Determination of boldine in drug formulations by first-derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetry

A simple and sensitive method is proposed for the determination of boldine by first-derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetry based on its native fluorescence in 0.1 N sulphuric acid. The constant wavelength difference (delta lambda = lambda em--lambda ex) chosen to optimize the determination is 90 nm. The linear concentration range of application is between 2.0 and 50.0 micrograms l-1 of boldine, the detection limit 0.4 microgram l-1 and the relative standard deviation at a concentration of 25 microgram l-1 was 2.1%. The method has been satisfactorily applied to the determination of boldine in pharmaceutical formulations.