Development of sensitive benzofurazan-based spectrometric methods for analysis of spectinomycin in vials and human...

Spectinomycin hydrochloride (SPEC) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that has a broad spectrum against several bacterial strains of humans and veterinary infections. However, SPEC lacks a fluorophore or chromophore and this lack makes its analysis a challenge. Our study provides a simple, sensitive and low-cost spectrofluorimetric/spectrophotometric method based on the reaction between secondary amine groups and a benzofurazan reagent using borate buffer (pH 9.2). The yielding compound was measured fluorimetrically at 530 nm (excitation at 460 nm) with colorimetry at 410 nm. The calibration curves ranged from 30 to 400 ng ml^-1 and from 0.2 to 6 μg ml^-1 for spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric analyses, respectively. The limits of detection were calculated to be 4.15 ng ml^-1 and 0.05 μg ml^-1 for spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric processes, respectively. The ultra-affectability and high selectivity of the proposed method permitted analysis of SPEC in the dosage form and in human plasma samples, with good recoveries of about 101.19 and 97.11%, respectively, without any matrix interference. The proposed strategy was validated using International Conference on Harmonization standards and validated bioanalytically using USFDA recommendations.