QSPR studies on the photoinduced-fluorescence behaviour of pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

Fluorimetric analysis is still a growing line of research in the determination of a wide range of organic compounds, including pharmaceuticals and pesticides, which makes necessary the development of new strategies aimed at improving the performance of fluorescence determinations as well as the sensitivity and, especially, the selectivity of the newly developed analytical methods. In this paper are presented applications of a useful and growing tool suitable for fostering and improving research in the analytical field. Experimental screening, molecular connectivity and discriminant analysis are applied to organic compounds to predict their fluorescent behaviour after their photodegradation by UV irradiation in a continuous flow manifold (multicommutation flow assembly). The screening was based on online fluorimetric measurement and comprised pre-selected compounds with different molecular structures (pharmaceuticals and some pesticides with known 'native' fluorescent behaviour) to study their changes in fluorescent behaviour after UV irradiation. Theoretical predictions agree with the results from the experimental screening and could be used to develop selective analytical methods, as well as helping to reduce the need for expensive, time-consuming and trial-and-error screening procedures.

Photoinduced chemiluminescence of pharmaceuticals.

A screening test for the forward development of chemiluminescence systems able to determine pharmaceutical compounds is reported. The test is based on the on-line photodegradation of the drugs by using a photoreactor consisting of 697 cmx0.5 mm PTFE tubing helically coiled around an 8 W low-pressure mercury lamp. Photodegraded pharmaceuticals are detected by direct chemiluminescence of the resulting photofragments and their subsequent reaction with potassium permanganate in sulphuric acid medium as oxidant. The screening comprised 97 compounds with different molecular structures and relevant members of the most important families of pharmaceuticals are tested (amino acids, carboxylic acids, nitrocompounds, phenyl-alkyl and aromatic amines, sulphonic acid amides, polycarbocyclics, monocyclic N-containing heterocyclics, bicyclic N-containing heterocyclics, tricyclic N-containing heterocyclics, N-S containing heterocyclics...). Due to the relevant influence of the medium for the photodegradation a wide range of pH's and buffer solutions were studied. The proposed strategy (photoinduced chemiluminescence, Ph-CL) allows the development of systems for the determination of many pharmaceuticals which do not present "native" chemiluminescence (e.g. chloramphenicol, dextromethorpham, riboflavin, ephedrine, piperazinamide, chlotrimazole, theophylline...). Moreover, Ph-CL allows to increase the sensitivity of chemiluminescence procedures based on direct chemiluminescence detection (e.g. sulphonamides, thiazides, nicontinamide, nortryptiline, levamisole, phenylbarbituric acid...).

Fluorescence determination of the pesticide asulam by flow injection analysis.

This paper presents the analytical determination of the pesticide Asulam based on its native fluorescence. The method was optimized in either a flow injection analysis (FIA) assembly or in batch. The maximum fluorescence intensity was observed for basic pH solutions and at a lamda(ex) of 258 nm and a lamda(em) of 342 nm. The influence of different empirical parameters, such as the pH, the presence of surfactants, solvent polarity or solved oxygen amount, was studied. The calibration range was fitted with a linear equation from 0.01-3 mg l(-1) Asulam and 0.005-15 mg l(-1) Asulam for batch and continuous-flow, respectively. The RSD for both procedures was 1.0%. After testing the influence of a large series of potential interferents, the method was applied to water samples from different locations.

Chemiluminescent determination of the pesticide bromoxynil by on-line photodegradation in a flow-injection system.

A new, robust and simple method is proposed for the chemiluminescent determination of the pesticide Bromoxynil. The empirical procedure is performed with the aid of a flow-injection manifold provided with an on-line photo-reactor to obtain chemiluminescent photofragments. After a period of 12 s of irradiation with an 8 W low-pressure mercury lamp, a chemiluminescent oxidation was performed with the system potassium permanganate in a polyphosphoric acid medium. The photolysis required a basic medium (KOH 0.014 mol l(-1)) with ethanol (1%) as a sensitizer. The method allowed the determination of 134 samples (h-1) of Bromoxynil in a wide interval of concentrations, over the range 5 x 10(-3) - 1 mg l(-1); the detection limit was 5 x 10(-3) mg l(-1). The RSD (n=24) at 0.25 mg l(-1) of the pesticide level was 2.3%. The method was applied to a water sample and to a formulation.

