Analytical performance of a fast multi-element method for titanium and trace elements determination in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals by ICP-AES

A multi-element analytical method based on inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was developed for trace elements in pharmaceutical tablets and cosmetics. Titanium was also included in the analytes since it is widely used in pharmaceuticals. Critical ICP conditions, like RF incident power, argon gas flow rate and nebulizer sample uptake flow rate were optimized. The most sensitive spectral line of each analyte was selected as optimum for further study. Detection limits in the low μg g⁻¹ range were obtained. Prior to chemical analysis, the samples were decomposed by acid digestion, using various mixtures of HCl, HNO₃ and HF. Yttrium was used as a suitable internal standard in order to correct for possible matrix effects. The method was applied to the analysis of six different pharmaceutical products (anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive) in the form of tablets with film coating and also three cosmetic products like hair and face masks.