Alpha Lipoic Acid
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C8H14O2S2206.33
Thioctic acid;    
1,2-Dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid;    
1,2-Dithiolane-3-valeric acid    [1077-28-7].
DEFINITION
Alpha Lipoic Acid contains NLT 99.0% and NMT 101.0% of C8H14O2S2, calculated on the dried basis.
IDENTIFICATION
Change to read:
•  A.USP35 The retention time of the peak for alpha lipoic acid of the Sample solution corresponds to that of the Standard solution, as obtained in the Assay.
Add the following:
•  B. Infrared Absorption 197K USP35
ASSAY
Change to read:
•  Procedure
Buffer solution:USP35 0.68 g/L of monobasic potassium phosphate
USP35
Mobile phase: Methanol, Buffer solution, and acetonitrile (58:46:9). Adjust with phosphoric acid solution (8.3 in 100) to a pH of 3.0–3.1.
USP35
Standard solution: 1.0 mg/mL of USP Alpha Lipoic Acid RS in Mobile phaseUSP35
Sample solution: 1.0 mg/mL of Alpha Lipoic Acid in Mobile phaseUSP35
Chromatographic system 
Mode: LC
Detector: UV 215 nm
Column: 4.6-mm × 250-mm; packing L1
Column temperature: 35
Flow rate: 1.2 mL/min
Injection size: 20 µL
System suitability 
Sample: Standard solution
Suitability requirements 
Column efficiency: NLT 10,000USP35 theoretical plates
Tailing factor: NMT 2.0 for the alpha lipoic acid peak
Relative standard deviation: NMT 2.0% for alpha lipoic acid
Analysis 
Samples: Standard solution and Sample solution
Calculate the percentage of alpha lipoic acid (C8H14O2S2) in the portion of Alpha Lipoic Acid taken:
Result = (rU/rS) × (CS/CU) × 100
rU== peak response from the Sample solution
rS== peak response from the Standard solution
CS== concentration of USP Alpha Lipoic Acid RS in the Standard solution (mg/mL)
CU== concentration of Alpha Lipoic Acid in the Sample solution (mg/mL)
Acceptance criteria: 99.0%–101.0% on the dried basis
IMPURITIES
•  Residue on Ignition 281: Less than 0.1%
•  Heavy Metals, Method II 231: NMT 10 ppm
Change to read:
•  Chromatographic Purity, Procedure 1
Buffer solution, Mobile phase, Standard solution, USP35 Sample solution, and Chromatographic system: Proceed as directed in the Assay.
Diluted standard solution: Dilute the Standard solution (1 in 1000) with Mobile phase.
System suitability 
Sample: Diluted standard solution
Suitability requirements 
Signal-to-noise ratio: NLT 10
Relative standard deviation: NMT 10.0%
USP35
Analysis 
Sample: Sample solution
Calculate the percentage of each impurity in the portion of Alpha Lipoic Acid taken:
Result = (rU/rT) × 100
rU== peak response of each individual impurity from the Sample solution
rT== sum of the responses of all the peaks from the Sample solution
Acceptance criteria 
Individual impurities: NMT 0.1%
Total impurities: NMT 2.0%
•  Chromatographic Purity, Procedure 2
[Note—Use low-actinic glassware. ]
Standard solution A: 40.0 mg/mL of USP Alpha Lipoic Acid RS in dimethylformamide
Standard solution B: 20.0 mg/mL of USP Alpha Lipoic Acid RS in dimethylformamide, prepared from the dilution of Standard solution A
Standard solution C: 10.0 mg/mL of USP Alpha Lipoic Acid RS in dimethylformamide, prepared from the dilution of Standard solution B
Sample solution: 40.0 mg/mL of Alpha Lipoic Acid in dimethylformamide
Chromatographic system 
Mode: TLC
Adsorbent: 0.25-mm layer of chromatographic silica gel mixture
Application volume: 5 µL
Developing solvent system: n-Propyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, water, and 25% ammonia water (40:40:10:5). Allow the chamber to become saturated for at least 1 h.
Iodine vapor–saturated chamber: Transfer 4 g of iodine crystals to a small watch glass, and place in a chromatographic chamber. Allow the chamber to become saturated for at least 2 h.
Analysis 
Samples: Standard solution A, Standard solution B, Standard solution C, and Sample solution
Proceed as directed in the chapter, except to develop until the solvent front has moved 10 cm. Remove the plate, and allow to air-dry until the ammonia disappears completely. Heat at 50 for 20 min, cool the plate, and place in the Iodine vapor–saturated chamber until the spots are visible. The RF value for the alpha lipoic acid spot is 0.25–0.30 and for the polymeric lipoic acid spot is 0.
Acceptance criteria: No spot other than the alpha lipoic acid spot from the Sample solution is more intense than the spot at RF = 0 from Standard solution A.
SPECIFIC TESTS
•  Optical Rotation, Specific Rotation 781S
Sample solution: 50 mg/mL of Alpha Lipoic Acid, in dehydrated alcohol
Acceptance criteria: –1.0 to +1.0
•  Loss on Drying 731: Dry a sample in vacuum at 40 for 3 h: it loses NMT 0.2% of its weight.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
•  Packaging and Storage: Preserve in well-closed containers.
•  USP Reference Standards 11
USP Alpha Lipoic Acid RS Click to View Structure
Auxiliary Information— Please check for your question in the FAQs before contacting USP.
Topic/QuestionContactExpert Committee
MonographHuy T. Dinh, M.S.
Scientific Liaison
1-301-816-8594
(DS2010) Monographs - Dietary Supplements
Reference StandardsRS Technical Services
1-301-816-8129
rstech@usp.org
USP35–NF30 Page 1366
Pharmacopeial Forum: Volume No. 37(1)
Chromatographic Column— 
Chromatographic columns text is not derived from, and not part of, USP 35 or NF 30.