Non-destructive testing of drugs by colormetric method using a smartphone and the PhotoMetrix PRO

Abstract

A non-destructive control of levofloxacin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetylsalicylic acid and vinpocetine in drugs by their own fluorescence and diffuse reflection of near-IR radiation using a smartphone and a device printed on a 3D printer is proposed. Blister packaging and tablet shells slightly reduce the intensity of the diffuse reflection of light with a wavelength of 850 nm and fluorescence caused by exposure to UV radiation (390 nm), which is confirmed by a comparative analysis of the results of colorimetric measurement in samples of drugs in blister packs, without packaging and on a split tablet. There is a correlation of the analytical signal with the concentration of the active substance, regardless of the variant of the study. The dataset was processed by principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and projection on latent structures (PLS) using PhotoMetrix PRO® smartphone software. It is shown that using these algorithms it is possible to identify drugs by their manufacturer and determine the concentration of active substances. Colorimetric signals from tablets from the same manufacturer form separate clusters in dendrograms created using the HCA algorithm. Data obtained using PCA indicates the location of signals from tablets from different manufacturers in separate quadrants, which helps to identify the pharmaceutical company. The use of chemometric methods of analysis to determine the concentration of the active substance is considered. The relative standard deviation of the results of the analysis did not exceed 0.04. The relative error of the analysis results did not exceed those recommended for the preparation of medicines in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated October 26, 2015 No. 751n.