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Using thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to rapidly determine antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetics
Author(s) -
Cho YiTzu,
Su Hung,
Lin ShiangJiun,
Wu BanHsin,
Lai ChingYu,
Huang IChing
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.7706
Subject(s) - chemistry , preservative , cosmetics , chromatography , mass spectrometry , electrospray ionization , detection limit , sample preparation , thermal desorption , desorption electrospray ionization , ambient ionization , desorption , analyte , analytical chemistry (journal) , ionization , chemical ionization , ion , organic chemistry , adsorption
Rationale Characterization and quantification of permitted preservatives are important inspections to prevent the overuse of preservatives in authentic formulations. However, the complexity of sample matrices makes preservative determination in cosmetics a tedious process. A rapid analytical strategy to identify preservatives would insure large numbers of products are in compliance with government regulations. Methods Thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (TD‐ESI‐MS) was used to directly detect preservative compounds in authentic formulations without sample pretreatment. The technique employs a metal probe, which was configured for sampling cosmetics in their original states and was inserted in a closed preheated oven to thermally desorb analytes. The desorbed analytes were then carried by a nitrogen gas stream into an ESI plume, where the formed ions were subsequently detected by the mass analyzer. Results The TD‐ESI mass and tandem mass spectra of different classes of preservative standards were rapidly obtained, and the limits of detection were far below the legal limit of their respective concentrations. The preservatives were also directly detected in different types of authentic formulations in the absence of sample preparation, and within a few seconds per sample. Calibration curves for preservatives in four common formulations yielded good linearity in the regulation‐allowed range. Conclusions Due to its sensitivity, short analysis time, repeatability, and quantitative ability, TD‐ESI‐MS may serve as a suitable tool for large‐scale screening of cosmetic preservatives to assure product safety. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.