Implementation of design of experiments for optimization of forced degradation conditions and development of a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography method for sepiwhite

Sepiwhite is a novel anti-pigmenting agent that is derived from fatty acid and phenylalanine and used for hyperpigmentation induced by light exposure or inflammation. In this study, a simple and validated high-performance liquid chromatography method for the quantitation of sepiwhite was developed. Optimized forced degradation of sepiwhite at thermal, acid/base, photolysis, oxidative, and heavy metal ions conditions were evaluated and the effect of each of them on production of specific 10%-30% degradants was studied by the approach of design of experiments. Sepiwhite accelerated study was conducted and toxicity of sepiwhite at each condition was tested. An optimized high-performance liquid chromatography method was validated by a face-centered central composition design. Ten different degradants were identified from sepiwhite and degradation behavior under different conditions was studied. Sepiwhite and its degradant products show no cytotoxicity. This optimized high-performance liquid chromatography method can be applied for quality control assay and sepiwhite degradation behavior may be considered in the manufacturing of sepiwhite products.