DEVELOPMENT OF SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHODS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF FLORFENICOL IN BULK AND DOSAGE FORMS

Objectives: The objective of this research was to develop simple, sensitive and accurate zero ( °D), first ( 1 D) and second ( 2 D) order derivative spectrophotometric methods for the analysis of florfenicol in bulk and dosage forms. Methods: The original UV spectrum (zero-order) of florfenicol aqueous solution was measured at 267 nm against its blank. This spectrum was then differentiated instrumentally to generate the first and second derivative spectra which were measured at 274 nm and 281 nm, respectively. The developed methods were validated as per ICH guidelines. Results: Regression data of the developed methods obeyed Beer’s law over the concentration range 3˗15µg/ml with a good correlation coefficient (not less than 0.998). Limits of detection were found to be 0.68, 1.30, 1.13µg/ml and limits of quantification were 2.05, 3.87, 3.58µg/ml for °D, 1 D and 2 D order derivative, respectively. The developed methods demonstrated good inter-day and intra-day precision at the three modes. The obtained recovery percentage (98.3±1.8%; n=3) reflected the freedom from interference by the excipients. Conclusion: The statistical validation at 95% confidence level proves the sensitivity, accuracy and precision of the developed methods. Keywords: Florfenicol, Spectrophotometry, Derivative spectra, Dosage form