IMPROVED UV-Vis SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF KETOPROFEN IN TABLETS USING METHANOL AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOLVENT

Abstract

Ketoprofen is a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) belonging to the arylpropionic acid class, extensively used in clinical practice for the management of pain, inflammation, and various rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. Its mechanism of action involves the non-selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), thereby reducing the biosynthesis of prostaglandins responsible for inflammatory processes. Due to its broad therapeutic application and increasing global consumption, precise, reliable, and cost-effective analytical methods are essential to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of ketoprofen containing pharmaceutical products. The pharmaceutical industry is constantly evolving and placing greater emphasis on the development and optimization of analytical techniques that are not only accurate and robust but also environmentally sustainable and economically viable. The aim of this research paper is twofold: firstly, to provide a comprehensive review of an existing analytical method for the content determination of ketoprofen in tablets, and secondly, to propose a modified method that utilizes methanol as an alternative solvent to 96% ethanol, with the goal of enhancing analytical efficiency and precision. The experiments in the study were conducted under strictly controlled laboratory conditions using spectrophotometric techniques. The results demonstrated that methanol, due to its superior solvent properties and increased solubility for ketoprofen, facilitated a more efficient extraction of the active pharmaceutical ingredient from the tablet matrix. Consequently, the modified method displayed improved absorbance values and reduced variability across replicates, while maintaining compliance with standard pharmacopeial guidelines. These results suggest that replacing 96% ethanol with methanol may contribute to a more efficient and streamlined workflow in routine pharmaceutical analysis. While methanol offers analytical advantages, it is important to consider the environmental and safety profiles of solvents used in quality control laboratories. Future research may explore greener alternatives or the use of advanced techniques such as solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to further enhance the sensitivity and sustainability of ketoprofen analysis. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that the proposed method offers measurable improvements in analytical performance and practicality. It is simple, reproducible, and suitable for routine quality control settings, demonstrating improved performance under modified conditions compared to the standard method described in the European Pharmacopoeia. Moreover, this work underscores the importance of continual method optimization in pharmaceutical analysis and provides a solid foundation for further refinement and validation of analytical protocols for ketoprofen analysis.