Ecl. Quím., São Paulo, 35(1): 35 - 40, 201040 Artigo Article www.scielo.br/eq Volume 35, número 1, 2010 41 ConCLuSion From the results obtained in the current study, the relative proportion of these flavonoids was reduced by maceration conventional techni- que, while microwave and ultrasonic techniques in combination with 70% ethanol solvent were the most efficient. It may suggest that microwave and ultrasonic methods using 70% ethanol are suitable for fast extraction of flavonoids in a simple way, also considering extraction yield and extraction time. These methods also permitted the acquisi- tion of flavonoids from reduced raw plant mate- rial. Acknowledgments C. P. Victório acknowledges the PhD fello- wship from CAPES/ PROAP/PROEX (Brazil). The authors are also grateful to Gisele de Olivei- ra (UFRJ) for the valuable technical assistance in HPLC use. resumo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a melhor metodologia de extração para rápida e eficiente obtenção de flavonóides a partir de Alpinia zerumbet. Folhas secas foram extraídas com água destilada e etanol 70%, utilizando as metodologias de extração: maceração sob agitação, ultrassom, microondas e agitador. Para verificação dos flavonóides rutina e kaempferol-3-O-glicuronídeo foram utilizadas as técnicas de CCD e CLAE em fase reversa. O solvente etanol 70% foi mais eficiente como extrator. Para as metodologias ultrassom, microondas e agitador, não houve variação significativa para o rendimento utilizando etanol 70% (11 a 14%). A concentração relativa de rutina e kaempferol-3-O- glicuronídeo, respectivamente, foi maior pelos métodos de extração por ultrassom (1,5 e 5,62 mg g-1 folha seca) e microondas (1,0 e 6,64 mg g-1 folha seca), utilizando etanol 70%. Procedimentos rápidos e simplificados de extração otimizam o trabalho fitoquímico e a obtenção de metabólitos secundários. Palavras-chave: cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, maceração, microondas, ultrassom, Zingiberaceae BiBLiogrAPHY [1] C. P. Victório, R. M. Kuster, C. L. S. Lage, Braz. J. Med. Plant 11 (2009) 147. [2] R. Soares de Moura, A. F. Emiliano, L. C. R. Carvalho, M. A. V. Souza, D. C. J. Guedes, Cardiovas. Pharmacol. 46 (2005) 288. [3] L. A. M. A. da Costa, S. M. Morais, M. C. B. R. Dantas, R. A. C. M. Lobo, M. C. Fonteles, Rev. Bras. Farmacol. 79 (1998) 96. [4] M. A. Mpalantinos, R. Soares de Moura, J. P. Parente, R. M. Kuster, Phytother. 12 (1998) 442. [5] B. H. Havsteen, Pharmacol. Therapeutics 96 (2002) 67. [6] C. P.Victório, S. G. Leitão, C. L. S. Lage, J. Ess. Oil Res. 22 (2010) 52. [7] X. Pan, G. Niu, H. Liu, J. Chromatogr A 922 (2001) 371. [8] C. P.Victório, C.A.S. Riehl, C. L. S. Lage. J. Ess. Oil-Bear. Plants 12 (2009) 137. [9] X. Pan, G. Niu, H. Liu, Chem. Eng. Process. 42 (2003) 129. [10] D. P. Fulzele, R. K. J. Satdive, J. Chromatogr. A 1063 (2005) 9. [11] A. H. Goli, M. Barzegar, M. A. Sahari, Food Chem. 92 (2004) 521. [12] N.Turkmen, F. Sari, Y. S. Velioglu, Food Chem. 99 (2006) 835. [13] R. M. S. Celeghini, J. H. Y. Vilegas, F. M. Lanças, J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 12 (2001) 706. [14] Y. Yang, F. Zhang, Ultras. Sonochem. 15 (2008) 308. [15] A. A. Craveiro, F. J. A. Matos, J. W. Alencar, M. M. Pu- mel, Flav. Frag. J. 4 (1989) 43. [16] K. Ganzer, I. Szinai, A. Salgo, J. Chromatogr. 520 (1990) 257. [17] E. Rijke, P. Out, W. M. A. Niessen, F. Ariese, C. Gooijer, U. A. Th. Brinkman, J. Chromatogr., A 112 (2006) 31. [18] B. H. Oliveira, T. Nakashima, J. D. S. Filho, F. L. Frehse, J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 12 (2001) 243. [19] L. Tao, Z. T. Wang, E. Y. Zhu, Y. H. Lu, D. Z. Wei, South African J. Bot. 72 (2006) 163. [20] C. A. Williams, J. B. Harborne, Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 5 (1977) 221. Artigo/Article SPot-teSt iDentiFiCAtion AnD rAPiD quAntitAtiVe SequentiAL AnALYSiS oF DiPYrone M. Tubino1*, A. C. Biondo1, M. M. D. C. Vila2, L. Pezza3 and H. R. Pezza3 1 State university of Campinas - uNiCAMP, institute of Chemistry, P.O. Box 