Adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric assay of the estrogen drug ethinylestradiol in pharmaceutical formulation and human plasma at a mercury electrode

The electroreduction of ethinylestradiol at the hanging mercury drop electrode in the Britton-Robinson universal buffer of pH 2-11 was studied and its interfacial adsorptive character onto the mercury electrode surface was identified. A validated simple, rapid, sensitive, specific, precise and inexpensive square-wave voltammetric procedure is described for the determination of ethinylestradiol following its accumulation onto a hanging mercury drop electrode in a Britton-Robinson universal buffer of pH 7. The optimal procedural conditions were: accumulation potential E(acc)=-0.7 V versus Ag/AgCl/KCl(s), accumulation duration=60s, pulse-amplitude=70 mV, scan increment=10 mV and frequency=120 Hz. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 5.9x10(-10)M and 1.9x10(-9)M bulk ethinylestradiol, respectively, were achieved. The proposed procedure was successfully applied to the quantification of ethinylestradiol in pharmaceutical formulation (Ethinyl-oestradiol tablets) and in human serum and plasma without the necessity for sample pretreatments and/or time-consuming extraction or evaporation steps prior to the analysis. LOD of 8.7x10(-10)M and 3x10(-9)M and LOQ of 2.9x10(-9)M and 1x10(-8)M of ethinylestradiol were achieved in human serum and plasma, respectively.     

The determination of levofloxacin by flow injection analysis using UV detection,potentiometry, and conductometry in pharmaceutical preparations

A flow injection analysis (FIA) using UV detection, potentiometry and conductometry for levofloxacin (LVF) are described in this study. The best solvent system was found to consist of 0.2 M acetate buffer at pH 3 having 10% MeOH. A flow rate of 1 ml min(-1) was pumped and active material was detected at 288 nm. The detection limit (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for FIA were calculated to be 3 x 10(-7) M (S/N = 3) and 1 x 10(-7) M (S/N = 10), respectively. In the analysis of tablets, the RSD values were found to be 0.83, 0.98 and 0.99 for FIA, potentiometric and conductometric methods, respectively.     

Assay of the anti-psychotic drug haloperidol in bulk form, pharmaceutical formulation and biological fluids using square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry at a mercury electrode

The cyclic voltammetric behavior of haloperidol at a hanging mercury drop electrode was studied in Britton-Robinson buffer series of pH 2.5-11 containing 40% (v/v) ethanol. A single two-electron irreversible cathodic peak was obtained which attributed to reduction of the CO double bond. In addition, a small enhanced adsorptive pre-wave was observed at less negative potentials over the pH range 3.5-11. Controlled adsorptive accumulation of haloperidol onto the hanging mercury drop electrode provided the basis for its direct trace assay in bulk form, pharmaceutical formulation and human biological fluids using square-wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry. Following preconcentration of bulk haloperidol onto the HMDE a well-developed square-wave cathodic peak was generated in Britton-Robinson buffer especially at pH values 9-10; its peak current showed a linear dependence on the concentration of haloperidol over the range 1 x 10(-9)M to 1.5 x 10(-6)M depending on the preconcentration duration. The procedural parameters for assay of haloperidol were studied. The achieved limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) were 3.83 x 10(-10)M and 1.28 x 10(-9)M bulk haloperidol, respectively. The procedure was successfully applied to assay haloperidol in tablets (Safinace) and in spiked human serum and urine. LOD of 3.3 x 10(-9)M and 5.46 x 10(-9)M, and LOQ of 1.10 x 10(-8) and 1.82 x 10(-8)M haloperidol were achieved in spiked human serum and urine samples, respectively.     

