivatives was lambda(ex) 275 nm and lambda(em) 315 nm. The detection limits of sugars were 10-80 microg/mL. The calibration graphs were linear up to 10 mg/mL. The relative standard deviations of 500 microg/mL sugars were 7.0-7.3%. The proposed method was compared with the enzymatic photometric glucose analysis method (Glucose B-Test II Wako). The correlation coefficient was 0.83 (n = 20) and y = 0.82x + 5.91, where y and x are concentrations in microg/mL obtained by the proposed pre-column HPLC and enzyme-photometric method, respectively. The detection limits of sugar alcohols were 100-1000 ng/mL. The calibration graphs were linear to 50 microg/mL and relative standard deviations of 10 microg/mL were 7.2-8.2%. The 1,5-AG data by the proposed method was also compared with the enzymatic photometric 1,5-AG analysis method (Rana AG 1,5-AG determination kit, Nihon Kayaku) and good correlation (r = 0.91, n = 20) was also obtained. The proposed method was applied to the simultaneous determination of d-glucose, 1,5-AG and related sugar alcohols in serum from healthy males.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic assay of pirlimycin in human serum and urine using 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay method has been developed for determining pirlimycin in human serum and urine. The method involves chloroform extraction of pirlimycin free base followed by derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate to form a carbamate ester. The reaction is rapid, reproducible, and quantitative. 9-Fluorenylmethylchloroformate reacts with amines to form derivatives sensitive to both ultraviolet and fluorescence detection. Human serum and urine samples following 50-mg and 500-mg single oral doses of pirlimycin were analyzed. The samples were chromatographed on an RP-18 Spherisorb 5-micron, 250 X 4.6 mm I.D. reversed-phase HPLC column. The eluent for the serum assay was acetonitrile-water (58:42) containing 0.02% acetic acid, and for the urine assay was acetonitrile-methanol-tetrahydrofuran-water (48:2:1:49). Fluoranthene was used as an internal standard. The assay sensitivity by ultraviolet detection (lambda max = 264) was about 5 ng/ml and by fluorescence detection (lambda excitation = 270 nm, lambda emission = 300 nm) was 0.1 ng/ml. Statistical analysis indicates an average drug recovery of 101 +/- 4.2% from serum and 102.0 +/- 2.62% from urine.