Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 29 Number 2 (2025): 807

Research Article

Determination of mercury in cosmetic creams via chitosan-stabilized silver nanoparticle-assisted spectrophotometry

Hendri Wasito^1,2*, Astriana Dian Wahdani², and Dadan Hermawan³

¹Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

²Analytical Chemistry for Pharmaceutical and Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

³Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

^*Corresponding author: hendri.wasito@unsoed.ac.id

Received: 1 April 2023; Revised: 28 March 2025; Accepted: 15 April 2025; Published: 24 April 2025

Abstract

Mercury, a toxic heavy metal, continues to be illicitly added to skin-lightening cosmetics despite global bans, posing severe health risks. This study aimed to develop an accurate and rapid method for mercury detection in cosmetic creams using chitosan-stabilized silver nanoparticles (CS-AgNPs). The method leverages Hg²⁺-induced discoloration of CS-AgNPs, validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, the limit of detection (LOD), and the limit of quantification (LOQ). Synthesized CS-AgNPs exhibited a characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 420 nm, with an average particle size of 207 nm. The assay demonstrated excellent linearity (R² > 0.97) across 20-100 μg mL^‑1 Hg²⁺, with recoveries of 95-101%, and precision (RSD <5%). Detection and quantification limits were 3.6 μg mL^‑1 (LOD) and 12.01 μg mL^‑1 (LOQ), respectively. Based on the experimental findings, CS-AgNPs demonstrate high selectivity and promise for routine mercury analysis in cream samples, exhibiting suitable analytical performance for their intended purpose.

Keywords: Chitosan-stabilized silver nanoparticles, colorimetric detection, cosmetic safety, mercury determination

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