title: Detection and determination of interfering 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in the analysis of caramel-coloured pharmaceutical syrups.
abstract: A comparison between different caramels described for use in the pharmaceutical industry is presented. An interfering substance, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), was detected in some caramels. Conditions and proofs for the formation of 5-HMF are presented. Interference by 5-HMF during the analysis of the active drugs and the possibility of interaction with the active drugs during the shelf-life of the drug formulation are discussed. A limit test for 5-HMF in caramel was developed. The test depends on measuring the difference in absorbance between two equimolar solutions of caramel, one of which contains sodium borohydride. The test is sensitive and selective for the detection and determination of trace amounts of 5-HMF without interference from the brown products of caramel.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: I I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Hewala
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Blaih
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zoweil
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Onsi
mesh_terms: D002182:Candy; D002241:Carbohydrates; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D005662:Furaldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D005505:Food Coloring Agents; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012996:Solutions; C569050:caramel coloring; C008046:5-hydroxymethylfurfural; D005662:Furaldehyde