Concentration Degradation:

The effect of environmental stressors on concentrations of acetaminophen in Children’s Tylenol using a cyclic voltammeter

Chemistry.303.Elena

2022 Science Fair

Research Paper:

Abstract

Procedure

Data Sheet

ANOVA & Tukey Kramer Test

Research Paper

Conclusion

Discussion

Purpose:

• How is the environment impacting the medications we take?
• Common places medications are stored within the household:
• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• Kitchen
• Car
• Most medications have a recommended storage temperature of 59-77° Fahrenheit (15-25 °C) in a cool dry place
• Acetaminophen: A common active ingredient, recommended to infants and elderly alike

Hypothesis

If temperature and conditions are stressed, then the concentration of acetaminophen will decrease because temperatures on either side of the spectrum as well as humid/moist conditions leads to the degradation of acetaminophen.

Procedure

1. Create stock acetaminophen solutions
1. Borate Buffer
2. Test on the Cyclic Voltammeter
3. Calibration curve

Cyclic Voltammeter

Cyclic Voltammeter

Electro Chemistry

Electrode: Conductor through which electricity enter/leaves a substance/object

Working Electrode: Carries out electro-chem event. Potential applied through the working electrode

Reference Electrode:

Well defined and stable equilibrium potential

Counter Electrode:

Complete Circuit, records electron flow between WE & CE

Electrochemical Cell (See Notes)

Potential sweeped back and forth,

Oxidized and Reduced

(Borate Buffer)

Data/Graphs

Procedure (Continued)

• Stress Tylenol
• Create Tylenol Solutions
• Test Tylenol Solutions
• Record and analyze Data

Data/Graphs

Data/Graphs

Data/Graphs

Peak Height

Complication

ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer (Two sample unpaired)

• Statistical difference between the control group and all the experimental groups

Conclusions

• These results are an anomaly.
• They are not supported by any research or experiments done before
• My hypothesis was not supported

Theories on why this may be so?

• Another ingredient within the Tylenol reacted, causing increased electron movement and increased peak height

HOWEVER…

• This experiment has shown that there is a chemical change within Children’s Tylenol when it is stored in less than ideal conditions

Questions?

Citations:

Acetaminophen: MedlinePlus Drug Information. (n.d.). Medline. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681004.html

Acute liver failure - Symptoms and causes. (2020, October 21). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-liver-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20352863

Chem Edu, J. (2017, November 3). A Practical Beginner’s Guide to Cyclic Voltammetry. ACS Publications. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00361

Chem Edu, J. (2020, July 21). Electrochemical Quantification of Acetaminophen: An Engaging Cyclic Voltammetry Laboratory for the Quantitative Analysis Course. ACS Publications. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b01127

Determination of an Unknown: Measuring Acetaminophen using Cyclic Voltammetry. (n.d.). Vernier. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.vernier.com/product/go-direct-cyclic-voltammetry-system/

Gilpin, R. K. (2004, January 1). Studies of the thermal degradation of acetaminophen using a conventional HPLC approach and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14965410/

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Where to Store Medicine. (2021, October 20). Baystate Health. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.baystatehealth.org/news/2014/07/heat-impact-on-meds

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