For the occurrence of PPCPs from source to tap: A novel approach modified in terms of sample preservation and SPE cartridge to monitor PPCPs in our water supply.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing infusion of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) into ecosystems sustains a perpetual life cycle and leads to multi-generational exposures. Limited understanding of their environmental impact and their intrinsic ability to induce physiological effect in humans, even at low doses, pose great risks to human health. Few scholarly works have conducted systematic research into the occurrence of PPCPs within potable water systems. Concurrently, the associated monitoring techniques have not been comprehensively examined with regards to the specific nature of drinking water, namely whether the significant presence of disinfectants may influence the detection of PPCPs. RESULTS: A modified approach in terms of detailed investigation of sample preservation and optimization of an in-lab fabricated solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge filled with DVB-VP and PS-DVB sorbent was proposed. Favorable methodological parameters were achieved, with correlation coefficients spanning from 0.9866 to 0.9998. The LODs of the PPCPs fluctuated from 0.001 to 2 µg L-1, while the LOQs varied from 0.002 to 5 µg L-1. The analysis of spiked samples disclosed a methodological precision of 2.31-9.86 % and a recovery of 52.4-119 %. We utilized the established method for analyzing 14 water samples of three categories (source water, finished water and tap water) from five centralized water supply plants. A total of 24 categories encompassing 72 PPCPs were detected, with the concentrations of PPCPs manifested a marked decrease from source water to finished water and finally to tap water. SIGNIFICANCE: Our research meticulously examined the enhancement and purification effects of widely used commercial SPE cartridges and suggested the use of in-lab fabricated SPE cartridges packed with DVB-VP and PS-DVB adsorbents. We also conducted a systematic evaluation of the need to incorporate ascorbic acid and sodium thiosulfate as preservatives for PPCP measurement, in consideration of the unique characteristics of drinking water matrices, specifically, the significant concentration levels of disinfectants. Furthermore, the proposed method was effectively employed to study the presence of PPCPs in source water, finished water, and tap water collected from centralized water supply plants.

The fate of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in sewer sediments:Adsorption triggering resistance gene proliferation.

In recent years, large quantities of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been discharged into sewers, while the mechanisms of PPCPs enrichment in sewer sediments have rarely been revealed. In this study, three PPCPs (tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, and triclocarban) were added consecutively over a 90-day experimental period to reveal the mechanisms of PPCPs enrichment and the transmission of resistance genes in sewer sediments. The results showed that tetracycline (TC) and triclocarban (TCC) have higher adsorption concentration in sediments compared to sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The absolute abundance of Tets and suls genes increased in sediments under PPCPs pressure. The increase in secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and the loosening of the structure exposed a large number of hydrophobic functional groups, which promoted the adsorption of PPCPs. The absolute abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), EPS and the content of PPCPs in sediments exhibited significant correlations. The enrichment of PPCPs in sediments was attributed to the accumulation of EPS, which led to the proliferation of ARGs. These findings contributed to further understanding of the fate of PPCPs in sewer sediments and opened a new perspective for consideration of controlling the proliferation of resistance genes.

Green electrospun Janus membrane of polyether block amide (PEBA) doped with hierarchical magnesium hydrogen phosphate for the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products.

It has been a challenge to prepared polyether block amide (PEBA) fibrous membrane via solution electrospinning. The only few reported methods though involved hazardous solvents and surfactants which were against the principle of green chemistry. In this work, uniform fibrous membrane of PEBA was successfully fabricated by solution electrospinning with a bio-based solvent dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene). To further improve the mechanical strength and adsorption performance of the PEBA membrane, a hierarchical magnesium hydrogen phosphate (MgHPO4·1.2H2O, MHP) was synthesized to blend evenly into the PEBA matrix. A Janus MHP/PEBA membrane with one side of hydrophobic surface and the other side of hydrophilic surface was subsequently prepared, which exhibited fast adsorption, high capacity, good selectivity and reusability towards ibuprofen, acetaminophen, carbamazepine and triclosan. In addition, the Janus membrane showed high removal efficiency of the above contaminants in secondary wastewater effluent with good long term stability. It demonstrated that this Janus MHP/PEBA membrane had a good potential in practical wastewater treatment.

Electroencephalography as an objective method for assessing subjective emotions during the application of cream.

