The LC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis of acid degradation products of Rifaximin, an antibiotic.

The present research aims to propose a simple and accurate technique for the analysis of Rifaximin in the presence of its stress degradation products and analysis of degradation products by LC-MS/MS analysis. Rifaximin was submitted to forced degradation under the acid hydrolysis condition as prescribed by the ICH. The extract was prepared by firstly treated with HCl and heated about 4 to 8 h. The filtrate was collected and separated using dichloromethane followed by evaporation in rotary evaporator to obtain a solid crude extract which was then stored under refrigeration at -80 °C. Liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS/MS) was utilized to identify products in the drug sample. The data processing results revealed the presence of 9 products in the degraded sample of Rifaximin. This data article contains the m/z [M + H +] values, molecular formula, retention times and the comprehensive list of m/z values detected during the LC- QTOF- MS/MS analysis.