• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.118-124
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• 2016

Parabens were commonly used for preventing the growth of microorganisms as preservatives in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry. Also, parabens are known endocrine disruptors because of their estrogenic effects on human. Parabens affect the endocrine system and show adverse effect such as, genital malformations, precocious puberty and testicular cancer in young children, infants and fetuses. In this study, we developed analytical method for four parabens (methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben) in human breast milk which frequently consumed by newborn baby. The analytes were extracted using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) after enzyme hydrolysis with protease and lipase, then quantitative analysis was performed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method validation results were as follows; the linearity of calibration curves were excellent with coefficient of determinations (r²) higher than 0.999, the limit of detections (LODs) were 0.019~0.044 ng/mL, the accuracies were 85.3~105.9% and the precisions were lower than 10%. The average concentration ± standard deviation of parabens in ten human breast milk sample were MP 0.660 ± 0.519 ng/mL, EP 1.631 ± 2.081 ng/mL and PP 0.326 ± 0.320 ng/mL, and BP was not detected.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.305-310
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• 2023

This study aimed to determine the human androgen receptor (AR)-mediated endocrine disrupting potential of parabens and triclosan in food and household products using a cell-based assay in the OECD TG No.458, the 22Rv1/MMTV_GR-KO transcriptional activation assay. Four parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-) are determined as AR antagonists in OECD TG No.458. However, their AR antagonistic effects were not exhibited in the presence of the S9 hepatic fraction. Triclosan is also classified as an AR antagonist, and the AR antagonistic effect induced by triclosan significantly decreased in the presence of the phase I + II S9 fraction. Regarding the mechanism of AR antagonism induced by parabens and triclosan, the AR-mediated endocrine disrupting effects were exhibited through suppressing the translocation of ligand-bound AR to the nucleus via blocking of AR dimerization in the cytosol. These results indicate that the four parabens and triclosan have AR-mediated endocrine disrupting potential through an AR antagonistic effect via inhibiting AR dimerization; however, their endocrine disrupting effects deceased in the presence of hepatic metabolic enzymes.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.263-267
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• 2007

Parabens are used in nearly all types of cosmetics and toiletries because they are formulated well and have broad spectrum of activity, interness, low costs and excellent chemical stability in relation to pH. 2-phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin are common preservatives which are usually used in combination with parabens in cosmetics. Toxicity of parabens is generally low but application of parabens to damaged or broken skin has resulted in sensitization. Moreover, the possibility of their estrogenic potential, anesthetic effects and reproductive toxicity has been reported. Consequently there are some regulations in use of parabens. And the maximum permitted concentrations of chlorphenesin and 2-phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products are authorized by the same reasons. So it is important to control and estimate the amount of parabens in products. In this article, we proposed a valid method for the simultaneous determination of 8 preservatives including parabens in a short time using ultra performance liquid $chromatography^{TM}\;(UPLC^{TM})$. Separation of eight components was achieved in less than 10 min and resolutions were reasonable (USP resolution ${\geqq}\;2$). And limit of detection and quantification were evaluated. The method was suitably validated for specificity, linearity, precision (repeatability, intermediate precision) and accuracy for assay (recovery) based on International conference on harmonisation (ICH) guideline. The method was applicable to analysis of preservatives in cosmetic products.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2010

The simultaneous analysis of parabens in cosmetic samples was carried out by LC/MS. The cosmetic samples are directly dissolved in methanol and filterated using $0.45\;{\mu}m$ filter. The methanol-water was used for the mobile phase of gradient conditions. An Extend $C_{18}$ reverse-phase column and the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode were applied. The analysis results of LC/MS showed good linearity with correlation coefficient of $r^2$=0.9993 in the range of 0.05 to $10\;{\mu}g$/mL and detection limit of $0.01\;{\mu}g$/mL.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 1995

In order to screen appropriate preservatives for the suspension containing sucralfate, neusilin and hydrotalcite, the patterns and mechanism of the adsorption and desorption of several preservatives on these antacids were studied. The employed preservatives were parabens(methyl, propyl, butyl), chlorhexidine diacetate and sorbic acid. While none of parabens were adsorbed on three antacids, chlorhexidine diacetate was strongly adsorbed on all the antacids employed, especially on hydrotalcite. Sorbic acid was not adsorbed on neusilin and hydrotalcite, however, 65% of sorbic acid was adsorbed on sucralfate. The adsorption of chlorhexidine diacetate on neusilin and hydrotalcite was partly physical and partly chemical, while its adsorption on sucralfate was almost chemical. Sorbic acid was completely deserted from sucralfate. In all cases, the adsorption isotherms were fitted well to both Freundlich equation and Langmuir equation. Based on these results, parabens and sorbic acid were the preservatives of choice for the suspension containing sucralfate, neusilin and hydrotalcite.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.501-507
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• 2010

