Application of time-resolved fluorescence to the determination of metabolites.

A simple fluorescent methodology for the simultaneous determination of two major metabolites of acetylsalicylic acid--salicylic and gentisic acids--in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine is proposed. Due to the overlapping between the fluorescence spectra of both analytes, the use of the more selective fluorescence decay curves is proposed. Values of dependent instrumental variables affecting the signal-to-noise ratio were fixed with a simplex optimization procedure. A calibration matrix of thirteen standards plus two blank samples was processed using a partial least-squares (PLS) analysis. To assess the goodness of the proposed method, a prediction set of nine synthetic samples was analyzed, obtaining recovery percentages between 95% and 106%. Limits of detection, calculated by means of a new criterion, were 3.49 µg L(-1) and 1.66 µg L(-1) for salicylic and gentisic acids, respectively. The method was also tested in three pharmaceutical preparations containing salicylic acid, obtaining recovery percentages close to 100%. Finally, the simultaneous determination of both analytes in human urine samples was successfully carried out by the PLS-analysis of a matrix of thirteen standards plus five analyte blanks. Although spectra of analytes and urine overlap strongly, no extraction method neither prior separation of the analytes were needed.

Direct determination of danofloxacin and flumequine in milk by use of fluorescence spectrometry in combination with partial least-squares calibration.

A new method for the simultaneous determination of danofloxacin and flumequine in milk samples was developed by using the nonlinear variable-angle synchronous fluorescence technique to acquire data and a partial least-squares chemometric algorithm to process them. A calibration set of standard samples was designed by combination of a factorial design with two levels per factor and a central star design. Whey was used as the third component of the calibration matrix. In order to assess the goodness of the proposed method, a prediction set of 11 synthetic samples was analyzed, obtaining recovery percentages between 96.1% and 104.0%. Limits of detection, calculated by means of a new criterion, were 0.90 and 12.4 ng mL(-1) for danofloxacin and flumequine, respectively. Finally, the simultaneous determination of both fluoroquinoles in milk samples containing the analytes was successfully carried out, obtaining an average recovery percentage of 99.3 ± 4.4 for danofloxacin and 100.7 ± 4.4.

Application of non-linear angle synchronous spectrofluorimetry to the determination of complex mixtures of drugs in urine: a comparative study.

Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) is a rapid, sensitive and non-destructive method suitable for the analysis of multifluorophoric mixtures. In this study non linear variable angle synchronous spectrofluorimetry was applied to the determination of three fluoroquinololes in urine. Although this technique provides very good results, total resolution of multicomponent mixtures is not always achieved when the spectral profiles strongly overlap. Partial least-squares regression (PLS-1) was utilized to a develop calibration model that related synchronous fluorescence spectra to the analytical concentration of fluoroquinolones in the presence of urine. The same multicomponent mixture was determined using excitation emission matrix fluorescence (EEMF) along with N-way partial least squares regression (N-PLS and U-PLS). The determination was carried out in micellar medium 0.01 M with a pH of 4.8 provided by 0.2 M sodium acetate/acetic acid buffer. A central composite design was selected to obtain a calibration matrix of 25 standards plus a blank sample. The proposed methods were validated by application to a test set of synthetic samples. The results show that SFS with PLS-1 is a better method compared to EEMF with N-PLS or U-PLS because of the low RMSEP values of the former.

Simultaneous determination of salicylic acid and salicylamide in biological fluids.

A new methodology for the simultaneous determination of salicylic acid and salicylamide in biological fluids is proposed. The strong overlapping of the fluorescence spectra of both analytes makes impossible the conventional fluorimetric determination. For that reason, the use of fluorescence decay curves to resolve mixtures of analytes is proposed; this is a novel technique that provides the benefits in selectivity and sensitivity of the fluorescence decay curves. In order to assess the goodness of the proposed method, a prediction set of synthetic samples were analyzed obtaining recuperation percentages between 98.2 and 104.6%. Finally, a study of the detection limits was done using a new criterion resulting in values for the detection limits of 8.2 and 11.6 µg L(-1) for salicylic acid and salicylamide respectively. The validity of the method was tested in human serum and human urine spiked with aliquots of the analytes. Recoveries obtained were 96.2 and 94.5% for salicylic acid and salicylamide respectively.