Electrochemical determination of the antidiabetic drug repaglinide

The electrochemical oxidation of repaglinide has been carried out in Britton-Robinson buffer at carbon paste and glassy carbon electrodes. Repaglinide exhibits a well-defined irreversible oxidation peak over the entire pH range (2-11). Differential pulse voltammetry was used to determine repaglinide in pure form. The peak current varied linearly in the following ranges: 8.0 x 10(-7)-3.2 x 10(-6) M and 4.0 x 10(-7)-4.0 x 10(-6) M in case of carbon paste electrode and glassy carbon electrode, respectively. In case of carbon paste electrode the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 1.348 x 10(-7) M and 4.494 x 10(-7) M, respectively. For glassy carbon electrode the LOD and LOQ were 1.062 x 10(-7) M and 3.54 x 10(-7) M, respectively. The percentage recoveries were found in the following ranges: 99.09-100.07% and 99.0-100.50% for carbon paste electrode and glassy carbon electrode, respectively. The relative standard deviations were found in the following ranges: 0.636-1.395% and 0.431-1.104% in case of carbon paste electrode and glassy carbon electrode, respectively. Differential pulse voltammetry was successfully applied for the determination of repaglinide in tablets and human serum.     

Electrochemical behavior of the antituberculosis drug isoniazid and its square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric estimation in bulk form, tablets and biological fluids at a mercury electrode

Isoniazid, pyridine-4-carboxylic acid hydrazide, is an antituberculosis-agent, which is used to prevent the development of clinical tuberculosis. A validated square-wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric procedure for the trace determination of the bulk drug at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) has been developed. Under the optimized conditions, (accumulation potential=-0.9 V, accumulation time=50-300 s, scan increment=8 mV, pulse-amplitude=25 mV, frequency=120 Hz and acetate buffer at pH 5.5) isoniazed generated two irreversible cathodic peaks. The first peak current showed a linear dependence with the drug concentration over the range 5 x 10(-10)-21 x 0(-6) M. The mean percentage recoveries, based on the average of five replicate measurements, for 7 x 10(-9) and 5 x 10(-8) M isoniazid were 97.71+/-2.93 and 99.76+/-0.77, respectively. The achieved limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) were 1.18 x 10(-10) and 3.93 x 10(-10) M isoniazid, respectively. The procedure was applied to the assay of the drug in tablets (Isocid and T.B. Zide), spiked human serum and urine with mean percentage recoveries of 97.81+/-1.49, 97.45+/-2.09, and 97.08+/-1.06, respectively. The limits of detection of 1.47 x 10(-9) and 2.4 x 10(-8) M, and quantitation of 4.9 x 10(-9) and 8 x 10(-8) M drug in human serum and urine, respectively, were achieved. The mean values of the various pharmackinetic parameters of isoniazid (C(max), T(max), t(1/2), AUC, and K(e)), estimated from analysis of plasma of two volunteers by means of the proposed procedure were similar to literature values.     

FIA of sildenafil citrate using UV-detection

A flow injection analysis (FIA) of sildenafil citrate (SLD) using UV detection is described in this study. The best solvent system was found to be consisting of 0.2 M phosphate buffer at pH 8 having 10% MeOH. A flow rate of 1 ml. min(-1) was pumped and active material was detected at 292 nm. The calibration equation was linear in the range of 1x10(-6)-5x10(-6) M. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were calculated to be 3x10(-7) and 8.9x10(-7) M with a R.S.D. 1.9 and 0.6% (n=7), respectively. The proposed method was applied to the determination of SLD in VIAGRA tablet, containing 50 mg active material. The results were compared with those obtained from UV-Spectrophotometry. The results showed that there is a good agreement between FIA method and the UV-Spectrophotometry. The validation studies were realised by the related applications and the results were evaluated statistically. According to the results, insignificant difference was observed between the methods.     

Voltammetric and HPLC techniques for the determination of paroxetine hydrochloride

The antidepressant agent paroxetine hydrochloride (POT) was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and osteryoung square wave voltammetry (OSWV). A sensitive method is described for the determination of POT in its pure form and in human plasma. The linear relationship between concentration and peak current permits the quantification of POT by CV, DPV and OSWV in the concentration range of 2 x 10(-5) - 8 x 10(-4) M. Applicability to tablets and human plasma analysis has been illustrated. Furthermore, a HPLC method with diode array detection was developed. Linearity was established between 2 x 10(-7) - 6 x 10(-5) M for POT. The described methods were successfully employed with high degrees of precision and accuracy for the estimation of total drug content in human plasma and pharmaceutical dosage forms of POT.     

