4 Conclusions

Development of an analysis method for quantification of colophonium components in cosmetic products

Earlier published analytical methods for identification and quantification of the major colophonium components have been thoroughly scrutinized from different aspects e. g. possibility to be used outside very sophisticated analytical laboratories, robustness, and possibility to detect compounds without derivatisation. Based on this, it was concluded that a new method was needed for the purpose of the present study. We have thus developed a reversed phase HPLC method with UV detection using diode-array-detector. The method is fast, robust, simple, without using toxic chemicals and has a high specificity compared to ordinary UV methods. Pure non-oxidized resin acids and a stable major oxidation product as a marker for a possible autoxidation and the formation of allergenic oxidation products are used as reference substances. The analytical separation obtained is good and has never been obtained before using HPLC methods.