Simultaneous microemulsion liquid chromatographic analysis of fat-soluble vitamins in pharmaceutical formulations: Optimization using genetic algorithm

An environmentally benign and simple method has been proposed for separation and determination of fat-soluble vitamins using isocratic microemulsion liquid chromatography. Optimization of parameters affecting the separation selectivity and efficiency including surfactant concentration, percent of cosurfactant (1-butanol), and percent of organic oily solvent (diethyl ether), temperature and pH were performed simultaneously using genetic algorithm method. A new software package, MLR-GA, was developed for this purpose. The results indicated that 73.6 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate, 13.64% (v/v) 1-butanol, 0.48% (v/v) diethyl ether, column temperature of 32.5 degrees C and 0.02 M phosphate buffer of pH 6.99 are the best conditions for separation of fat-soluble vitamins. At the optimized conditions, the calibration plots for the vitamins were obtained and detection limits (1.06-3.69 mu g mL(-1)), accuracy (recoveries > 94.3). precision (RSD < 3.96) and linearity (0.01-10 mg mL(-1)) were estimated. Finally, the amount of vitamins in multivitamin syrup and a sample of fish oil capsule were determined. The results showed a good agreement with those reported by manufactures. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.