Determination of Frequently Used Parabens in Shampoo and Conditioners using Validated HPLC Assay Method

Parabens are esters of p-hydroxy benzoic acid and widely used as preservatives with a broad spectrumof antimicrobial activity in cosmetic, foods and pharmaceutical products. Methyl, ethyl, propyl andbutyl paraben are commonly used in many cosmetic products. The concentration level of these parabenswas restricted to maximum 1%. Recently, many cosmetic products such as shampoo and hairconditioners are available in the Indian market with label claims "no-parabens in the products". AHPLC method is developed for determining four frequently used parabens namely, methyl, ethyl,propyl and butyl paraben in shampoo and hair conditioners. The chromatographic separation wascarried out on Phenomenex Kromasil C18 column (150 mm × 4.6mm i.d, 5 μm particle size) withwater: methanol (60:40 v/v) as mobile phase and UV detection was performed at 254 nm. The methodwas validated with respect to specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness. The calibrationcurve was achieved to be linear and regression coefficient obtained was > 0.9999 for all the parabens.Accuracy of chromatographic method was evaluated by standard addition method; paraben contentwas estimated in eleven commercial shampoos and four hair conditioners available in Indian marketwhich were claimed as no parabens were evaluated to assess the quality of claims of these samples.The results indicated that all the tested shampoos and hair conditioners met the requirements of thestandards.