Simultaneous voltammetric determination of paracetamol and caffeine in pharmaceutical formulations using a boron-doped diamond electrode

Author(s)

Lourencao, Bruna Claudia ^[1] ; Medeiros, Roberta Antigo ^[2] ; Rocha-Filho, Romeu C. ^[2] ; Mazo, Luiz Henrique ^[1] ; Fatibello-Filho, Orlando ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Quim, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Talanta; v. 78, n. 3, p. 748-752, MAY 15 2009.
• Web of Science Citations: 210

Abstract

A simple and highly selective electrochemical method was developed for the single or simultaneous determination of paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, acetaminophen) and caffeine (3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione) in aqueous media (acetate buffer, pH 4.5) on a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode using square wave voltammetry (SWV) or differential Pulse voltammetry (DPV). Using DPV with the cathodically pre-treated BDD electrode, a separation of about 550 mV between the peak oxidation potentials Of paracetamol and caffeine present in binary mixtures was obtained. The calibration curves for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and caffeine showed an excellent linear response, ranging from 5.0 x 10(-7) mol L(-1) to 8.3 x 10(-7) mol L(-1) for both compounds. The detection limits for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and caffeine were 4.9 x 10(-7) mol L-1 and 3.5 x 10(-8) mol L(-1), respectively. The proposed method Was Successfully applied in the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and caffeine in several pharmaceutical formulations (tablets), with results similar to those obtained using a high-performance liquid chromatography method (at 95% confidence level). (C) 2008 Elsevier BY. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/05894-9 - Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Paracetamol and Caffeine and Ascorbic Acid and Caffeine in Pharmaceutical Formulations Using a Boron Doped Diamond Electrode
• Grantee: Bruna Cláudia Lourenção
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master