Simultaneous determination of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) by peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence using Partial Least Squares calibration.

It was found that the ions Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) can attenuate the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence emission, which was used to develop an analytical procedure for the simultaneous determination of these ions in a stopped-flow system using Partial Least Square (PLS) calibration. Acetonitrile was used to dissolve TCPO and to prepare a mixture of fluorescein, H(2)O(2) and imidazole. These solutions were carried using two peristaltic pumps, while a third pump was employed to propel the aqueous solutions of the metallic ions. All solutions were mixed in the quartz cell of a Campsec CL detector connected to a personal computer to register the CL development using the Clarity software. Under the optimum operative conditions each ion produced a specific CL development with maximum intensities at 0.280 min for Zn(II), 0.307 min for Ni(II) and 0.327 min for Cu(II). The latter exhibited the highest inhibition effect. The experimental calibration set was composed of 16 sample solutions using a central design for three component mixtures with scaled values. The proposed method offers the advantages of simplicity, good precision and accuracy for the simultaneous determination of Ni(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) in water samples.

Determination of ciprofloxacin, the major metabolite of enrofloxacin, in milk by isopotential fluorimetry.

A new method for the determination of ciprofloxacin, the major metabolite of enrofloxacin, for concentrations between 20 and 200 ng/mL by means of matrix isopotential synchronous fluorescence spectrometry and derivative techniques is proposed. This new method is useful for the determination of compounds in samples with unknown background fluorescence, such as ciprofloxacin in whey, without the need of tedious preseparation. The determination was performed in an ethanol/water medium (20% v/v) at pH 4.8, provided by adding a sodium acetate/acetic acid buffer solution. Since enrofloxacin is widely used as an antibacterial agent in veterinary medicine, the method was successfully applied to the determination of its main metabolite in milk. An exhaustive statistical analysis has been developed to all calibration graphs. This treatment includes robust regression such as least median of squares, which also detects outliers and leverage points. The overall least-squares regression has been applied to find the more exact straight line that fits the experimental data. The error propagation has been considered to calculate the detection limit and the repeatability of the method.

Simultaneous determination of two anti-inflammatory drugs in serum using isopotential fluorimetry.

The simultaneous determination of 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6MNA) and diflunisal in serum samples using the combination of matrix isopotential synchronous fluorescence (MISF) and first derivative technique is proposed. 6MNA and diflunisal exhibit overlapped spectra and serum produces background fluorescence that precludes the direct determination of these anti-inflammatory drugs by conventional fluorimetry. This method provides good analytical results for determination of compounds in samples with unknown background fluorescence. The method was applied for the simultaneous determination of 6MNA and diflunisal in serum samples at concentrations between 20-200 and 100-1000 ng mL(-1), respectively, by means of absolute values of first derivative of synchronous scan at 247.9/364.0 and 262.6/392.4 nm for 6MNA and diflunisal, respectively. In order to obtain maximum sensitivity and adequate selectivity, factors affecting fluorescence intensity were studied. As a result, the analyses were performed in water at a pH of 7.2, adjusted by using sodium dihydrogen phosphate/hydrogen phosphate (0.1M) as a buffer solution. Serum samples were diluted 200 times. Analytical parameters of the proposed method were calculated according to the error propagation theory. The limit of detection calculated according to Clayton was 15.8 and 63.0 ng mL(-1) for 6MNA and diflunisal, respectively. The sensitivity, repeatability and reproducibility achieved with the proposed method were adequate for the determination of these anti-inflammatory agents in serum samples.

Direct determination of closely overlapping drug mixtures of diflunisal and salicylic acid in serum by means of derivative matrix isopotential synchronous fluorescence spectrometry.

