The use of principal component regression (PCR) for the multicomponent analysis of complex mixtures offers considerable advantages over conventional multiple linear regression in ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry . PCR provides a sensitive and accurate technique for the analysis of complex mixtures with severely overlapping spectra. A method for the simultaneous determination of F@+ and Mn2+ is described based on the measurement of the absorbance of the complexes formed by both ions with 3indolylacetohydroxamic acid. The complexes were extracted with a solution of methyltrioctylammonium chloride in toluene. The application of the PCR multivariate calibration method allowed the resolution of the overlapping of the spectra of the respective Fe3+ and Mn2+ complexes with the hydroxamic acid derivative. The method was applied satisfactorily to the determination of F@+ and Mn2+ in several multivitamin preparations.