OBJECTIVE: To compare emotional responses elicited by four cosmetic products on different sensory modalities (smell, visual, and touch), and analyze the link between objective instrumental analysis results and subjective evaluation of participants occurring within dimensional valence-arousal model of emotions. METHODS: In this study, four cream products exhibiting variations in olfactory perception, visual appearance and perception usability were selected. Electroencephalography (EEG) and a subjective emotion scale were used to assess participants' emotional responses during the sensory experience of utilizing the creams. RESULTS: The study revealed that the objective emotional valence and arousal of different cream products exhibited certain variations at distinct stages of usage. The trend of valence differences induced by different products measured by EEG at the same stage was almost as same as measured by subjective evaluation. The correspondence between the valence measured by EEG closely approximated that obtained through subjective evaluation across various products at distinct stages of usage. These findings demonstrate a significant correlation between EEG-based valence and subjective valence, however, no such relationship was observed for arousal. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using EEG as a method to assess emotions elicited by various stages of cosmetics application, including smelling, looking, rubbing, and afterfeel. This technique serves as a valuable supplement to traditional methods for examining emotional responses by providing more objective evidence.

Anaerobic co-metabolic biodegradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products driven by glycerol fermentation.

Anaerobic digestion in two sequential phases, acidogenesis and methanogenesis, has been shown to be beneficial for enhancing the biomethane generation from wastewater. In this work, the application of glycerol (GOH) as a fermentation co-substrate during the wastewater treatment was evaluated on the biodegradation of different pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). GOH co-digestion during acidogenesis led to a significant increase in the biodegradation of acetaminophen (from 78 to 89%), ciprofloxacin (from 25 to 46%), naproxen (from 73 to 86%), diclofenac (from 36 to 48%), ibuprofen (from 65 to 88%), metoprolol (from 45 to 59%), methylparaben (from 64 to 78%) and propylparaben (from 68 to 74%). The heterotrophic co-metabolism of PPCPs driven by glycerol was confirmed by the biodegradation kinetics, in which kbio (biodegradation kinetics constant) values increased from 0.18 to 2.11 to 0.27-3.60 L g-1-VSS d-1, for the operational phases without and with GOH, respectively. The assessment of metabolic pathways in each phase revealed that the prevalence of aromatic compounds degradation, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, and benzoate degradation routes during acidogenesis are key factors for the enzymatic mechanisms linked to the PPCPs co-metabolism. The phase separation of anaerobic digestion was effective in the PPCPs biodegradation, and the co-fermentation of glycerol provided an increase in the generation potential of biomethane in the system (energetic potential of 5.0 and 6.3 kJ g-1-CODremoved, without and with GOH, respectively). This study showed evidence that glycerol co-fermentation can exert a synergistic effect on the PPCPs removal during anaerobic digestion mediated by heterotrophic co-metabolism.

Future proofing of chondroitin sulphate production: Importance of sustainability and quality for the end-applications.

Chondroitin sulphates (CSs) are the most well-known glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) found in any living organism, from microorganisms to invertebrates and vertebrates (including humans), and provide several health benefits. The applications of CSs are numerous including tissue engineering, osteoarthritis treatment, antiviral, cosmetics, and skincare applications. The current commercial production of CSs mostly uses animal, bovine, porcine, and avian tissues as well as marine organisms, marine mammals, sharks, and other fish. The production process consists of tissue hydrolysis, protein removal, and purification using various methods. Mostly, these are chemical-dependent and are complex, multi-step processes. There is a developing trend for abandonment of harsh extraction chemicals and their substitution with different green-extraction technologies, however, these are still in their infancy. The quality of CSs is the first and foremost requirement for end-applications and is dependent on the extraction and purification methodologies used. The final products will show different bio-functional properties, depending on their origin and production methodology. This is a comprehensive review of the characteristics, properties, uses, sources, and extraction methods of CSs. This review emphasises the need for extraction and purification processes to be environmentally friendly and gentle, followed by product analysis and quality control to ensure the expected bioactivity of CSs.

Monitoring Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Healthcare Effluent Wastewater Samples and the Effectiveness of Drug Removal in Wastewater Treatment Plants Using the UHPLC-MS/MS Method.

