We have developed a new method to determine the marker calcein encapsulated
in liposomes using ethanol or propanol instead of Triton X-100. Calcein in
ethanol solution was estimated by fluorophotometry with excitation and emi
ssion wavelengths of 490 nm and 520 nm, respectively. The fluorescence inte
nsity of calcein solubilized by ethanol was linear in the range of 10(-6)-1
0(-4) mol/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The proposed method, w
hich was accurate and reproducible, was successfully applied to determine t
he amounts of ethanol-soluble drugs in liposomes.