Determination of the antibacterial norfloxacin in human urine and serum samples by solid-phase spectrofluorimetry

A method for the determination of trace amounts of norfloxacin has been dev eloped, based on solid-phase spectrofluorimetry. The relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) of norfloxacin fixed on Sephadex SP C-25 gel was measured d irectly after packing the gel beads in a I turn silica cell, using a solid- phase attachment. The wavelengths of excitation and emission were 272 and 4 46 am, respectively. Using a sample volume of 1000 ml, the linear concentra tion range of application was 0.1-4.0 ng ml(-1) of norfloxacin, with a rela tive standard deviation (R.S.D.) of 1.4% (for a level of 2.0 ng ml(-1)) and a detection limit of 0.04 ng ml(-1). The method was applied to the determi nation of norfloxacin in human urine and serum samples. It was validated ap plying the standard addition methodology and using HPLC as a reference meth od. Recovery levels of the method reached 100% in all cases. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.