Application of ASE and GPC techniques for parabens assay

A rapid and convenient pre-treatment method for the detection of p-hydroxy benzoate,a category of commonly used food preservatives including methyl ester,ethyl ester,propyl ester and butyl ester,was developed.Samples were extracted using an accelerating solvent extraction device(ASE) with a cyclohexane-acetoacetate mixture(1:1,v/v) as the solvent.The extracted mixtures were then purified by chromatograph of gel permeation(GPC) and assayed by using the detector GC-FID.A satisfactory linear relationship was found in the range of 0.5-40.0 mgkg-1 for 4 parabens.The sensitivity on 5.0g sample was 0.5 mgkg-1,0.5 mgkg-1,0.6 mgkg-1 and 0.6 mgkg-1,(S/N≥3).The average recovery rates ranged between 85%-110%,and RSD was less than 10%.Compared to the currently available method,this newly developed method had a high sensitivity,selectivity,recovery rate and reliability.It was also simple and quick to operate and suitable for analytical applications.