ESTIMATION OF CHLORIDES, SULPHATES AND IRON CONTAMINANTS IN BULK DRUGS FROM MGCOP COLLEGE STORE AND INDUSTRIAL SAMPLES USING CONVENTIONAL ANALYTICAL METHODS AND NEPHELO TURBIDOMETRY METHOD

Jagjot Gautam, Amrit Paul*, Anil Parasnath Sao, Vivek Kumar Singh, Kumar Priyadarshi,
Shivam Kumar

ABSTRACT

Pharmaceutical substances contain inorganic impurities like chlorides (Cl-), sulphates (SO42-), and iron (Fe3+), which may compromise drug stability, safety, and efficacy. This research sought to estimate and compare levels of these impurities found in bulk drug samples of Paracetamol and Aspirin obtained from both an MGCOP college store and pharmaceutical industry using both conventional analytical techniques as well as nepheloturbidometry to characterize impurity profiles. Under conventional methodology, qualitative and semiquantitative assessments were completed via visual comparison of turbidity and color intensity with standard solutions. Nepheloturbidometry allowed sensitive yet quantitative detection using light scattering by insoluble complexes formed with specific reagents: AgNO3 for chlorides, BaCl2 for sulfates and NH4SCN for iron. Results revealed higher impurity levels in college store samples compared with industrial counterparts across all tests, particularly chloride and sulphate concentrations in these stores which significantly exceeded industrial counterparts, potentially indicative of storage degradation or less stringent quality control practices. Nepheloturbidometric monitoring proved superior due to enhanced precision and reproducibility making it better suited for routine impurity monitoring. This comparative analysis highlights the significance of advanced analytical techniques for pharmaceutical quality assurance and supports implementation of nepheloturbidometry as an accurate way of impurity estimation. Furthermore, its findings highlight the need for improved storage and handling practices to protect pharmaceutical substances - especially within academic or non-industrial settings.

Keywords: Inorganic impurities, Nepheloturbidometry, Paracetamol, Aspirin, Conventional analytical methods, Pharmaceutical quality control, Chloride, Sulphate, and Iron estimation.