Flow-injection analysis of two fluoquinolones by the sensitizing effect of terbium(III) on chemiluminescence of the potassium permanganate–sodium sulfite system

A simple, rapid and sensitive method for the determination of two fluoquinolones (FQs), enoxacin (ENX) and ofloxacin (OFLX) is described by using flow injection analysis with potassium permanganate–sodium sulfite chemiluminescence detection. The calibration graphs for ENX and OFLX are linear in the range of 8.0×10−10–1.0×10−5 and 1.0×10−9–1.0×10−6 mol l−1, respectively. The 3σ limits of detection are 2.4×10−10 mol l−1 for ENX and 5.6×10−10 mol l−1 for OFLX. The method is applied satisfactorily to the determination of the two FQs in dosage form and urine sample. The possible mechanism is also proposed.