Benzoic acid
Preservatives are essential additives commonly used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products to inhibit microbial growth and maintain product stability. The accurate quantification of preservatives in formulations is critical for ensuring product safety and efficacy. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) provides a reliable method for the analysis of preservative mixtures. In this study, we describe the HPLC analysis of a mixture of preservatives, including benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben, utilizing an Amaze C18 SPF column. Benzyl alcohol is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic aromatic odor. It is commonly used as a preservative due to its antimicrobial properties and ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Benzoic acid is a white crystalline solid with a faint, characteristic odor. It acts as an effective preservative by lowering the pH of products, thereby inhibiting microbial growth. Methylparaben is a white crystalline powder with no distinct odor. It is widely used as a preservative in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products due to its antimicrobial properties. Ethylparaben is a colorless, odorless crystalline solid. It functions as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi in various consumer products. Propylparaben is a white crystalline powder with a faint, characteristic odor. It is commonly used as a preservative in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The Amaze C18 SPF column features a C18 stationary phase modified with a proprietary polyfluorinated aromatic rings. This unique design combines the benefits of traditional C18 columns with the unique pi-pi properties of the ligand. The stationary phase provides hydrophobic and pi-pi interactions, making it suitable for the separation of non-polar and moderately polar compounds as well as hydrophobic compounds with closely related aromatic structures. The Amaze C18 SPF column offers exceptional versatility and robustness, making it well-suited for the analysis of complex mixtures such as preservative formulations.
Column: | Amaze C18 SPF |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6x150 mm, 3 um, 100 A |
Mobile Phase: | 30% ACN with 0.1% TFA |
Detection: | 235 nm |
Sample: | 0.1-0.1 mg/ml |
Injection: | 3 uL |
Flow rate: | 1 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Aromatic compound, Organic acid, Organic compound, Preservative |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral |
Compounds: | Benzyl alcohol, Benzoic acid, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben |
Caffeine, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate are common additives used in the production of soft drinks, energy drinks, and various food products. Accurate quantification of these compounds is crucial for quality control and regulatory compliance in the beverage industry. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) provides a robust method for the analysis of caffeine, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate mixtures. In this study, we describe the HPLC analysis of this mixture utilizing an Amaze HA mixed-mode column. Caffeine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and cacao pods. It is a white, crystalline powder with a bitter taste and acts as a stimulant, enhancing alertness and reducing fatigue. Potassium sorbate is a potassium salt of sorbic acid, a compound naturally found in some berries. It is widely used as a preservative in food and beverage products due to its ability to inhibit the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria. Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, a common food preservative found naturally in fruits. It is utilized in the food and beverage industry to prevent microbial growth and extend shelf life. The Amaze HA mixed-mode column features a unique stationary phase that combines hydrophobic, anion-exchange and cation-exclusion properties. The stationary phase consists of hydrophobic alkyl chains with embedded hydroxyl and amine groups, providing both reverse-phase and ion interactions. This mixed-mode chromatography enables enhanced selectivity and resolution of analytes, making it suitable for the analysis of polar and non-polar compounds, such as caffeine, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate. The Amaze HA column offers exceptional versatility and robustness, making it well-suited for various applications in the food and beverage industry. The HPLC analysis of a mixture of caffeine, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate on the Amaze HA mixed-mode column provides an effective method for the quantitative determination of these compounds commonly used in soft drinks, energy drinks, and other food products. This approach offers high sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility, making it suitable for quality control and regulatory compliance. Moreover, the unique design and superior performance of the Amaze HA mixed-mode column ensure efficient separation and analysis of complex mixtures, further enhancing its utility in beverage analysis and research endeavors.
