An overview of the applications of capillary electrophoresis to the analysis of pharmaceutical raw materials and excipients

The use of capillary electrophoresis for the separation and quantitation of a range of pharmaceutical raw materials and excipients is reviewed. Capillary electrophoresis is shown to be a useful and versatile technique for a large number of applications. Features of the various methods include simplicity, detection of poor chromophore species by extensive use of indirect UV detection or direct absorbance at low wavelengths, minimal operating costs and generation of high quality retrievable raw data. Specific novel examples described include separations of lactose, flavouring agents, inorganic salts, lecithin constituents, a range of organic acids, benzylalkonium chloride components, sodium lauryl sulphate, and the quality of input water. It is concluded that the versatility of CE will ensure that it is increasingly used in the analysis of pharmaceutical raw materials and excipients.