6154, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil, 2 Sorocaba university - uNiSO, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil 3 São Paulo State university- uNESP, Chemistry institute of Araraquara, Araraquara, SP, Brazil *tubino@iqm.unicamp.br Abstract: A qualitative spot-test and tandem quantitative analysis of dipyrone in the bulk drug and in pharmaceutical preparations is proposed. The formation of a reddish-violet color in- dicates a positive result. In sequence a quantitative procedure can be performed in the same flask. The quantitative results obtained were statistically compared with those obtained with the method indicated by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, using the Student’s t and the F tests. Considering the concentration in a 100 µL aliquot, the qualitative visual limit of detection is about 5×10-6 g; instrumental LOD ≅ 1.4×10-4 mol L-1 ; LOQ ≅ 4.5×10-4 mol L-1. Keywords: dipyrone, spot-test, analysis, qualitative, quantitative introduction Dipyrone (sodium salt of 1-phenyl-2,3-di- methyl-4-methylaminomethane-sulfonate-5-pyra- zolone) (Fig. 1) is a water-soluble pyrazolone de- rivative widely used in therapeutics as a analgesic, antipyretic and antispasmodic drug [1]. Dipyrone was developed in Germany and was introduced into clinical practice in 1922. It is still in use in many countries for adults and children, where it is sold as an over-the counter (OTC) painkiller [2,3]. Due to its strong analgesic effect, available paren- teral formulation, and low cost, dipyrone is wide- ly used, generating a consumption of more than 10 thousand tons/year. Dipyrone is very popular in Brazil and is marketed in the sodium salt form or as the magnesium salt, as well as in association with other drugs [4]. However, the use of dipy- rone was proscribed more than twenty years ago in the U.S.A. due to its putative role in depressing bone marrow, causing aplastic anemia and agran- ulocytosis. However, this has been criticized by many authors [2,4,5]. Figure1. Structural formula of dipyrone. The metabolism of dipyrone has been re- cently reviewed. It was demonstrated that it inhi- bits cyclooxygenase (COX). However, in contrast Ecl. Quím., São Paulo, 35(1): 41 - 46, 2010 Ecl. Quím., São Paulo, 35(1): 41 - 46, 201042 Artigo Article Ecl. Quím., São Paulo, 35(1): 41 - 46, 2010 43 Artigo Article to classical COX-inhibitors, such as aspirin-like drugs, dipyrone has no anti-inflammatory effect and a low gastrointestinal toxicity, indicating a different mode of action. The authors suggested that the pharmacologically active metabolites of dipyrone inhibit COX activity by sequestering radicals that initiate the catalytic activity of this enzyme or through the reduction of the oxidized states of the COX protein [6]. After oral intake, it is spontaneously hydrolyzed in the gastric fluid to its main metabolite, 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA), which is rapidly and nearly completely absorbed. 4-MAA is then converted to variety of metabolites by various enzymatic reactions. The effect of dipyrone occurs approximately fifteen minutes after oral administration. The biotransfor- mation takes place at the hepatic level, the dura- tion of this effect is approximately 4-6 hours, and its elimination occurs at the renal level [7]. Recently, additional beneficial effects of dipyrone, such as vascular smooth muscle rela- xation, and as antiapoptotics and anticolvulsants, have been reported and have increased the interest in dipyrone [3]. A great problem related with pharmaceuti- cal products around the world is falsification. The- se incidents probably occur more frequently in de- veloping and poor countries but certainly Europe and United States are not completely free of them. In Brazil the problem was denounced some years ago [8,9] and involved antibiotics, contraceptives, cancer medicines and also common analgesics and antipyretics like dipyrone and aspirin. There is suspicion that such anomalies still remain. From these considerations, it is clearly apparent that it is very important