On-Column Periodate Reaction Method for Analysis of Ephedrine Sulfate in Solid Dosage Forms: Collaborative Study
Abstract Seven laboratories collaboratively studied a method for the quantitative ultraviolet (UV) determination of ephedrine sulfate in solid dosage forms. Ephedrine is separated from water-soluble impurities and strong acids by elution from a weakly basic Celite column, and further cleaned up by retention on a weakly acidic column while the weak acids, weak bases, and organic-soluble neutrals are eluted. Ephedrine is eluted from the column after neutralization with NH3 and is converted to benzaldehyde via an on-column periodate reaction. The samples collaboratively studied consisted of 3 synthetic preparations of known ephedrine sulfate concentrations and 2 commercial preparations containing ephedrine sulfate. One commercial sample was submitted as a blind duplicate. Recoveries for the synthetic preparations averaged 101.7, 101.2, and 100.5% for mixtures containing 7.93, 9.35, and 6.85% ephedrine sulfate, respectively. The means and standard deviations for the commercial preparations were 24.72 ± 0.376 mg/dosage unit for the preparation labeled to contain 25 mg/dosage unit, and 22.46 ± 0.643 and 22.29 ± 0.339 mg/dosage unit for the blind duplicate labeled to contain 24 mg/dosage unit. The method has been adopted as official first action.