In this article from Issue 11 of the Analytix Reporter, produced by Merck, the safety of sunscreens is under scrutiny and a new certified reference material mix for furocoumarins introduced to alleviate the worry associated with their potential presence in sunscreens.
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Furocoumarins are a class of chemical compounds produced by a wide range of plants, but mostly by the families Apiaceae and Rutaceae. For example, they could be found in citrus oil extracts. Generally, the chemical structure of furocoumarins includes a furan ring, fused with coumarin.
Furocoumarins undergo activation by UV light and can have toxic effects. Therefore, in the EU citrus-derived ingredients of sun-protection and bronzing products must have a furocoumarin content of below 1 mg/kg. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) has developed an official analytical method to test for furocoumarins by HPLC-DAD. We offer a certified reference material mix, compliant with the IFRA method.
Key Features
- TraceCERT® certified reference material traceable to NIST SRM
- Manufactured following an established workflow according to ISO 17034
- qNMR certification of each component of the mix (following ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation)
- Tested for homogeneity and long-term stability using LC method
- Supplied with a comprehensive certificate including the overall uncertainty
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*The life science business of Merck operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada.