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The plant secondary metabolite families of coumarin and 4-hydroxy coumarin have a broad pharmacological spectrum ranging from antibacterial to anticancer properties. One prominent member of this substance class is the synthetic but naturally inspired anticoagulant drug and rodenticide warfarin (coumadin). A vast number of publications focus on the identification of warfarin and its major cytochrome P450-mediated phase I metabolites by liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) detection techniques. For the first time, electron ionization (EI) induced high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometric (HR-qToF-MS) data of in-liner derivatized warfarin and selected hydroxylated species is provided in this study as an alternative to LC-MS/MS approaches. Furthermore, the characteristic fragments and fragmentation pathways of the analyzed methyl ethers are concluded. The obtained data of analytical standards, specific deuterated and 13C-labeled compounds prove inductive cleavage of the acyl or acetonyl side chain, methyl migration, and H-migration, along with consequential inductive cleavage as predominant fragmentation routes. Based on the HR-spectral data, commonalities and differences between the analyzed compounds and fragment groups were evaluated with future applicability in structure elucidation and spectra prediction of related compounds.
AbstractSince the 1950s, Warfarin has been used globally as both a prescription drug and a rodenticide. Research has shown that warfarin and other rodenticides are present in the environment and food chain. However, emerging contaminants are subject to degradation by biotic and abiotic processes and advanced oxidation processes. In some cases, detecting the parent compound may not be possible due to the formation of structurally changed species. This approach aims to identify hydroxylated transformation products of warfarin in a laboratory setting, even after the parent compound has undergone degradation. Therefore, the Fenton reaction is utilized to insert hydroxylation into the parent compound, warfarin, by hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals generated by Fe2+/Fe3+ redox reaction with hydrogen peroxide. Using multiple reaction monitoring, a GC–MS/MS method, incorporating isotopically labeled reference compounds, is used to quantify the expected derivatized species. The analytes are derivatized using trimethyl-3-trifluoromethyl phenyl ammonium hydroxide, and the derivatization yield of warfarin is determined by using isotopically labeled reference compounds. The method has a linear working range of 30 to 1800 ng/mL, with detection limits ranging from 18.7 to 67.0 ng/mL. The analytes are enriched using a C18-SPE step, and the recovery for each compound is calculated. The Fenton reaction generates all preselected hydroxylated transformation products of warfarin. The method successfully identifies that 4′-Me-O-WAR forms preferentially under the specified experimental conditions. By further optimizing the SPE clean-up procedures, this GC–MS-based method will be suitable for detecting transformation products in more complex matrices, such as environmental water samples. Overall, this study provides a better understanding of warfarin’s degradation and offers a robust analytical tool for investigating its transformation products.
Der Vortrag beschreibt den Stand der Arbeiten an der BAM, Fachbereich Umweltanalytik zur Entwicklung von Sensoren für die Wasseranalytik. Er stellt die bisherigen Arbeiten da, die ausgehend von ELISAs, zunehmend portable Plattformen wie FPIA und LFIA umfassen. Beas-based Formate werden von mikrotiterplatten-basierten Techniken auf mikrofluidische Lab-on-Chip-Systeme übertragen, die bei geeigneter Miniaturisierung und Automatisierung als Sensorsysteme angesehen werden können. Der Vortrag endet mit einem Blick auf ein laufendes Monitoring-Projekt von anthropogenen Markern in Abwasser und charakterisiert die Treiber, die die Entwicklung von Sensoren für die Wasseranalytik in den letzten Jahren vorantreiben.
Im Vorhaben „MARKERIA - Bestimmung von anthropogenen Markerkonzentrationen für die SARS-CoV-2 Quantifizierung mittels eines Hochdurchsatzverfahrens (ELISA)“ geht es um die Bestimmung von Carbamazepin, Diclofenac, Koffein und einer endogenen Gallensäure als potentielle Marker für die Kalibrierung der SARS-CoV-2 Quantifizierung im Abwasser. Es ist ein Teilvorhaben des übergeordneten Projektes ESI-CorA und wird von der BAM im Auftrag des Umweltbundesamtes durchgeführt. Der Vortrag wurde gehalten im Rahmen der Abschlussveranstaltung des Projektes ESI-CorA. Er gab den Projektstand wieder, den UBA und BAM bis dahin erzielt hatten, das SARS-CoV-2 Virus und die anthropogenen Marker in 20 Kläranlagenzuläufen zu bestimmen und miteinander zu korrelieren.