A multi-residue UHPLC-MS/MS analytical method, previously developed for monitoring 52 pharmaceuticals in drinking water, was used to analyse these pharmaceuticals in wastewater originating from healthcare facilities in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, the methodology was expanded to include the evaluation of the effectiveness of drug removal in Czech wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Of the 18 wastewater samples analysed by the validated UHPLC-MS/MS, each sample contained at least one quantifiable analyte. This study reveals the prevalence of several different drugs; mean concentrations of 702 µg L-1 of iomeprol, 48.8 µg L-1 of iopromide, 29.9 µg L-1 of gabapentin, 42.0 µg L-1 of caffeine and 82.5 µg L-1 of paracetamol were present. An analysis of 20 samples from ten WWTPs revealed different removal efficiencies for different analytes. Paracetamol was present in the inflow samples of all ten WWTPs and its removal efficiency was 100%. Analytes such as caffeine, ketoprofen, naproxen or atenolol showed high removal efficiencies exceeding 80%. On the other hand, pharmaceuticals like furosemide, metoprolol, iomeprol, zolpidem and tramadol showed lower removal efficiencies. Four pharmaceuticals exhibited higher concentrations in WWTP effluents than in the influents, resulting in negative removal efficiencies: warfarin at -9.5%, indomethacin at -53%, trimethoprim at -54% and metronidazole at -110%. These comprehensive findings contribute valuable insights to the pharmaceutical landscape of wastewater from healthcare facilities and the varied removal efficiencies of Czech WWTPs, which together with the already published literature, gives a more complete picture of the burden on the aquatic environment.

Bioactive Compounds and Potential Health Benefits through Cosmetic Applications of Cherry Stem Extract.

Cherry stems, prized in traditional medicine for their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, derive their efficacy from abundant polyphenols and anthocyanins. This makes them an ideal option for addressing skin aging and diseases. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of cherry stem extract for potential skincare use. To this end, the extract was first comprehensively characterized by HPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. The extract's total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity, radical scavenging efficiency, and its ability to inhibit enzymes related to skin aging were determined. A total of 146 compounds were annotated in the cherry stem extract. The extract effectively fought against NO· and HOCl radicals with IC50 values of 2.32 and 5.4 mg/L. Additionally, it inhibited HYALase, collagenase, and XOD enzymes with IC50 values of 7.39, 111.92, and 10 mg/L, respectively. Based on the promising results that were obtained, the extract was subsequently gently integrated into a cosmetic gel at different concentrations and subjected to further stability evaluations. The accelerated stability was assessed through temperature ramping, heating-cooling cycles, and centrifugation, while the long-term stability was evaluated by storing the formulations under light and dark conditions for three months. The gel formulation enriched with cherry stem extract exhibited good stability and compatibility for topical application. Cherry stem extract may be a valuable ingredient for creating beneficial skincare cosmeceuticals.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyls used as cosmetic ingredients - Qualitative study of 765 cosmetic products.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) form a vast family comprising more than 4700 synthetic compounds. Their molecules contain a terminal functional group and a hydrophobic carbon tail (alkyl group) at which the hydrogen atoms are totally (in the case of perfluorinated compounds) or partially (in the case of polyfluorinated compounds) replaced by fluorine atoms. Due to the very specific properties of their structure, they have been used in a vast range of applications over the last 70 years. These substances are considered to be of concern for the environment. Their effects on human health are still poorly understood because studies are still too rare, but the cutaneous route could be a significant pathway of penetration. In this context, we made a qualitative study to assess the presence of PFAS in various cosmetics such as hygiene products, skin care products, make-up and perfumes. Among the 765 products studied, we found 11 different PFAS. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorodecalin, present in 25.9% and 22.2% of products containing it, respectively, were the most frequent. Although the presence of this type of ingredient seems to be limited in Europe, make-up appears to be the type of product most likely to contain PFAS.

Occurrence of alkyl glucosides in rinse-off cosmetics marketed as hypoallergenic or for sensitive skin.

