João A V Prior | PubMed Health

PubMed2003

Trimipramine determination in pharmaceutical preparations with an automated multicommutated reversed-flow system.

In this work an automated multicommutated flow methodology was implemented for the spectrophotometric determination of trimipramine in pharmaceutical preparations by oxidation with ammonium monovanadate in acidic medium. The developed procedure exploits a new approach for sample/reagent intermixing by combining binary sampling with flow-reversal. Rather than inserting the sample as a single continuous volume the intercalation of multiple small sample and reagent aliquots, under a time-based control, created multiple reaction interfaces that promoted reaction zone homogenisation even in limited dispersion conditions. Additionally, the reaction interfaces were reversed, increasing mutual zone penetration, which contributed to a faster reaction development while assuring a low dispersion pattern. A linear range of determination was verified for trimipramine concentrations between 1.0 and 18.0 microg ml(-1) with a relative standard deviation (n=10) lower than 1.69% and a sample throughput of about 26 samples per hour. The results were in agreement with those obtained by the reference procedure with relative deviations lower then 2.37%.

Flow Injection Analysis↗

PubMed2003

Sampling strategies exploiting multi-pumping flow systems.

In this work new strategies were exploited to implement multi-pumping flow systems relying on the utilisation of multiple devices that act simultaneously as sample-insertion, reagent-introduction, and solution-propelling units. The solenoid micro-pumps that were initially used as the only active elements of multi-pumping systems, and which were able to produce pulses of 3 to 25 microL, were replaced by syringe pumps with the aim of producing pulses between 1 and 4 microL. The performance of the developed flow system was assessed by using distinct sample-insertion strategies like single sample volume, merging zones, and binary sampling in the spectrophotometric determination of isoniazid in pharmaceutical formulations upon reaction with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate, in alkaline medium. The results obtained showed that enhanced sample/reagent mixing could be obtained with binary sampling and by using a 1 microL per step pump, even in limited dispersion conditions. Moreover, syringe pumps produce very reproducible flowing streams and are easily manipulated and controlled by a computer program, which is greatly simplified since they are the only active manifold component. Linear calibration plots up to 18.0 microg mL(-1), with a relative standard deviation of less than 1.48% (n=10) and a throughput of about 20 samples per hour, were obtained.

Antitubercular Agents↗