A direct method for the simultaneous fluorimetric determination of two anti-inflammatory drugs in serum is proposed. The combination of matrix isopotential synchronous fluorescence (MISF) and first derivative technique provides good analytical results and permits the simultaneous determination of diflunisal and salicylic acid in human serum. MISF spectra are obtained by calculating the isopotential trajectory in the three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum for a serum solution. In the spectral contour, the trajectory is taken to be the portion of the line that passes by the fluorescence maxima of both compounds ensuring a sensitivity level similar to that of a direct determination in absence of background fluorescence. Analysis was carried out in water using a pH of 7.2 provides by 0.1 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer. Serum samples are diluted 100 times and provide linear calibration plots at diflunisal and salicylic acid concentrations up to 800 ng mL(-1). The goodness of the analytical signal was checked by using variance analysis. Signals recorded throughout the calibration range were subjected to three calibrations per each analyte, both in the absence and in the presence of variable amounts of the other analyte. Differences between individual calibrations and slopes were compared with those within individual calibrations. Based on the results, diflunisal and salicylic acid can be accurately quantified in the presence of each other. The limit of detection calculated according to Clayton who uses error propagation throughout the calibration curve and a non-centralized security factor was 36.8 and 37.3 ng mL(-1) for diflunisal and salicylic acid, respectively.

Fast determination of propranolol in urine and pharmaceutical preparations by stopped-flow and micellar-stabilized room-temperature phosphorescence: validation of the method.

The stopped-flow mixing technique has been used to study the kinetic determination of propranolol by means of micellar-stabilized room-temperature phosphorescence. This mixing system diminishes the time required for the deoxygenation of micellar medium by sodium sulfite, allowing a kinetic curve that levels off within only 7s to be obtained. The phosphorescence enhancers thallium (I) nitrate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and sodium sulfite were optimized to obtain maximum sensitivity and selectivity. A pH value of 6.54 was selected as adequate for phosphorescence development. The kinetic curves of propranolol phosphorescence were scanned at lambda(ex)=290 nm and lambda(em)=524 nm. The calibration graphs were linear for the concentration range from 25 to 400 ng mL(-1). The phosphorescence lifetime of propranolol is approximately 1210 micros. The detection limit calculated as proposed clayton was 13.53 ng mL(-1) and by applying the error propagation theory, the detection limit was 8.37 ng mL(-1). The repeatability was studied using 10 solutions of 200 ng mL(-1) of propranolol; if error propagation theory is assumed, the relative error is 1.94%. The standard deviation for a replicate sample was 4.0 ng mL(-1). This method was successfully applied to the determination of propranolol in commercial formulations and in urine. Suitable recovery values were obtained.

Determination of 4-methylpropranolol in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and urine by nonprotected fluid room-temperature phosphorescence using simplex optimization.

A direct and simple procedure for the determination of 4-methylpropranolol, a specific beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, in biological fluids was developed. The method was based on the measurement of the nonprotected fluid room-temperature phosphorescence of the drug. This technique enables us to determine analytes in complex matrices without the need for a tedious prior separation process. The appropriate experimental conditions to obtain suitable reproducibility and maximum phosphorescence signal, when sodium sulfite is used to eliminate the oxygen from the solution and when potassium iodide is used as heavy atom, were studied. The optimum concentration of KI was 3.2 M. The optimization of Na(2)SO(3) (7.0 x 10(-3) M) and the accurate value of pH (10.88) were determined using a simplex as the method of optimization. A sodium carbonate-hydrogen carbonate buffer solution (5.0 x 10(-2) M) was used to adjust the value of pH. The delay time (124 micros), gate time (206 micros), and time between flashes (5 ms) were also optimized using a simplex. Under the above conditions, the maximum signal of phosphorescence appears instantly once the sample has been prepared, and the intensity was measured at lambda(ex) = 300 nm and lambda(em) = 537 nm, in the concentration range 25-500 ng/ml. Overall least-squares regression was used to find the straight line that fit the experimental data. The detection limit according to the error propagation theory was 6.2 ng/ml and the detection limit calculated as proposed by C. A. Clayton et al. (1987, Anal. Chem. 59, 2506) was 11.7 ng/ml. The repeatability was studied using 10 solutions of 200 ng/ml 4-methylpropranolol; if error propagation theory was assumed, the relative error was 1.78% and the standard deviation for replicate samples was 3.5 ng/ml. This method was successfully applied to the determination of 4-methylpropranolol in urine, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid, with recoveries of 99.3 +/- 0.5% in the case of urine, 99.8 +/- 0.2% for serum, and 101.5 +/- 1.5% for cerebrospinal fluid.

