Flow-injection analysis for multi-component determinations of drugs based on chemometric approaches

This article discusses the possibilities of flow-injection analysis (FIA) and related flow techniques in combination with chemometric methods to perform multi-component determinations of drugs. Although most of the FI applications quantify a single target, interest in flow methods in multi-component analysis cannot be underestimated. Flow systems contribute to achieving high sample throughput, and minimize sample and reagent consumption in automated, simple, miniaturized procedures. Selectivity for each analyte of interest often relies on physico-chemical approaches (e.g., specific reagents, multi-parametric detection devices and multi-channel set-ups). Unfortunately, the performance of these strategies is limited and interference problems may sometimes arise. In these circumstances, chemometric methods for data analysis can be exploited to attain selectivity. In this way, FI methods can be extended to complex matrices from pharmaceutical, clinical and food fields.