Ultra fast liquid chromatographic analysis of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with fluorimetric detection in tap water, urine, and pharmaceutical samples

A novel analytical method based on ultra-fast liquid chromatography using fluorimetric detector was developed and validated for determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen (IBP), etodolac (ETD), dexketoprofen (DKP), sodium diclofenac (SDCF), and naproxen (NPX) in tap water, urine and pharmaceutical samples. Precolumn derivatisation of targeted NSAIDs was carried out with 4-bromomethyl-7-methoxy coumarin (BrMmC) using dibenzo-18-crown-6-ether as reaction catalyst leading to the formation of a fluorescent compound. The obtained fluorescent compound of NSAIDs were measured at excitation wavelength as 325 nm, and emission wavelength of 395 nm. Optimum analytical conditions were carefully studied and improved. C18 column, with the dimensions of 4.0 x 100 mm and 3 mu m particle size, was used. Gradient elution with methanol: water 40:60; v/v (eluent A) and acetonitrile 100% (eluent B) were used as mobile phase and flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The linearity range of the analytes were between 0.01-10.0 mu g mL(-1). Recovery values obtained from pharmaceutical preparations were found as 100.04%, 99.99%, 100.09%, 99.98% and 100.47% for IBP, ETO, DKP, SDCF, NPX, respectively. LOD values were found to vary between 0.00009 mu g mL(-1) and 0.00048 mu g mL(-1) in tap water, urine and pharmaceutical samples. The optimised technique was successfully applied for the determination of NSAIDs in tap water, urine, and pharmaceutical specimen. The specified NSAIDs were not found in real tap water samples.