The use of modified simplex method to optimize the room temperature phosphorescence variables in the determination of an antihypertensive drug.

In the present paper, the modified simplex method (MSM) has been applied, for the first time, to determine compounds by a luminescence technique. The method was based on the optimization of chemical and instrumental variables affecting phosphorescence using a geometric simplex in two and three dimensions of space, respectively. As application, we have determined a novel antihypertensive drug, naftopidil, in urine and serum, by heavy atom induced room temperature phosphorescence (HAI-RTP); this technique enables us to determine analytes in complex matrices, biological fluids, without the need for a tedious prior separation process. With the proposed method, the maximum signal of phosphorescence appears instantly once the sample has been prepared and the intensity was measured at lambda(ex)=287 nm and lambda(em)=525 nm. Overall least-squares regression was used to find the straight line that fitted the experimental data. The detection limit, as well as the repeatability and the standard deviation (S.D.) for replicate sample, were also determined.