In situ generation of Co(II) by use of a solid-phase reactor in an FIA assembly for the spectrophotometric determination of penicillamine.

A flow injection analysis (FIA) manifold for the determination of penicillamine in pharmaceutical preparations is proposed. The manifold includes a solid-phase reactor for the in situ production of the derivatizing reagent, Co(II) ion, which forms a coloured complex with penicillamine in an alkaline medium. The reactor is prepared by natural immobilization of cobalt carbonate on a polymer matrix, which endows it with a high mechanical and microbiological stability. The cobalt released by passage of a 5 x 10(-4) mol l(-1) sulphuric acid stream at a flow-rate of 2.3 ml min(-1) is merged with a volume of 314 microl of sample containing penicillamine in ammonium-ammonia buffer at pH 9.5 to measure the absorbance at 360 nm. Beer's law is obeyed over the penicillamine concentration range 5-60 mg l(-1). The limit of detection (LOD) of the method is 1 mg l(-1) and its throughput 70 samples h(-1).

Flow-injection analysis-spectrophotometric determination of nitrite and nitrate in water samples by reaction with proflavin.

A flow-injection manifold is proposed for determination of nitrite based on the reaction with 3,6-diamino acridine (proflavin sulfate) in hydrochloride acid medium. The assembly is adapted for nitrate determination by including a reductive column filled with copperized cadmium. The influence of foreign substances is also studied. The method gives a linear calibration graph over the range 0.06-4 mg 1(-1) nitrite, with an RSD <0.5%. The method was applied to nitrite and nitrate determinations in either waste water or coastal marine water samples.

Flow injection-spectrophotometric determination of metoclopramide hydrochloride.

The determination of metoclopramide hydrochloride is spectrophotometrically determined by the Bratton-Marshall method in a flow injection assembly. The required nitrite is prepared on-line in the flow assembly by reducing a nitrate solution with the aid of a copperised cadmium solid-phase reactor. The calibration graph is linear over the range 0.5-85 mg l(-1), with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.89%, and sample throughput of 51 samples h(-1). The method is easy and simple, and it is applied to determination of metoclopramide in some pharmaceutical formulations. The method eliminates the need for frequent preparation of unstable nitrite solutions.

An oxidative column for the flow injection analysis-spectrophotometric determination of paracetamol.

A flow injection-spectrophotometric determination of paracetamol is reported. The procedure is based on the oxidation of the analyte with potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) previously retained in an anionic exchange column and the reaction of the N-(hydroxyphenyl)-p-benzoquinonimine so produced with phenol. The oxidation is carried out at room temperature and in aqueous ammoniacal solution. Concentrations of paracetamol in the 0.20-20 ppm range are determined with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 0.6% (n = 40) at an injection rate of 42 samples h-1. The influence of foreign species on the assay and its application to the determination of paracetamol in several pharmaceutical formulations are reported.

Spectrophotometric determination of promethazine by flow injection analysis and oxidation by CeIV.

A flow injection analysis (FIA) procedure is proposed for the determination of promethazine. The sample solution is directly injected into the carrier-reagent stream which comprises a solution of ceric ions in a sulphuric acid medium. The absorbance at 514 nm from the red colour developed by the oxidation of promethazine is measured. Effects of foreign substances have been investigated and the procedure has been applied to the determination of promethazine in a pharmaceutical formulation (tablets).

Spectrophotometric determination of adrenaline with an oxidative column in a FIA assembly.

A single channel FIA assembly is proposed for the spectrophotometric determination of adrenaline, the aqueous sample solution is directly injected into the carrier stream leading the sample through a manganese dioxide column at 80 degrees C, and on to the spectrophotometer flow-cell. The calibration graph is linear up to 17 ppm of adrenaline. The influence of other substances has been studied and the method has been applied to the determination of adrenaline in a pharmaceutical formulation.

FIA determination of chlorhexidine by means of the precipitation with Cu(II).

