Fourier convolution versus derivative spectrophotometry: Application to the analysis of two binary mixtures containing tamsulosin hydrochloride as a minor component.

Simple and rapid spectrophotometric methods are described for determination of two mixtures of tamsulosin (TM), as minor component, with either solifenacin (SL) or tolterodine (TL). The proposed methods involve treatment of the absorbance ratio spectra or zero order spectra by derivative or discrete Fourier function. TM and TL mixture could not be resolved by manipulation of their zero order spectra due to the strong overlap between both spectra and only derivative or Fourier function coefficients of ratio spectra could resolve their spectra. TM and SL mixture was fully resolved by the manipulation of both ratio and zero order spectra. The values of the derivative or the Fourier function coefficients of ratio spectra and/or zero order spectra, at either peak or trough points, were correlated to the concentration of each drug in each mixture. Calibration graphs were linear in ranges 2.5-40 and 30-500μg.mL using derivative ratio and Fourier function ratio, 5-40 and 80-600μg.mL using direct derivative and 2.5-40 and 30-300μg.mL using direct Fourier function for TM and SL, respectively. The plots of derivative ratio amplitude and the Fourier function ratio coefficient versus concentration were linear over ranges 2.5-20 and 25-250μg.mL for TM and TL, respectively. Higher sensitivity as indicated by lower values of detection and quantitation limits were obtained using Fourier convoluted spectra (ratio or zero order) compared to derivative methods. All validation aspects per ICH guidelines are included. The proposed methods were also applied for the studied drugs assay in their tablets and capsules.