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.