High-performance liquid chromatography detection of morphine by fluorescence after post-column derivatisation

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the fluorometric determination of morphine in biological samples has been developed. Column effluent is mixed with alkaline potassium ferricyanide to produce the fluorescent dimer pseudomorphine. The method provides higher chromatographic specificity and sensitivity than conventional high-performance liquid chromatography. Morphine can be detected at levels of 10 ng on column.