Determination of nabumetone in pharmaceutical formulation by flow injection analysis (FIA) with UV-detection

A precise and accurate FIA method for the quantification of nabumetone (NAB) in pharmaceuticals is described. The best suitable carrier solvent system consisted of ethanol: water (30:70 v/v). Sample solution (4.7 x 10(-6) M NAB) was prepared in this solvent and injected to the instrumental system at a flow rate of 1.2 ml x min(-1). The signals were detected by a UV detector at 228.8 nm. The calibration curves of NAB was linear in the concentration range of 1.4 x 10(-6) M-2.8 x 10(-5) M. The intra- and inter-assay precision were less than 2.6%. The method exhibited a good linearity with the correlation coefficients. The LOD and LOQ values were found to be 4.4 x 10(-7) and 1.3 x 10(-6) M, respectively. The effects of the tablet excipients were insignificant at the 95% probability level. The calculated tablet content was 99% which is agreement with the ranges stated by pharmacopoeias.     

Adsorptive properties of cefpodoxime proxetil as a tool for a new method of its determination in urine

It was found that the reduction of the cefpodoxime proxetil (CP) molecule is strongly influenced by the adsorption. The adsorptive properties of CP were investigated in order to achieve an increase sensitivity of its determination. Validated adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetry is applied for the determination of low concentration of CP at pH 3.5 and 9.0 where the best pronounced adsorption effects were observed. The linearity of the calibration curves were achieved from 1 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-7)M with limit of detection (LOD) of 6.3 x 10(-9) and 7.1 x 10(-9)M, and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2.1 x 10(-8) and 2.3 x 10(-8)M, at pH 3.5 and 9.0, respectively. The proposed method was tested for CP determination in spiked urine samples, enabling determination of low concentrations of CP.     

A validated spectrophotometric and liquid chromatography method for determination and purity evaluation of 4-methoxy-2-[2-hydroxy-3(4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)]propyl-2,3-dihydro-6-methyl-1,3-dioxo-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine

A spectrophotometric analysis of the UV-spectrum of 4-methoxy-2-[2-hydroxy-3(4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)]propyl-2,3-dihydro-6-methyl-1,3-dioxo-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine (I) in 0.01 M HCl was performed by determining the values of specific absorption coefficients at the following analytical wavelengths: 224, 285 and 348 nm. The separation by means of TLC of compound I and of its five decomposition products was also studied. Silica gel coated plates (60 F(254)) were used and the mobile phase was consisted of butanol-acetic acid (1.05 kg/l)-water (80:12:30, v/v/v). The HPLC method (LiChrosorb(R) 100 RP-18 column 250 x 4.0 mm I.D., dp=5 microm; mobile phase: acetonitrile-0.01 M phosphate buffer (H(3)PO(4)+KH(2)PO(4); pH 3) (50:50, v/v-phase A) or (30:70, v/v-phase B) was validated by determination of the following parameters: selectivity, precision, linearity, stability of the analite and LOD as well as LOQ. Kinetic studies of the decomposition process of I in both acidic and alkaline environments indicate instability of the imide group.     

A validated HPLC method for the determination of octocrylene in solid lipid nanoparticle systems

UV filters are traditionally classified as chemical absorbers and physical blockers depending on their mechanism of action. In this study, one of the most important chemical UVB absorber, octocrylene, was incorporated into Solid Lipid Nanoparticle (SLN) systems which themselves have UV blocking potential similar to physical blockers. Determination of octocrylene in the formulations was performed by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) using a new validated method based on ICH harmonised tripartite guideline "validation of analytical procedures Q2(R1)". Determination and validation studies were carried out on a 4.6 x 250 mm, 5 microm C18 ACE column using an optimized mobile phase of acetonitrile:water (75:25, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.5 mL x min(-1). UV detection was performed at 210 nm and the column temperature was adjusted to 50 degrees C. Cyclosporine A was used as an internal standard (IS). The specified working range was derived from linearity studies and kept in the concentration range of 2.5 x -5.5 x 10(-5) M. Good correlation and accuracy were obtained. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) values were determined to be 1.64 x 10(-6) M and 4.97 x 10-6 M, respectively. Octocrylene recovery % results of the SLN formulations stored at 25 degrees C, 4 degrees C and 40 degrees C for 360 days were investigated and compared to the freshly prepared samples.     

