Gas chromatographic determination of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone and octyldimethyl-p-aminobenzoic acid sunscreen agents in swimming pool and bathing waters by solid-phase microextraction

A method has been developed for the trace determination of two sunscreen constituents (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone and octyldimethyl-p-aminobenzoic acid) in water samples, which are commonly used in commercial formulations. The method employs solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection. The technique was developed with headspace and direct sampling in order to demonstrate the applicability of these SPME extraction modes for the identification of these two UV absorbing compounds in waters. The main parameters affecting the SPME process, such as desorption time, extraction time profile, salt additives, pH, and temperature, were investigated. The poly(dimethylsiloxane) 100-μm and polyacrylate 85-μm fiber coatings were found to be the most efficient for the extraction of these compounds from aqueous matrices. Linear calibration curves in the wide range of 10–500 μg/l were obtained for both compounds yielding typical RSD values of 5–9% for both extraction modes. The recoveries were relatively high, 82–98%, with quantitation limits below 1 μg/l. A comparison between the proposed methods and the conventional multiresidue solid-phase extraction revealed that the proposed technique(s) can be reliably used for sunscreen residue measurement in water samples with satisfactory results.