Capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of tropane alkaloids: pharmaceutical and phytochemical applications

Three capillary electrophoresis methods, using UV detection, were developed for the simultaneous determination of several tropane alkaloids, including atropine, scopolamine and synthetic derivatives. After optimization, the v alidated capillary zone electrophoresis methods were applied to the determi nation of these compounds in various pharmaceutical forms, such as ophthalm ic and injection solutions, tablets, suppositories and aerosols. Capillary electrophoresis in the micellar mode was found to be more appropriate for t he analysis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in plant material. These two com pounds are generally found together with other tropane alkaloids which pres ent similar structures and charge to mass ratio. Furthermore, the separatio n of positional isomers, such as hyoscyamine and littorine generally encoun tered in plant extracts, was also considered. The developed method was appl ied to the analysis of hairy root extracts of Datura candida x Datura aurea , Datura quercifolia and Hyoscyamus albus. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.