The determination of chlorhexidine in pharmaceutical formulations is carried out using flow injection analysis (FIA) with measurement by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The method is based on the formation of a copper-biguanide complex precipitate when the sample is injected into an ammoniacal copper solution. The precipitate is retained on a plastic or paper filtering device. A nitric acid stream dissolves the precipitate and carried the Cu(II) to the AAS detector. The chlorhexidine is determined over the range 5-20 ppm. The influence of interfering substances is investigated.

Three simultaneous dissolution profiles on a solid pharmaceutical formulation by a FIA manifold provided with a single spectrophotometric detector.

This article deals with the simultaneous determination of three dissolution profiles in the same pharmaceutical formulation. The officially proposed procedure from the pharmacopoeias is adapted to the FIA methodology to obtain the officially recommended profile or "global profile", and two "individual" profiles, corresponding to dissolution rate of two different active principles present in the formulation; both drugs have overlapped UV-vis spectra. The simultaneous determination of several profiles is based on the derivative spectra and the zero crossing mathematical procedure for the "individual" profiles of an active principle; the "global" profile of the formulation is obtained from the order zero derivative. The empirical profiles were adjusted by regression analysis using the three-parameter (Higuchi equation) plot method which was selected as the most suitable. The analytical errors when the concentration of one drug is very small or very high are also checked.

Automated simultaneous triple dissolution profiles of two drugs, sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim and hydrochlorothiazide-captopril in solid oral dosage forms by a multicommutation flow-assembly and derivative spectrophotometry.

This article deals with the simultaneous determination of three dissolution profiles with the aid of the new and emerging continuous-flow methodology known as multicommutation. This methodology is based on a flow network of a set of solenoid valves controlled by the computer and acting as independent multicommutators to allow the easy and automated control of flowing solutions. The obtained three dissolution profiles from one dosage form are the whole formulation profile or "global profile" recommended by pharmacopoeias, and, at same time, are recorded two "individual" profiles from two drugs present in the formulation. This is the second attempt to obtain simultaneously three dissolution profiles with a single spectrophotometric detector and the first with the multicommutation methodology. The selected pharmaceutical formulations contained a couple of active principles with overlapped spectra, namely sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim or hydrochlorothiazide and captopril. The obtained empirical plots profiles fitted with the Higuchi equation also known as the three-parameter equation.

Spectrophotometric determination of promazine with an oxidative column in FIA manifolds.

A simple flow-injection spectrophotometric method for the determination of promazine is described. The two proposed procedures are based on the oxidation of analyte with a manganese dioxide column. Concentrations of promazine in the ranges 2-20 and 1-6 are determined with a relative standard deviation of 1.0%. The injection rates are 62 and 80 samples h-1, respectively. The influence of foreign species and the determination of promazine in a pharmaceutical formulation are also reported.

Copper carbonate as a solid-bed reactor for spectrophotometric determination of doxycycline and oxytetracycline in an unsegmented continuous flow assembly.

The FIA-spectrophotometric determination of doxycycline was carried out by reaction of the drug with cupric ions entrapped in a polymeric material in a packed-bed reactor: the complex formed was then injected into a manifold with an alkaline solution as carrier. The developed colour was monitored at 395.0 nm. The method was applied to the determination of doxycycline in different pharmaceutical formulations. The calibration graph for doxycycline hyclate was linear over the range 10.0-80.0 mg ml-1 (n = 8) with a relative standard deviation of 1.4% (at 25 mg ml-1) and a sample throughput of 128 h-1. The proposed procedure was also applied to the determination of oxytetracycline in pharmaceutical formulations.

Simultaneous dissolution profiles of two drugs, sulfadiazine-trimethoprim and amitriptyline-perphenazine, in solid oral dosage forms by a FIA manifold provided with a single spectrophotometric detector.

The simultaneous determination of two dissolution profiles wih the aid of a flow injection analysis assembly has been applied to: (a) sulfadiazine-trimethoprim in tablets and (b) amitriptyline-perphenazine in sugar coated pills. The selected combinations are drugs which have overlapping UV-vis spectra. The officially proposed procedure from the pharmacopoeias has been adapted for the FIA methodology and derivative spectrophotometry and zero crossing. Preliminary experiments on the suitability of the simultaneous determination of both drugs were performed. The empirical profiles were adjusted by regression analysis using different approaches. The 3-parameter plot method was finally selected as the most suitable for the sulfadiazine-trimethoprim and the 4-parameter equation plot for amitriptyline-perphenazine.

