Application of a fabric phase sorptive extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection method for the trace determination of methyl paraben, propyl paraben and butyl paraben in cosmetic and environmental samples

A new sample preparation and chromatographic separation method for methyl paraben (MP), propyl paraben (PP) and butyl paraben (BP) in the cosmetics and environmental samples has been developed based on fabric phase sorptive extraction (FSPE) and high performane liquid chromatography-photodide array detection (HPLC-PDA). In the proposed method; MP, PP and BP molecules were efficiently retained on to the sol-gel Carbowax-20M sorbent coated FPSE membraneat matrix pH adjusted to 5. Susequently, the extracted analytes were desorpbed from the FPSE membrane with methanol prior to the chromatographic separation and determinations. The samples were transferred to HPLC vials by filtration with a 0.45 μm porous PTFE filter. Experimental were studied and optimized variables such as pH, adsorption time, desorption solvent. By considering optimal conditions, analytical parameters were calculated using experimental data such as linearity ranges, detection limits, pro-concentation factor for each of the selected paraben. HPLC analysis of MP, PP and BP were carried out by an isocratic elution using 3 % acetic acid, acetonitrile, methanol (70:20:10). Limit of detection (LOD) values for MP, PP and BP were calulated as 2.85, 2.98 and 2.75 ng mL-1, respectively. Relative standart deviations (RSD) were below 3.8 % at determinations of model solutions including 100 ng mL-1 for each paraben. Finally, the developed method was applied to cosmetic and environmental samples and quantitative results have been obtained in recovery experiments.