Biosynthesis of Chlorphenesin Galactoside and Comparative Analysis of HPLC with Chlorphenesin

A common cosmetic preservative, chlorphenesin (CPN), was enzymatically modified by galactosylation to improve its physical and chemical properties. In the present study, CPN and CPN galactosidase completed a 48-hour reaction. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was first used to monitor the galactosylation process. The new product was further analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC chromatogram for standard CPN showed a much longer retention time (RT), whereas CPN-gal eluted earlier, due to increased polarity and galactose conjugation. The difference in retention period between CPN and CPN-gal confirms the successful enzymatic galactosylation. Overall, on the basis of results CPN-gal preservatives might be suitable alternate for safer cosmetic uses.