Control of propranolol intake by direct chromatographic detection of alpha-naphthoxylactic acid in urine.

A rapid chromatographic procedure with a C18 column, a mobile phase of 0.15 M sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-10% (v/v) 1-propanol at pH 3 (0.01 M phosphate buffer), and fluorimetric detection, is reported for the control of propranolol (PPL) intake in urine samples, which are injected directly without any other treatment than filtration. The peak of PPL was only observed in samples taken a few hours after ingestion of the drug due to its extensive conjugation and metabolisation. The detection of several unconjugated PPL metabolites was therefore considered: desisopropylpropranolol (DIP), propranolol glycol (PPG), alpha-naphthoxylactic acid (NLT) and alpha-naphthoxyacetic acid (NAC). NLT showed the best characteristics: it eluted at a much shorter retention time than PPL, its concentration in urine samples was greater and it did not present any interference from endogeneous compounds in urine, common drugs or drugs administered in combination with PPL. The limit of quantification, measured as the concentration of analyte providing a relative standard deviation of 20%, was 24 ng/ml, and the day-to-day imprecision was below 4% for concentrations above 200 ng/ml. The procedure allows the routine control of PPL at therapeutic urine levels. Urinary excretion studies showed that the detection of NLT is possible at least up to 20-30 h after oral administration.

The use of modified simplex method to optimize the room temperature phosphorescence variables in the determination of an antihypertensive drug.

In the present paper, the modified simplex method (MSM) has been applied, for the first time, to determine compounds by a luminescence technique. The method was based on the optimization of chemical and instrumental variables affecting phosphorescence using a geometric simplex in two and three dimensions of space, respectively. As application, we have determined a novel antihypertensive drug, naftopidil, in urine and serum, by heavy atom induced room temperature phosphorescence (HAI-RTP); this technique enables us to determine analytes in complex matrices, biological fluids, without the need for a tedious prior separation process. With the proposed method, the maximum signal of phosphorescence appears instantly once the sample has been prepared and the intensity was measured at lambda(ex)=287 nm and lambda(em)=525 nm. Overall least-squares regression was used to find the straight line that fitted the experimental data. The detection limit, as well as the repeatability and the standard deviation (S.D.) for replicate sample, were also determined.

Direct determination of naftopidil by non-protected fluid room temperature phosphorescence.

A selective and sensitive room temperature phosphorimetric method for the direct determination of naftopidil in biological fluids is described. The method is based on obtaining a phosphorescence signal from this antihypertensive drug using TlNO3 as a heavy atom perturber and Na2SO3 as a deoxygenator agent without a protective medium. This technique is named non-protected room temperature phosphorescence (NP-RTP), and enables us to determine analytes in complex matrices without the need for a tedious prior separation process. The optimization of Na2SO3 (8.5 x 10(-3) M) and the accurate value of pH (9.0) were determined using a simplex as a method of optimization. Sodium carbonate-hydrogencarbonate buffer solution (5.0 x 10(-2) M) was used to adjust the suitable pH. The optimum concentration of Tl+ (8.5 x 10(-2) M) was also determined. The delay time, gate time and time between flashes selected were 200 microseconds, 200 microseconds and 5 ms, respectively. Under the above conditions we propose a method to determine naftopidil by direct measurement of phosphorescence intensity with an emission wavelength of 526 nm and an excitation wavelength of 296 nm in the concentration range 0.05-1.00 mg L-1. Under these conditions the phosphorescence signal appears in 3 min once the sample has been prepared. Optimization of the various conditions permitted the establishment of an NP-RTP method for the determination with a detection limit, according to the error propagation theory, of 21.0 ng mL-1. The repeatability was studied using 10 solutions of 0.20 mg L-1 of naftopidil; if error propagation is assumed, the relative error is 1.39%. The standard deviation for replicate samples was 1.1 x 10(-2) mg L-1. This method was successfully applied to the determination of naftopidil, in human urine with recoveries between 106 and 112%.

