Abstract
A two to three period analytical chemistry experiment has been developed which allows second year students to explore chemical color tests used to detect adulterated pharmaceuticals. Students prepare several paper analytical devices (PADs) to generate positive and negative controls antibiotics, along with cutting agents such as starch and chalk. These PADs are used to identify the active ingredients and excipients in mystery tablets prepared by their classmates. In the second part of the lab, the students select an individual color test and design an experiment to quantify their mystery pill’s active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Nearly all of the student groups were able to successfully identify adulterants present in their mystery tablets. The quantification of the mystery tablets was also successful with all but one group calculating the correct concentration within 6%. In a postlab assessment, the students identified their largest gains in their ability to analyze data and other information, skill in science writing, and learning of laboratory techniques.
Highlights
This two-period lab experiment explores organic and inorganic color reactions that have an important real-world application: detection of adulterated or substandard pharmaceuticals
After completing the qualitative analysis to familiarize themselves with the PADS, students were tasked with designing experiments to answer two questions about their mystery tablets “What excipients are present”, and “How much ciprofloxacin HCl is present?”
First Lab Period: Qualitative Color Chemistry Tests In the first part of the experiment the students generated color standards using known samples of pharmaceutical active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipient
Summary
This two-period lab experiment explores organic and inorganic color reactions that have an important real-world application: detection of adulterated or substandard pharmaceuticals. In the first phase of the lab, students carry out color tests to detect several functional groups found in the common antibiotics They make three PADs to determine what a positive and a negative response look like for several APIs as well as several potential excipients or adulterants. The students compared the results of the mystery pill to the stored images showing their color standards generated using PADs 1−4 to identify the API and diluent. Standard solutions of ciprofloxacin onto the iron(III) chloride lane, running the PADs, and analyzing the color intensity with ImageJ and Excel. A blank and five standards allow generation of a good calibration curve.[23] Each pair of students made seven PADs with the iron chloride test in each lane Six of these PADs were used to generate replicate results for the calibration curve, and the final one was done to test the mystery pill solution. Iron(III) chloride is harmful if swallowed, causes severe skin and eye irritation, and is toxic to aquatic life
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
