In recent years, there has been some concern about the levels of triclosan found in drinking water. Triclosan is an antibacterial compound used in a wide range of detergents, soaps, creams, and kitchen sprays. Such widespread use of triclosan requires the need to screen drinking water for the presence of this compound.

In this application note, triclosan-contaminated samples of tap water were simulated by adding known amounts of triclosan-containing liquid hand soap to Sunnyvale tap water. The Dionex AutoTrace 280 instrument along with the high-surface-area, hydrophilic, reversed-phase cartridges were used to concentrate triclosan. The contents of the cartridge eluent were then separated on a reversed phase column using HPLC with UV detection.

The Thermo Scientific UltiMate 3000 RSLC system is applied for the analysis of triclosan in toothpaste. The separation is performed on a Thermo Scientific Acclaim C8 RSLC column, with UV detection at 218 nm.

The Thermo Scientific TraceGOLD TG-5MS GC column was used to analyse pharmaceutical and personal care products with MS detection.

The Thermo Scientific UltiMate 3000 HPLC system is applied for the analysis of triclosan in toothpaste with minimal sample preparation. The separation is performed on a Thermo Scientific Acclaim RSLC C8 column, with UV detection at 281 nm. Sample preparation: 1.0 g Toothpaste + 1.0 mL of 7.5 mg/mL magnesium sulfate + methanol to make 25 mL. Sonicate and filter.