Oxidation of adrenaline and noradrenaline by solved molecular oxygen in a FIA assembly.

A simple and effective procedure is proposed for the study and simultaneous determination of adrenaline and noradrenaline. The fluorimetric determination of both substances is performed in a flow injection assembly and by oxidation of both drugs with the solved molecular oxygen. The influence of different parameters is empirically studied and the interpretation of the reaction mechanism is also added. The determination of adrenaline is monitored at 450 nm and the outputs at 520 nm correspond to the adrenaline and noradrenaline global amount; for both lectures lambda(exc) 329 nm. The influence of temperature is relevant and analytical determination occurred at 55 degrees C by immersing the sample loop in a water bath. The linear range for adrenaline is over 0.5-20 microg ml(-1), limit of detection for both compounds is 0.2 microg ml(-1): the influence of foreign compounds as potential interferents is also tested; and, finally the procedure is applied to determination of both chatecolamines in synthetic samples.

Simultaneous dissolution profiles of two drugs in pharmaceutical formulations by an FIA manifold.

This article deals with the simultaneous determination of dissolution profiles of two drugs with overlapped spectra, present in the same pharmaceutical formulation. The official procedure for the dissolution profile is adapted to the continuous-flow methodology; the dissolution vessel is connected to an FIA manifold, in which the sample aliquots from the dissolution vessel are treated in order to adjust to the suitable pH and dilution degree to be monitored. The resulting solution is injected into the carrier stream, an acetic acid-acetate buffer at pH 4.3 and forced to the flow-cell of the spectrophotometer. The simultaneous determination of both profiles is based on the first derivative spectra and the zero-crossing mathematical procedure. The empirical profile of the curve is adjusted by regression using different approaches; the three-parameter plot method is selected. The analytical errors, when the concentration of one drug is very low or very high, are also checked. A binary mixture in commercially available formulations of solid oral administration of sulphametoxazole and trimethoprim is presented.

FIA-fluorimetric determination of thiamine.

A flow injection-fluorimetric determination of thiamine is reported. The procedure is based on the oxidation of the analyte with potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) immobilized on an anionic exchange resin; the fluorescence is monitored in aqueous basic solution. Concentrations of the vitamin of 0.1-4 ppm have been determined; the relative standard deviation was 1.8%. The injection rate was 28 samples/h. The influence of other substances and the determination of the drug in a pharmaceutical formulation are also reported.

FI-chemiluminometric study of thiazides by on-line photochemical reaction.

The present manuscript deals with a simple and sensitive flow-injection method for the chemiluminescent determination of thiazides. The method is based on the on-line photodegradation and chemiluminescent determination of the resulting photo-fragments. The on-line photodegradation is performed in basic medium by using a photoreactor consisting of a 550cm long x 0.8mm ID piece of PTFE tubing helically coiled around an 8W low-pressure mercury lamp. The determination of the photo-irradiated thiazides is performed by a chemiluminescent oxidative reaction with Ce(IV) in sulphuric acid medium. A heterogeneous group of thiazides (indapamide, metolazone, hydroflumethiazide, chlorthalidone and bendroflumethiazide) has been studied. Hydrochlorothiazide was selected as a test substance. The "on-line" photochemical reaction approach allows the sensitive chemiluminescent determination of thiazides which do not present native chemiluminescence in the absence of sensitizers such as Rhodamine 6G. Linear calibration graphs were typically over the range 0.5-12 microgml(-1) (indapamide, metolazone, hydroflumethiazide and chlorthalidone); and over the range 0.5-5 microgml(-1) (hydrochlorothiazide). Limits of detection ranged between 0.005 microgml(-1) (hydrochlorothiazide) and 0.06 microgml(-1) (bendroflumethiazide). The relative standard deviation for the test substance was 2.0% for 2 microgl(-1) of the drug (n = 11) and the throughput was 65 h(-1) in all cases. The assessment of the photodegradation step on the molecular structure of thiazides was established by recording UV and fluorimetric spectra. The viability of the on-line photoinduced fluorescent determination of hydroflumethiazide and bendroflumethiazide was confirmed. The method was also applied to the determination of hydrochlorothiazide in commercially available formulation.