Im Vorhaben „MARKERIA - Bestimmung von anthropogenen Markerkonzentrationen für die SARS-CoV-2 Quantifizierung mittels eines Hochdurchsatzverfahrens (ELISA)“ geht es um die Bestimmung von Carbamazepin, Diclofenac, Koffein und einer endogenen Gallensäure als potentielle Marker für die Kalibrierung der SARS-CoV-2 Quantifizierung im Abwasser. Der Vortrag wurde gehalten im Rahmen der 22. Sitzung des Begleitkreises des übergeordneten Projektes ESI-CorA. Er gab den Projektstand wieder, den die BAM bis dahin erzielt hatte. Die Marker waren in sämtlichen untersuchten Abwasser-Zulaufproben enthalten und zeigten spezifische Trends. Weitere Korrelationen müsse die weitergehende Datenauswertung ergeben.A
The contamination of drinking water with pharmaceuticals represents a severe health risk. In order to monitor the drinking water quality continuously and enable quick countermeasures in case of contamination, novel sensors are required. Here, immunoanalytical methods based on the binding of the analyte to highly selective antibodies can be helpful. In this work, magnetic bead-based immunoassays (MBBAs) have been developed for the detection of two relevant contaminants of drinking water: diclofenac (DCF) and amoxicillin (AMX). In case of the latter, not only the parent drug is of interest in the risk assessment but also its hydrolysis products (HPs). In a comprehensive study, the influence of external factors and intrinsic properties of the water on the rate of hydrolysis was investigated. As the hydrolysis of AMX further impacts the recognition by the antibody, a strategy to analyze samples with unknown hydrolysis degree of AMX was established employing the enzyme β-lactamase in sample preparation. For both analytes, the MBBAs enable the fast quantification with results obtained in less than one hour which represents a major improvement over conventional immunoassays like the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared to the respective ELISAs with the same antibodies, the MBBAs further exhibit improved analytical parameters such as a broader measurement range and lower limits of detection. Due to the magnetic properties of the beads that serve as a platform for the assays, they are suitable for the mobile and automated detection at the point-of-care. An integrated diagnostic system was designed in which electrochemical detection with chronoamperometry on a microfluidic chip allows for further miniaturization of the system to enable monitoring of the drinking water quality online in water supply pipes at waterworks.
High polarity analyte(s) in aqueous media: determination of L-PFOA and L-PFOS in ground water
(2022)
The CCQM-K156 comparison was coordinated by TUBITAK UME on behalf of the Organic Analysis Working Group (OAWG) of the Comité Consultatif pour la Quantité de Matière (CCQM) for National Measurement Institutes (NMIs) and Designated Institutes (DIs) which provide measurement services in organic analysis under the 'Comité International des Poids et Mesures' Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Perfluoro alkyl substances (PFAS) such as PFOS and PFOA have been used in numerous industrial applications and products. Because of their high stability and resistance to biodegradation, atmospheric photooxidation, direct photolysis and hydrolysis, they are extremely persistent in the environment. The European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive lists PFOS as a priority hazardous substance that poses a significant risk to the aquatic environment. The use of PFOS-containing Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFFs) has been banned since June 2011 in the EU. As relatively water-soluble, effectively non-degradable compounds, PFOS and PFOA migrate to ground water. They are not removed in the conventional drinking water treatment, and therefore cause health risks in polluted areas. The EU Drinking Water Directive and the European Commission has proposed a limit value of 100 ng/L for the sum of 20 PFAS, including PFOS and PFOA.
This study provides the means for assessing measurement capabilities for determination of high polarity measurands in a procedure that requires extraction, clean-up, analytical separation and detection. Successful participation in CCQM-K156 demonstrates measurement capabilities in determining mass fraction of organic compounds, with a molecular mass of 200 g/mol to 700 g/mol, having high polarity pKow -2, in a mass fraction range from 0.5 ng/kg to 500 ng/kg in aqueous media.
Nine NMIs and DIs participated in the CCQM-K156 key comparison. Seven institutes reported their results. SPE was applied in the sample pre-treatment and LC-MS was applied for detection. All participating laboratories applied isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) techniques for quantification. Participants established the metrological traceability of their results using certified reference materials (CRMs) from NMIs with stated traceability; where commercially available high purity materials were used the purity was determined in-house. The CCQM-K156 results for L-PFOA and L-PFOS range from 2.75 ng/kg to 5.50 ng/kg with a % RSD of 19.5 % for L-PFOA and from 2.04 ng/kg to 4.45 ng/kg with a % RSD of 21.3 % for L-PFOS. The KCRV was assigned using a Hierarchical Bayesian Random Effects Model (HB REM) estimator from the values reported by six of the participants. One participant result of L-PFOS and one result of L-PFOA were excluded from the KCRV for technical reasons. The KCRV was 4.9 ng/kg ± 0.4 ng/kg for L-PFOA and 3.8 ng/kg ± 0.4 ng/kg for L-PFOS. The six institutes that were included in the assignment of consensus KCRV all agreed within their standard uncertainties.
