Determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid in pharmaceutical formulation by differential pulse voltammetry.

The oxidative behaviour of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) has been investigated by differential pulse voltammetry using a glassy carbon electrode in different buffer systems. Linear sweep voltammetry was used to study the influence of pH on the peak current and peak potential. The solution conditions and instrumental parameters were optimized to obtain a good sensitivity. The Britton-Robinson buffer of pH 1.81 was selected as a suitable analytical medium in which 5-ASA exhibited a sensitive diffusion controlled oxidative peak at 0.564 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The peak current varied linearly with drug concentration in the range between 1 x 10(-4) and 2 x 10(-6) M. The proposed voltammetric method has been applied to the determination of the drug in commercial delayed-release tablet forms. A mean recovery of 101.23% with a relative standard deviation of 1.35% was obtained.