Spectrophotometric determination of erythromycin in pharmaceuticals

Abstract

A simple method to determine the dosage of erythromycin in pharmaceuticals is herein described. The method comprises the spectrophotometric detection at 540 nm of the compound resulting from a reaction between erythromycin and xanthydrol, in an acid medium. Theideal condition for the reaction to take place were established and the possibility of ínterference by some chemical element that might be found in mixture with the erythromycin contained in such pharmaceuticals were investigated. Recovery tests were made, Error rate method is around 2%. The necessary conditions for thin-layer chromatography separation and determination of erythromycin ant its salts when mixed with tetracyclin and espiramycin were als o established.