Determination of Ten Volatile Nitrosamines in Cosmetics by Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

In this study, a comprehensive analytical method based on gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of ten volatile nitrosamines (N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine, N-nitrosomorpholine, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, N-nitrosopiperidine, N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, N-nitrosodicyclohexylamine and N-nitrosodibenzylamine) in cosmetics. Various cosmetic samples, including cream, lotion, powder, shampoo and lipstick, were extracted with suitable solvents under ultrasonication. The sample extract was centrifuged, and the supernatant was then cleaned up by an Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out for the analytes under the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode after the chromatographic separation on a DB-624 (30 m × 0.25 mm, 1.40 μm) capillary column. The limits of quantification (LOQs) for the ten volatile nitrosamines were in the range 2.5–10 mg kg−1. The mean recoveries at the three spiked levels were from 85.2% to 102.3%, with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 3.05% and 9.24%. The method is accurate, rapid and sensitive, and can be used for the inspection of cosmetic products.