Simple and fast microderivatization method for determining formaldehyde using narrow-bore liquid chromatography with UV detection

• Published in: Analytical methods 2023-10, Vol.15 (38), p.595-511
• Main Authors: Ho, Hsin-Shu, Lu, Chi-Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergies; Aminoquinolines; Asthma; Catalysts; Chromatography; Consumer products; Formaldehyde; Household products; Leukemia; Liquid chromatography; Organic solvents; Preservatives; Sick building syndrome; Ultraviolet detectors; Ultraviolet radiation
• ISSN: 1759-9660; 1759-9679
• DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01600e

Formaldehyde is a harmful substance that can cause sick building syndrome and other diseases, such as contact allergy, asthma, leukemia, cancer, and brain/neuron disorders. Formaldehyde is a ubiquitous chemical owing to its use in many common products, including as a preservative in household and personal care products. To prevent overexposure to formaldehyde, a simple method for determining and controlling the formaldehyde content in commercial products is required. In this study, 3-aminoquinoline (3-AQ) was used to derivatize formaldehyde under mild conditions (2 min at 30 °C) without the use of catalysts or activators. The derivatized sample solutions were separated using narrow-bore liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet (UV) detector in a run time of only 5 min. All sample extraction and derivatization protocols were performed on the microliter scale to reduce the use of organic solvents. The linear range for the determination was 5-1000 μg mL −1 , with a detection limit of approximately 1 μg mL −1 (2 ng per 2 μL injection). The proposed microscale method was successfully applied to the analysis of formaldehyde in commercial household products. Formaldehyde is a harmful substance that can cause sick building syndrome and other diseases, such as contact allergy, asthma, leukemia, cancer, and brain/neuron disorders.