Determination of galanthamine in Bulbus Lycoridis Radiatae by coupling capillary electrophoresis with end-column electrochemiluminescence detection

A novel method for the determination of galanthamine (GAL) in Bulbus Lycoridis Radiatae has been developed based on coupling CE with an end-column tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Parameters affecting CE separation and ECL detection were investigated and optimized. Baseline separation of GAL from other components in the Bulbus Lycoridis Radiatae sample was achieved with an 18 mmol/L phosphate running buffer at pH 9.0. Under the optimized conditions: 12 kV CE-separation voltage, ECL detection potential at 1.25 V with 5 mmol/L Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) and 50 mmol/L phosphate buffer at pH 7.5 in the detection reservoir, the linear range of GAL concentration was from 0.8 ng/mL to 2 microg/mL, whereas the detection limit was 0.25 ng/mL (S/N=3). The proposed method was successfully demonstrated for the determination of GAL in Bulbus Lycoridis Radiatae.