Sequential injection analysis for benzophenone-4 and phenylbenzimidazole sulphonic acid in sunscreen sprays by solid-phase extraction coupled with ultraviolet spectrometry

Abstract

A sequential injection UV method was developed to determine benzophenone-4 (BZ4) and phenylbenzimidazole sulphonic acid (PBS) simultaneously, these being the most commonly used UV-filters in aqueous formulations used as sunscreen sprays. The selective elution of both was performed by on-line solid-phase extraction, by retention on a SAX microcolumn and separation by varying the pH of elution. The sensitivity obtained was 0.042±0.001 ml μg −1 for PBS and 0.0159±0.0003 ml μg −1 for BZ4. The limit of detection was 1.6 μg ml −1 for PBS and 0.6 μg ml −1 for BZ4. The R.S.D. of the results was 1–6% for PBS and 1–12% for BZ4. The method was validated using commercial sunscreen formulations with concentrations determined by a liquid chromatographic procedure. The two procedures gave comparable results. Automation of the method means the amount of reagents used and residues generated are decreased. The system allows the required analysis sequence to be programmed using suitable software.