To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
AbstractIn this study, we present a screening method based on molecular absorption spectrometry to study PFAS uptake and fate in plants. To evaluate the suitability of this method we analyzed plant extracts with molecular absorption spectrometry (MAS) as well as liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for mass balance studies (w(F)). French bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) were grown on soil spiked using eight PFAS substances that vary in chain length and functional group composition. Specifically, these include three short-chained (C4–C5), five long-chained (C7–C10) carboxylic acids, one sulfonic acid and one sulfonic amide moieties. To investigate substance-specific PFAS uptake systematically, PFAS were spiked as single substance spike. Additionally, we studied one mixture of the investigated substances in equal proportions regarding w(F) and four PFAS mixtures of unknown composition. After 6 weeks, the plants were separated into four compartments. We analyzed the four compartments as well as the soil for extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) by high resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace-molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS) as well as for sum of ten target-PFAS by LC–MS/MS. All three short-chained PFAS perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorobutanoic sulfonic acid (PFBS) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) were determined in high concentrations mainly in the fruits of the investigated plants while long-chained PFAS perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) were mainly determined in roots. PFBS was determined in remarkably high concentrations in leaves compartment by both quantification methods. Overall, comprehensive results of single substance spikes were in good agreement for both methods except for a few cases. Hence, two phenomena were identified: for mixed PFAS spikes of unknown composition huge differences between EOF and sum of target PFAS were observed with systematically higher EOF values. Overall, both methods indicate comparable results with MS being more reliable for known PFAS contamination and MAS being more valuable to identify PFAS exposure of unknown composition.
Graphical Abstract
A collaborative trial involving 16 participants from nine European countries was conducted within the NORMAN network in efforts to harmonise suspect and non-target screening of environmental contaminants in whole fish samples of bream (Abramis brama). Participants were provided with freeze-dried, homogenised fish samples from a contaminated and a reference site, extracts (spiked and non-spiked) and reference sample preparation protocols for liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC) coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Participants extracted fish samples using their in-house sample preparation method and/or the protocol provided. Participants correctly identified 9-69% of spiked compounds using LC-HRMS and 20-60% of spiked compounds using GC-HRMS. From the contaminated site, suspect screening with participants’ own suspect lists led to putative identification of on average ~145 and ~20 unique features per participant using LC-HRMS and GC-HRMS, respectively, while non-target screening identified on average ~42 and ~56 unique features per participant using LC-HRMS and GC-HRMS, respectively. Within the same sub-group of sample preparation method, only a few features were identified by at least two participants in suspect screening (16 features using LC-HRMS, 0 features using GC-HRMS) and non-target screening (0 features using LC-HRMS, 2 features using GC-HRMS). The compounds identified had log octanol/water partition coefficient (KOW) values ranging from -9.9 to 16 and mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 68 to 761 (LC-HRMS and GC-HRMS). A significant linear trend was found between log KOW and m/z for the GC-HRMS data. Overall, these findings indicate that differences in screening results are mainly due to the data analysis workflows used by different participants. Further work is needed to harmonise the results obtained when applying suspect and non-target screening approaches to environmental biota samples.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals which were developed to improve humanity’s quality of life. Due to their high chemical stability and resistance to degradation by heat or acids, PFAS were used in a variety of consumer products. The continuous use of PFAS in household products and the discharge of PFAS from industrial plants into the sewer system resulted in the contamination of effluents and sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (Roesch et al. 2022). Since sewage sludge is often used as fertilizer, its application on agricultural soils has been observed as a significant entry path for PFAS into the environment, specifically in our food chain. In Germany the sewage sludge/biosolid application on agricultural land was banned with the amendment of the German Sewage Sludge Ordinance and by 2029 sewage sludge application will be totally prohibited. However, phosphorus (P) from sewage sludge should still be recycled in WWTPs of cities with a population larger than 50,000 residents. To produce high-quality P-fertilizers for a circular economy, PFAS and other pollutants (e.g. pesticides and pharmaceuticals) must be separated from sewage sludge. Due to the strong diversity of industrial PFAS usage it is not clear if a safe application of novel recycled P-fertilizers from WWTPs can be guaranteed. Therefore, we analyzed various sewage sludges and wastewater-based fertilizers. Sewage sludge (SL) samples from various WWTPs in Germany and Switzerland, six sewage sludge ashes (SSA) from Germany, six thermally treated SL and SSA samples with different additives (temperatures: 700-1050 °C), two pyrolyzed SL samples (temperature: 400 °C) and two struvite samples from Germany and Canada were analyzed. The goal was to quantify PFAS in sewage sludges and wastewater-based P-fertilizers with the sum parameter extractable organic fluorine (EOF) by combustion ion chromatography (CIC). The results were compared with data from classical LC-MS/MS target analysis as well as selected samples by HR-MS suspect screening. The EOF values of the SLs mainly range between 154 and 538 µg/kg except for one SL which showed an elevated EOF value of 7209 µg/kg due to high organofluorine contamination. For the SSA samples the EOF values were lower and values between LOQ (approx. 60 µg/kg) and 121 µg/kg could be detected. For the pyrolyzed SLs no EOF values above the LOQ were detected. Moreover, the two wastewater-based struvite fertilizers contain 96 and 112 µg/kg EOF, respectively. In contrast to the EOF values, the sum of PFAS target values were relatively low for all SLs. Additional applied PFAS HR-MS suspect screening aimed to tentatively identify PFAS that could contribute to the hitherto unknown part of the EOF value. The majority of the detected fluorinated compounds are legacy PFAS such as short- and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCA), perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSA), polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs) and perfluorophosphonic acids (PFPA). Moreover, fluorinated pesticides, pharmaceutical as well as aromatic compounds were also identified, which are all included in the EOF parameter. Our research revealed that the current PFAS limit of 100 µg/kg for the sum of PFOS + PFOA in the German Fertilizer Ordinance is no longer up to date. Since the number of known PFAS already exceeds 10,000, the ordinance limit should be updated accordingly. Recent regulations and restrictions on using long-chain PFAS (≥C8) have resulted in a significant shift in the industry towards (ultra-)short-chain alternatives, and other, partly unknown, emerging PFAS. Ultimately, also fluorinated pesticides and pharmaceuticals, which end up as ultrashort PFAS in the WWTPs, have to be considered as possible pollutants in fertilizers from wastewater, too.
