Study on a new precolumn derivatization method in the determination of metformin hydrochloride

Metformin hydrochloride is successfully determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with a new precolumn derivatization method using 9,10-anthraquinone-2-sulfonyl chloride as the derivatization agent. Several derivatization systems are tried to optimize the derivatization conditions, and a new post-derivatization treatment method is established. The derivatization product is analyzed on a Lichrosper C18 column (6.0 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) at 256 nm with methanol-water (70:30, v/v) as the mobile phase. The calibration curves of the derivatives for the UV detector (0.01-4 mg/L) are linear with respect to peak area. The detection limit (peak area) for the metformin hydrochloride is 0.01 mg/L for a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. In human plasma, the detection limit is 0.02 mg/L. This assay is rapid, sensitive, and highly reproducible.