Determination of diazepam in cold drinks by high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

ABSTRACT

A methodology was developed for the detection and quantitation of diazepam in non-alcoholic carbonated beverages and fruit drinks which are adulterated for criminal motives. The extraction of diazepam from the five brands of spiked and simulated cold drinks was carried out at pH 8.5 by two different extraction solvents viz., diethylether and chloroform. The identification of diazepam was done on the basis of RF values and in situ UV spectra. The quantitation was carried out by densitometric scanning of the chromatogram at a wavelength of 230 nm. The method is rapid and reliable for qualitative and quantitative analysis of cold drinks adulterated with diazepam and can be used by law enforcement laboratories for routine analysis.