Determination of parabens using two microextraction methods coupled with capillary liquid chromatography-UV detection

Abstract

Parabens are common preservatives and environmental hormones. As such, possible detrimental health effects could be amplified through their widespread use in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Thus, the determination of parabens in such products is of particular importance. This study explored vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction techniques based on the solidification of a floating organic drop (VA-DLLME-SFO) and salt-assisted cloud point extraction (SA-CPE) for paraben extraction. Microanalysis was performed using a capillary liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection system. These techniques were modified successfully to determine four parabens in 19 commercial products. The regression equations of these parabens exhibited good linearity (r²=0.998, 0.1-10μg/mL), good precision (RSD<5%) and accuracy (RE<5%), reduced reagent consumption and reaction times (<6min), and excellent sample versatility. VA-DLLME-SFO was also particularly convenient due to the use of a solidified extract. Thus, the VA-DLLME-SFO technique was better suited to the extraction of parabens from complex matrices.

Keywords: 1-Dodecanol (PubChem CID 8193); 1-Undecanol (PubChem CID 8184); 2-Dodecanol (PubChem CID 25045); Acetone (PubChem CID 180); Acetonitrile (PubChem CID 6342); Butyl paraben (PubChem CID 7184); Capillary liquid chromatography-UV; Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (PubChem CID 5974); Ethyl paraben (PubChem CID 8434); Floating organic drop; Formic acid (PubChem CID 284); Genapol X-080 (PubChem CID 656641); Methanol (PubChem CID 887); Methyl paraben (PubChem CID 7456); Naphthalene (PubChem CID 931); Paraben; Propyl paraben (PubChem CID 7175); Salt-assisted cloud point extraction; Solidification; Triton X-100 (PubChem CID 560774); Triton X-114 (PubChem CID 560774); Vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction.