Determination of p-Amino Benzoic Acid and p-Hydroxy Methyl Benzoate in Sunscreens by HPLC

Abstract

A selective, sensitive method designed for the determination and
isolation of para-amino benzoic acid (PABA) and its derivatives in
sunscreen by HPLC. The researches confirm that sunscreen must
be free from para-amino benzoic acid (PABA) and p-hydroxy
methyl benzoate because these compounds cause allergy and phototoxic,
photoallergic, damage the DNA and cause cancer. We have
studied of 54 sunscreens by HPLC, imported and local, and found
the average value of PABA for both local or imported is null for
12 imported products and 20 local. While the average value in range
[0, 0.1] to 3 imported products and 4 local and the average value
of p-hyoroxy methyl benzoate is null also for 2 imported products
and one for local products. Finally we notice the sum of averaged
value of para-amino benzoic acid (PABA) and p-hydroxy methyl
benzoate (PHMB) is far less for some imported products which we
already analyzed.