Rapid microwave synthesis of N and S dual-doped carbon quantum dots for natamycin determination based on fluorescence switch-off assay.

Green, one-pot, quick, and easily synthesized nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon quantum dots (N,S-CDs) were obtained from cheap and readily available chemicals (sucrose, urea, and thiourea) using a microwave-assisted approach in about 4 min and utilized as a turn-off fluorescent sensor for estimation of natamycin (NAT). First, the effect of N and S doping on the microwave-synthesized CDs' quantum yield was carefully studied. CDs derived from sucrose alone failed to produce a high quantum yield; then, to increase the quantum yield, doping with heteroatoms was carried out using either urea or thiourea. A slight increase in quantum yield was observed upon using thiourea with sucrose, while an obvious enhancement of quantum yield was obtained when urea was used instead of thiourea. Surprisingly, using a combination of urea and thiourea together results in N,S-CDs with the highest quantum yield (53.5%), uniform and small particle size distribution, and extended stability. The fluorescent signal of N,S-CDs was quenched upon addition of NAT due to inner filter effect and static quenching in a manner that allowed for quantitative determination of NAT over a range of 0.5-10.0µg ml-1(LOD = 0.10µg ml-1). The N,S-CDs were applicable for determination of NAT in aqueous humor, eye drops, different environmental water samples, and bread with excellent performance. The selectivity study indicated excellent selectivity of the prepared N,S-CDs toward NAT with little interference from possibly interfering substances. In-silico toxicological evaluation of NAT was conducted to estimate its long-term toxicity and drug-drug interactions. Finally, the preparation of N,S-CDs, and analytical procedure compliance with the green chemistry principles were confirmed by two greenness assessment tools.

Highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of the genotoxic methylglyoxal in glycerol-containing pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements.

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a genotoxic α-dicarbonyl compound. Recently, it was found to be formed in glycerol preparations during storage through auto-oxidation. A simple fluorimetric determination of the carcinogenic degradation product of glycerol, MGO, was developed and validated. The proposed method is based on the derivatization of MGO with 4-carbomethoxybenzaldehyde (CMBA) and ammonium acetate to yield a fluorescent imidazole derivative that can be measured at 415 nm after excitation at 322 nm. The optimized conditions were determined to be 0.2 M CMBA, 1.0 M ammonium acetate and a reaction time of 40 min at 90°C using ethanol as diluting solvent. The linear range was 10.0-200.0 ng/ml. Detection and quantification limits were 2.22 and 6.72 ng/ml, respectively. The proposed method was validated according to International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines and compared with the reported method and no significant difference was found. It was successfully applied for the determination of MGO in six different glycerol-containing pharmaceutical preparations and dietary supplements.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of selected genotoxic impurities in pharmaceutical raw materials and final products.

A green spectrofluorimetric method was introduced for the determination of selected genotoxic impurities; 2-aminopyridine and 3-aminopyridine in different pharmaceutical raw materials and dosage forms. The method relied on the native fluorescence of these impurities in acidic medium. The experimental conditions were carefully studied and optimized, and the method was validated according to International Council on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. The linear range for both analytes was 2.50-100 ng/mL with good determination coefficients of 0.9995 and 0.9992 and detection limits of 0.62 ng/mL and 0.74 ng/mL for 2-aminopyridine and 3-aminopyridine, respectively. The method was successfully applied for determination of 2-aminopyridine and 3-aminopyridine in four active pharmaceutical ingredients and nine dosage forms with satisfactory percentage recoveries and without interference from co-formulated excipients. Analytical performance of the proposed method was comparable to that of the reported methods; hence, the proposed method can be used as a simple and low-cost alternative in quality control laboratories.