Qualitative Analysis of a Finished Personal Care Product using the GERSTEL MultiPurpose Sampler MPS configured with Multiple Sample Introduction Techniques

Significance of the Topic

The qualitative characterization of finished personal care products is essential to understand formulation composition, ensure product safety, and support quality control. A single analytical platform capable of profiling volatile and semi-volatile components streamlines development and compliance workflows for cosmetic and consumer goods industries.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This study demonstrates the use of the GERSTEL MultiPurpose Sampler (MPS) configured with multiple sample introduction modules (TDU, CIS, DHS, and PYRO) coupled to GC/MS for comprehensive qualitative analysis of a commercial hair heat defense mist. By applying diverse sampling techniques on a single instrument, the work aims to generate complementary chromatographic profiles that reveal fragrance ingredients, polymers, additives, and thermal breakdown products.

Methodology and Instrumentation Used

A finished hair mist sample was subjected to five techniques:

• Pyrolysis: Direct heating at 350, 600, 750 °C to release polymer fragments and additives.
• Direct Thermal Extraction: Low-temperature desorption at 40 °C for volatile profiling.
• Headspace Sorptive Extraction (HSSE): Twister stir bar in headspace at 40 °C, 60 min, for fragrance volatiles.
• Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE): Twister in aqueous dilution, 1 h stirring for semi-volatile capture.
• Dynamic Headspace (DHS) with Full Evaporation Technique (FET): Tenax TA trap after complete solvent evaporation at 110 °C for volatile compound enrichment.

Instrumentation

The system comprised an Agilent 7890 GC with 5975C Inert XL MSD, GERSTEL MPS robotic sampler, TDU, CIS 4 PTV inlet, GERSTEL PYRO unit, and DHS module. Columns: 30 m Rxi-5Sil, He constant flow. MSD scan range: 50–500 amu.

Main Results and Discussion

Pyrolysis at 600 °C provided the richest profile of siloxanes, 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone, and 2-pyrrolidinone, whereas 750 °C generated secondary small aromatics. Direct thermal extraction yielded a clean volatile profile dominated by octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and esters. HSSE captured a complex fragrance bouquet including terpenes, lactones, and substituted phenols. SBSE enhanced semi-volatile recovery with excellent run-to-run precision (RSD < 5 %). FET-DHS improved detection of highly water-soluble VOCs such as methoxyphenyloxime and methylisothiazolinone. Multi-desorption mode allowed combining two Twisters per run, expanding sensitivity across volatility ranges.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Comprehensive qualitative profiling of volatiles and semi-volatiles on one platform.
• Rapid technique interchange supports R&D, QC, troubleshooting, and competitive analysis.
• High sensitivity for both fragrance components and polymer additives.
• Potential for quantitative workflows with appropriate standards.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Integration of automated derivatization, high-resolution MS, and data-driven deconvolution will further enhance compound identification. Expanded analyte libraries and AI-assisted interpretation can improve regulatory compliance and accelerate formulation optimization. Adapting multi-technique workflows to environmental, food, and bioanalysis domains represents a promising avenue.

Conclusion

The GERSTEL MPS/TDU/CIS-GC/MS configuration with DHS and PYRO modules delivers a versatile, efficient platform for detailed qualitative analysis of personal care formulations. Quick adaptation between sample introduction modes allows comprehensive coverage of compound classes from VOCs to SVOCs, supporting diverse analytical objectives in industry and research.

Reference

1. Markelov M, Guzowski JP Jr. Analytica Chimica Acta. 1993;276:235-245.
2. Markelov M, Bershevits OA. Analytica Chimica Acta. 2001;432:213-227.