Quantitative analysis of quaternary ammonium antiseptics using thin-layer densitometry.
A thin-layer chromatography method for quantitative analysis of quaternary ammonium antiseptics is described. Silanized silica gel was used as the stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of methanol-25% (m/v) sodium acetate solution-acetone (65:35:20). The method is able to separate the chain homologues of benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride and cetrimide. Detection was performed using a colour reaction with potassium triiodide solution. The different homologues were quantified using UV densitometry at 400 nm. A number of commercial samples was analysed using this method. From the results it appears that it is worthwhile to have a limit test for the composition of quaternary ammonium antiseptics in pharmacopoeial monographs, the more so as the antibacterial activity depends on it.
Paesen
J
J
Catholic University of Leuven, Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Belgium.
Quintens
I
I
Thoithi
G
G
Roets
E
E
Reybrouck
G
G
Hoogmartens
J
J
D000085:Acetates; D019342:Acetic Acid; D000096:Acetone; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000032:analysis*; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D000077286:Cetrimonium; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000032:analysis; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000432:Methanol; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
D000085:Acetates; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D000096:Acetone; D002594:Cetylpyridinium; D019342:Acetic Acid; D000432:Methanol; D000077286:Cetrimonium