Development of stability-indicating methods for cefquinome sulphate

The degradation behavior of cefquinome sulphate in alkaline medium at different temperatures was investigated using both first derivative spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. The drug degradation was found to be pH and temperature dependant. The pH-rate profile indicated a first order dependence of Kobs on [OH(-)] at pHs ranging between 9 and 11. Arrhenius plot obtained at pH 10 was linear between 65° and 100°C. The estimated activation energy of the hydrolysis was found to be 21.1 kcal mol(-1). Stability-indicating thin-layer chromatographic method for the separation of the drug and its alkaline hydrolysis product has been developed.