Fluorimetric determination of oxamniquine in biological fluids

A highly sensitive and specific fluorimetric method was developed for the d etermination of oxamniquine in biological fluids (urine and plasma). The pr oposed method is based on the reduction of oxamniquine using zinc/calcium c hloride to obtain its nitroso derivative. The latter is then allowed to rea ct with 2-cyanoacetamide to get a highly fluorescent product. The different experimental parameters affecting the intensity of the fluorescence were c arefully studied and incorporated into the procedure. Under the described c onditions, the method is applicable over the concentration range of 0.08-0. 88 mu g/ml with a minimum detectability (S/N = 2) of 8 ng/ml. The percentag e recoveries from spiked urine and plasma were 99.75 +/- 1.58 and 97.46 +/- 0.44%, respectively. A proposal of the reaction pathway is suggested. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.