Fluorometric determination of the oral hypoglycemic agent -phenethylbiguanide using alkaline ninhydrin.

Abstract

A fluorometric method for determining β-phenethylbiguanide (PEBG) in microgram and submicrogram quantities is described. This method is based upon a reaction with alkaline ninhydrin. The lower practical limit of PEBG which can be detected by this method is 0.025 μg/ml. The method is not specific for PEBG and applicability for measurements in biological media will require separation of PEBG from other guanidinium compounds.