Determination of Active Ingredients in

"Pimple Cream" by Liquid Chromatography

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

The world of Analytical Chromatography involves the separation of the individual components in a Sample, then the measurement of their optical / spectral properties. In the realm of Organic Chemicals, there are VOLATILE Compounds (low boiling points, easily evaporated, like most Solvents) and NONVOLATILE Compounds (high BP/MP, usually solid materials, like many drug and plastic chemicals).  There are many cases where the organic material is NOT Volatile or would decompose under the temperatures necessary to cause it to boil (evaporate). In such instances, the popular technique of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography is available.

 

PURPOSE:

There are many, MANY "over-the-counter" formulations to help minimize the appearance of the dreaded PIMPLE… associated with adolescents and acne!  Some of these preparations use some type of BROAD-spectrum ("wide-range") Antibiotic to help reduce the amount of Bacteria on the skin that may cause the pores to become infected and get clogged with… Ewwww… PUS! Others use harsh Alcohols to help dry out the skin and temporarily remove Oils that also clog the pores. A very popular type of "Pimple Cream" or Acne treatment uses an Organic Compound, BENZOYL PEROXIDE, to perform the function of

BOTH: l an Antibiotic designed specifically to kill a NARROW-range of Bacteria (to prevent a build-up of resistance to broad-spectrum Bacteria) and 2 an OXIDANT to minimize the formation of excess Skin Oils without the potentially irritating and damaging action of Alcohols.  By preparing QUANTITATIVE Solutions of these Benzoyl Peroxide-based Pimple Creams, we can "separate" out the various Organic compounds and compare the Retention Time to a Benzoyl Peroxide STANDARD (to IDENTIFY the proper compound "Peak") and then compare the Integrated Peak Area to the Benzoyl Peroxide STANDARD (to MEASURE the Quantity present).

 

INSTRUMENTS NEEDED:

 

EDU-DLC10-HPLC w/ 254nm. UV Detector

& a mixed 70%:30% Methanol-Water Solvent INFO/Buy IT!

 

Computer operating Peak-Simple Software

 INFO/Buy IT!

 

100 uL Syringe INFO/Buy IT!

                                

 

      

 SUPPLIES:

  1. Text Box: FUN-SCI Kit Includes all supplies INFO/Buy IT! Vial of 1000 PPM (0.1%) Benzoyl Peroxide in Methanol solution
  2. 250ml. Extracting Solvent(mixture of Alcohols & other solvents specific for Organic Peroxides)
  3. 100ml. & 250ml. PyrexTMBeakers(for heating the Sample & solvent together)
  4. Disposable Pipets & Beakers (for making dilutions)
  5. "Hot-Plate" Mug Warmer (for preparing the Samples) Available with the FUN-SCITM Experiment Kits
  6. Scale or Balance with 0.1-Gram capability

 

       SAMPLES:

Test SAMPLE Extracts from several brands:

 

(StridexTM, GlytoneTM, UniqueTM, MuradTM, NeutrogenaTM, etc.) and types of Pimple Creams & Lotions Available with the FUN-SCITM Experiment Kits

 

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