Solid wastewater-based fertilizers were screened for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by the extractable organic fluorine (EOF) sum parameter method. The EOF values for ten sewage sludges from Germany and Switzerland range from 154 to 7209 mg kg−1. For thermal treated sewage sludge and struvite the EOF were lower with values up to 121 mg kg−1. Moreover, the application of PFAS targeted
and suspect screening analysis of selected sewage sludge samples showed that only a small part of the EOF sum parameter values can be explained by the usually screened legacy PFAS. The hitherto unknown part of EOF sum parameter contains also fluorinated pesticides, pharmaceutical and aromatic compounds. Because these partly fluorinated compounds can degrade to (ultra-)short PFAS in wastewater treatment plants they should be considered as significant sources of organic fluorine in the environment. The combined results of sum parameter analysis and suspect screening reveal the need to update current regulations, such as the German fertilizer ordinance, to focus not solely on a few selected PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) but
consider an additional sum parameter approach as a more holistic alternative. Moreover, diffusion gradient in thin-films (DGT) passive samplers were utilized as an alternative simplified extraction method for PFAS in solid wastewater-based fertilizers and subsequently quantified via combustion ion chromatography. However, the DGT method was less sensitive and only comparable to the EOF values
of the fertilizers in samples with >150 mg kg−1, because of different diffusion properties for various PFAS, but also kinetic exchange limitations.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, ever-growing and widely used class of chemicals. Due to the strength of the C-F bond, they do not decompose but accumulate in the environment posing a risk for nature and humans alike. While the use of some PFAS, like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is already regulated in the EU, new ‘precursor’ substances are used to replace them. However, these precursors may be equally harmful to the environment.
In recent years, many ‘hot spot’ sites with high PFAS contaminations in soil have been distinguished, but no German-wide background values have been determined yet. Knowing these background values is crucial to understand the degree of PFAS contamination, underpinning future regulatory decisions.
Due to the complexity and variety of different PFAS compounds, one needs to apply a broad spectrum of different techniques to capture most of the PFAS content in one sample.
In the framework of this project, 600 soil samples are taken at different sites all over Germany. The concentration of 30 PFAS - 13 carboxylic acids (C4-C18), 5 sulfonic acids (C4-C10) and 12 precursor substances) - is determined in these soil samples using three different sample preparation approaches: 1) ultrasonic extraction of the soil samples with Methanol; 2) preparation of eluates to test the leaching behaviour of the PFAS and 3) TOP assays following the method published by Houtz & Sedlak.
Targeted LC-MS/MS is used to determine PFAS concentration after all three preparation steps.
For the TOP-assay, the concentration of all 30 PFAS is compared prior to and after the oxidation reaction.
Besides the ‘classic’ TOP-Assay, two other TOP-Assay approaches, the dTOP Assay and the photoTOP-Assay, are tested and the results of all three approaches are compared. First, all three TOP-Assay approaches will be tested on a reference soil spiked with a solution including all 30 PFAS measured in the project. Later, soil samples taken in the frame of the priorly described project will be tested.
This poster will focus on the results of the experiments comparing the three different TOP Assay approaches in spiked reference soil. Additionally, some of the results of the other sample preparation methods, extraction and eluate preparation will be presented.
BPA is a chemical commonly used in the production of polymer-based materials that can have detrimental effects on the thyroid gland and impact human reproductive health. Various expensive methods, such as liquid and gas chromatography, have been suggested for detecting BPA.
The fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) is an inexpensive and efficient homogeneous mix-and-read method that allows for high-throughput screening. FPIA offers high specificity and sensitivity and can be carried out in a single phase within a timeframe of 20–30 min. In this study, new tracer molecules were designed that linked the fluorescein fluorophore with and without a spacer to the bisphenol A moiety. To assess the influence of the C6 spacer on the sensitivity of an assay based on the respective antibody, hapten–protein conjugates were synthesized and assessed for performance in an ELISA setup, and this resulted in a highly sensitive assay with a detection limit of 0.05 µg/L. The lowest limit of detection was reached by employing the spacer derivate in the FPIA and was 1.0 µg/L, working range from 2 to 155 µg/L. The validation of the methods was conducted using actual samples compared to LC–MS/MS, which served as the reference method. The FPIA and ELISA both demonstrated satisfactory concordance.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in Polycarbonate (PC), polyacrylic resins (PAR), polysulfones (PSU), epoxy resins (ER), and polyetherimides (PEI). It is also applied in recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Many outdoor applications are made from these BPA-based materials which are exposed to a variety of environmental impacts, like temperature, global radiation, rain, and others. This could lead to damaging and aging of the material which might cause leaching or migration of pollutants into the environment.
Understanding the fate and behavior of the released pollutants is very important. Therefore, different transformation products (TP) will be generated and analyzed:
1. To investigate the behavior of various bisphenols in wastewater treatment plants, possible technical TP are generated by UV irradiation. Simulation of Industrial wastewater treatment is realized by using the Fenton reaction, an advanced oxidation process.
2. To study the transformation of bisphenols in surface waters, global radiation will be simulated by using UVA lamps.
3. To simulate phase 1 metabolism, an electrochemical cell coupled to a mass selective detector is applied.
The analysis of metabolites and TP are achieved by a variety of gas and liquid chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry. The elucidation of the exact structure of the obtained TP and metabolites are done by 1H- and/or 13C-NMR experiments.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and ever-growing class of chemicals that are widely used. Due to the strength of the C-F bond, they do not decompose but accumulate in the environment posing a risk for nature and humans alike. While the use of some PFAS, like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid (PFOS) is already regulated in the EU, new ‘precursor’ substances are used to replace them. However, these precursors may be equally harmful to the environment.
In recent years, many ‘hot spot’ sites with high PFAS contaminations in the soils have been distinguished,but no German-wide background values have been determined yet. Knowing these background values is crucial to understand the degree of PFAS contamination, underpinning future regulatory decisions.
600 soil samples are freshly taken at different sites all over Germany. PFAS are extracted from all samples. The extracts are analysed using LC-MS/MS with 30 PFAS as target compounds. Eluates are produced and analysed using targeted LC-MS/MS. To determine the amount of precursor substances not included in the targeted list, total oxidisable precursor (TOP) assays are performed with different approaches. Additionally, 50 samples taken at the same locations in 2012 are analysed to determine temporal trends of PFAS contamination. The determination of total extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) is planned for comparison.
The aim of the project is to obtain a broad overview of the status and development of the PFAS contamination in soil in Germany. By the preparation and analysis of eluates, the leaching behaviour of the analytes and thereby their mobility in the environment is investigated, helping to understand the transport of PFAS from contaminated soil to water. The use of different TOP assay methods allows to compare their results and usability in routine analysis, thereby giving insights into the amount of PFAS contamination hidden to targeted analysis and helping inspire future analysis strategies. The future comparison of these results to EOF analysis may further underline this point. The large number of samples and the geographic distribution of the sampling is unprecedented in Germany and allows to determine high-risk sites and ‘hot spots’. In the future, the insights from the project may be used as a guide for the political regulation of uses of PFAS.
Die von der Europäischen Kommission im Jahr 2021 empfohlene, systematische Abwasserüberwachung mittels PCR-Techniken wird als ein wirksames Früh-warnsystem für künftige Pandemien durch Viren und andere Krankheitserreger betrachtet. Ein generelles Problem bei jeder quantitativen Messung von Parametern im Abwasser ist die starke Schwankung des Abwasservolumens und seiner Zusammensetzung im Tages- und Jahreszeitenverlauf. Um die Konzentrationsbestimmungen von Krankheitserregern im Abwasser in Korrelation mit menschlichen Einträgen setzen zu können, könnten sog. "anthropogene Marker" eine herausragende Rolle spielen, deren Eintrag ins Abwasser menschlichen Ursprungs sind. Im Projekt werden mittels ELISA die Konzentrationen ausgewählter anthropogener Marker in deutschlandweit gesammelten Abwasserproben erhoben und analysiert.
