DETERMINATION OF SULFONAMIDE ANTIBIOTICS BY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY COUPLED WITH ATOMIC-EMISSION DETECTION

The paper describes the analysis of nine sulfonamides, chosen as the m ost widely used representatives of an important class of antibacterial drugs. Atomic emission detection has been found to allow simultaneous quantification and identification of the N-1-methylated derivatives, which are resolved efficiently by conventional capillary gas chromatog raphy. Results are given concerning the linearity of the response and the characterization of the individual compounds by the elemental rati o of their carbon, nitrogen and sulfur content. The method looks promi sing for the quantitative analysis and confirmation of sulfonamide res idues in complex mixtures. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.