Simultaneous determination of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets using derivative spectrophotometry

A quick and accurate method for determining triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide in complex drugs of diuretic activity by using first-derivative (D1) and second-derivative (D2) spectrophotometry was developed. The zero-crossing technique was employed in measurements, using D1 at lambda = 240.9 nm and D2 at lambda= 278.2 nm for determining triamterene and D1 at lambda = 255.7 nm and D2 at lambda = 283.2 nm for hydrochlorothiazide. The linear relationship between the values of derivatives and analyte concentrations are maintained for concentrations from 2.40 microg x mL(-1) to 12.00 microg x mL(-1) for triamterene and from 1.25 microg x mL(-1) to 6.25 microg x mL(-1) for hydrochlorothiazide. LOD for triamterene was 0.90 microg x mL(-1) or 1.02 microg x mL(-1), while LOQ was 2.73 microg x mL(-1) or 3.08 microg x mL(-1). The corresponding values for hydrochlorothiazide were: LOD 0.25 microg x mL(-1) or 0.17 microg x mL(-1) and LOQ 0.77 microg x mL(-1) or 0.51 microg x mL(-1) depending on the derivative used. The determination results of drug constituents are of high accuracy, percentage recovery ranging from 97.17% to 99.74% for triamterene and from 102.44% to 102.64% for hydrochlorothiazide, and good precision. The computed values of RSD are smaller than 2.73% for triamterene and below 1.63% for hydrochlorothiazide. Selectivity and sensitivity of the developed method are satisfactory.     

Determination of formoterol by capillary electrophoresis and its application to inhaler capsules

A capillary electrophoretic (CE) method for the determination of formoterol (FOR) in a pharmaceutical preparation is described. Analysis was made in a background electrolyte consisting of 20 % acetonitrile and 50 mM phosphoric acid at pH 2.5, using fused silica capillary (86 cm x 75 microm ID), 27 kV potential, and detecting at 200 nm. Under these electrophoretic conditions 3, 4-dihydroxybenzylamine used as an internal standard (IS) and FOR showed symmetrical peaks at 6.1 and 8.3 min., respectively. The inter-day and intra-day precision was examined in the concentration range of 2.98 x 10(-6) M to 8.94 x 10(-6) M. Good correlation and accuracy were obtained. Limit of detection, (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) values were 3.71 x 10(-7) M and 1.11 x 10(-6) M, respectively. The method was applied for the analysis of FOR in pharmaceutical inhaler capsules. The proposed method is reliable, precise, accurate, fast, and cost effective.     

Nicorandil-induced vasorelaxation: functional evidence for K+ channel-dependent and cyclic GMP-dependent components in a single vascular preparation.

