| Abstract: | A validated gas chromatographic method for the determination of triclosan in human dental plaque is described. Based on plaque sample weights of 10 mg, the limit of detection (2 × S/N) is 0.5 μg/g. The method is linear (r = 0.9986) from the limit of detection to 50 μg/g. Recoveries from placebos spiked with 2.0, 25, and 50 μg/g of triclosan were 105.6%±7.5%, 107.2%±3.1%, and 99.1%±1.1%, respectively (n = 3 at each level). Twenty replicate preparations and analyses of a homogenized sample, conducted by two operators over the course of 4 days, showed agreement to within 9% RSD. Analyses of dental plaque collected from patients after brushing with dental cream containing triclosan, shows triclosan to be retained in dental plaque at concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration (1 μg/g) after 12 h. |
