Detection of doxycycline hyclate and oxymetazoline hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations via spectrophotometry and microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPADs)

Abstract There is growing demand for simple to operate, sensitive, on-site quantitative assays to investigate concentrations of drug molecules in pharmaceutical preparations for quality assurance. Here, we report on the development of two colorimetric analysis methods for the study the antibiotic doxycycline hyclate (DOX) and the nasal decongestant oxymetazoline hydrochloride (OXY), in solution as well as in their respective formulations. We compare a UV/vis spectrophotometry method with a color change recorded on a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD). Detection is based on the pharmaceutical compounds coupling with diazotized 4-aminoacetophenone (DAAP) under alkaline conditions to produce colored azo-dye products. These azo-compounds were monitored by absorbance at 425 nm for DOX and 521 nm for OXY, with linear calibration graphs in the concentration range of 0.5–35 mg L−1 (DOX) and 1.0–40 mg L−1 (OXY) and limits of detection of 0.24 mg L−1 (DOX) and 0.32 mg L−1 (OXY). For the μPAD method, color intensity was measured from photographs and a linear increase was observed at concentrations from above approximately 15 mg L−1 for both compounds and up to 35 mg L−1 for DOX and 40 mg L−1 for OXY. The developed methods were also applied to the formulated pharmaceuticals and no interference was found from the excipient. Thus, the paper-based device provides an inexpensive, simple alternative approach for use outside centralized laboratories with semi-quantitative capability.