The Determination of Epitetracycline and Tetracycline by Ion-Exchange Paper Chromatography and its Application to Human Urine and Serum

Abstract

A simple quantitative chromatographic method is described for the separation of epitetracycline and tetracycline in pharmaceutical preparations. The method is applicable qualitatively to human serum and quantitatively to the biological determination of tetracycline in urine. Whatman's modified cellulose phosphate cation-exchange paper is developed by the descending technique using 0·1 per cent w/v ammonium chloride solution. The spots are located as yellow fluorescent spots under ultra-violet light and ammonia vapour, eluted in 10 per cent w/v ammonium chloride, and the extinction determined at 356 mμ. The method is not suitable for the separation of chlortetracycline or oxytetracycline from tetracycline.