TLC Separation of Cephalosporins: Searching for Better Selectivity

Abstract

Cephalosporins are broad‐spectrum bactericidal cell wall antibiotics which are very similar in structure and action to penicillins. They are used mainly for treating staphylococcal and streptococcal infections in patients who cannot use penicillins. Cephalosporins are also often used in veterinary medicine. They are commonly divided into four groups which differ slightly in spectrum and toxicity. Cephalosporins can be detected in pharmaceuticals, body fluids, and food by microbiological and immunological assays, capillary electrophoresis, chromatography, and other physicochemical methods. In this paper, the optimal conditions for thin‐layer chromatographic analysis of eight cephalosporins, i.e., cefaclor, cefoperazone, cefazolin, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, cefuroxime, cephalotin, and p‐chlorophenacyl cephalothin ester were established. Retention parameters for various chromatographic systems were compared. Good separations were achieved for several phases on plane silica gel and silica gel with boned diol‐, amino‐ and cyanopropyl chains.