Development of an enhanced separation of erythromycin and its related substances by liquid chromatography

A new HPLC-UV method for the determination of the impurity profile of erythromycin is developed. In contrast to the liquid chromatography described in the European Pharmacopoeia the analysis could be performed at a temperature of 25 °C. Erythromycin samples were analysed on an endcapped RP phase with cyanopropyl groups on the surface using gradient elution with 32 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 8.0 and acetonitrile/methanol (75:25). The aforementioned method shows clear improvements compared to the actual method of the European Pharmacopoeia, which is less selective and sensitive.