Rinse-off cosmetic products, primarily shampoos, are frequently implicated in the onset of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by alkyl glucosides (AGs). AGs are increasingly popular surfactants and known contact allergens. Glucoside-induced ACD was most frequently observed with shampoos and skin-cleansing products in both consumer and occupational settings. Thereby, studies have shown that atopic individuals are the most susceptible to ACD. Also, several investigations have indicated that individuals with sensitive skin might be more prone to skin allergies. This is why the presence of AGs was investigated in shampoos and body cleansers marketed as hypoallergenic or for sensitive skin. For this purpose, the website of Amazon.com was surveyed. Four groups of cosmetics were obtained by using the following keywords: "hypoallergenic shampoo for adults," "sensitive skin shampoo for adults," "hypoallergenic body cleanser for adults," and "sensitive skin body cleanser for adults." The first 30 best-selling cosmetics in each group were investigated for the presence of AGs, by analyzing the product information pages. The results showed that as much as 56.7% of hypoallergenic shampoos contained AGs, as ingredients, whereas the percentage was somewhat lower for other product categories. Even though decyl and lauryl glucoside were nearly ubiquitously used AGs in cosmetics over the past decade, the most commonly present AG in our analysis was coco-glucoside. The results of this study indicated a necessity to include coco-glucoside in the baseline series of patch testing allergens. Industry, regulators, and healthcare providers should be made aware of the frequent presence of AGs in rinse-off cosmetic products marketed as hypoallergenic or for sensitive skin to ensure the safety and well-being of consumers and patients.

Artificial intelligence-based prescription of personalized scalp cosmetics improved the scalp condition: efficacy results from 100 participants.

Background: Scalp-related symptoms such as dandruff and itching are common with diverse underlying etiologies. We previously proposed a novel classification and scoring system for scalp conditions, called the scalp photographic index (SPI); it grades five scalp features using trichoscopic images with good reliability. However, it requires trained evaluators.Aim: To develop artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for assessment of scalp conditions and to assess the feasibility of AI-based recommendations on personalized scalp cosmetics.Methods: Using EfficientNet, convolutional neural network (CNN) models (SPI-AI) ofeach scalp feature were established. 101,027 magnified scalp images graded according to the SPI scoring were used for training, validation, and testing the model Adults with scalp discomfort were prescribed shampoos and scalp serums personalized according to their SPI-AI-defined scalp types. Using the SPI, the scalp conditions were evaluated at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 of treatment.Results: The accuracies of the SPI-AI for dryness, oiliness, erythema, folliculitis, and dandruff were 91.3%, 90.5%, 89.6%, 87.3%, and 95.2%, respectively. Overall, 100 individuals completed the 4-week study; 43 of these participated in an extension study until week 12. The total SPI score decreased from 32.70 ± 7.40 at baseline to 15.97 ± 4.68 at week 4 (p < 0.001). The efficacy was maintained throughout 12 weeks.Conclusions: SPI-AI accurately assessed the scalp condition. AI-based prescription of tailored scalp cosmetics could significantly improve scalp health.

Clinical Safety Profile of TrichoConcept™, a Line of Cosmetic Vehicles for Personalized Treatment of Alopecia.

Alopecia is a chronic dermatological disorder that affects patients worldwide, with a significant impact on quality of life, self-esteem, and psychological wellbeing. However, commercially available options for alopecia treatment are still limited. Considering that topical formulations have a long-term use therapeutic profile, the safety of their ingredients should be closely evaluated to avoid potentially irritant substances. Alternative active ingredients with different mechanisms of action, as well as adequate vehicles, might increase patients' adherence leading to better clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the irritation, skin sensitization, photoallergy, and phototoxicity potential of a line of ready-to-use vehicles for producing topical therapies for alopecia treatments, TrichoConcept™. Subjects were selected and randomly assigned to compare the patch test with the study products or to the control solution (sterile 0.9% NaCl solution). No clinical signs of irritation, sensitization, photoallergy or phototoxicity were reported. From the results of this study, it is suggested that the investigated products can be considered safe under the evaluated conditions, and the claims "dermatologically tested", "clinically tested", and "nonirritant" can be supported.

Market analysis of the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals in cosmetic products intended for oncological patients and other vulnerable groups.

