Characterization of gamma irradiated petrolatum eye ointment base by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The effects of gamma irradiation on petrolatum eye ointment base (EOB) and its ingredients (white petrolatum, liquid paraffin, and wool fat) were studied at different irradiation doses. Forty-one volatile radiolysis products were detected and identified by a combined system of headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS). The characteristics of the radiolysis products and the degradation pathway were discussed in each case, respectively. GC method demonstrates that the component distribution patterns of eye ointment as well as its individual ingredients have no differences before and after gamma irradiation. The influence of gamma treatment on EOB was quantitatively determined at 15, 25 and 50 kGy. The concentrations of the radiolysis products increase linearly with increasing doses. Both qualitative and quantitative data show that irradiated eye ointment is safe for human use.