to develop quick, simple, relia- ble and low cost analytical procedures that could be used routinely for screening examinations to detect possible falsifications. Some methods have been developed for dipyrone determination, such as titrimetry [1], HPLC [10], spectrophotometry [11-15], poten- tiometry [16], amperometry [17,18], turbidimetry [19], voltammetry [20], and reflectometry [21]. The iodometric titration of dipyrone is recommen- ded by the Pharmacopoeia [1] but this procedure is very slow and laborious, thus less applicable to large-scale analysis. The aim of the present work is to develop a simple and reliable spectrophotometric method for the qualitative spot-test [22] associated with a rapid quantitative sequential analysis of dipyrone in pharmaceutical preparations. A similar qualita- tive procedure has been reported [23] but in the present work the sequential quantitative analysis using iron III as catalyst was developed. The me- thod is based on the selective oxidation of dipyro- ne, a characteristic reaction of a pyrazolone, in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, splitting off formaldehyde which reacts with chromotropic acid producing a reddish-violet compound [11]. The sulfuric acid addition promotes the oxidation of dipyrone and guarantees the temperature neces- sary for the reaction, to occur, as it interacts with the small quantity of water intentionally added in order to take advantage of the highly exothermic process of the hydration of this acid. The forma- tion of the reddish-violet compound identifies the dipyrone. In case of positive qualitative result the quantitative analysis can be sequentialy perfor- med. experimental Reagents All chemicals were of analytical gra- de and were used without further purification. Concentrated sulfuric acid (96%) was obtained from Synth®. Chromotropic acid (disodium salt, dihydrate, C10H6O8S2Na2.2H2O) and dipyrone (C13H16N3NaO4S) were obtained from Sigma-Al- drich®. Distilled water was obtained from a glass distillation device. Pharmaceutical dosage forms of dipyrone were purchased from reliable drugstores. The commercial tablets comprising dipyrone tested were: - Novalgina (500 mg); Conmell (320 mg); Anador (500 mg); Lisador (500 mg); Buscopan (250 mg) and Generic Medley (500 mg). Solutions Chromotropic acid solution: prepared daily by dissolving 0.2002 g of chromotropic acid in 5 mL of distilled water, in order to obtain a 0.1 mol L 1 concentration. iron (iii) chloride 0.1 mol L-1 solution: to prepare 25 mL of a 0.1 mol L-1 solution about 0.67 g of analytical grade (Vetec®) FeCl3.6H2O were dissolved in a volumetric flask. Standard dipyrone solution: prepared by dissolving an adequate mass of dipyrone in 50.0 mL of distilled water, in order to obtain a 0.1 mol L 1 concentration. From this solution, by appro- priate dilutions, the other solutions of the dipyro- ne were prepared. Sample preparation: Twenty tablets were powdered in a mortar after weighing. An accura- tely weighed portion of one tablet, equivalent to about 15 mg of anhydrous dipyrone, was dissol- ved in 10.0 mL of water, in a volumetric flask, to obtain a solution with a concentration of approxi- mately 4.5 × 10 -3 mol L-1. Procedure Add, with a micro spatula, to the tube (straight walled volumetric flask of 5.0 mL) about 2 to 3 mg of solid chromotropic acid. Transfer ca- refully 100 μL of dipyrone solution into this tube. Gently dissolve the chromotropic acid. Add a drop of the 0.1 mol L-1 iron (III) chloride solution and homogenize. Then add 500 μL of good quality concentrated sulfuric acid. The acid should be rapidly added, all at once. Shake the tube care- fully in order to homogenize. If a reddish-violet color appears the test is positive for dipyrone. To sequentially perform the quantitative analysis the volume is completed to 5.0 mL with water. The absorbance is measured at 576 nm using the volu- metric flask as the spectrophotometric cell. Alter- natively spectrophotometric cuvettes can be used. Apparatus A Femto 600 single beam spectrophotome- ter was