Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Synthetic Organic Pigments

J AOAC Int. 2018 Sep 1;101(5):1328-1340. doi: 10.5740/jaoacint.18-0049. Epub 2018 Apr 18.

Abstract

Though synthetic organic colorants are used in various applications nowadays, there is the concern that impurities by-produced during the manufacturing and degradation products in some of these colorants are persistent organic pollutants and carcinogens. Thus, it is important to identify the synthetic organic colorants in various products, such as commercial paints, ink, cosmetics, food, textile, and plastics. Dyes, which are soluble in water and other solvents, could be analyzed by chromatographic methods. In contrast, it is difficult to analyze synthetic organic pigments by these methods because of their insolubility. This review is an overview of mass spectrometric analysis of synthetic organic pigments by various ionization methods. We highlight a recent study of textile samples by atmospheric pressure solid analysis probe MS. Furthermore, the mass spectral features of synthetic organic pigments and their separation from other components such as paint media and plasticizers are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Coloring Agents / analysis*
  • Coloring Agents / isolation & purification
  • Cosmetics / analysis
  • Food Analysis / instrumentation
  • Food Analysis / methods
  • Mass Spectrometry / instrumentation
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Organic Chemicals / analysis*
  • Organic Chemicals / isolation & purification
  • Paint / analysis
  • Textiles / analysis

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Cosmetics
  • Organic Chemicals