Work

Critical insights into analytical techniques for the quantification of neomycin across various matrices

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Neomycin (NEO) is a highly hydrophilic, strongly polycationic aminoglycoside antibiotic that presents significant analytical challenges owing to its lack of a chromophore, multiple amino groups, strong matrix interactions, and structural similarity among its major components. These characteristics complicate its determination in biological, pharmaceutical, food, and environmental matrices. This review critically evaluates chromatographic, electrochemical, and spectroscopic methods for the determination of NEO, emphasizing analytical performance, matrix-specific purification strategies, and molecular mechanisms underlying key analytical limitations. Comparative analysis demonstrates that LC–MS/MS remains the most reliable platform for trace-level quantification because of its superior sensitivity, selectivity, and matrix tolerance, whereas HPLC-based methods are better suited for routine pharmaceutical quality control. Electrochemical sensors offer rapid and highly sensitive detection but remain limited by matrix-dependent performance, while spectroscopic techniques are primarily applicable to high-concentration samples. Finally, unresolved analytical bottlenecks and future research priorities are discussed, highlighting selective sample preparation, fluorine-free separations, advanced sensing materials, green analytical methodologies, and AI-assisted method optimization for robust and sustainable multi-matrix NEO analysis.

Source: Chemical Physics Impact

DOI: 10.1016/j.chphi.2026.101147