For the first time, µ-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) mapping combined with fluorine K-edge µ-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (µ-XANES) spectroscopy was applied to depict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and inorganic fluoride in samples concentrations down to 100 µg/kg fluoride. To demonstrate the matrix tolerance of the method, several PFAS contaminated soil and sludge samples as well as selected consumer product samples (textiles, food contact paper and permanent baking sheet) were investigated. µ-XRF mapping allows for a unique element-specific visualisation at the sample surface and enables localisation of fluorine containing compounds to a depth of 1 µm. Manually selected fluorine rich spots were subsequently analysed via fluorine K-edge µ-XANES spectroscopy. To support spectral interpretation with respect to inorganic and organic chemical distribution and compound class determination, linear combination (LC) fitting was applied to all recorded µ-XANES spectra. Complementarily, solvent extracts of all samples were target-analysed via LC-MS/MS spectrometry. The detected PFAS sum values range from 20 to 1136 µg/kg dry weight (dw). All environmentally exposed samples revealed higher concentration of PFAS with a chain length >C8 (e.g. 580 µg/kg dw PFOS for Soil1), whereas the consumer product samples showed a more uniform distribution with regard to chain lengths from C4 to C8. Independent from quantified PFAS amounts via target analysis, µ-XRF mapping combined with µ-XANES spectroscopy was successfully applied to detect both point-specific concentration maxima and evenly distributed surface coatings of fluorinated organic contaminants in the corresponding samples.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in Polycarbonate, Polyacrylic resins, Polysulfones, Epoxy resins, and Polyetherimides. It is also used in recycled Polyvinyl chloride [1–3]. BPA has been classified as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH [4] due to its endocrine disrupting properties. The German competent authorities want to reduce the content of BPA in the environment. Possible substitutes for BPA are Bisphenol B (BPB), Bisphenol E (BPE),
Bisphenol F (BPF), or Bisphenol S (BPS), as they are similar in structure.
BPA-based materials have a wide area of application especially outside. These outdoor applications are exposed to different external influences, including physical, biological, mechanical and chemical influences. This results in damage and aging of the material with leaching or migration into the environment. There, the substance is transformed by various transformation processes. The emerging metabolites and transformation products (TPs) can have different properties than the parent substance. Understanding the fate and behavior of the emerging pollutants is very important.
Therefore, different transformation products of selected bisphenols will be generated and analyzed:
To investigate the fate of different bisphenols in water treatment plants technical transformation products [5] will be generated by chlorination, ozonization, the Fenton reaction, and UV-radiation.
For the investigation of the fate of Bisphenols in surface water global radiation will be simulated with UVA-lamps
Simulation of phase-I-metabolism with an electrochemical cell coupled to mass spectrometry (EC-MS).
1. Projektreffen mit dem Umweltbundesamt für das Projekt MARKERIA (VH1802).
Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Eignung der Bestimmung eines oder mehrerer der genannten anthropogenen Marker im Abwasser zur Volumenkorrektur („Kalibration“) im SARS-CoV-2-Monitoring von Abwässern auf der Basis eines von der BAM zu erhebenden Messdatensatzes zu evaluieren.
ESI-CorA ist ein nationales Verbundprojekt mit dem Ziel des Nachweises von SARS-CoV-2 im Abwasser.
Das UBA hat als Teilprojekt das Projekt MARKERIA (VH1802) an die BAM vergeben.
Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Eignung der Bestimmung eines oder mehrerer der genannten anthropogenen Marker im Abwasser zur Volumenkorrektur („Kalibration“) im SARS-CoV-2-Monitoring von Abwässern auf der Basis eines von der BAM zu erhebenden Messdatensatzes zu evaluieren.
Vortrag zum Kick-off des Projektes.
Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Eignung der Bestimmung eines oder mehrerer der genannten anthropogenen Marker im Abwasser zur Volumenkorrektur („Kalibration“) im SARS-CoV-2-Monitoring von Abwässern auf der Basis eines von der BAM zu erhebenden Messdatensatzes zu evaluieren.
2. Projekttreffen mit dem Umweltbundesamt zum Projekt MARKERIA (VH1802).
Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Eignung der Bestimmung eines oder mehrerer der genannten anthropogenen Marker im Abwasser zur Volumenkorrektur („Kalibration“) im SARS-CoV-2-Monitoring von Abwässern auf der Basis eines von der BAM zu erhebenden Messdatensatzes zu evaluieren.
Natural and synthetic estrogens are key endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Despite occurring at ultra-trace levels (below ng L-1), it is believed that they are contributing to an increase in feminized fish and other endocrine disruptive effects, and hence, their inclusion in the Watch list was not unexpected. One of the main sources ofestrogens to surface waters is wastewater effluent. Once in surface waters, they can partition into different compartments, i.e., water and suspended particulate matter. For this reason, there is an urgent need for a methodology to monitor estrogen levels below the environmental quality standards (EQS) set by the Water Framework Directive requirements.
In this study, a precise and accurate gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method (GC-MS/MS) for the analysis of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), 17α-estradiol (17α- E2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estriol (E3) in whole water samples with ng L-1 limit of quantification (LOQ) was developed and validated in accordance with CEN/TS 16800:2020 guidelines.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve.