Non-protected fluid room-temperature phosphorimetric procedure for the direct determination of naftopidil in biological fluids.

Non-protected fluid room temperature phosphorescence, NPRTP, has been applied to the determination of naftopidil in biological fluids. The proposed method is based on obtaining a phosphorescence signal from naftopidil using potassium iodide as heavy atom perturber and sodium sulfite as a deoxygenating reagent without a protected medium. Optimized conditions for the determination were 1.4 mol L= KI, 5.0 x l0(-3) mol L(-1) sodium sulfite, pH 6.5 (adjusted with sodium hydrogen phosphate-dihydrogen phosphate buffer solution, 5.0 x 10(-2) mol L(-1). The delay time, gate time, and time between flashes were 70 micros, 400 micros, and 5 ms, respectively. The maximum phosphorescence signal appeared instantly and the intensity was measured at lambda(ex)=287 nm and lambda(em)=525 nm. The response obtained was linearly dependent on concentration in the range 50 to 600 ng mL(-1). The detection limit, according to error-propagation theory, was 7.93 ng mL(-1) and the detection limit as proposed by Clayton was 11.12 ng mL(-1). The repeatability was studied by using ten solutions of 400 ng mL(-1) naftopidil; if the theory of error propagation is assumed the relative error is 0.88%. The standard deviation of replicates was found to be 3.5 ng mL(-1). This method was successfully applied to the analysis of naftopidil in human serum and urine with recoveries of 104.0 +/- 0.6% for serum and 106.0 +/- 1.0% for urine.

Direct determination of 1-naphthoxylactic acid in biological fluids by non-protected fluid room temperature phosphorimetry.

A selective and sensitive room-temperature phosphorimetric method for the direct determination of 1-naphthoxylactic acid (NA) in biological fluids is described. It is based on obtaining a phosphorescence signal from NA using TlNO3 as a heavy atom perturber and Na2SO3 as a deoxygenator without a protective medium. This technique is named non-protected room-temperature phosphorescence (NP-RTP), which allows to determine analytes in complex matrices without the need for tedious prior separation. Optimization of the operational conditions resulted in a detection limit for NA of 9.6 ng/mL according to the error propagation theory. The repeatability and standard deviation were also determined. This method was successfully applied to the determination of NA in urine and human serum.

Fluorimetric determination of salsalate in urine, serum and pharmaceutical preparations.

A method for the determination of salsalate at concentrations between 0.10 and 1.00 mug ml(-1) by means of fluorescence spectrometry technique is proposed. Salsalate, lightly soluble in water, is totally extracted into chloroform. In this organic phase, the drug shows low fluorescence but when an alkaline medium is provided, salsalate undergoes a substantial increase of the fluorescent intensity. Thus, the determination is performed in a chloroformic medium, where pyrrolidine chloroformic solution is added to give the basic character. The fluorescence measurements to quantify salsalate are carried out in its fluorescent band centered at lambda(ex)=299 nm and lambda(em)=410 nm. The method was successfully applied to the determination of salsalate in authentic pharmaceutical preparations, urine and serum. Samples of these latter two matrices, urine and serum, are extracted into chloroform, using in the aqueous phase a pH 4.8, provided by adding acetic acid/sodium acetate buffer solution. Owing to matrix interference, the method of standard additions was used to determine salsalate in the serum. The sensitivity and repeatability achieved with the proposed method are adequate for the determination of salsalate in these matrices.

Stopped-flow determination of dipyridamole in pharmaceutical preparations by micellar-stabilized room temperature phosphorescence.

The stopped flow mixing technique has been used to study the kinetic determination of dipyridamole by means of micellar-stabilized room temperature phosphorescence (RTP). This mixing system diminishes the time required for the deoxygenation of the micellar medium by sodium sulfite. The phosphorescence enhancers thallium (I) nitrate, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and sodium sulfite were optimized to obtain maximum sensitivity and selectivity. A pH value of 10.6 was selected as adequate for phosphorescence development. The kinetic curve of dipyridamole phosphorescence was scanned at lambda(ex)=303 nm and lambda(em)=616 nm. Then, the intensity at 10 s, and the maximum slope of phosphorescence development, for an interval time of 1 s, were measured. Two determination approaches: intensity and rate methods, were proposed. The calibration graphs were linear for the concentration range from 50 to 400 ng ml(-1). The detection limits, according to Clayton et al., Anal. Chem. 59 (1987) 2506, were 21.5 and 37.5 ng ml(-1), for intensity and initial rate measurements, respectively. By applying the error propagation theory, the detection limits were 19.0 and 33.0 ng ml(-1), for intensity and initial rate measurements, respectively. Two commercial formulations (persantin and asasantin) were analyzed by both proposed methodologies. Adequate recovery values were obtained in both cases.