Using a series of functional criteria, we wished to evaluate the K+ conductance mechanism and the cyclic GMP mechanism implicated in the actions of nicorandil (NIC) as a vasodilator. In rabbit isolated superior mesenteric artery, NIC exhibited two relaxation dose-response curves (DRCs): one with a lower IC50 of 4.8 x 10(-6) M for norepinephrine (NE 5 microM) contraction, and another with a higher IC50 of 1.4 x 10(-4) M for 80 mM K+ contraction. K+ channel blockers (TEA 1-10 mM), Ba2+ (0.1-0.5 mM), glyburide (1 microM), and increased [K+]ex (20 mM), all caused significant attenuations in the ability of NIC to relax NE contraction, but did not influence the ability of NIC to relax high-K+ contraction. Pretreatment with 5 microM methylene blue, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, produced a pronounced inhibition of nitroglycerine (NTG) relaxation, but only a marginal inhibitory effect on the NIC relaxation DRC for NE contraction. Functional studies demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of NIC on NE-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ release occurred in the same concentration range as that required for relaxation of 80 mM K+ contractions (10(-5)-10(-3) M). Furthermore, NIC also caused increases in cellular cyclic GMP levels at this higher concentration range. Finally, NIC relaxation of NE contraction was not prone either to self-tolerance (30 mM NIC preexposure) or cross-tolerance (0.55 mM NTG preexposure) development. In contrast, a modest but significant degree of self-tolerance to NIC could be demonstrated under high-K+ contraction condition. These studies thus show the existence of both cellular mechanisms for NIC in the same vascular preparation and further show that these two mechanistic components are separate and independent. The K+ channel-dependent component occurs at lower concentrations, is blocked by K+ channel blockers, is not inhibited by methylene blue, is not associated with increases in cyclic GMP, and is not prone to tolerance development. In this, NIC resembles other K+ channel openers. The cyclic GMP-dependent component is evident at relatively higher concentrations, is associated with inhibition of [Ca2+]i release, is associated with increases in cyclic GMP levels, and is prone to tolerance development. In this, NIC resembles other nitrovasodilators. A combination of these characteristics of the actions of NIC may contribute to the differences in the acute versus chronic hemodynamic profile of NIC.     

Total flavonoids quantification from O/W emulsion with extract of Brazilian plants

A new derivative spectrophotometric (DS) method was proposed and validated for quantification of total flavonoids from in O/W emulsion with polyacrylamide (and) C13-14 isoparaffin (and) laureth-7 containing Catuaba (Trichilia catigua Adr. Juss) (and) Marapuama (Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham) extract. DS method was optimized to perform the assay in most favorable conditions. Linearity, specificity and selectivity, recovery (Rc, %), precision (R.S.D., %), accuracy (E, %), detection (LOD, microg ml(-1)) and quantification limits (LOQ, microg ml(-1)) were established for method validation. First-derivative at 388.0 nm (zero-to-peak; amplitude= +/- 0.12; wavelength range= 300.0-450.0 nm and Deltalambda = 4 nm) offered linearity for rutin concentrations ranging from 10.0 to 60.0 microg ml(-1) in ethanol 99.5%. Second-derivative provided to be unsuitable for interval evaluation obtaining unacceptable accuracy. Analytical method was validated for first-derivative, according to the experimental results: correlation coefficient (r = 0.9999); specificity to total flavonoids quantification, expressed in rutin, at wavelength 388.0 nm and selectivity with elimination of interference from matrix; Rc = 108.78%; intra- and inter-run precision (1.30-3.65% and 3.48-4.68%), and intra- and inter-run accuracy (100.00-112.19% and 101.25-118.44%); LOD = 0.62 microg ml(-1) and LOQ = 1.86 microg ml(-1).     

Mechanism of nicotine-evoked release of 3H-noradrenaline in human cerebral cortex slices

1. The mechanism of stimulation of noradrenaline (NA) release by nicotine (NIC) was investigated in human cerebral cortex slices preloaded with 3H-noradrenaline. 2 NIC (10-1000 micro M) increased 3H-NA release in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. NIC (100 micro M)-evoked 3H-NA release was largely dependent on external Ca2+, and was attenuated by omega-conotoxin GVIA (0.1 micro M) but not by nitrendipine (1 micro M). 4. Tetrodotoxin (1 micro M) and nisoxetine (0.1 micro M) attenuated the NIC (100 micro M)-evoked release of 3H-NA. 5. Mecamylamine (10 micro M), dihydro-beta-erythroidine (10 micro M) and d-tubocurarine (30 micro M), but not alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BTX, 0.1 micro M), attenuated the NIC (100 micro M)-evoked release of 3H-NA. 6. NIC (100 micro M)-evoked release of 3H-NA was not affected by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 30 micro M) and D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D-AP5, 100 micro M), but attenuated by MK-801 (10 micro M). MK-801 (0.1-1000 micro M) displaced the specific binding of 3H-nisoxetine with K(i) values of 91.2 micro M. NIC (100, 300 and 1000 micro M) did not induce 3H-D-aspartate release in human cerebral cortex slices. 7. NIC (100 micro M)-evoked release of 3H-NA was attenuated by 7-nitroindazole (10 micro M), N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester HCl (L-NAME, 30 micro M), N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA, 300 micro M). [(3)H]-NA release induced by NIC (100 micro M) was attenuated by methylene blue (3 micro M) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-alpha]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 micro M), and enhanced by zaprinast (30 micro M). 8. In conclusion, NIC stimulates the release of 3H-NA through activation of alpha-BTX-insensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the human cerebral cortex slices and this action of NIC is associated with modulation of the NO/cGMP pathway.     

