Microdetermination of ascorbic acid and tryptophan by colorimetry

Tetrazolium salts in pharmaceutical analysis II: direct assay of diethylstilbestrol and diethylstilbestrol dipropionate

A convenient spectrophotometric determination of diethylstilbestrol and diethylstilbestrol dipropionate was developed involving their interaction with triphenyltetrazolium chloride at 50 degrees for 45 min and subsequent measurement of the formazan formed. The significance of extended conjugation within t,e 4,4'-stilbenediol molecule to induce the color reaction is documented. Ideal adherence of color absorption to Beer's law permitted accurate and precise determination of diethylstilbestrol and diethylstilbestrol dipropionate pure forms over the range of 2-22 microgram of diethylstilbestrol/ml. Application of the tetrazolium color reaction to the analysis of diethylstilbestrol dipropionate dosage forms was achieved without prior hydrolysis or extraction.

Colorimetric determination of catecholamines by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride

A convenient spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of epinephrine, levarterenol, isoproterenol, and methyldopa by reduction of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride and subsequent measurement of the formazan at 485 nm. With absolute alcohol as the solvent, maximum color absorption was attained in 30 min at 25 degrees in the presence of 0.1 N KOH. Evidence is provided to account for the reduction of the tetrazolium salt at the expense of the epinephrine catechol moiety. In addition to the considerably high values of the molar absorptivities of the chromogen formed, ideal adherence of the color absorption to the Beer-Lambert law permitted a sensitive microdetermination of these catecholamines in both pure forms and pharmaceutical formulations. The tetrazolium interaction was selective. No interference was encountered from common catecholamine antioxidants, adjuvants, or noncatechol degradation products.

Stability of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in tablets

Stability of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in various tablet formulations and the nature and extent of formation of decomposition products (dehydroascorbic acid, diketogulonic acid, and oxalic acid) were determined under normal conditions of storage and in simulated use tests. IR spectrophotometric, colorimetric, fluorometric, titrimetric, polarographic, and chromatographic methods were applied. Recent implications concerning the instability of ascorbic acid in tablets and the potentially harmful nature of the breakdown products are shown to be unfounded. Under normal storage conditions, commerical-type ascorbic acid tablets are stable for over 5 years (greater than 95% potency retention). The amounts of all three breakdown products formed under the various storage conditions constitute a small percentage of the ascorbic acid content and pose no dietary hazard. IR spectroscopy was inadequate as a quantitative method for evaluating ascorbic acid potency in tablet formulations. The official titration methods and TLC, colorimetric, and polarographic determinations correlate well and define accurately the stability of ascorbic acid in these dosage forms.