Flow Injection Determination of levodopa in tablets using a solid-phase reactor containing lead(IV) dioxide immobilized

A Sensitive Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Levodopa Detection Using Benzothiadiazole-Based Conjugated Microporous Polymer-Coated Graphene Heterostructures

Since the 1960s, levodopa (LDA) has been the standard drug for treating of Parkinson's disease. In this study, a novel benzothiadiazole-based conjugated microporous polymer-coated graphene heterostructure (CMP-rGO) was synthesized and used to construct a sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor capable of detecting LDA. Under optimal experimental conditions, the intensity of the photocurrent produced by the sensor was linear from 0.005 to 40 μM, and the limit of detection of the sensor was 0.0027 μM. The sensor showed good repeatability, stability, and selectivity for LDA detection. Finally, the constructed sensor was used to detect LDA in levodopa tablets, human serum samples, and urine samples and satisfactory results were obtained. Therefore, the PEC sensor provides a novel platform for the detection of LDA in real samples and broadens the applications of conjugated microporous polymers in PEC sensing.

Preparation of Dawson heteropolyacid-embedded silver nanoparticles/graphene oxide nanocomposite thin film used to modify pencil graphite electrode as a sensor for trace electrochemical sensing of levodopa

Measurement of levodopa (LD) as the most efficient treatment accessible for controlling the symptoms of Parkinson's disease was investigated. The electrocatalytic measurement of LD was performed at the surface of pencil graphite electrode (PGE) modified with graphene oxide (GO) and silver nanoparticle@Dawson heteropolyacid (AgNPs@DHPA). For this purpose, GO and the intermediate (AgNPs@DHPA) were first synthesized using a simple, cost-effective and straightforward method. The synthetic compounds, morphology, and surface characteristics of the modified sensor were evaluated. The results demonstrated that AgNPs@DHPA well-dispersed on the GO/PGE surface with a mean size of 6.27 nm and thickness of 42 nm. The electrochemical behavior of the modified PGE was also investigated. The heterogeneous charge transfer rate constant (k_s) and transfer coefficient (α) for the electron transfer between AgNPs@DHPA/GO and PGE were obtained as 16.44 s^-1 and 0.59, respectively. Also, the diffusion coefficient of LD for AgNPs@DHPA/GO/PGE thin film was calculated using chronoamperometric experiments (D = 9.05 × 10^-6 cm² s^-1). Optimal parameters were obtained to access the best response for the measurement of LD. The results revealed that the modified PGE was able to measure the trace amounts of LD in phosphate buffer solution (pH = 6.0) in the concentration ranges from 3.0 × 10^-9 to 1.0 × 10^-7 M and 1.0 × 10^-7 to 1.0 × 10^-5 M. The calculated limit of detection was obtained 7.6 × 10^-10 M which was much better than the previously reported electrochemical sensors. The modified electrode was used to measure LD in tablet, blood serum and urine.

Citrate-capped Mn-modified CdSe/CdS quantum dots as luminescent probes for levodopa detection in aqueous solution

A novel kind of citrate capped Mn-modified CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) was developed. The Mn-modified CdSe/CdS QDs had a narrow, symmetric emission and strong fluorescence with quantum yield over 41%. The interaction between the QDs and levodopa was investigated. The results showed that levodopa selectively quenched the fluorescence intensity of the QDs. Based on the fluorescence quenching of the synthesized QDs by levodopa, a simple, rapid and specific quantitative method for levodopa was proposed. The factors affecting the fluorescence detection for levodopa were studied. Under the optimum conditions, the quenched intensity of the fluorescence versus levodopa concentration from 1 to 100 μM gave a linear response with an excellent correlation coefficient of 0.9996, and the limit of detection (3σ/K) was 2 × 10(-7)M. The contents of levodopa in pharmaceutical tablets were determined by the proposed method and the results agreed with the claimed values.

Quantitative determination of L-DOPA in tablets by high performance thin layer chromatography

A densitometric high performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed and validated for quantitative analysis of L-DOPA in tablets. Chromatographic separation was achieved on precoated silica gel F 254 HPTLC plates using a mixture of acetone-chloroform-n-butanol-acetic acid glacial-water (60:40:40:40:35 v/v/v/v/v) as mobile phase. Quantitative analysis was carried out at a wavelength of 497 nm. The method was linear between 100 and 500 ng/microL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The intra-assay variation was between 0.26 and 0.65% and the interassay was between 0.52 and 2.04%. The detection limit was 1.12 ng/microL, and the quantification limit was 3.29 ng/microL. The accuracy ranged from 100.40 to 101.09%, with a CV not higher than 1.40%. The method was successfully applied to quantify L-DOPA in real pharmaceutical samples, including the comparison with HPLC measurements. The method was fast, specific, with a good precision, and accurate for the quantitative determination of L-DOPA in tablets.

