Thin Layer Chromatographic Detection and Fluorometric Determination of the Preservative cis-l-(3-Chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-lazoniaadamantane Chloride (Quaternium-15) in Cosmetics

Abstract

Abstract The preservative cis-l-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7- triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride (quaternium-15) was detected and differentiated from other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives such as 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-l,3-diol, l-hydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, and imidazolidinyl urea in cosmetics by thin layer chromatography. A minimum of 0.1 μg quaternium-15 was detected by fluorescence of the lutidine derivative formed from a buffered 2,4-pentanedione indicator spray and formaldehyde liberated from this preservative. Another indicator spray, a modified Dragendorf reagent, provided additional confirmation at lower sensitivity. The fluorometric determination of quaternium-15 was based on its quantitative release of formaldehyde to form the fluorescent 3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydrolutidine. Close to the theoretical value of 6 moles of formaldehyde per mole of quaternium-15 was verified experimentally (5.8–6.3). Average recoveries of quaternium-15 from a bath oil and lotion ranged from 91.7 to 103%.