Determination of nafronyl in pharmaceutical preparations by means of stopped-flow micellar-stabilized room temperature phosphorescence.

The stopped-flow mixing technique was applied to micellar-stabilized room temperature phosphorimetry by measuring the fast appearance of the phosphorescent signal yielded by nafronyl in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and thallium nitrate. This mixing system diminishes the time required for the deoxygenation of micellar medium by sodium sulfite, allowing a kinetic curve that levels off within only 5 s to be obtained. Phosphorescence enhancers thallium(I) nitrate, sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium sulfite were optimized to obtain maximum sensitivity and selectivity. A pH value of 10.5 was selected as adequate for phosphorescence development. Two rapid, straightforward and automatic methods were proposed using the slope and amplitude of the kinetic curve, which are directly proportional to the nafronyl concentration, as analytical parameters. Calibration graphs were linear for the concentration range from 30 to 600 ng ml-1. Praxilene, the only commercial formulation containing nafronyl, was analysed by both proposed methodologies. Suitable recovery values were obtained.

Direct determination of amiloride in urine using isopotential fluorimetry.

A method for the determination of amiloride at concentrations between 15 and 152 ng ml-1 by means of matrix isopotential synchronous fluorescence spectrometry and derivative techniques is proposed. This method is useful for the determination of compounds in samples with unknown background fluorescence without the need for tedious pre-separation. As amiloride is widely used as a doping substance in sport, the method was successfully applied to the determination of amiloride in urine. To obtain maximum sensitivity and adequate selectivity, factors affecting fluorescence intensity were studied in the amiloride band centered and lambda ex = 362 nm and lambda em = 415 nm. As a result, the determination was performed in an ethanol-water (1 + 1, v/v) medium at pH 6.3, adjusted by using sodium citrate-citric acid (0.1 M) as buffer solution. The concentration of amiloride in urine samples can be calculated by recording its total luminescence spectrum and applying the isopotential trajectory of the urine that cuts the selected band of amiloride. The unknown analytical signal of urine is eliminated in the MISF spectrum obtained, be means of its first derivative. A calibration graph was constructed by measuring first derivative values at lambda ex = 357nm and lambda em = 392 nm. Analytical parameters of the proposed method were calculated according to the error propagation theory. The sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility and limit of determination achieved with the proposed method are adequate for the determination of amiloride in urine.

Phosphorimetric determination of dipyridamole in pharmaceutical preparations.

Room temperature phosphorescence was applied to the determination of dipyridamole in pharmaceutical preparations. The response was linear in the concentration range 100-1600 ng ml-1. The use of phosphorescence enhancers such as thallium(I) nitrate (external heavy atom), sodium dodecyl sulfate (microemulsion stabilizer) and sodium sulfite (deoxygenation agent) was studied and optimized to obtain maximum sensitivity and adequate selectivity. The determination was performed in 0.026 M sodium dodecyl sulfate, 0.0156 M thallium nitrate and 0.02 M sodium sulfite. The pH value was 11.5, adjusted by adding sodium hydroxide. The phosphorescence was totally developed in 15 min, after that the intensity was measured at lambda ex = 303 nm and lambda em = 616 nm. The recovery of the method was tested on commercial formulations containing dipyridamole. The recoveries obtained were 94.67 +/- 0.58% for Persantin and 96.75 +/- 1.37% for Asasantin. The overall least squares regression method was applied to find the most exact straight line that fits the experimental data. The detection limit according to the error propagation theory was 16.4 ng ml-1. The repeatability and relative standard deviation were also determined according to this theory.