Determination of bacitracin by differential pulse polarography

Abstract Differential pulse polarograms of pharmaceutical-grade bacitracin exhibit a well-defined double wave at the dropping mercury electrode over the entire pH range 1–8. The current is diffusion-controlled and proportional to the concentration as well as to the biological activity of the sample. The concentration of bacitracin and of zinc—bacitracin can be determined by pulse polarography with a standard deviation less than 2%. The biologically inactive oxidation product (bacitracin F) is reduced at less negative potentials and can easily be determined in the presence of the biologically active components of bacitracin.