Quantification of Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) in Anhydrous Cosmetics Using 1H NMR

Sandra Weber,Stephan G Walch,Thomas Kuballa,Paul Schumacher,Gerd Mildau,Andrea Hartwig,Dirk W Lachenmeier,Tamina Schmidt

doi:10.1155/2019/1680269

Abstract

In cosmetic products, hydrocarbons from mineral oil origin are used as ingredients in a wide variety of consistency, from liquid oil to solid wax. Refined mineral oil hydrocarbons consist of MOSH (mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons) and a low proportion of MOAH (mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons). MOSH and MOAH comprise a variety of chemically similar single substances with straight or branched chains. In the context of precautionary consumer protection, it is crucial to determine hydrocarbons from mineral oil origin of inferior quality quickly and efficiently. This publication presents a rapid method for quantifying MOAH by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H qNMR) in anhydrous cosmetics such as lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm. A sample clean-up using solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed for the complete removal of interfering aromatic substances to improve the robustness of the method for analysing compounded cosmetics. In preliminary trials using silica gel thin-layer chromatography, the retention behaviour of 21 common aromatic compounds was tested in eluents with different solvent strength including EtOAc, MeOH, cyclohexane, and dichloromethane. Based on these results, the SPE sample cleanup with silica gel and cyclohexane as an eluent was suggested as best suitable for the purpose. The SPE cleanup was successfully achieved for all tested potentially interfering aromatic cosmetic ingredients except for butylated hydroxytoluene. The recovery for lipophilic cosmetics is more than 80% based on naphthalene as calculation equivalent. Furthermore, a specific sample preparation for the examination of lipsticks was implemented. The SPE cleanup was validated, and the robustness of the method was tested on 57 samples from the retail trade. The 1H qNMR method is a good complement to the LC-GC-FID method, which is predominantly used for the determination of MOSH and MOAH. Chromatographic problems such as migration of MOSH into the MOAH fraction during LC-GC-FID can be avoided.

Highlights

Sandra Weber,1 Tamina Schmidt,1 Paul Schumacher,2 Thomas Kuballa,1 Gerd Mildau,1 Stephan G
In the context of precautionary consumer protection, it is crucial to determine hydrocarbons from mineral oil origin of inferior quality quickly and efficiently. is publication presents a rapid method for quantifying MOAH by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H qNMR) in anhydrous cosmetics such as lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm
E solid-phase extraction (SPE) cleanup was validated, and the robustness of the method was tested on 57 samples from the retail trade. e 1H quantitative NMR method (1H qNMR) method is a good complement to the LC-GC-FID method, which is predominantly used for the determination of MOSH and MOAH

Summary

Introduction

Hydrocarbons from mineral oil origin are used as ingredients in a wide variety of consistency, from liquid oil to solid wax. A sample clean-up using solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed for the complete removal of interfering aromatic substances to improve the robustness of the method for analysing compounded cosmetics. In preliminary trials using silica gel thin-layer chromatography, the retention behaviour of 21 common aromatic compounds was tested in eluents with different solvent strength including EtOAc, MeOH, cyclohexane, and dichloromethane Based on these results, the SPE sample cleanup with silica gel and cyclohexane as an eluent was suggested as best suitable for the purpose. Hydrocarbons from mineral oil origin are often used in cosmetics due to their different positive properties, such as good skin compatibility, good cleaning performance, and high stability. Hydrocarbons from mineral oil origin are inexpensive and can be produced in consistent quality. ese properties make them interesting for a wide range of cosmetic products such as skin care products, face and body cleanser, sun screens, and hair and lip care products [1,2,3,4,5]

Methods

Results

Conclusion