Column: | Amaze HA |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase, Anion-exchange |
Column Dimenstions: | 3x100 mm, 3 um, 100 A |
Mobile Phase: | ACN/water/ammonium formate |
Detection: | UV 255 nm, ELSD |
Sample: | various-various mg/ml |
Injection: | 3 uL |
Flow rate: | 0.6 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Inorganic cation, Organic acid, Preservative, Stimulant, Xanthine |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Basic, Hydrophilic, Neutral, Polar |
Compounds: | Sodium ion, Potassium ion, Caffeine, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid |
This method details the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis of six preservatives: benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, methylparaben, benzoic acid, and ethylparaben. The separation is conducted on an Amaze HA Mixed-Mode Column, utilizing both reversed-phase and anion-exchange modes for comprehensive separation. Benzyl Alcohol: A commonly used preservative with antimicrobial properties, benzyl alcohol is a water-miscible compound with a phenyl group. It is often employed in pharmaceutical formulations and cosmetic products. Dehydroacetic Acid: Another antimicrobial preservative, dehydroacetic acid is water-soluble and contains carboxylic acid functional groups. It is frequently utilized in the preservation of food, cosmetics, and personal care products. Sorbic Acid: Widely employed as a preservative in food and beverages, sorbic acid is water-soluble and possesses a carboxylic acid group. It inhibits the growth of mold, yeast, and fungi in various formulations. Methylparaben: Methylparaben is an ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, serving as a preservative in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products. It is soluble in alcohol and exhibits antimicrobial activity against a range of microorganisms. Benzoic Acid: A naturally occurring compound with antimicrobial properties, benzoic acid is soluble in water and commonly used as a preservative in acidic food products, beverages, and personal care items. Ethylparaben: Ethylparaben is an ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, similar to methylparaben, and is utilized as a preservative in various consumer products. It exhibits solubility in alcohol and serves to extend the shelf life of formulations. Amaze HA Mixed-Mode Column: This column features a mixed-mode stationary phase with both hydrophobic and ionic interaction capabilities. In reversed-phase mode, hydrophobic interactions predominate, facilitating separation based on differences in hydrophobicity. In anion-exchange mode, ionic interactions occur, allowing for separation based on differences in charge. By employing this method, comprehensive analysis and quantification of the six preservatives can be achieved, making it valuable for quality control and regulatory compliance in various industries.
Column: | Amaze HA |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase, Anion-exchange |
Column Dimenstions: | 3x100 mm, 3 um, 100 A |
Mobile Phase: | ACN/water/ammonium formate pH 3.7 |
Detection: | 235 nm |
Sample: | various-0.2 mg/ml |
Injection: | 3 uL |
Flow rate: | 0.6 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Aromatic compound, Organic acid, Organic compound, Preservative |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral |
Compounds: | Benzyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic acid, Sorbic acid, Methylparaben, Benzoic acid, Ethylparaben |
Column: | Amaze C18 |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6x150 mm, 3 um, 100A |
Mobile Phase: | ACN/water/Ammonium phosphate |
Detection: | 220 nm |
Sample: | 0.3-0.5 mg/ml |
Injection: | 1 uL |
Flow rate: | 1 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Aldehyde, Aromatic acid, Aromatic compound, Organic acid, Organic compound, Preservative |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral |
Compounds: | Benzyl alcohol, Phenol, Benzoic acid, Methylparaben, Benzonitrile, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben |
Column: | Amaze C18 |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6x150 mm, 3 um, 100A |
Mobile Phase: | ACN/water/Ammonium phosphate |
Detection: | 220 nm |
Sample: | 0.3-0.5 mg/ml |
Injection: | 1 uL |
Flow rate: | 1 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Aldehyde, Aromatic acid, Aromatic compound, Organic acid, Organic compound, Preservative |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral |
Compounds: | Benzyl alcohol, Phenol, Benzoic acid, Methylparaben, Benzonitrile, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben |
Column: | Amaze HA |
Separation Modes: | reveresed-phase , anion-exchange |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6x100, 3 um, 100A |
Mobile Phase: | "A: 2% ACN with 40 mM ammonium phosphate pH 4.0 B: 20% ACN with 100 mM ammonium phosphate pH 2.0 gradient from 100% A to 100% B in 15 minutes, 5 minutes hold " |
Detection: | 205 nm |
Sample: | 0.2-0.5 mg/ml |
Injection: | 2 uL |
Flow rate: | 1 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Isomer, Organic acid, Organic compound, Preservative, Supplement, Vitamin |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral, Polar |
Compounds: | Acetic acid, Ascorbic acid, Formic acid, Succinic acid, Citric acid, Malonic acid, Fumaric acid, Mandelic acid, Oxalic acid, Terephthalic acid, Benzoic acid, Maleic acid, Phthalic acid, Benzenesulfonic acid, p-Toluenesulfonic acid |
Column: | Amaze SC |
Separation Modes: | RP, anion-exclusion |
Column Dimenstions: | 3.0x100 mm, 3 μm, 100A |
Mobile Phase: | ACN/water/phosphoroic acid |
Detection: | 255 nm |
Sample: | 0.3 mg/ml |
Injection: | 2 μL |
Flow rate: | 0.6 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Organic acid |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic |
Compounds: | 4-Carboxyphenylboronic acid, Benzoic acid |
Comparison run on Amaze PFP, Amaze AR, Amaze SPF, and Heritage C20 columns.
Column: | Amaze SPF |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase, pi-pi |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6x150 mm, 5 μm, 100A |
Mobile Phase: | 35% ACN with 20 mM AmAc pH 4.5 |
Detection: | UV 235 nm |
Sample: | 1 mg/ml |
Injection: | 3 μL |
Flow rate: | 1 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Amines, Aromatic acid, Aromatic base, Aromatic compound, Organic acid, Organic compound, Preservative |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Basic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral, Polar |
Compounds: | 4-Aminophenol, Mandelic acid, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, Phenol, Benzoic acid, Methylparaben |
Comparison run on Amaze PFP, Amaze AR, Amaze SPF, and Heritage C20 columns.
Column: | Amaze AR |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase, pi-pi |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6x150 mm, 5 μm, 100A |
Mobile Phase: | 28% ACN with 20 mM AmAc pH 4.5 |
Detection: | UV 255 nm |
Sample: | 1 mg/ml |
Injection: | 3 μL |
Flow rate: | 1 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Amino acid, Aromatic acid, Aromatic compound, Drug, Isomer, Organic acid, Preservative, Stimulant, Xanthine |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral, Polar, Zwitterionic |
Compounds: | Caffeine, 4-Aminobenzoic acid, Aspirin, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid |
Comparison run on Amaze PFP, Amaze AR, Amaze SPF, and Heritage C18 columns.
Column: | Amaze PFP |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase, pi-pi |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6x150 mm, 5 μm, 100A |
Mobile Phase: | 50% ACN with 20 mM AmFm pH 3 |
Detection: | UV 255 nm |
Sample: | 1 mg/ml |
Injection: | 3 μL |
Flow rate: | 1 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Aromatic compound, Organic acid, Organic compound, Organic solvent |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral, Polar |
Compounds: | Benzyl alcohol, Phenol, Benzoic acid, Toluene, Benzenesulfonic acid |
Seven compounds with different properties were used to study an effect of different acids in the mobile phase on retention of neutral, acidic, basic and zwitterionic compounds on core-shell mixed-mode Coresep 100 column. Retention of neutral compounds (propylparaben and benzoic acid to some extent) are not affected by change of the acid. Basic compounds (norphenylephrine, pyridine, 2-aminopyridine) respond the most to change of the strength of acidic additive. Several folds increase in retention time was observed when sulfuric acid was replaced with formic acid in the mobile phase. Effect of acid on retention time of zwitterionic amino acids was less pronounced but still provided excellent retention and peak shape for zwitterionic compounds (5-aminosalicylic acid, phenylalanine). This methods and Coresep 100 column can be used to retain and separate other acidic, basic, neutral and zwitterionic compounds without the use of ion-pairing reagent in the mobile phase. Various detection techniques can be used based on the properties of the mobile phase and analytes. Methods are compatible with mall major detection techniques 9UV, ELSD, CAD, RI, MS). Core-shell mixed-mode columns provide great combination of unique selectivity, speed and efficiency.
