Application of MELC and MEEKC for the analysis of paracetamol and related impurities in suppositories

Rapid MELC and MEEKC methods were developed for paracetamol suppository assay. MELC methods for paracetamol analysis and for separation of paracetamol and its impurities were previously reported. In this study, further development of MEEKC methods and a MELC method using anionic and cationic microemulsions gave excellent validation results for paracetamol content in suppositories. SDS Microemulsion instability resulted in poor reproducibility for impurity separations using gradient elution. A novel isocratic CTAB MELC method achieved reproducible separation of paracetamol and its impurities at 0.1% levels. MEEKC methods using SDS and CTAB microemulsions resolved all of the impurities however detection at 0.1% levels was not possible. These methods gave significant benefits in terms of reduced sample pre-treatment requirements. CTAB microemulsions had greater solubilising power than their SDS equivalent and were more stable due to their longer alkyl chain length.