Fluorescamine Post-Column Derivatization for the HPLC Determination of Cephalosporins in Plasma and Urine

Abstract

A post-column fluorescamine derivatization procedure is proposed for the determination of cephalosporins having an α-primary amino group in their side chain (cefaclor, cephalexin, cephradine, cefroxadine, cefaloglycine and cefadroxil). The linearity, repeatability and detection limits of fluorescence emission and UV absorption detection are compared under the same chromatographic conditions. Fluorescence detection is about two times more sensitive than UV absorption detection. Application to the determination of these cephalosporins in plasma and urine shows an improved selectivity by comparison with UV detection.