Simultaneous kinetic determination of levodopa and carbidopa by H-point standard addition method

The kinetic H-point standard addition method (HPSAM) was applied to the simultaneous determination of levodopa and carbidopa. The method was based on the difference in the rate of oxidation of these compounds with Cu(II)-neocuproine system and formation of Cu(I)-neocuproine complex at pH 5.5. The absorbance of the Cu(I)-neocuproine complex was monitored at 453 nm. Experimental conditions such as pH, reagent concentrations, ionic strength and temperature were optimized. Simultaneous determination of levodopa and carbidopa was performed in the range of 0.8-4 and 0.2-1.5 microg ml(-1), respectively. The proposed method was applied to the simultaneous determination of levodopa and carbidopa in pharmaceutical samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.

Nano-structured lead dioxide as a novel stationary phase for solid-phase microextraction

The first study on the high efficiency of nano-structured lead dioxide as a new fiber for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) purposes has been reported. The size of the PbO2 particles was in the range of 34-136 nm. Lead dioxide-based fibers were prepared via electrochemical deposition on a platinum wire. The extraction properties of the fiber to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) were examined using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) mode coupled to gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The results obtained proved the suitability of proposed fibers for the sampling of organic compounds from water. The extraction procedure was optimized by selecting the appropriate extraction parameters, including preparation conditions of coating, salt concentration, time and temperature of adsorption and desorption and stirring rate. The calibration graphs were linear in a concentration range of 0.1-100 microg l(-1) (R2 > 0.994) with detection limits below 0.012 microg l(-1) level. Single fiber repeatability and fiber-to-fiber reproducibility were less than 10.0 and 12.5%, respectively. The PbO2 coating was proved to be very stable at relatively high temperatures (up to 300 degrees C) with a high extraction capacity and long lifespan (more than 50 times). Higher chemical resistance and lower cost are among the advantages of PbO2 fibers over commercially available SPME fibers. Good recoveries (81-108%) were obtained when environmental samples were analyzed.

A spectroscopic study on applicability of spectral analysis for simultaneous quantification of l-dopa, benserazide and ascorbic acid in batch and flow systems

The usefulness of derivative spectrophotometry for simultaneous assay of l-dopa, benserazide and ascorbic acid in pharmaceuticals was studied. The parameters of derivatisation depends on composition of solution in which particular compound was determined. For quantification of l-dopa in mixtures with benserazide or ascorbic acid the first derivative was used. Its determination in ternary mixture (l-dopa+benserazide+ascorbic acid) is possible by third derivative spectra. Benserazide was assayed in presence of l-dopa using first derivative while in ternary mixture by third derivative. Direct determination of ascorbic acid is possible applying first derivative only in presence of l-dopa. The elaborated derivative spectrophotometric methods were used for assaying of l-dopa and benserazide in their commercial form "Madopar". The proposed spectrophotometric derivative method of simultaneous determination of l-dopa and benserazide was combined with FIA technique.

A disposable electrochemical sensor for the rapid determination of levodopa

Levodopa (L-dopa), the biological precursor of catecholamines, is the most widely prescribed drug in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The present work presents a proposal for the application of a gold screen-printed electrode an electrochemical sensor for monitoring L-dopa in stationary solution and a flow system. Using the electrooxidation of L-dopa at +0.63 V in acetate buffer pH 3.0 on a gold screen-printed electrode it is possible to obtain a linear calibration curve from 9.9 x 10(-5) to 1.2 x 10(-3) mol L(-1) and a detection limit of 6.8 x 10(-5) mol L(-1). Under amperometric conditions (E(app) = 0.8 V; flow rate = 14.1 mL min(-1); pH 3.0), an analytical calibration graph for l-dopa was obtained from 1.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) 6.6 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 9.9 x 10(-7) mol L(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of L-dopa in commercial dosage forms without any pre-treatment.