In this study, we evaluate the anti-microbiological activity of paraben in eye shadows that are composed of pigments and oil binders using various analytical methods and microbiological tests. Paraben does not show the microbiological activity properly when it was used with Nylon SP$^{(R)}$ 10, Talc RF SSA$^{(R)}$, OMC Talc AS$^{(R)}$ and $BaSO_4$. In the test of fungi, Nylon SP$^{(R)}$ 10 causes the decrease of microbiological activity regardless of the type of oil binders. The pigment of Mango violet also causes the decrease of microbiological activity when ester oil binder was used. Regardless of the type of oil binder, samples containing nylon SP 10, 0.15% of methyl paraben and 0.05% of propyl paraben had not been able to maintain microbiological activity only if the concentration of parabens were increased. Trace amounts of metal ions present in pigments reduced the activity of preservatives by inactivation of hydroxyl group of paraben. It is thought that swollen nylon SP 10 in ester oil increase the absorption or interaction of parabens and swollen nylon powder causes the inactivation of paraben.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.4427-4432
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• 2010

Parabens have been widely used as preservatives in cosmetics due to the presumed low toxicity and long history of safe use. However, recent studies have shown the potent toxicity of parabens. In order to know if electrolyzed reduced water could suppress the oxidative DNA damage of HDF cell by methylparaben, one of the frequently used parabens, we performed comet assay in this study. As a result, interestingly, electrolyzed reduced water could suppress methylparaben-induced oxidative DNA damage in HDF cells.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2023

Background: Paraben is a widely used substance with a preservative effect found in various materials such as food, medicine, personal care products, and cosmetics. Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the level of urinary paraben concentrations (i.e., methyl-, ethyl-, and propyl-) among Korean adults and to explore the factors related with the exposure levels. Methods: We analyzed the third period (2015~2017) of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS). R statistical software (version 4.1.1) was used to estimate representative values for the whole population with weight variables to reflect sampling design. Whether urinary concentrations tended to increase as the level of paraben exposure-related characteristics increased was tested and P_trend was calculated using general linear models. Results: Urinary concentrations of all three parabens (i.e., methyl-, ethyl- and propyl-) were higher in women than in men (P_trend<0.0001, 0.008, and <0.0001), and the values of methylparaben and propylparaben tended to increase as the age of subjects increased (P_trend<0.0001, and <0.0001). Urinary concentrations of methylparaben and propylparaben were associated with intensity of exercise (P_trend<0.001, and 0.004), and that of propylparaben was higher in non-smokers (P_trend=0.01). In terms of paraben exposure-related variables, urinary concentrations of parabens (i.e., methyl-, ethyl- and propyl-) increased as the daily average frequency of teeth-brushing (P_trend<0.0001, 0.03 and 0.0001), the frequency of use of hair products (P_trend=0.005, 0.05 and 0.04), the frequency of use of makeup products (P_trend<0.001, 0.001 and <0.001), and the frequency of use of antibacterial products (P_trend=0.005, 0.02 and 0.02) increased. Conclusions: In our study, urinary concentrations of all three parabens are associated with gender, teethbrushing, hair products, make-up products, and antibacterial products. Methyl- and proyl-parabens were associated with age and intensity of exercise, and propyl-paraben was associated with smoking.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2015

We investigated the growth-inhibitory activities of cosmetics and their preservatives against pathogens and resident skin bacteria. Of the tested cosmetics, preservatives such as parabens, 1,2-hexanediol, phenoxyethanol-contained toner, emulsion, cream and baby cream exhibited potent antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Parabens, 1,2-hexanediol and phenoxyethanol inhibited the growth of pathogens, as well as skin-resident bacteria such as Staphilococcus epidermidis, Shigella flexneri, Enterobacter aerogenes and so on. The application of a basic cream containing phenoxyethanol to human skin was shown to disturb the skin microbiota: at the phylum level, Proteobacteria increased and at species level, 4P004125_s increased and Propionibacterium humerusii decreased. Based on these findings, parabens, 1,2-hexanediol and phenoxyethanol have antimicrobial activity and cosmetics containing phenoxyethanol may disturb skin microbiota.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.118-128
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• 2006

This study was conducted to determination of the endocrine distruptor function of 'Parabens' by dosing ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, isopropyl paraben, butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben to the immature SD rats. 18 groups were given vehicle control group, negative control group (Dibutyl phthalate), postive control group ($1'7-{\alpha}$ Ethynylestrdiol) and each paraben groups involved 3 dose level. Rats were injected with 62.5, 250 and 1,000mg/kg from postnatal day 19 till 21 once a day in subcutaneous and a total 3, times. There was no treatment related death. but, subcutaneous nodule, edema, alopecia and scrub formation on injection site was observed. These signs was become worse in high dose level. these signs was cause from physical stimulation by test substance which parabens were mix with com oil as vehicle. In the analysis of organ weights, absolute and relative weights of brain, spleen, liver, thymus, heart, kidneys, adrenals, ovaries and vagina were no difference with control group. but, wet and blotted weight of uterus was increased in every high dose parabens treat group. Especially, all dose level of isobutyl paraben was showed increment of uterus weight. uterus dilatation of parabens treated group was observed in gross anatomic pathology and these result was agree with wet and blotted weight of uterus. In the result of this study, estrogenic effect as endocrine distruptor was observed in ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, isopropyl paraben, butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben. and it was considered isobutyl paraben has highest estrogrnic effect under the condition of this study.