There is growing concern about the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in cosmetics. We aimed to identify the main cosmetic ingredients with suspected endocrine-disrupting properties, and analyse their presence in current marketed products. Particular attention was given to products intended for susceptible (due to physiological status) and vulnerable (due to specific pathologies) groups with a view to informing cosmetologists and related health professionals of the scientific basis and current status of any concerns. Suspected EDCs used as cosmetic ingredients, included in lists published by regulatory agencies, were documented and investigated by weight of evidence analysis based on endocrine-related toxicity studies. In total, 49 suspected EDCs were identified from a sample of over a thousand cosmetic products marketed in the European Union. Suspected EDCs were found in approximately one third of products, with a similar frequency in products intended for susceptible and vulnerable groups. Avobenzone (CAS number:70356-09-1), octisalate (CAS number: 118-60-5), and butylated hydroxytoluene (CAS number: 128-37-0) were mostly commonly identified. The presence of EDCs was particularly high for sun care cosmetic products. Our results highlight potentially significant exposure through cosmetics to substances currently studied by regulatory institutions as suspected endocrine disrupters. EDCs are not yet universally regulated, and informing health professionals and educating the population as a precaution are options to reduce individual exposure levels, especially in vulnerable and susceptible groups. Special recommendations are needed for products intended for oncological patients.

The emerging topic of injected cosmetic fillers in the perinasal region of dromedary camels: ultrasonographic and radiographic verification.

Background: Dermal cosmetic fillers have been commonly used in camels in the last few years in Gulf countries. Aim: This study aimed to describe the radiographic as well as sonographic findings of injected cosmetic fillers in Arabian camel perinasal region in beauty shows. Methods: A total number of (n = 11,626) Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius) were thoroughly investigated for injection of cosmetic fillers in the perinasal area. The age of the camels was 6 months to 10 years, and their weights were 400-650 kg. In parallel, a control group consisting of 30 age/weight-matched non-injected camels was used. Of the 11,626 examined camels, 25 animals (0.0.002%) were injected with cosmetic fillers in the perinasal region. Of the 25 camels, 19 (76%) were females and 6 (24%) were males. Radiographic examinations were carried out for the 25 injected camel perinasal regions. Results: Ultrasonographic examination of the injected perinasal regions revealed precise discrimination of the filler material, which appeared hypo-echogenic in 17 camels (68%) and with anechoic spots in the remaining 8 camels (32%). Variable degrees of swelling caused by the injection of moderate and large quantities of fillers were noted by radiographic assessment, the injected cosmetic filler was precisely diagnosed in the perinasal region as grey in color having soft tissue density in obtained radiographs. Conclusion: In conclusion, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations are reliable, accurate, and non-invasive diagnostic imaging techniques that can precisely discriminate a filler agent in the soft tissues and determine the situ and size of cutaneous deposits in dromedary camels (C. dromedarius).

Rapid Market Screening to assess lead concentrations in consumer products across 25 low- and middle-income countries.

Lead exposure can have serious consequences for health and development. The neurological and behavioral effects of lead are considered irreversible. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. In 2020, Pure Earth and UNICEF estimated that one in three children had elevated blood lead levels above 5 µg/dL. The sources of lead exposure vary around the world and can range from household products, such as spices or foodware, to environmental pollution from nearby industries. The aim of this study was to analyze common products from markets in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for their lead content to determine whether they are plausible sources of exposure. In 25 LMICs, the research teams systematically collected consumer products (metal foodware, ceramics, cosmetics, paints, toys, spices and other foods). The items were analyzed on site for detectable lead above 2 ppm using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer. For quality control purposes, a subset of the samples was analyzed in the USA using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The lead concentrations of the individual product types were compared with established regulatory thresholds. Out of 5007 analyzed products, threshold values (TV) were surpassed in 51% for metal foodware (TV 100 ppm), 45% for ceramics (TV 100 ppm), and 41% for paints (TV 90 ppm). Sources of exposure in LMICs can be diverse, and consumers in LMICs lack adequate protection from preventable sources of lead exposure. Rapid Market Screening is an innovative, simple, and useful tool to identify risky products that could be sources of lead exposure.

Safety assessment of Paeonia lactiflora root extract for a cosmetic ingredient employing the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) approach.

Botanical extracts, widely used in cosmetics, pose a challenge to safety assessment due to their complex compositions. The threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) approach, offering a safe exposure level for cosmetic ingredients, proves to be a promising solution for ensuring the safety of cosmetic ingredients with low exposure level. We assessed the safety of Paeonia lactiflora root extract (PLR), commonly used in skin conditioning products, with the TTC. We identified 50 constituents of PLR extract from the USDA database and literature exploration. Concentration of each constituent of PLR extract was determined with the information from USDA references, literature, and experimental analysis. The genotoxicity of PLR and its constituents was assessed in vitro and in silico respectively. Cramer class of the constituents of the PLR extract was determined with Toxtree 3.1 extended decision tree using ChemTunes®. Systemic exposure of each constituent from leave-on type cosmetic products containing PLR at a 1% concentration was estimated and compared with respective TTC threshold. Two constituents exceeding TTC threshold were further analyzed for dermal absorption using in silico tools, which confirmed the safety of PLR extract in cosmetics. Collectively, we demonstrated that the TTC is a useful tool for assessing botanical extract safety in cosmetics.

