BIS methods for analyzing cosmetic raw materials MCQs With Answer

BIS methods for analyzing cosmetic raw materials MCQs With Answer

This quiz focuses on Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) approaches and commonly accepted analytical methods used for evaluation of cosmetic raw materials, tailored for M. Pharm students studying Herbal and Cosmetic Analysis. It emphasizes practical test selection, sample preparation, instrumental techniques (chromatography, spectroscopy, titrations), microbiological assessments, and parameters specific to oils, surfactants, pigments and botanical ingredients. The questions reinforce understanding of which analytical technique is appropriate for a given raw material problem, how results relate to safety and quality, and the rationale behind method choice and validation. Useful for exam prep and lab decision-making in cosmetic raw material testing.

Q1. What is the primary aim of applying BIS analytical methods to cosmetic raw materials?

• To increase manufacturing speed without testing
• To ensure safety, identity, purity and quality of raw materials through standardized testing
• To enhance the colour and fragrance of final products
• To reduce taxes on imported raw materials

Correct Answer: To ensure safety, identity, purity and quality of raw materials through standardized testing

Q2. Which instrumental technique is most appropriate for ultra-trace multi-element analysis of heavy metals in cosmetic raw materials?

• Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis)
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
• Thin layer chromatography (TLC)
• Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

Correct Answer: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Q3. Which BIS-style microbiological assessment is routinely applied to non-sterile cosmetic raw materials to check general contamination?

• Viral plaque assay
• Total aerobic microbial count (plate count) and specified pathogen absence tests
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing
• Endotoxin Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test

Correct Answer: Total aerobic microbial count (plate count) and specified pathogen absence tests

Q4. Which test is used to evaluate the effectiveness of preservatives in cosmetic raw materials or product formulations?

• Refractive index measurement
• Preservative efficacy test (challenge test)
• Saponification value determination
• Loss on drying

Correct Answer: Preservative efficacy test (challenge test)

Q5. What is the standard analytical method for determining peroxide value (primary oxidation products) in oil-based cosmetic raw materials?

• Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID)
• Iodometric titration (titrimetric) method
• Refractive index measurement
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

Correct Answer: Iodometric titration (titrimetric) method

Q6. Which method is classically used to determine the saponification value of a fatty raw material used in cosmetics?

• Alcoholic KOH reflux followed by titration (titrimetric saponification value)
• High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
• Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis)

Correct Answer: Alcoholic KOH reflux followed by titration (titrimetric saponification value)

Q7. Which analytical approach is most appropriate for determining free fatty acid content (acid value) in oils used as cosmetic raw materials?

• Potentiometric titration with standardized KOH
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)
• Infrared spectroscopy qualitative scan
• Colony counting

Correct Answer: Potentiometric titration with standardized KOH

Q8. For volatile fragrance compounds and solvent residues in raw materials, which BIS-aligned technique provides separation and identification?

• Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis)
• Soxhlet extraction without analysis
• Abbe refractometer

Correct Answer: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Q9. Which analytical technique is commonly recommended for quantifying UV-filter actives in sunscreen raw materials?

• Microscopy
• High performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV)
• Gravimetric ash content
• pH meter

Correct Answer: High performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV)

Q10. Which non-destructive technique is ideal for rapid elemental screening of pigment raw materials (e.g., for heavy metals) without sample digestion?

• X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy
• Thin layer chromatography (TLC)
• Refractive index measurement
• Methylene blue active substances (MBAS) assay

Correct Answer: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy

Q11. Which analytical method is typically used for quantifying parabens and other common preservatives in cosmetic raw materials?

• High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
• Loss on drying
• Acid value titration
• Gram staining

Correct Answer: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Q12. For determination of lead content in a herbal powder used in cosmetics, which of the following techniques is a standard quantitative approach?

• Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
• Thin layer chromatography (TLC)
• UV-Vis diffuse reflectance
• Rheometry

Correct Answer: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)

Q13. Which type of study assesses potential migration of packaging-related impurities into cosmetic raw materials or finished products?

• Stability under UV only
• Extractables and leachables (migration) testing
• Pesticide residue screening
• Microbial challenge without packaging

Correct Answer: Extractables and leachables (migration) testing

Q14. Which simple physical method is used to determine the refractive index of oil-based cosmetic raw materials as part of identity and quality checks?

• Abbe refractometer measurement
• Loss on ignition
• Gas chromatography
• Colony forming unit count

Correct Answer: Abbe refractometer measurement

Q15. When accurate water content (low levels) must be measured in hygroscopic cosmetic raw materials, which method is most specific?

• Karl Fischer titration for water content
• Gravimetric ash determination
• Saponification value
• FTIR transmission scan only

Correct Answer: Karl Fischer titration for water content

Q16. For screening pesticide residues in botanical raw materials intended for cosmetics, which analytical technique is most commonly employed?

• Gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)
• Refractive index measurement
• Abbe refractometry
• pH meter

Correct Answer: Gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

Q17. Which chemical parameter is most directly used as an early indicator of rancidity in fat-containing cosmetic raw materials?

• Peroxide value
• pH
• Refractive index
• Viscosity only

Correct Answer: Peroxide value

Q18. What is the recommended general sample preparation approach for solid cosmetic raw materials prior to chemical analysis?

• Direct injection of lumps into GC
• Homogenization followed by validated solvent extraction appropriate to analyte class
• Use of unstandardized household solvents without documentation
• Only drying at high temperature without sample homogenization

Correct Answer: Homogenization followed by validated solvent extraction appropriate to analyte class

Q19. Which classical method is used to quantify anionic surfactant content (e.g., SLES) in raw materials for cleansing cosmetic products?

• Methylene blue active substances (MBAS) spectrophotometric/titrimetric method
• Peroxide value titration
• Karl Fischer titration
• FTIR without calibration

Correct Answer: Methylene blue active substances (MBAS) spectrophotometric/titrimetric method

Q20. Which technique is most useful for confirming identity of organic raw materials by characterizing functional groups and providing a fingerprint match?

• Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)
• Colony count on agar plates
• Abbe refractometer only

Correct Answer: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

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