used for all absorbance measurements. The absorbance measurements were performed using a straight walled volumetric flask also used for the reaction. Spectrophotometric glass cuvettes 1.00 cm optical path were also used. The 5.00 mL straight walled volumetric flask used is essentially an adequately calibrated tube with 11 cm total height, 1.0 cm ID, 1.4 cm OD and fitted with a stopper to allow shaking wi- thout losing solution. It is similar to the usual 1.0 and 2.0 volumetric flasks. This format was used in order to promote the most intimate contact of the analyte and of the reagents due to the format and to the dimensions of the bottom of the flask. As the volumetric tubes were not of optical quality their transmittance (filled with water) at 576 nm was compared. No significant difference was observed and, therefore, they were used wi- thout necessity of any correction in the measured absorbances. Volume measurements of the aliquots and of the sulfuric acid were done using Eppendorf® micropipettes. Reference method To analyze the samples by the classic iodometric method, the preparation procedure recommended by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia [1] was used. Statistical analysis The statistical t-Student test and the F tests [24] were applied to compare the recovery results obtained by the two analytical methods, the pro- posed and the titrimetric ones [1]. results and Discussion The reaction used in the method developed in this work is based on the reaction of dipyrone analogue, 1-phenyl-2,3-dimethyl-4-dimethylami- no-5-pyrazolone [22], which makes use of a very selective oxidation of that compound in the pre- sence of concentrated sulfuric acid, splitting out formaldehyde. The reducing action of pyramido- ne is related to its tendency to tautomerise [25]; Ecl. Quím., São Paulo, 35(1): 41 - 46, 201044 Artigo Article Ecl. Quím., São Paulo, 35(1): 41 - 46, 2010 45 Artigo Article the oxidation probably begins with the isomeric methoxy form of the pyrazolone [22]. The for- maldehyde formed is identified by reacting it with warm chromotropic acid, yielding a red-violet co- lor [22]. The nature of this chromogen has never been unambiguously determined but some expe- rimental evidence suggests the hypothesis that it has a mono-cationic dibenzoxanthylium structure [26]. In this work, we use the highly exothermic hydration process of the sulfuric acid and its very low heat capacity to provoke the necessary tem- perature increase for the reaction to occur [23]. In order to accelerate the reaction iron III was used as catalyst. A drop of a 0.1 mol L-1 iron (III) chlo- ride solution was added directly in the solution containing the dipyrone with the chromotropic acid. When the sulfuric acid is added, the increase of the reaction rate can be visually observed when compared to the reaction without the addition of iron III. The absorption spectrum of the reaction product was obtained using the final solution in the volumetric flask. With the defined working conditions the maximum absorption wavelength was observed at 576 nm. The stability of the product formed was stu- died over time. Measurements performed 15 days later showed that the reddish-violet compound formed is completely stable in this time interval when stored at ambient temperature (ca. 25 oC). The molar ratio of the analyte to the analytical reagent and the volume ratio of the con- centrated sulfuric acid were investigated. The best conditions were: 1:10 ratio of dipyrone to chro- motropic acid using 500 µL of concentrated sul- furic acid. The absorbance was measured at 576 nm using the volumetric flask as spectrophotometric cell. These results were compared with those ob- tained with spectrophotometric cuvettes. The calibration curves were constructed in the range from 1.0 × 10-3 mol L-1 to 6.0 × 10 3 mol L-1 considering the concentration in the aliquot. They can be described by the equations: a) A = 0.15 + 110 C (r=0.999) where A is the absorbance at 576 nm and C is the concentration in mol L-1 in the aliquot; when using the