The project EDC-WFD Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17E2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four selected effect-based methods (EBM) will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment. In particular, the EBM sensitivity, specificity and accuracy on reference materials with single or mixture solutions of the five substances at a concentration of EQS values will be explored.
This contribution will present the objectives and methods applied within the EDC-WFD project.
Analytical methods based on the selectivity of antibodies, often called immunoassays, are a back-bone of clinical laboratory diagnostics. To bring them to the field, i.e., to make immunoanalytical methods portable, hopefully even faster, more sensitive, and robust, advanced materials are re-quired. Materials can be novel labels, e.g., chemical or particle labels, such as fluorophores or na-noparticles. Carrier particles, such as magnetic or polymer beads, make it possible to adopt the as-says to meso- or microfluidic set-ups and encoding them opens the path to multiplex analysis. Spe-cialty electrodes can enable for higher sensitivity in electrochemical detection. Without research into better materials, efforts to bring analysis to the point-of-need will not bear fruit.
In urban waters, a multitude of organic micropollutants, often termed emerging pollutants, has been found over the last decades. Analytical methods suitable for trace analysis are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e., antibody-based, methods which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to screen for the distribution and to monitor the trends of concentration levels of contaminants of emerging concern in the environment. Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. To use them wisely, indicator substances, sometimes called anthropogenic markers, should be selected and used in screening approaches, i.e., as indicators for contamination and the pre-selection of samples at which to have a closer look by multiplex methods like LC-MS/MS. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable instrumentation in the field (on-site) or in facilities such as wastewater treatment plants for on-line monitoring of the treatment and elimination process. Furthermore, array technologies have been established that allow for parallel (multiplex) analysis of several analytes of interest.
The microtiter-plate based ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) is the method of choice for the analysis of a large number of samples [1]. ELISAs are available to monitor for anthropogenic markers such as the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the antihistaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole, psychoactive caffeine and cocaine, the priority pollutant bisphenol A, and the bile acid isolithocholic acid. For on-site screening and monitoring, simpler formats, like mix-and-read assays, e.g., the Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay (FPIA) [2] or Lateral-flow Immunoassays (LFIA) [3] are more suitable tools, the latter based on dipsticks or little cassettes, with which users have become very familiar during the COVID-19 pandemic via rapid antigen tests. The suitability of multi-analyte formats such as immunomicroarrays depends on the choice of a signal-producing system that provides small uncertainties and good reproducibility of the measurements. Bead-based (“suspension”) arrays, read out in flow cytometers, are a powerful platform for multiplex assays [4]. Electrochemical formats, run on portable devices, provide additional advantages as no light source is required. They are most promising for stand-alone analysers and biosensors [5].
The speed, low cost and on-site capabilities of these methods allow to gather a lot more data on anthropogenic compounds which enables to quantify inputs, differences in degradation power of elimination processes, dilution phenomena and a more precise image of individual water cycles which is demonstrated by several examples.
Immunoanalytical Techniques, i.e., antibody-based analytical methods, have been used for decades in clinical diagnostics. What makes them attractive for other fields of application is their short time-to-result and high sensitivity. Microplate-based assays such as ELISA have been adopted early in environmental and food analysis. Yet, to make immunoassays even faster, more sensitive, robust, and, most desirable, portable, advanced materials, sometimes developed for other purposes, can be profitably used to achieve these goals. Materials can be novel labels, e.g., chemical or particle labels, such as fluorophores or nanoparticles. Carrier particles, such as magnetic or polymer beads, make it possible to adopt the assays to meso- or microfluidic set-ups and encoding them opens the path to multiplex analysis. Specialty electrodes can enable for higher sensitivity in electrochemical detection. All this broadens the scope of application and lowers effort and cost for analysis at the point-of-need.
A vast number of emerging pollutants is being detected in the environment. Another lingering problem are health-threatening contaminants, such as mycotoxins, that deteriorate food and feed, and the pathogens themselves. Analytical methods, suitable for trace analysis, are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust and portable. It is set out, how immunoana-lytical, i.e., antibody-based methods, which are elaborated in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used to gain insights on the distribution and concentration trends of the target analytes at the point-of-need.
