Lidocaine and benzalkonium analysis and titration in drugs using new ISFET devices

Two new ISFETs recently developed by us have now been applied to some pharmaceutical determinations in real matrices; the first device, responsive to cationic surfactants, was employed in the determination of benzalkonium chloride contained in two different disinfectant solutions and in three types of commercial collyrium; the second device, responsive to cocaine hydrochloride, showed an appreciable response also to lidocaine hydrochloride and was used in the determination of lidocaine hydrochloride contained in some injectable antibiotics. The repeatability and accuracy of measurements performed in the analysis of these pharmaceutical matrices using new solid state sensors were evaluated. A further aspect of the research involved the use of two sensors to record complete titration curves for the determination of benzalkonium chloride, cocaine hydrochloride and lidocaine hydrochloride, respectively. Applications to real matrices were also performed by analysing by titration pharmaceutical formulations containing benzalkonium chloride, or lidocaine hydrochloride and an illicit powder containing cocaine hydrochloride and sugars.