Background
Gatifloxacin (GAT), an antimicrobial of the fourth generation of fluoroquinolones, has a broad spectrum of action with activity against gram-positive and gram-negative, aerobic and anaerobic organisms, including mycobacteria.
Objective
The objective of this review is to discuss about (i) characteristics, (ii) properties and (iii) analytical methods of gatifloxacin.
Results
Among the methods described in the literature for the evaluation of GAT, the most frequent was HPLC (50%) for both the analysis of pharmaceutical and biological matrices. GAT has no monograph described in official compendia. Methods for evaluating GAT in pharmaceutical matrices were the most found in the literature, 79%. Acetonitrile (42%), methanol (20%) and buffer solution (16%) were the most used diluents. GAT, being an antimicrobial, must be analyzed by physical-chemical and microbiological methods, since the evaluation of potency is essential. In this context, the literature is scarce (4%).
Conclusions
There is a gap in the literature for environmentally friendly methods for evaluating GAT. Faster, more optimized and dynamic microbiological methods, as well as physico-chemical methods, which use less aggressive solvents with fewer steps and less waste. Currently, pharmaceutical analyzes require reliable analytical methods, but also safe for both the analyst and the environment.
Highlights
This review shows the status of analytical methods, both physicochemical and microbiological, for the analysis of GAT in pharmaceutical and biological matrices, also addressing its context in green and sustainable analytical chemistry.