Simultaneous determination of trace norfloxacin, pefloxacin, and ciprofloxacin by TLC-fluorescence spectrodensitometry

A new TLC-fluorescence spectrodensitometry method is described for the simultaneous determination of trace norfloxacin, pefloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, using a mobile phase of chloroform:methanol:toluene:dichloromethane:aqueous ammonia (2.7:4.6:1.7:0.5:0.5. v/v) and a silica gel plate, previously treated with 0.27 mol liter(-1) sodium edetate solution adjusted to pH 7.0. Their R-f values are 0.30, 0.42, and 0.54, respectively. The excitation wavelength is 278 nm. The linear ranges are 0-75 ng. The relative standard deviations are <8.6%. The Recovery of the three antibiotics in body fluid ranged from 96 to 108%. (C) 1997 Academic Press.