Page 15 - Application Notebook - Hand Sanitizer Analysis

Application No. A637
News

 Pass/Fail JudgmentUsing Labsolutions IR The measurement results of IR spectra (magnified view) are
shown in Fig. 5. Using the peak height from ethanol (black
To maintain the quality of alcohol sanitizers, it is important to
control the concentrations of the constituents in these line), the ethanol concentration can also be estimated.
sanitizers. As a general rule, the spectra of a sample of known
70 vol%
concentration and the sample to be controlled are analyzed to 82 vol%
A
estimate the concentration of the sample to be controlled
0.4 B
based on the height or area of the peak. Additionally, the C
D
obtained concentration should be judged by the analyzer as Abs
either pass or fail. These steps should be performed carefully
0.3
because they not only require a lot of time but may also be
affected by human error. The photometric measurement
function installed as standard on LabSolutions IR can
0.2
determine the absorbance or transmittance at specific wave
numbers/wavelengths, and calculate these results using the
formulas for pass/fail judgment. This makes it possible to
0.1
reduce the operation time significantly.
Using this function, we judged four commercially available
ethanol sanitizers (A – D) shown in Table 2. The samples
0.0
were analyzed without pretreatment and dilution. 1125 1100 1075 1050 1025 1000
The photometric measurement function screen is shown in cm-1
Fig. 4. The formula for pass/fail judgment is set up in Fig.5 Measurement Results of IR Spectra (Magnified View)
Equation tab (red box) as shown in Fig. 4. In this analysis, the
-1
height from baseline to peak at 1044 cm (C-O stretching
vibration) was used to calculate the ethanol concentration  Conclusion
-1
-1
(baseline drawn at 1110 cm - 1020 cm ). The formula for With IRSpirit and QATR-S, ethanol content in sanitizers could
pass/fail judgment was set up so that samples at 70 vol% be easily determined using just a single drop of sample.
(height from baseline to peak: 0.301) - 82 vol% (height from Additionally, the ethanol content could be easily and
baseline to peak: 0.348) are judged Pass and the others are accurately judged for pass/fail by using the photometric
judged Fail. After the measurement of sample spectra, the measurement function of LabSolutions IR software. The use
data are automatically added to the sample table (blue box) of this function can reduce the time required for analysis,
shown in Fig. 4 to judge the samples. As shown in Table 2, including judgment. Concerns over product fraud or fake
Samples A and B, for which the concentrations were lower substances can be eliminated by controlling the quality of
than the set reference concentration, were judged Fail. the major active ingredient (ethanol) in sanitizers.
For an example of quantitative analysis using the program
Table 2 Labeling and Pass/Fail Judgment of Commercially installed as a standard function on LabSolutions IR, see also
Available Ethanol Sanitizers Application News No. A630 “Quick and Easy Analysis of
Alcohol Content in Hand Sanitizer by FTIR Spectroscopy.”
Ethanol content labeled on
Sample Pass/fail judgment
the product
A 58 vol% Fail
B 65 vol% Fail
C 70 vol% Pass
D 76.9～81.4 vol% Pass

Equation
Sample table

Fig. 4 Photometric Measurement Function Screen
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First Edition: Nov. 2020

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