Voltammetric determination of Arbutin on carbon paste electrode

Abstract

Arbutin (hydroquinone- -D-glukopyranoside) belongs among the most frequent active substances in skin-whitening cosmetics. In this matrix, its content does not require sensitive, but rather simple, quick and cheap methods of determination, which can be supplied by electrochemical methods. Method for determination of Arbutin was developed using differential pulse voltammetry at a carbon paste electrode in Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 2). The concentration dependence proved a linear response in the concentration range of 4-100 mol L–1 with the limit of quantification of about 2.4 mol L–1. The practical applicability of the method was tested on the determination of Arbutin in cosmetic cream "Unitone4 -Arbutin". The content found (20.4 ± 1.1) mg g–1 Arbutin is in very good agreement with the declared value of 20 mg g–1.