Fluorimetric detection of reserpine in mouse serum through online post-column electrochemical derivatization

A novel method combining high-performance liquid chromatography with online post-column electrochemical derivatization and fluorescence detection was established for the detection of reserpine in mouse serum. Reserpine separation was conducted using a C18 column with 5 mM H(3)PO(4) and acetonitrile (55/45, v/v) as eluent. Reserpine was then electro-oxidized into a strongly fluorescent compound using an electrolytic cell device. Detection parameters, such as potential and fluorescence wavelength, were optimized. The linearity of the proposed method ranged from 0.01 to 5.0 mg l(−1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The limit of qualification (S/N = 10) and limit of detection (S/N = 3) were 9.7 and 2.9 µg l(−1), respectively. Resperine recoveries from spiked blank and drug-treated mouse serum samples ranged from 92.0 to 115%.