The document provides an introduction to pharmaceutical analysis, discussing topics like volumetric analysis, the scope of pharmaceutical analysis, classification of quantitative analysis methods, and sources of error. Primary standards like benzoic acid and secondary standards prepared in the lab are used to standardize solutions. Various methods like titration, spectroscopy, and chromatography are used in pharmaceutical analysis.

1. Branch: B. Pharm.
Semester: I
Subject: Pharmaceutical Analysis
Unit 1
Topic: Introduction of Pharmaceutical Analysis
Dr. Rohit Singh
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Lucknow
Disclaimer: The e-content is exclusively meant for academic purposes and for enhancing teaching and learning. Any other use for economic/commercial purpose
is strictly prohibited. The users of the content shall not distribute, disseminate or share it with anyone else and its use is restricted to advancement of individual
knowledge. The information provided in this e-content is developed from authentic references, to the best of my knowledge.

2. Volumetric Analysis
• It is a general term for a method in quantitative chemical analysis
in which the amount of a substance is determined by the
measurement of the volume that the substance occupies.
 It is commonly used to determine the unknown concentration of a
known reactant
 Volumetric analysis is often referred to as titration, a laboratory
technique in which one substance of known concentration and
volume is used to react with another substance of unknown
concentration.

3. Pharmaceutical analysis and its scope
• Pharmaceutical analysis - Establish the physical properties, toxicity,
metabolites, quality control, etc.
• Environmental analysis - Pollutants, soil and water analysis,
pesticides.
• Forensic analysis - Analysis related to criminology; DNA finger
printing, finger print detection; blood analysis.
• Industrial quality control - Required by most companies to control
product quality.
• Bio analytical chemistry and analysis - Detection and/or analysis of
biological components (i.e., proteins, DNA, RNA, carbohydrates,
metabolites, etc.). This often overlaps many areas. Develop new
tools for basic and clinical research.

4. Classification of Quantitative Analysis
• 1. Chemical Method
• 2. Electrical Method
• 3. Instrumental Method
• 4. Biological & Microbiological Method

5. 1. Chemical Method
a. Volumetric Method
b. Gasometric Method
c. Gravimetric
Method.

6. 2. Electrical Method
Polarography
Potentiometry

7. 3. Instrumental Method
Spectroscopic Method
Chromatographic Method

8. 4. Biological & Microbiological Method
Antimicrobial Assay based on
Cup plate method

9. The methods of expressing concentration are based upon chemical formula or combining
power, The word "Concentration“ is frequently used as a general term referring to a
quantity of substance in a defined volume of solution.
Molarity (M): The molarity of a solution expresses the number of moles (gram-
molecular weights) of solute dissolved in 1000 ml (1Litre) of solution.
Molality (M): The molality of a solution expresses the number of moles (gram-
molecular weights) of solute dissolved in 1000 gm of solvent.
Normality(N): The normality of a solution expresses the number of equivalents
(gram-equivalent weight) of the solute in one litre of solution.

10. Primary standard substances- The reagent which is ready to be weighed and
used to prepare a solution with known concentration (standard)
Properties of primary standard substances:
• It is extremely pure
• Highly stable
• It is anhydrous
• It is less hygroscopic
• Has very high molecular weight
• Can be weighed easily
• Should be ready to use and available
• Should be preferably non toxic
• Should not be expensive

11. Secondary standard: A secondary standard is a standard that is prepared in the
laboratory for a specific analysis. It is usually standardized against a primary standard
Standardization: The process by which the concentration of a secondary standard
substance is determined by titration with a known concentration of primary
standard substance
Examples for Primary Standard Substances
1. Benzoic acid for standardisation of waterless basic solutions.
2. Potassium bromate (KBrO3), Potassium dichromate
( K2Cr2O7) for standardisation of sodium thiosulfate solutions.
3. Sodium chloride(anhydrous) for standardisation of silver nitrate solution.

12. Examples for Secondary Standard Substances
1. Acid Base Titrations:
Acid: Hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, oxalic acid
Base: Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide.
2. Redox Titration:
Oxidising agents: Potassium permanganate, Iodine.
Reducing agents: Sodium thio sulphate, potassium iodide.
3. Precipitation titration: Silver nitrate, ammonium thio cyanate
4. Complexometric titration: EDTA

13. Errors
Definition: Error is the difference between the true result (or accepted true
result) and the measured result.
Expression of Errors
Errors are expressed either in absolute terms or in relative terms
Absolute Errors: E abs = Calculated value –True Value

14. Types of Errors:
1. Determinate or systematic error
2. Indeterminate or random error
Determinate Error.
• Determinate errors are caused by faults in the analytical procedure or the
instruments used in the analysis.
• The name determinate error implies that the cause of this type of
error may be found out and then either avoided or corrected.
• Determinate errors are systematic errors; that is, they are not random.

15. The following are the types of determinate errors may be noted:
a) Operational and personal errors
b) Instrumental and reagent errors
c) Errors of method
d) Additive and proportional errors

16. Indeterminate Errors
• Indeterminate errors are not constant or biased.
• They are random in nature.
• Are the cause of slight variations in results of replicate samples made by
the same analyst under the same conditions.

17. References-
1. Beckett A, Stenlake J. Practical pharmaceutical chemistry, CBS publisher &
distributors pvt. Ltd, 4th edition part-1.
2. Baghel U.S; Arora P; Kabra R; Singh A. Pharmaceutical Analysis I, Medical Publishers,
Edition 2017.