Simultaneous determination of epinephrine and norepinephrine in urine by derivative synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract

The combination of synchronous and derivative fluorimetry, potentially useful in resolving mixtures that present strongly overlapping conventional fluorescence spectra, appears suitable for determining epinephrine and norepinephrine in urine. We describe a simple, rapid, and inexpensive method for simultaneous assay of these compounds in a single scan of urine specimens from normal adults. The catecholamines are extracted from the sample on cation-exchange columns and subsequently determined by formation of trihydroxyindoles. Analytical recovery is about 94% for epinephrine, 91% for norepinephrine, with a CV of approximately 5%. No sophisticated detection equipment is necessary, a conventional modern fluorimeter being adequate.