Simultaneous determination of doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and idarubicin bycapillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

The separation and simultaneous determination of doxorubicin, daunorubicin and idarubicin was investigated using capillary electrophoresis with laser- induced fluorescence detection. Because the three anthracycline antibiotics were similar in structure and mass, careful manipulation of the electroosm otic flow and electrophoretic mobilities was required. A buffer consisting of 100 mM berate, adjusted to pH 9.5, containing 30% acetonitrile was found to provide a very efficient and stable electrophoretic system for the anal ysis of the three anthracyclines. The method was applied to the determinati on of three anthracyclines in serum samples. Responses were linear in the r ange of 10 - 500 ng.mL(-1) and the detection limits were lower than 0.9 ng. ml(-1).