Quantitative high-performance thin-layer chromatographic analysis of ampicillin in human urine

A quantitative high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed for the analysis of ampicillin in urine. A dioxane-water-n-butanol-formic acid mobile phase system and HPTLC Silica gel 60 F254 as stationary phase were used. Quantitation was realized on a Zeiss PMQ 2 densitometer connected to a Varian A-25 recorder and an Apple II microcomputer or alternatively with an HP 9830A computer and HP 9862A plotter. A good linear range of detection (0.05-1.00 micrograms) at 480 nm was obtained. Standard statistical methods demonstrated good reproducibility (coefficient of variation is not greater than 3%). The method is appropriate for ampicillin quality control and pharmacokinetic studies.