Chromatography of Commercial Analgesics
Chromatographic Analysis of a Commercial Analgesic’s Active Component
I. Abstract
This study on Chromatographic Analysis of a Commercial Analgesic’s Active Component seeks to separate, identify, quantify and analyze the active component found in Biogesic®, which may be useful for public awareness despite its wide acceptance and availability in the market. Furthermore, this study applies thin layer chromatography (TLC) technique since it is the simplest, cheapest yet most effective approach in terms to the study’s objectives. The TLC method implies Rf (Rate of flow) values where it is given by the distance from origin to center of subtance spot over the distance from origin to solvent front. As a result, the TLC analysis of Biogesic® yields the following Rf values where the given distance from origin to solvent front measures 59 mm: 1.) acetaminophen has a Rf value of 0.48; 2.) aspirin has a Rf value of 0.64; 3.) caffeine has a Rf value of 0.22; 4.) Biogesic® sample has a Rf value of 0.48 ; 5.) ibuprofen has a Rf value of 0.73; and 6.) mefenamic Acid has a Rf value of 0.76. Thus, the study shows that by having equal Rf values of about 0.48, Biogesic®’s most active component is acetaminophen (paracetamol), a relatively polar compound having a molecular formula C8H9NO2(MW= 151.1626). [1]
II. Introduction
Analgesics (also referred to as painkillers) are any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain. The relief that analgesics bring in alleviating pain occurs either by obstructing the pain signals that are to be transmitted by the peripheral nervous system’s receptors to the central nervous system or by interfering with the interpretation of pain signals transmitted to the brain’s central nervous system, without causing any loss of consciousness. However, it must be noted that analgesics are distinct from anesthetics since they do not reversibly eliminate sensation. [2]
Analgesics may be purely made of a single component or two (e.g. plain aspirin or ibuprofen
I. Abstract
This study on Chromatographic Analysis of a Commercial Analgesic’s Active Component seeks to separate, identify, quantify and analyze the active component found in Biogesic®, which may be useful for public awareness despite its wide acceptance and availability in the market. Furthermore, this study applies thin layer chromatography (TLC) technique since it is the simplest, cheapest yet most effective approach in terms to the study’s objectives. The TLC method implies Rf (Rate of flow) values where it is given by the distance from origin to center of subtance spot over the distance from origin to solvent front. As a result, the TLC analysis of Biogesic® yields the following Rf values where the given distance from origin to solvent front measures 59 mm: 1.) acetaminophen has a Rf value of 0.48; 2.) aspirin has a Rf value of 0.64; 3.) caffeine has a Rf value of 0.22; 4.) Biogesic® sample has a Rf value of 0.48 ; 5.) ibuprofen has a Rf value of 0.73; and 6.) mefenamic Acid has a Rf value of 0.76. Thus, the study shows that by having equal Rf values of about 0.48, Biogesic®’s most active component is acetaminophen (paracetamol), a relatively polar compound having a molecular formula C8H9NO2(MW= 151.1626). [1]
II. Introduction
Analgesics (also referred to as painkillers) are any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain. The relief that analgesics bring in alleviating pain occurs either by obstructing the pain signals that are to be transmitted by the peripheral nervous system’s receptors to the central nervous system or by interfering with the interpretation of pain signals transmitted to the brain’s central nervous system, without causing any loss of consciousness. However, it must be noted that analgesics are distinct from anesthetics since they do not reversibly eliminate sensation. [2]
Analgesics may be purely made of a single component or two (e.g. plain aspirin or ibuprofen
References: Skoog, D.A. & West, D.M. (2000). Analytical Chemistry: An Introduction. Quebec, Canada: CE Publishing Company [1]National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine (December 1, 2010). PubMed Health. Retrieved from February 5, 2011, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000521/ [2]Grant, K. (2008, December 2). Medication Guide: Analgesic Articles. Retrieved from February 5, 2011, from http://ratguide.com/meds/analgesics/ [3]Scott, J. (2009, June 29). Types of Analgesic Drugs. Retrieved from February 5, 2011, from http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/types-of-analgesic-drugs-1000902.html