Lipstick was smeared on filter paper (110 mm in
diameter; Whatman, Schleicher & Schuell) and a
small portion of filter paper (4 mm x 4 mm) was
placed into a labeled tube. Petroleum ether (1.0 mL)
was added to the tube and placed in desiccators for
removal of waxes and oil. This step was repeated for
twice. Petroleum ether extract was combined and
kept for GC-MS analysis. The filter paper containing
colouring agent was decanted followed by the
addition of methanol-ammonium hydroxide (95:5
v/v). The solution containing extracted dyes was
transferred to a small gla
ss vial and gentle heating
was applied to aid evapora
tion. Methanol (2 drops)
was added before the spotting of sample on TLC
plate.