Automated Flow Injection Chromatography for the Rapid Assay of Parabens in Hygiene Wipes

Abstract

ABSTRACTA fully automated flow injection chromatography (FIC) instrument and method are reported for the determination of methylparaben and propylparaben. The system consisted of a computer-controlled MilliGAT precision pump, a six–way injection valve, a peristaltic pump, a monolithic column, and an ultraviolet absorbance detector. The mobile phase composition, flow rate, and sample volume were optimized. The method was fully validated; the calibration plots were linear from 1.0 × 10−6 to 5.0 × 10−5 mol L−1 for both parabens. The limits of detection were 1.0 × 10−7 mol L−1 for methylparaben and 3.0 × 10−7 mol L−1 for propylparaben. The recoveries for both parabens were 97% and the interlaboratory reproducibility was 2.4% for methylpareben and 4.1% for propylparaben at 1.0 × 10−5 mol L−1. The method was employed for the determination of methylparaben and propylparaben in hygiene wipes.