Green, environment-friendly, analytical tools give insights in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics analysis

Due to scientific and public concern about health and the environment, “Green”, “Eco”, “Environment-friendly” practices have been introduced into different research areas. In analysis of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, analytical techniques are used for routine analysis, stability studies and quality control, but they can greatly affect researchers' health and safety and have a harmful impact on environment. Consequently, researchers' attention is drawn towards greening analytical methodologies and progressively taking into account the principles of green analytical chemistry (GAC) within their analytical procedures. This review presents GAC principles implemented in pharmaceutical and cosmetics analysis with special focus on direct analytical methods that have no, or limited, sample preparation, “the most polluting” step, and studies that reduced the use of hazardous solvents or replaced them by more benign, environment-friendly solvents. There is also a brief description of other modifications for greening analytical methodologies.