THE ANALYSIS OF AMINOGLYCOSIDE ANTIBIOTICS BY CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

The analyses of aminoglycoside antibiotics by capillary electrophoresis utilizing borate complexation and direct UV detection are discussed. Twelve aminoglycosides were studied and separated to demonstrate identification capabilities, with migration time RSDs from 0.21 to 0.44% (n = 6) for individual components. This buffer system permitted the detection of minor impurities such as precursors; or closely related fermentation products. Quantification of dihydrostreptomycin and streptomycin was accomplished in 160 mM sodium tetraborate decahydrate with linearity over the range 0.050-1.0 mg ml(-1). Determination of the purity of bulk dihydrostreptomycin was possible by the addition of the cationic surfactant myristyltrimethylammonium bromide. This reversed the electroosmotic flow, thereby reversing the migration order, and causing the streptomycin impurity to migrate before the dihydrostreptomycin main peak. Quantification was also demonstrated with the closely related compounds amikacin, bekanamycin, kanamycin A, and tobramycin, using sisomicin as an internal standard. The reproducibility of the method was typically 2-3% over 1 day, and 2% day-to-day. These studies illustrate the use of capillary electrophoresis for the identification and quantification of selected aminoglycosides as potential alternative methods to the assays given by the US Pharmacopeia.