Determination of cetirizine dihydrochloride, related impurities and preservatives in oral solution and tablet dosage forms using HPLC

An HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of cetirizine dihydrochloride (CZ) as well as its related impurities in commercial oral solution and tablet formulations. Furthermore, two preservatives associated with the drug formulations, namely, propyl (PP) and butylparabens (BP) were successfully determined by this method. The chromatographic system used was equipped with a Hypersil BDS C18, 5 microm column (4.6 x 250 mm) and a detector set at 230 nm in conjunction with a mobile phase of 0.05 M dihydrogen phosphate:acetonitrile:methanol:tetrahydrofuran (12:5:2:1, v/v/v/v) at a pH of 5.5 and a flow rate of 1 ml min(-1). The calibration curves were linear within the target concentration ranges studied, namely, 2 x 10(2) - 8 x 10(2) microg ml(-1) and 1-4 microg ml(-1) for CZ, 20-100 microg ml(-1) for preservatives and 1-4 microg ml(-1) for CZ related impurities. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) for CZ were, respectively, 0.10 and 0.34 microg ml(-1) and for CZ related impurities were in the ranges of 0.08-0.26 microg ml(-1) and 0.28-0.86 microg ml(-1), respectively. The method proved to be specific, stability indicating, accurate, precise, robust and could be used as an alternative to the European pharmacopoeial method set for CZ and its related impurities.     

高效液相色谱法测定尼莫地平及制剂中光降解产物的含量

目的：建立尼莫地平及制剂中光降解产物含量的测定方法。方法：采用反相高效液相色谱法,Shiseido CAPCELL PAK C18（250mm×4．6mm,5μm）色谱柱,流动相为甲醇-乙腈-水（35：38：27）,流速为1．0ml／min,检测波长为235nm。结果：尼莫地平和杂质A在0．1—4μg／ml的浓度范围内,均与其峰面积呈良好线性（尼莫地平：r=0．999996,n=6;杂质A：r=0．999995,n=6）。精密度试验尼莫地平的RSD为0．1％（n=5）,杂质A的RSD为1．2％（n=5）,尼莫地平的最低检测限为0．02ng,杂质A的定量限为0．2ng。结论：本方法简便、结果准确,能控制尼莫地平及其制剂的质量。     

Chiral separation of ketoprofen on an achiral C8 column by HPLC using norvancomycin as chiral mobile phase additives

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for chiral separation of ketoprofen racemate was developed. (R)- and (S)-ketoprofen enantiomers were separated on a Hypersil BDS C8 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 microm) at 25 degrees C, using acetonitrile-triethylamine acetate (TEAA) buffer (pH 5.2, 20 mM) (35:65, v/v) containing 2.0 mM norvancomycin as the mobile phase. Effects of norvancomycin concentration, content of acetonitrile and TEAA buffer pH on the enantioseparation were investigated. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ). Calibration curves (r2 = 0.999) were constructed in the range of 2.01-200.8 microg ml(-1) for (S)-ketoprofen and 2.04-152.4 microg ml(-1) for (R)-ketoprofen, respectively. Repeatability (n = 5) showed less than 2% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.). LOD and LOQ for the two enantiomers were found to be 0.20 and 0.78 ng for (S)-ketoprofen, 0.20 and 0.86 ng for (R)-ketoprofen, respectively. Norvancomycin and vancomycin as chiral mobile phase additives (CMPAs) in the chiral separation showed similar abilities of enantioseparation. However, to obtain the optimum enantioseparation, a lower concentration of norvancomycin than that of vancomycin is required.