Analysis of Cefoperazone Sodium and Sulbactam Sodium for Injection

Significance of the Topic

The combined use of cefoperazone and sulbactam provides a broad-spectrum antibacterial therapy by pairing a third-generation cephalosporin with a β-lactamase inhibitor. Accurate quantification of both active drugs and their impurities in injectable formulations is critical for ensuring patient safety, regulatory compliance, and therapeutic efficacy.

Study Objectives and Overview

This application note demonstrates a robust reversed-phase liquid chromatography method to simultaneously separate and quantify cefoperazone, sulbactam, and related impurities in a pharmaceutical injection. The study aims to verify system suitability, resolution of key degradation products and excipients, and reproducibility under defined chromatographic conditions.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The method employs a Shim-pack VP-ODS column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) operated at 30 °C. The mobile phase consists of an ion-pair buffer (5 mmol/L tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, pH 4.0) and acetonitrile in a 76:24 volume ratio. Flow rate is maintained at 1.0 mL/min with 10 μL injections, monitored by UV detection at 220 nm.

Main Results and Discussion

The chromatogram resolves cefoperazone, sulbactam, and at least seven impurity peaks, including known degradation products and unknown species. System suitability criteria—such as retention time precision and peak symmetry—were met, and resolution between adjacent peaks exceeded acceptance thresholds. The method showed consistent retention times and peak areas over repeated injections, indicating strong method precision and stability.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Simultaneous quantification of active ingredients and impurities simplifies quality control workflows.
• Ion-pair chromatography effectively separates polar β-lactam compounds and related substances.
• The method supports batch release testing and stability studies in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Future Trends and Potential Uses

Advances may include coupling to mass spectrometry for structural elucidation of unknown impurities, shortening analysis time by using core-shell or sub-2 μm columns, and applying automation for high-throughput screening in QC labs. Integration with real-time release testing and PAT (Process Analytical Technology) frameworks could further enhance manufacturing efficiency.

Conclusion

The described reversed-phase LC method on a Shim-pack VP-ODS column provides reliable, reproducible separation and quantification of cefoperazone, sulbactam, and their impurities. It meets regulatory expectations for system suitability and offers a practical solution for pharmaceutical quality control.

Reference

No external references were provided in the source document.