RESUMO
Based on the sensitizing effect of formaldehyde on the chemiluminescence (CL) reaction of propylthiouracil (PTU) and methylthiouracil (MTU) with acidic potassium permanganate and the combination technique of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a sensitive, selective and simple post-column CL detection method for determining PTU and MTU is described. The optimal conditions for the CL detection and HPLC separation were carried out. The linear ranges were 0.1-20 microg mL(-1) for MTU and 0.1-10 microg mL(-1) for PTU, the detection limits were 0.03 microg mL(-1) for PTU, 0.03 microg mL(-1) for MTU and the quantification limits were 0.1 microg mL(-1) for PTU, 0.1 microg mL(-1) for MTU. The method has been satisfactorily applied for the determination of MTU and PTU in human serum samples.
