Free formaldehyde is used for long-term stabilization in cosmetic products.
The potential cancerogenity demands effective and reliable analysis.
The quantitative determination of free formaldehyde often is problematic. The detection characteristics are very unfavorable. Consequently, derivatization is necessary to achieve the required sensitivity.
According to method K84.00-7(EG) chromatographic separation by HPLC column is followed by derivatization. This does not influence the equilibrium between donator and free formaldehyde. A UV/VIS or fluorescence detector is used for detection.
