IS standards for lipstick formulations MCQs With Answer

Introduction

This MCQ set focuses on IS standards and quality-control principles relevant to lipstick formulations, tailored for M.Pharm students in the Herbal and Cosmetic Analysis course (MPA 204T). Questions cover organoleptic requirements, physical and stability tests, safety parameters (microbial and heavy metals), analytical techniques for pigments and oils, packaging and labeling considerations, and special requirements for herbal-based lipsticks. The aim is to reinforce understanding of tests and criteria typically specified by standards and regulatory guidance, and to develop practical competence in selecting and interpreting appropriate methods during formulation development, quality control, and regulatory compliance for lipsticks.

Q1. Which organoleptic attributes are primarily emphasized by IS standards for lipstick acceptance?

• Color and appearance (including gloss)
• Sweet taste sensation
• Thermal conductivity
• Electrical conductivity

Correct Answer: Color and appearance (including gloss)

Q2. Which test is commonly specified to evaluate the melting behaviour of a lipstick formulation?

• Drop melting point test
• Karl Fischer titration
• Microbial limit test
• pH determination

Correct Answer: Drop melting point test

Q3. Which assessment specifically measures the transfer or rub-off tendency of a lipstick?

• Rub-off (transfer) test
• Water activity measurement
• Refractive index measurement
• Loss on drying

Correct Answer: Rub-off (transfer) test

Q4. Which stability test evaluates a lipstick’s short-term behaviour under elevated temperature?

• Heat test (storage at elevated temperature)
• Cold test (refrigerated storage)
• pH stress test
• Salt spray corrosion test

Correct Answer: Heat test (storage at elevated temperature)

Q5. Among heavy metals, which is most frequently tested for and limited by standards in lipsticks due to toxicity concerns?

• Lead (Pb)
• Gold (Au)
• Silver (Ag)
• Calcium (Ca)

Correct Answer: Lead (Pb)

Q6. Which microbial parameters are typically part of IS-style microbial limits for lipsticks?

• Total aerobic microbial count, absence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus
• Only yeast and mould count
• Only anaerobic spore formers
• Only environmental fungal isolates

Correct Answer: Total aerobic microbial count, absence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

Q7. What is a commonly used analytical technique for qualitative and quantitative assessment of organic pigments/dyes in lipsticks?

• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)
• Moisture balance
• Conductivity meter

Correct Answer: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Q8. Which method is preferred for accurate determination of water content in lipstick formulations?

• Karl Fischer titration
• Gravimetric loss on drying at 105 °C
• Titration with sodium hydroxide
• UV–Vis spectrophotometry

Correct Answer: Karl Fischer titration

Q9. Which test is used to quantify inorganic residues and fillers in a lipstick sample?

• Total ash determination
• Peroxide value
• Saponification value
• Melting point determination

Correct Answer: Total ash determination

Q10. Which instrument/method is commonly used to measure firmness or consistency of a lipstick stick?

• Penetrometer (needle penetration) test
• Gas chromatography
• pH meter
• Flame photometer

Correct Answer: Penetrometer (needle penetration) test

Q11. Which parameter is most relevant for assessing oxidative rancidity of the oil/fat phase in lipstick formulations?

• Peroxide value
• Viscosity at 25 °C
• Moisture content
• Refractive index

Correct Answer: Peroxide value

Q12. Which statement correctly reflects microbiological safety expectations for standard lipsticks?

• Pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa must be absent
• High counts of mixed flora are acceptable if pH is low
• Only anaerobes are regulated
• No microbiological testing is required for finished lipsticks

Correct Answer: Pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa must be absent

Q13. Which labelling elements are typically required by standards/regulatory guidance for lipstick products?

• Net quantity, manufacturer name and address, batch number, manufacturing/expiry dates
• Only the product name
• Only the price and barcode
• Only storage temperature

Correct Answer: Net quantity, manufacturer name and address, batch number, manufacturing/expiry dates

Q14. What is the fundamental packaging requirement for lipstick containers under IS-style recommendations?

• Inert, non-reactive, airtight container that protects from contamination and migration
• Permeable paper wrapping
• Open metal trays
• Untreated wood boxes

Correct Answer: Inert, non-reactive, airtight container that protects from contamination and migration

Q15. Which study is widely used to estimate shelf-life and stability trends for lipstick formulations?

• Accelerated stability testing (elevated temperature and humidity)
• Only single-time point real-time observation
• Only UV exposure for 5 minutes
• Only microbial challenge without storage stress

Correct Answer: Accelerated stability testing (elevated temperature and humidity)

Q16. Which instrument is the standard choice for objective instrumental colour measurement of lipstick shades?

• Colorimeter/spectrophotometer using a standardized colour space (e.g., CIELAB)
• pH meter calibrated for colour
• Atomic absorption spectrometer
• Karl Fischer titrator

Correct Answer: Colorimeter/spectrophotometer using a standardized colour space (e.g., CIELAB)

Q17. In lipstick quality control, what does the term “bloom” refer to?

• Appearance of a whitish film on the surface due to migration/crystallization of oils or waxes
• Loss of fragrance intensity over time
• Development of microbial colonies on the surface
• Sudden melting under warm conditions

Correct Answer: Appearance of a whitish film on the surface due to migration/crystallization of oils or waxes

Q18. For herbal lipsticks, which additional analytical requirement is emphasized compared to purely synthetic formulations?

• Assay of characteristic herbal marker compounds and screening for contaminants such as pesticide residues
• Only heavier emphasis on colour fastness testing
• Exemption from heavy metal testing
• No additional testing is required

Correct Answer: Assay of characteristic herbal marker compounds and screening for contaminants such as pesticide residues

Q19. Which test procedure checks a lipstick’s ability to withstand repeated temperature fluctuations during transport and storage?

• Freeze–thaw (thermal cycling) test
• Only a single high-temperature exposure
• Only a single low-temperature exposure
• Accelerated UV-only exposure

Correct Answer: Freeze–thaw (thermal cycling) test

Q20. Which physicochemical parameter is most informative about the average molecular weight (glyceride chain length) of the oil/fat phase used in a lipstick?

• Saponification value
• Melting point by capillary method
• Rub-off test
• Colourimeter reading

Correct Answer: Saponification value

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