Implementation of Analytical Quality by Design Methodology to Develop a UV-spectrometric Technique for Arteether Quantification

Aim/Background: Analytical Quality by Design refers to applying the Quality by Design idea to the development of analytical procedures. The present study emphasizes the AQbD concept of developing and validating a spectrophotometric technique for detecting α, β-arteether per the ICH Q8 (R2) requirements for the first time. Materials and Methods: Sample preparation, sample pH, and wavelength were all integrated into the Ishikawa diagram, and essential parameters were obtained. The ratio of ethanolic PBS 6.8 and HCl was taken as factors. At the same time, the drug molecule's absorbance was identified as a critical factor that was further analyzed using a simple mixture design of experiments methodology for method robustness and optimization. The novel, durable, precise, and accurate UV-spectrophotometric method, α, β-arteether, was developed using the Quality by Design principle. By adjusting the HCl concentration (for acid degradation) and ethanolic PBS 6.8, the highest absorption of α, β-arteether was achieved by heating at 50°C for 30 min. Results and Discussion: The percent RSD less than 2, R2 > 0.99 was recorded for the concentration range of 2–20 μg/mL at λmax 254 nm. The developed method's LOD and LOQ were within acceptable limits. The presented approach might be used at the industrial level as a rapid, precise, accurate, and cost-effective quality control method for a frequent and simultaneous estimate of α, β-arteether.