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TLC Determination of Sulfonamides and Trimethoprim

Until recently exposure of pharmaceuticals to environment has not been considered a big concern because they were thought to be safe [1]. Nowadays, however, they are referred to as the emerging contaminants. Although they are expected to occur in trace concentrations [2], because of their continuous use and bacterial resistance attributed to their action, pharmaceuticals represent particular problem. Moreover, physico-chemical properties (mostly poor degradability) of some of these compounds enable their penetration through all natural filters and constructed treatment facilities thus putting drinking water supply systems under the risk [3]. Their incomplete removal from the sewage treatment plants is referred to as the major source of their release into environment [4]. For majority of the emerging contaminants data about their occurrence, related risk assessment and ecotoxicological data are not available. The fact that these compounds are not in the regulatory list of environmental pollutants resulted in comparatively little attention paid to them. Of all the emerging contaminants antibiotics are the biggest concern since their environmental emissions can increase the occurrence of resistant bacteria in the environment, which may lead to unforeseen consequences [5, 6] . This study was aimed at employing TLC analytical potentials in establishing a simple method for determination of veterinary pharmaceuticals. The drugs investigated included three sulfonamides (sulfaguanidine, sulfadimidine and sulfadiazine), and sulfonamide synergist (trimethophrim -TMP). Sulfonamides are antibacterial agents, commonly used in veterinary prophylaxis of infections, in the treatment of diseases and as growth promoters. These compounds become a health hazard to humans if they occur in water and at wastewater treatment locations where they inhibit growth of microorganisms involved in wastewater biotreatment. Recent research has detected sulfadimidine as a potential thyroid carcinogenic agent. Trimethoprim, a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor structurally different from sulfonamides, is commonly prescribed in the combination with sulfanamides. Analytical methodology of emerging contaminants is still evolving and different methods, mainly based on LC-MS or GC-MS are being developed. [7] High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one of the most popular and sensitive methods. However, it usually requires tedious sample pre-treatments. With screening methods sample purification can be omitted or reduced. Screening TLC is usually coupled with UV or fluorescence detection.

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC); Antibiotics; Sulfonamides; Sulfadimidine; Sulfaguanidine; Sulfadiazine; Trimethoprim

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