Polarographic and voltammetric behaviour of ofloxacin and its analytical application

The polarographic and voltammetric behaviour of ofloxacin was studied by various electrochemical methods. A well-defined linear-sweep voltammetric peak was obtained at -1.343 V (vs. saturated calomel elctrode) in Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 4.00). The characteristics of the peak have been examined in detail. The experimental results prove that the reduction of ofloxacin is irreversible and that the peak has adsorption characteristics. A mechanism is proposed for the reduction of the sample. The peak current (iʹp) is proportional to the concentration over the range 8 × 10−4−2 × 10−5 mol 1−1 and the limit of detection is 4 × 10−6 mol 1−1. A single-sweep oscillopolarographic method was developed for the determination of ofloxacin in pharmaceutical formulations. The mean recovery of ofloxacin was 101.0% with an relative standard deviation of 2.2%.