Determination of penicillins by desulphurization with lead and edta titration

A new, simple, accurate and rapid method is described for the determination of total penicillins in pharmaceutical preparations. The method is based on desulphurization with potassium plumbite whereby one mole of lead sulphide is formed per mole of penicillin. The excess of lead ions is titrated with EDTA at pH 4.5, with use of the lead ion-selective electrode. Results are reproducible within +/- 0.5% and compare favourably with those obtained by the procedures of the United States and British Pharmacopoeias.