Microdialysis sampling and high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection for in-vivo on-line determination and study of the pharmacokinetics of levodopa in blood

A simple, reliable, and reproducible method for in-vivo on-line separation and determination of levodopa has been based on microdialysis then high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection. The perfusate is perfused at a flow rate of 5 microL min(-1). The concentration of levodopa in the dialysate is determined on line with a chemiluminescence system. The dialysate sample volume is approximately 20 microL. The response of the system is linearly related to the concentration of levodopa in the range 1 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-6) g mL(-1) (r2 = 0.9995) with a detection limit (3sigma) of 3 x 10(-9) g mL(-1) and sample throughput of 12 h(-1); RSD is 2.8% (n = 11). The method has been successfully used to study the pharmacokinetics of levodopa in vivo; the values of the pharmacokinetics parameters Cmax, AUC(0-t) and Tmax were 16.60, 20.92 ng mL(-1), and 90 min, respectively.

A multicommuted flow system for the determination of dextrose in parenteral and hemodialysis concentrate solutions

A new method is presented for the automation of the determination of dextrose in parenteral and hemodialysis solutions. The method is based on multicommutation flow analysis (MCFA) and exploits enzymatic reactions providing a colored derivative that is detected spectrophotometrically (Trinder's method). The reagent, comprising glucose oxidase, peroxidase, 4-hydroxybenzoate and a buffer was obtained from a commercial kit for the determination of glycemia. The flow system used three 3-way solenoid valves operating under computer control. The necessary software was developed for the purpose and compiled in QuickBASIC 4.0 The influence of some operating variables (segment size, number of segments and reactor length) was studied. Calibration curves in the range 0-1g/L presented a slight curvature and were fitted with a second-degree polynomial (h=-0.0632C(2)+0.6039C+0.166, r(2)=0.9973, h being the peak-height (absorbance) and C the concentration in g/L). The method was validated by analyzing artificial samples presenting accurately known concentrations of dextrose, and comparing the results with the known value and with value obtained by polarimetry. Recoveries were in the range 96.6-100.2%, and the difference with the polarimetric analysis was in the range 0.1-3.3%. Precision (R.S.D.,%) was better than 2.4%. Sampling frequency of the system was 90 samples/h, with a reagent consumption of 0.14 mL per sample.

Simultaneous determination of levodopa and benserazide by stopped-flow injection analysis and three-way multivariate calibration of kinetic-spectrophotometric data

The simultaneous determination of levodopa and benserazide in pharmaceutical formulations is described, based on the application of multidimensional partial least-squares regression to the kinetic-spectrophotometric data provided by diode-array detection within a stopped-flow injection method where analytes react with periodate. Flow injection parameters were adequately optimized. Accurate analysis is performed with no sample pre-treatment steps, and with minimum experimental effort. Satisfactory recovery results were obtained on a number of synthetic and commercial samples, in the latter case including the comparison with liquid chromatography measurements.

Carbon paste electrode modified with copper (II) phosphate immobilized in a polyester resin for voltammetric determination of L-ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical formulations

A carbon paste electrode modified with copper(II) phosphate immobilized in a polyester resin (CuP-Poly) is proposed for voltammetric determination of L-ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical formulations. The modified electrode allows the detection of L-ascorbic acid at lower anodic potentials than observed at unmodified electrodes. Several parameters that can influence the voltammetric response of the proposed electrode such as carbon paste composition, pH, scan rate, and possible interference were investigated. The peak current was proportional to the concentration of ascorbic acid in the range 2.0 x 10(-5) to 3.2 x 10(-3) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 1.0 x 10(-5) mol L(-1). The stability and repeatability of the electrode for the determination of L-ascorbic acid are also discussed. Amperometric response was also recorded for electrocatalytic oxidation of the L-ascorbic acid. Concentrations of the vitamin C in pharmaceutical formulations (tablets) measured using the modified electrode and a titrimetric method are in agreement at the 95% confidence level and within an acceptable range of error.

Flow injection spectrophotometric determination of adrenaline in pharmaceutical formulations using a solid-phase reactor containing lead(IV) dioxide immobilized in a polyester resin

A flow injection spectrophotometric procedure is proposed for determining adrenaline in pharmaceutical formulations. In this work, the adrenaline in acetate buffer reacts with a solid-phase reactor containing lead(IV) dioxide immobilized in a polyester resin and the adrenochrome yielded was continuously monitored at 486 nm. The analytical curve was linear in the adrenaline concentration range from 0.1 to 0.8 mmol l(-1) with a detection limit of 8 x 10(-3) mmol l(-1). Recoveries of 96.5-105% and relative standard deviation of 0.2% for a solution containing 0.4 mmol l(-1) adrenaline (n = 10) were obtained. The analytical frequency was 130 determinations per hour and the results obtained for adrenaline in pharmaceutical formulations using this procedure and those obtained using a pharmacopoeia procedure are in agreement at the 95% confidence level.