Column: | Coresep 100 |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase, cation-exchange |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6 x 150 mm, 2.7 um, 90A |
Mobile Phase: | 30% ACN with various acids |
Detection: | UV 255 nm |
Sample: | 0.3 mg/ml |
Injection: | 3 uL |
Flow rate: | 1 mL/min |
Class of compounds: | Amines, Amino acid, Aromatic acid, Aromatic base, Aromatic compound, Catecholamine, Drug, Isomer, Neurotransmitter, Organic acid, Preservative, Pyridine, Supplement |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Basic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral, Polar, Zwitterionic |
Compounds: | 5-Aminosalicylic acid, Norphenylephrine, Phenylalanine, Pyridine, Benzoic acid, 2-Aminopyridine, Propylparaben |
Column: | Heritage С18 |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6 x 100 mm, 5 um, 100A |
Mobile Phase: | MeOH/H2O/AcOH 30/67/3 |
Detection: | UV 275 nm |
Sample: | 0.2 mg/ml |
Injection: | 5 uL |
Flow rate: | 1 mL/min |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Aromatic compound, Drug, Organic acid, Stimulant, Xanthine |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Neutral, Polar |
Compounds: | Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Aspirin, Benzoic acid, Salicylic acid |
Column: | Heritage С18 |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase |
Column Dimenstions: | 4.6 x 150 mm, 5 um, 100A |
Mobile Phase: | MeOH/H2O/AcOH 40/60/1 |
Detection: | UV 254 nm |
Sample: | 0.3 mg/ml |
Injection: | 5 uL |
Flow rate: | 1 mL/min |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Aromatic compound, Drug, Organic acid |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Neutral, Polar |
Compounds: | Guaifenesin, Benzoic acid |
Core-shell mixed-mode columns offer unique selectivity which comes from the presence of two mechanisms - reversed-phase and ion-exchange. The alternative selectivity of mixed-mode columns can be used when order of elution or resolution between compounds needs improvement. Even for neutral compounds a different selectivity can be obtained. A method for common components of headache medications (acetaminophen, caffeine, and benzoate) was developed on our Coresep 100 column. Efficiency and peak shape are comparable to leading brand core-shell reversed-phase columns.
Column: | Coresep 100 |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase |
Column Dimenstions: | 3.2 x 50 mm, 2.7 um, 90A |
Mobile Phase: | 20% ACN with 0.1% TFA |
Detection: | UV 250 nm, ELSD |
Sample: | 0.3 mg/ml |
Injection: | 1 uL |
Flow rate: | 1 ml/min |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Aromatic compound, Drug, Organic acid, Stimulant, Xanthine |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Neutral |
Compounds: | Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Benzoic acid |
Mixture of hydrophilic acidic compounds are separated in reversed-phase anion-exchange mode on core-shell mixed-mode column. Method is robust, reliable and fast and can be used for analysis of underivatized acids without ion-pairing reagent.
Column: | Coresep SB |
Separation Modes: | reversed-phase and anion-exchange |
Column Dimenstions: | 3.2 x 100 mm, 2.7 um, 90A |
Mobile Phase: | 50% ACN with 50 mM sodium phosphate (monobasic) pH 3 |
Detection: | UV 230 nm |
Sample: | 0.3 mg/ml |
Injection: | 3 uL |
Flow rate: | 0.5 mg/ml |
Class of compounds: | Aromatic acid, Organic acid |
Nature of compounds: | Acidic, Hydrophilic, Polar |
Compounds: | Benzoic acid, Maleic acid, Fumaric acid |