[Zero-crossing derivative spectrophotometry for the determination of three components in paracetamol compound tablets].

The zero-order derivative absorption spectra of aspirin, paracetamol and caffeine are closely overlapping. In this paper, a zero-crossing derivative spectrophotometry combined with simultaneous equations is proposed for the determination of the three components in a mixture without the need of prior separation. Satisfactory results were obtained. The method is reproducible, accurate and rapid. Calculation is not complicated. This method could be applied to biological fluid analysis.