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A simple and rapid HPLC assay procedure has been developed and validated for the quantitative determination of metronidazole benzoate from commercially available preparations. The HPLC system was developed based on the BP 2007 monograph of metronidazole suspension. However the various parameters were modified according to column and equipment available. The HPLC conditions used were, column: C18, detection: UV at 254 nm; injection volume: 20 l; mobile phase: methanol and de-ionized water (13:8, v/v); flow rate 1.0 ml min 1. The procedure separated metronidazole benzoate, in an overall analysis time of about 10 minutes with metronidazole benzoate eluting at about 7.7 minutes. The new method was evaluated by different validation parameters like specificity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision. The procedure provided a linear response over the concentration range 50 1000 gml 1.The metronidazole raw material as well as different commercially available suspensions containing metronidazole benzoate have been analysed by this method. The results obtained were accurate and precise showing no interference by the excipients in the products.

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