Fluorimetric detection of reserpine in mouse serum through online post-column electrochemical derivatization

Abstract

A novel method combining high-performance liquid chromatography with online post-column electrochemical derivatization and fluorescence detection was established for the detection of reserpine in mouse serum. Reserpine separation was conducted using a C18 column with 5 mM H 3 PO 4 and acetonitrile (55/45, v/v) as eluent. Reserpine was then electro-oxidized into a strongly fluorescent compound using an electrolytic cell device. Detection parameters, such as potential and fluorescence wavelength, were optimized. The linearity of the proposed method ranged from 0.01 to 5.0 mg l −1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The limit of qualification ( S / N  = 10) and limit of detection ( S / N  = 3) were 9.7 and 2.9 µg l −1 , respectively. Resperine recoveries from spiked blank and drug-treated mouse serum samples ranged from 92.0 to 115%.