Abstract
A colorimetric method for the quantitative determination of sodium lauryl sulfate in liquid, frozen, and powdered egg white was studied by eight collaborators. Determinations were made on flake and powdered egg white at levels of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% (w/w) and on liquid egg white at levels of 0.006, 0.0125, and 0.0250% (w/w) sodium lauryl sulfate. The egg white is dissolved in water, and the protein is precipitated with ethanol and removed by filtration. An aliquot of the filtrate is evaporated to dryness, and the residue is dissolved in water and acidified with sulfuric acid. The sodium lauryl sulfate is complexed with Azure A, extracted into chloroform, and determined spectrophotometrically at 637 mμ. A blank determination is made on another aliquot of the filtrate by complexing the sodium lauryl sulfate with benzethonium chloride. This is a stable colorless complex. Average recoveries in the collaborative study were 98—102% with a mean deviation of 2.8—5.4%. It is recommended that the method be adopted as official, first action.