A review on various analytical method developments for the identification of methyl paraben present in cosmetics

Abstract

Methyl paraben is methyl ester of P-hydroxy benzoic acid. Its use is limited in European countries to concentration range is up to 0.4%, as per USFDA guidelines concentration ranging from 0.01 to 0.3%. So the present review is aimed to study the importance and amount of methyl paraben present in cosmetic preparations. A various analyt- ical methods are employed to determine the methyl paraben and its concentration. The methods like spectropho- tometric method and further determination of paraben in bulk material by HPLC is clearly the most suitable tech- nique if complex samples are involved. Electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis is reported for determination of methyl paraben in cosmetics using fused silica capillary column and UV detection at 220nm. A spectrofluorimetric method for determination of methyl paraben based on derivatization made with labeling reagent danzyl chloride. UPLC and flow injection analysis are other analytical methods for determination of methyl paraben concentration in cosmetics.