Screening natural deep eutectic solvent-based extraction to analyze illegal skin-whitening ingredients in cosmetics...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Hazardous substances like hydroquinone, glucocorticoids, and retinoids are banned but still found in cosmetics.
• Reliable analytical methods are crucial for detecting these undeclared ingredients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare four sample preparation methods for detecting banned cosmetic ingredients.
• To identify a sustainable and effective analytical approach for cosmetic safety.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), QuEChERS, SPE, and natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs).
• Analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD).
• Method validation according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and verification with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Main Results:

• NaDESs and UAE showed significantly higher recoveries compared to QuEChERS and SPE.
• The choline chloride-1,3-propanediol NaDES achieved recoveries between 83.96-105.45%.
• Validated methods demonstrated good sensitivity (LOD: 0.27-1.59 μg/mL, LOQ: 0.81-4.81 μg/mL), precision, and accuracy.

Conclusions:

• NaDESs present a highly effective and environmentally sustainable alternative for cosmetic ingredient analysis.
• This study validates the use of green solvents for detecting banned skin-whitening agents in cosmetic products.