Application of Direct Analysis in Real Time-Electrostatic Field Orbitrap High Resolution Mass Spectrometry to Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis for 15 Anti-Allergics in Cosmetics

The method of DART combined with electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectroscopy was applied to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of cosmetics for the 15 anti-allergics. 0.50 g of cosmetic sample was taken and ultrasonicated for 5 min with 1.0 mL of 50% (volume fraction) C₂H₅OH solution, and then shaken by swirling for 10 min, and centrifuged for 5 min. 0.50 mL of the supernatant was taken and mixed with 0.5 mL of water, centrifuged again for 5 min. The supernatant was taken and used for analysis under the instrumental working condition. Sample introduction with a volume of 1 μL was performed by the mode of Dip-it Samplers. Qualitative analysis was carried out by the mode of Full MS-ddMS² under cationic mode. And by comparing with data of the self-established MS² spectra database, sieved results of qualitative analysis were obtained. And then quantitative determinations were done under the PRM mode. Linearity ranges found for the 15 anti-allergics were same within 10 mg·L^-1. Since values of lower limits of determination of the 15 drugs given by the S/N ratio were all much larger than 10, a value of 0.5 mg·kg^-1 was set as the lower limit of determination for all the 15 drugs. Test for recovery was made by addition of the mixed standard solution to blank sample as matrix, giving results of recovery all over 82%; and values of RSDs (n=6) found were all less than 16%. 20 cosmetic samples obtained from the market were analyzed by the present method, benadryl was found in 7 of the 20 sample, and chlorpheniramine was found in one of the samples. Results found by this method were in consistency with those found by the LC-MS/MS.