Comparison of Stability-Indicating LC Methods Using Light Scattering and Photodiode Array Detection with Monolithic...

Rapid stability-indicating LC methods for simultaneous analysis of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide were developed, validated and compared using evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) and diode array detection (DAD). For the separation of quinapril, hydrochlorothiazide and its major degradation products, a monolithic column was used and the analytes were eluted within 7 min, applying gradient mobile phase in both methods. Quinapril was subjected to hydrolytic, oxidative, thermal, humidity and photolytic stress conditions. Degradation products were well resolved from main peaks and from each other, proving the stability-indicating power of the methods. The response with DAD was linear and the response with ELSD was fitted to a power function, for quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide concentrations of 20-160 and 12.5-100 µg mL(-1), respectively. DAD method achieved better precision than ELSD method, the LOQ of DAD was lower and the accuracy of the methods was similar. Quinapril degrade by hydrolysis and thermal stress, showing the formation of quinaprilat and quinapril diketopiperazine as degradants, which were identified by MS-MS. The methods were successfully applied to quantify quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in commercial tablets. LC-DAD and LC-ELSD methods are suitable to assess the stability and routine analysis of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical industry.