Bio-screening and quantification of methyl paraben in vinegar and coconut juice separated by HPTLC

As a widely used food preservative, methyl paraben was experimentally evidenced with serious hormone-like adverse effect. Herein, high performance thin-layer chromatography platformed bioluminescent bioautography and image analysis for the selective quantification confirmation of proposed validated in vinegar coconut juice. First, detectability to analyte on different layer materials estimated, revealing that normal silica gel best choice. After that, liquid sample extract working solution were separated overcome background noises due co-extracted matrices. The separation result then coupled optimized bioautography, enabling instant straightforward screening targeted compound. For accurate quantification, inhibition pattern caused by processed analysis, giving useful sensitivity (LOD>16 mg/kg), precision (RSD<10.1%) accuracy (spike-recovery rate 76.9-112.2%). Finally, suspected confirmed determining its MS fingerprint, further strengthening reliability screening.