Polarographic determination of clavulanic acid

A method is proposed for the determination of clavulanic acid by differential pulse polarography. The electroactive product was obtained by hydrolysis in sulphuric medium. It shows a reduction peak, that can be used analytically, at -0.75 V (vs SCE). The optimum conditions for the polarographic signal were determined and a study was made of the different parameters affecting the electrochemical process. A polarographic procedure is proposed for the determination of clavulanic acid in a concentration range of 8.0 X 10(-6) -1.4 X 10(-4) M. The detection limit is about 2 x 10(-6) M and the relative standard deviation is 1.1%. The method was applied to the determination of clavulanic acid in the presence of amoxicillin.