J Surfact Deterg
DOI 10.1007/s11743-015-1783-6
SHORT COMMUNICATION
A Modified Method for the Determination
of N-Nitrosodiethanolamine in Coconut Diethanolamide Using
HPLC with Dual-Wavelength UV–Vis Detector
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Ramin Mostafalu
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Abbas Banaei
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Mohammad Hadi Riazi
•
Fatemeh Ghorbani
Received: 8 August 2015 / Accepted: 21 December 2015
Ó AOCS 2016
Abstract A simple and novel method based on high-
performance liquid chromatography with dual-wavelength
ultraviolet detection at 234 and 254 nm has been developed
for the determination of underivatized N-nitrosodi-
ethanolamine in coconut diethanolamide. The correlation
coefficient obtained shows that the method is correct.
as preservative, caused the death of mink. This was the
catalyst for a major programme of work during the last
50 years on the chemistry, toxicology and determination of
N-nitroso compounds in a wide range of substrates.
NDELA is found in many complex matrices such as
cutting and grinding fluids used for metal working and
cosmetics. It is readily absorbed through the skin and is
accumulated in organs such as the bladder, liver, kidneys,
etc., and it induces chronic toxic effects [6]. Figure 1
shows the proposed metabolism of NDELA [7]. In this
metabolism, oxidation of NDELA leads to the formation of
a-hydroxynitrosamine that rapidly decomposes to glycol
aldehyde, acetaldehyde, ethylene glycol and molecular
nitrogen. The nitrogen is assumed to arise from a reactive
diazonium ion, which is probably responsible for the for-
mation of 2-hydroxyethylated adducts in DNA.
Keywords Coconut diethanolamide Á
N-Nitrosodiethanolamine Á Nonionic surfactant Á HPLC Á
Dual-wavelength UV–Vis detector
Introduction
In the past several decades, ‘Green Chemistry’ has become
one of most interesting subjects in chemistry. If we relate the
chemical reactions and the 12 principles of Green Chemistry
Coconut diethanolamide is a nonionic surfactant that is
used as a viscosity builder and foam booster in cosmetic
formulations. One of the most important sources of
NDELA in cosmetic products is coconut diethanolamide.
The synthesis of coconut diethanolamide can lead to
NDELA. Diethanolamine (DELA) can also appear during
the treatment of diethanolamide under unfavourable con-
ditions. In both cases, DELA can undergo further nitrosa-
tion to NDELA. So, the determination of NDELA in this
product is a fundamental topic in the cosmetic industry.
Analytical procedures for NDELA are complicated by
the sample matrix, so many of them need a cleanup tech-
nique. There are few reports on high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) [8] and gas chromatography (GC)
[9] of NDELA because it has a chelating property, is
unstable to heat and light, and tends to be adsorbed in the
stationary phase. The lack of thermal stability of NDELA
derivatization with trimethylsilyl is essential for the
determination of NDELA by GC and capillary GC. HPLC
[
1], the use of a green and non-toxic substrate is the one of
the most obvious aspects we can consider. N-Nitrosodi-
ethanolamine (NDELA) is a very hazardous chemical
compound belonging to the class of N-nitrosamines that may
be present as contaminants in a number of products, such as
drink, food, tobacco and cosmetics [2]. It has been consid-
ered as an environmental problem since the mid-1960s [3].
In 1956, Magee and Barnes [4] showed that when
dimethylnitrosamine (NDMA) was fed to rats it gave rise to
malignant primary hepatic tumours, and in 1964, Ender et al.
[5] reported that NDMA in fish meal, produced by the
interaction of naturally occurring amines with nitrite added
&
Ramin Mostafalu
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Research and Development, Padideh Shimi Jam Co., Bahar 2
St., Ershad 4 St., East Hesabi Blv., Eshtehard Industrial
Town, Karaj, Iran
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