FIA FLUOROMETRIC-DETERMINATION OF CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE - VALIDATION AND QUANTITATION IN MULTIVITAMIN PREPARATIONS

An FIA method for the determination of calcium pantothenate, one of the components of vitamin B complex, is proposed. The method is based on the alkaline hydrolysis of the analyte to beta-alanine and subsequent derivatization to a 1-alhylthio-2-alkylisoindole, the fluorescence of which is monitored at lambda(ex) = 350 nm and lambda(em) = 4.55 nm. Chemical and physical variables influencing the fluorescence signal were optimized and the method was validated as regards accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility. The proposed method features a broad linear determination range (0.2-40 mg/L) and a throughput of 25 samples/h. It was applied to the determination of calcium pantothenate in multivitamin preparations with satisfactory results.