Biomonitoring of benzophenones in guano samples of wild bats in Poland.

Benzophenones (BPs) are substances used in the production of sunscreens, cosmetics, and personal care products. However, there is a lack of knowledge of BPs in wild animals. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the concentration of selected BPs commonly used in the cosmetic industry in guano samples collected from 4 colonies of greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis). Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine guano concentrations of benzophenone 1 (BP-1), benzophenone 2 (BP-2), benzophenone 3 (BP-3) and benzophenone 8 (BP-8). BP-1 levels above the method quantification limit (MQL) were noted in 97.5% of samples and fluctuated from <0.1 ng/g to 259 ng/g (mean 41.50 ng/g, median 34.8). The second most common was BP-3, which fluctuated from <0.1 ng/g to 19 ng/g (mean 6.67 ng/g, median 5.05), and its levels higher than MQL were observed in 40% of samples. BP-2 and BP-8 concentrations did not exceed the method detection limit (0.04 ng/g) in any analyzed sample. There were visible differences in the BP-1 and BP-3 levels among the studied bat colonies. Mean BP-1 concentration fluctuated from 11.23±13.13 ng/g to 76.71±65.51 ng/g and differed significantly between the colonies. Mean BP-3 concentration fluctuated from 5.03±6.03 ng/g to 9.18±7.65 mg/g, but it did not differ significantly between the colonies. The results show that guano is a suitable matrix for the assessment of wildlife exposure to BPs. This could be particularly advantageous in protected species, where not disturbing and stressing the animals are crucial.

A sensitive, portable, and smartphone-based whole-cell biosensor device for salicylic acid monitoring.

Considerable effort has been invested in developing salicylic acid (SA) biosensors for various application purposes. Here, by engineering the sensing modules and host cell chassis, we have gradually optimized the NahR-Psal/Pr-based SA biosensor, increasing the sensitivity and maximum output by 17.2-fold and 9.4-fold, respectively, and improving the detection limit by 800-fold, from 80 µM to 0.1 µM. A portable SA sensing device was constructed by embedding a gelatin-based hydrogel containing an optimized biosensor into the perforations of tape adhered to glass slide, which allowed good determination of SA in the range of 0.1 µM-10 µM. Then, we developed a customized smartphone App to measure the fluorescence intensity of each perforation and automatically calculate the corresponding SA concentration so that we could detect SA concentrations in real cosmetic samples. We anticipate that this smartphone-based imaging biosensor, with its compact size, higher sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and easy data transfer, will be useful for long-term monitoring of SA.

Characterization of banned colorants in cosmetics: A tandem mass-based molecular networking approach.

Colorants have been a staple in the cosmetics industry for a considerable time, although certain varieties have been banned owing to health risks. Detecting and confirming these banned colorants simultaneously poses several challenges when employing LC-MS/MS. Molecular networking is a promising analytical technology that can be used to predict the structure of components and the correlation between them using structural and MS/MS spectral similarities. Molecular networking entails assessing the number of fragmented ions and the cosine score (the closer it is to one, the higher the similarity). In this study, we developed and verified a method for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of the 26 banned colorants in cosmetics using LC-MS/MS. Additionally, we propose a novel approach that combines LC-Q-TOF-MS and molecular networking technology to detect banned colorants in cosmetics. For successful molecular networking, a minimum of six fragment ions with cosine scores exceeding 0.5 is required. We developed a screening method for characterizing banned colorants using molecular networking based on LC-TOF-MS results for 26 banned colorants. Furthermore, we demonstrated that our established method can be used for screening by analyzing actual cosmetics (eyebrow tattoo, lipstick tattoo, and hair tint) spiked with three non-targeted banned colorants with similar structures (m/z 267.116, 315.149, and 345.157) in cosmetics. The combination of molecular networking techniques and LC-MS/MS proves highly advantageous for the swift characterization and screening of non-targeted colorants in cosmetics.