Test for Free Formaldehyde (Formaldehyde Content)

Learn hoe to determine the Formaldehyde Content by color development method.

Free Formaldehyde

Use Method A unless otherwise specified.

Method A

To 1.0 ml of a ten-fold dilution of the preparation under examination in a test-tube add 4.0 ml of water and 5.0 ml of acetylacetone reagent. Warm in a water-bath at 40° and allow to stand for 40 minutes. The solution is not more intensely colored than a reference solution prepared at the same time and in the same manner using 1.0 ml of a solution containing 0.002 percent w/v of formaldehyde, CH2O, in place of the dilution of the preparation. The comparison should be made examining the tubes down their vertical axes.

Method B

To 1.0 ml of ten-fold dilution of the preparation under examination in a test-tube add 2.0 ml of water, 1.0 ml of a 1 percent w/v solution of phenylhydrazine hydrochloride, 0.5 ml of a 5 percent w/v solution of potassium ferricyanide and 1.0 ml of hydrochloric acid and allow to stand for 15 minutes. The solution is not more intensely colored than a reference solution prepared at the same time and in the same manner using 1.0 ml of a solution containing 0.002 percent w/v of formaldehyde, CH2O, in place of the dilution of the preparation.
The comparison should be made examining the tubes down their vertical axes.





is a prominent Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance expert, consultant and the founder of Pharmaguideline. With over 22 years of hands-on experience in cGMP-compliant manufacturing environments, he specializes in establishing validation protocols, sterile area controls and data integrity systems. Ankur routinely interprets international regulatory frameworks (including FDA, EMA and ICH guidelines) to help global pharmaceutical professionals ensure strict regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Connect with Ankur on LinkedIn. Need Help: Ask Question

2 comments: Post Yours! Read Comment Policy ▼

  1. Hi Ankur,
    Could you please suggest if I have to conduct the test on a textile substrate then how do I perform it ?
    Awaiting for your reply.
    Regards,
    Pushkar

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Pushkar You can use above method to test formaldehyde.

    ReplyDelete

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