Pyrolysis GLC identification of food and drug ingredients. II. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of penicillins and cephalosporins.

Pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography (PGLC) provided reproducible pyrograms for 14 penicillins and cephalosporins studied which permitted direct characterization and differentiation of the antibiotics in almost all cases. The quantitative application of the technique was explored using four of the antibiotics. Standard curves were constructed based on the height of the most intense (and symmetrical) peak in the pyrograms. Excellent linearity was obtained in the ranges studied, 10 nanograms - 100 micrograms. Further quantitative application of the method is discussed.