Determination of pseudoestrogen compounds in thermochromic printing inks

Uporaba termokromnih boja je svakim danom u porastu, no one sadrže pseudoestrogene spojeve koji imaju štetno djelovanje na ljudski organizam. Vrlo česti pseudoestrogeni spojevi koji se nalaze u termokromnim bojama su bisfenol A i benzofenon. Bisfenol A ima ulogu razvijača boje, a benzofenon se koristi kao fotoinicijator u bojama koje se suše pomoću UV zračenja. Budući da su registrirani kao štetni te im je uporaba ograničena, proizvođači uvode nove spojeve kojima uporaba još nije ograničena, no također imaju pseudoestrogeno djelovanje. Stoga je glavni cilj ovog rada razviti i validirati odgovarajuću kromatografsku metodu za praćenje 4,4'-(4-metilpentan-2,2-diil)difenola u različitim realnim uzorcima. U sklopu ovog diplomskog rada validirana je metoda za određivanje 4,4'-(4-metilpentan-2,2-diil)difenola, spoja srodnog bisfenolu A. Validirani parametri su specifičnost, selektivnost, linearnost, preciznost, točnost, granica određivanja, granica detekcije. Provedena je i procjena toksičnosti 4,4'-(4-metilpentan-2,2-diil)difenola bioluminiscentnom metodom određivanja akutne toksičnosti pomoću bakterijske vrste Vibrio fischeri.The use of thermochromic inks is growing daily, but they contain pseudoestrogenic compounds that have a harmful effects on the human body. Very common pseudoestrogenic compounds found in thermochromic inks are bisphenol A and benzophenone. Bisphenol A has a role of the colour developer and benzophenone is used as a photo-initiator in the UV- curing inks. Since they are registered as harmful and their use is limited, manufacturers are using new compounds whose use is not limited yet but also have a pseudoestrogenic effect. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to develop and validate an appropriate chromatographic method for monitoring 4,4'-(4-methylpentane-2,2-diyl)diphenol in various real samples. In this diploma thesis the method for determination of 4,4'-(4-methylpentane-2,2-diyl)diphenol, a compound related to bisphenol A, in thermochromic printing inks has been validated. Validated parameters were specificity, selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, quantitation limit and detection limit. Toxicity assessment of 4,4'-(4-methylpentane-2,2-diyl)diphenol was made with bioluminiscent Vibrio fischeri bacterial acute toxicity assay