Development and Validation of a Specific RP-HPLC Method for the Estimation of γ-Aminobutyric Acid in Rat Brain Tissue Samples Using Benzoyl Chloride Derivatization and PDA Detection

A new, rapid, and specific reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method involving precolumn derivatization with benzoyl chloride was developed and validated for the estimation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in rat brain tissue preparations. The derivatization product of GABA was identified by melting point, infrared, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy to be n-benzoyl GABA. Various parameters which influenced derivatization and elusion were optimized. The chromatographic system consisted of C-18 column with ultraviolet (UV)—photodiode array detection ranging from 210 to 400 nm. Elution with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 0.025 M disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer—methanol (65:35, v/v; pH 6) at a flow rate of 1 mL min−1 yielded sharp and specific peak of n-benzoyl GABA within 7 min. The method was validated with respect to the linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, selectivity, and stability, wherein the benzoyl derivative of GABA showed stab...