spectrophotometer with the straight walled volumetric flask and b) A = 0.16 + 114 C (r=0.998) with the cuvettes. For both procedures, using the volumetric tubes for spectrophotometric measurements or using the cuvettes, the instrumental limits of de- tection, LOD, and of quantitation, LOQ, are: LOD ≅ 1.4 × 10-4 mol L-1 (LOD ≅ 3.3 SD / slope); limit of quantitation LOQ ≅ 4.5 × 10-4 mol L-1 (LOQ ≅ 10 SD / slope). The visual qualitative limit of detection is about 5 × 10-6 g of dipyrone in the aliquot. Alternatively, in order to obtain results more rapidly, a simple proportional calculation can be done using as standard a solution prepa- red with the expected concentration of dipyrone in the sample. If the obtained result for the sample is within the established limits, the pharmaceutical preparation can be considered in conformity with the pharmacopoeia recommendations. In order to test the proposed method six commercial pharmaceutical preparations, pur- chased in local pharmacies, were analyzed. The results were compared with those obtained with the titrimetric procedure recommended by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia [1], using the paired Student’s statistical t test and the F test [24]. As it can be observed in Table 1, for a confidence coe- fficient of 0.05, in four cases values of t, slightly higher than the theoretical value, were obtained. However, the F test shows complete agreement in all cases. For the confidence coefficient of 0.01 complete agreement was achieved in the Student’s t and in the F tests. table 1. Comparison, using the paired statistical t test of Student and the F test, between the results obtained with the titrimetric Brazilian Pharmacopoeia procedure and those obtained with the method proposed in this work. Sample a Label values /mg Refer.b Proposed I c Proposed II d tI e tII f FI g FII h FI-II i A 500 500 ± 3 507 ± 10 504 ± 3 0.95 1.33 11.1 1.0 11.1 B 320 320 ± 2 312± 8 330± 6 1.37 3.16 16.0 9.0 1.8 C 500 494± 2 491 ± 1 498 ± 4 2.68 1.26 4.0 4.0 16.0 D 500 504±3 512 ± 1 495± 3 3.58 3.00 6.0 1.0 9.0 E 500 518 ±3 501± 6 498 ± 5 3.62 2.43 4.0 2.8 1.4 F 250 245 ±3 258± 3 246 ± 2 4.33 0.39 1.0 2.3 2.3 aOther components present in the pharmaceutical preparation besides dipyrone: A- magnesium stearate; macrogol; B - starch; lactose; talc; magnesium stearate; C - hypromelose; polyvidone; silicon dioxide; su- crose; quinoline yelow; starch; talc; magnesium stearate; D - prometazin hydrochloride, adiphenine hydro- chloride, magnesium stearate; silicon dioxide; talc; starch; sucrose; E - silicon dioxide; magnesium stearate; polyvi- done, magnesium silicate; F - hyoscine butylbromide, calcium phosphate dibasic; starch; silicon dioxide; tartaric acid; ste- aric acid; polyvidone; sucrose; talc; gum arabic; titanium dioxide; macrogol;carnauba wax; white wax. b Reference titrimetric method [1]. c Proposed method I, using straight volumetric tubes. d Proposed method II, using spectrophotometric cuvettes. e Paired calculated Student’s t values, comparing the proposed method I with the reference titrimet- ric method. f Paired calculated Student’s t values, comparing the proposed method II with the reference titri- metric method. g F values comparing method I with reference tit- rimetric method. h F values comparing method II with reference tit- rimetric method i F values comparing method I with method II. Theoretical: Students’s t = 2.78 (confidence coef- ficient, α=0.05) and 4.60 (confidence coefficient, α=0.01) for the degree of freedom ν= 4 (ν= n1 + n2 -2); n1 = n2 = 3; F = 19.00 (α=0.05). Conclusion The analytical method described in this work, despite the complexity of the analyte, pres- ents extreme chemical and instrumental simplic- ity, very low cost, quite good accuracy and pre- cision, rapidity and reliability. The quantitative determination can be performed in less than five minutes. Therefore, considering these characteris- tics, it can be suggested for the determination of dipyrone in the bulk drug and in pharmaceutical preparations. Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to CNPq (Conse- lho Nacional de Pesquisa Científica e Tecnológi- ca), to FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) for financial support and to Prof. Dr. Carol H. Collins for English revision of the manuscript. Ecl. Quím., São Paulo, 35(1): 41 - 46, 201046 Artigo Article www.scielo.br/eq Volume 35, número 1, 2010 47 resumo: Um método “spot-test” qualitativo e seqüencialmente quantitativo é proposto para análise de dipirona em fármaco “puro” e em preparações farmacêuticas. A formação de colora- ção vermelho-violeta indica um resultado qualitativo positivo. Na seqüência, um procedimento quantitativo pode ser realizado no mesmo frasco. Os resultados quantitativos obtidos foram comparados estatisticamente com os resultados obtidos pelo método indicado pela Farmaco- péia Brasileira, utilizando o teste t de Student e o teste F. Considerando a concentração em uma alíquota de 100 µL, o limite qualitativo visual de detecção foi de cerca 5×10-6 g; instru- mentalmente o limite de detecção foi de LOD ≅ 1.4×10-4 mol L-1 e o limite de quantificação de LOQ ≅ 4.5×10-4 mol L-1. 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Souza B a Departamento de Química, universidade Federal do Maranhão, uFMA, Avenida dos Portugueses s/n, Campus Bacanga, CEP 65080- 040, São Luís, MA, Brazil. b Departamento de Química, universidade Federal da Paraíba, uFPB, Campus i, Cidade universitária, CEP 58059-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. * Corresponding author. Phone: +55-98-2109-8277 E-mail address: fernasil@ufma.br Abstract: Maranhão state in Brazil presents a big potential for the cultivation of several olea- ginous species, such as babassu, soybean, castor oil plant, etc... These vegetable oils can be transformed into biodiesel by the transesterification reaction in an alkaline medium, using methanol or ethanol. The biodiesel production from a blend of these alcohols is a way of adding the technical and economical advantages of methanol to the environmental advantages of ethanol. The optimized alcohol blend was observed to be a methanol/ethanol volume ratio of 80 % MeOH: 20 % EtOH. The ester content was of 98.70 %, a value higher than the target of the ANP, 96.5 % (m/m), and the biodiesel mass yield was of 95.32 %. This biodiesel fulfills the specifications of moisture, specific gravity, kinematic viscosity and percentages of free alcohols (methanol plus ethanol) and free glycerin. Keywords: Babassu oil, methanol, ethanol, methyl esters, ethyl esters. i. introduction Babassu nut is the main product of the vege- tal extractive activities in Maranhão state, Brazil, and one quarter of its territory is covered by such native palm tree (Orbignya phalerata). The activi- ties related to the babassu nut generate about 300 thousand jobs, from the collect normally made by the “babassu breakers”, up the oil refining [1,2]. Maranhão is the biggest producer of ba- bassu nuts in Brazil. It is responsible for the production of almost 80% of the country output, corresponding to 120 thousand metric tons in the 2005 base year. [3]. The local industries produce about 60 thousand metric tons /year of babassu oil, being most of it transported to other Brazilian states [4]. Babassu oil displays a high percentage of saturated fatty acids, 91%, mainly composed of lauric acid (48%), myristic acid (16%), palmitic acid (10%), stearic acid (2%) and others (5%). It also presents 19% of unsaturated fatty acids, chie- fly oleic (14%) and linoleic (5%) acids [5]. Maranhão is also the second biggest soy- bean producer in Northeastern Brazil, only behind Bahia state. In the 2006/2007 harvest, according to CONAB, the soybean production in Maranhão was of about 0.967 million metric tons, while the whole Brazilian output was of around 56.71 million metric tons [6]. Besides these two cultures, Maranhão dis- plays a big potential for the cultivation of other oleaginous species (castor oil plant, cotton, tame nut, etc.), due to its weather conditions, geogra- Ecl. Quím., São Paulo, 35(1): 47 - 54, 2010