Chemiluminometric determination of reserpine and related alkaloidsElectronic Supplementary Information available. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/an/b0/b001430n/

Abstract

The determination of the alkaloids reserpine, rescinnamine and yohimbine based on a chemiluminogenic reaction with potassium permanganate in the presence of polyphosphoric acid is described. The investigation was carried out using a batch and a flow injection chemiluminometer. Both approaches were accurate and precise, allowing the measurement of reserpine within the ranges 0.100–3.00 and 0.050–3.00 μg ml⁻¹ with RSD values for 1.00 μg ml⁻¹ of 1.91 and 0.33% (n = 8) with the batch and the flow injection manifold, respectively. The procedure was successfully applied to formulations after extraction of reserpine with chloroform, with recoveries from commercial formulations within the range 95.2–99.0%.