Computer vision-based analytical chemistry applied to determining iron in commercial pharmaceutical formulations

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) 2018-10, Vol.188, p.349-355
• Main Authors: Solana-Altabella, A., Sánchez-Iranzo, M.H., Bueso-Bordils, J.I., Lahuerta-Zamora, L., Mellado-Romero, A.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calibration; Colorimetry - methods; CVAC; Desktop scanner; Digital camera; Ferrous Compounds - analysis; Ferrous Compounds - chemistry; Glycine - analogs & derivatives; Glycine - analysis; Glycine - chemistry; ImageJ; Iron - analysis; Iron - chemistry; Limit of Detection; Pharmaceutical analysis; Phenanthrolines - chemistry; Photography; Software
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.06.008

Two different computer vision-based analytical chemistry (CVAC) methods were developed to quantify iron in the commercial pharmaceutical formulations Ferbisol® and Ferro sanol®. The methods involve using a digital camera or a desktop scanner to capture a digital image of a series of Fe2+ standard solutions and the unknown sample upon reaction with o-phenanthroline. The images are processed with appropriate software (e.g., the public domain programme ImageJ, from NIH) to obtain a numerical value (analytical signal) based on colour intensity. The fact that such a value is proportional to the analyte concentration allows one to construct a calibration graph from the standards and interpolate the value for the sample in order to determine its concentration. The results thus obtained were compared with those provided by a spectrophotometric method and the US Pharmacopoeia's recommended method. The differences never exceeded 2%. The two proposed methods are simple and inexpensive; also, they provide an effective instrumental alternative to spectrophotometric methods which can be especially beneficial in those cases where purchasing and maintaining a spectrophotometer is unaffordable. [Display omitted] •Two simple and affordable methods for determining Fe (II) are proposed.•The methodology uses a digital camera or desktop scanner connected to a computer.•The two methods exhibited a RSD  0.995.•Two commercial formulations of Fe (II) were analysed with the two proposed methods.•The analytical results obtained were comparable to those of the US Pharmacopoeia's.