Estrogens are endocrine disrupting chemicals and of high concerns due to demonstrated harmful effects on the environment and low effect levels. For monitoring and risk assessment, several estrogens were included in the "watch list" of the EU Water Framework Directive which sets very low environmental quality standard (EQS) levels for Estrone (E1) and 17β-Estradiol (E2) of 0.4 ng L−1 and for 17α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2) of 0.035 ng L−1 requiring sensitive detection methods, as well as extensive sample preparation. A sensitive, derivatization-free, isotope dilution calibration HPLC-MS/MS method for a panel of 5 selected estrogens (including the 3 estrogens of the EU WFD watchlist), and a procedure for the reproducible preparation of a representative whole water matrix including mineral water, humic acids and solid particulate matter are presented. These are used in a diligent comparison of classical solid phase extraction (SPE) on hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) phase to SPE on an estrogen-specific molecularly imprinted polymer phase (MISPE) for ultra-trace levels of the analytes (1–10 ng L−1). Additionally, a two-step procedure combining HLB SPE disks followed by MISPE is evaluated. The tow-step procedure provides superior enrichment, matrix removal and sample throughput while maintaining comparable recovery rates to simple cartridge SPE. Estimated method quantification limits (MQLs) range from 0.109–0.184 ng L−1 and thus meet EQS-levels for E1 and E2, but not EE2. The representative whole water matrix provides a reproducible comparison of sample preparation methods and lays the foundation for a certified reference material for estrogen analysis. The presented method will serve as the basis for an extended validation study to assess its use for estrogen monitoring in the environment.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in many Polymers. Many outdoor applications are made from BPA-based materials which are exposed to a variety of environmental impacts, like temperature, solar radiation, rain, and others. This could lead to damaging and aging of the material which might cause leaching or migration of pollutants into the environment. To understand the fate and behavior different transformation products of selected Bisphenols will be generated and analyzed.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in Polycarbonate (PC), Polyacrylic resins (PAR), Polysulfones (PSU), Epoxy resins (ER), and Polyetherimides (PEI). It is also used in recycled Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) [1–3]. These BPA-containing materials have a wide area of application, especially outside. All outdoor applications are exposed to a variety of environmental impacts, like temperature, solar radiation (physical influences), chemical influences (rain or ozone), biological influences (microorganisms), and mechanical influences (hail, sand). These impacts are damaging and aging the material which can be followed by leaching or migration of pollutants like Bisphenol A into the environment. Understanding the fate and behavior of the released pollutants is very important. Therefore, different transformation products of selected Bisphenols will be generated and analyzed.
The environmental fate of the frequently used broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX) is of high concern regarding the potential evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Moreover, it is known that AMX is prone to hydrolysis, yielding a variety of hydrolysis products (HPs) with yet unknown effects. Studies to identify those HPs and investigate their formation mechanisms have been reported but a long-term study on their stability in real water samples was missing. In this regard, we investigated the hydrolysis of AMX at two concentration levels in four distinct water types under three different storage conditions over two months. Concentrations of AMX and four relevant HPs were monitored by an LC-MS/MS method revealing pronounced differences in the hydrolysis rate of AMX in tap water and mineral water on the one hand (fast) and surface water on the other(slow). In this context, the occurrence, relative intensities, and stability of certain HPs are more dependent on the water type than on the storage condition. As clarified by ICP-MS, the main difference between the water types was the content of the metals copper and zinc which are supposed to catalyze AMX hydrolysis demonstrating an effective method to degrade AMX at ambient conditions.
Contamination of the environment with antibiotics is of great concern as it promotes the evolution of antimicrobial resistances. In case of amoxicillin (AMX) in the aquatic environment, further risk arises from hydrolysis products (HPs) which can cause allergy. To assess these risks, a comprehensive investigation and understanding of the degradation of AMX is necessary. We investigated the hydrolysis rate of AMX in different types of water as well as the influence of temperature and irradiation. The content of the heavy metal ions copper and zinc was found to be crucial for the hydrolysis rate of AMX and stability of HPs. Eventually, a new degradation pathway for AMX could be elaborated and confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
In coastal systems, organisms are exposed to amultitude of stressors whose interactions and effects are poorly studied. Pharmaceutical drugs and Climate Change consequences, such as lowered pH, are examples of stressors affecting marine organisms, as bivalves. Although a vast literature is available for the effects of these stressors when acting individually, very limited information exists on the impacts that the combination of both can have on marine bivalves. For this reason, this study aimed to evaluate the impacts of a simulated ocean acidification scenario (control pH, 8.0; lowered pH, pH 7.6) on the effects of the antiepileptic carbamazepine (CBZ, 1 μg/L) and the antihistamine cetirizine (CTZ, 0.6 μg/L), when acting individually and combined (CBZ + CTZ), on the edible clam Ruditapes philippinarum. After 28 days of exposure, drug concentrations, bioconcentration factors and biochemical parameters related to the clams' metabolic capacity and oxidative stress were evaluated. The results showed that R. philippinarum clams responded differently to pharmaceutical drugs depending on the pH tested, influencing both bioconcentration and biological responses. In general, drug combined treatments showed fewer impacts than drugs acting alone, and acidification seemed to activate at a higher extension the elimination processes that were not activated under control pH. Also, lowered pH per se exerted negative impacts (e.g., cellular damage) on R. philippinarum and the combination with pharmaceutical drugs did not enhance the toxicity.
In Coastal Systems, pollutants as pharmaceutical drugs exert changes from the molecular to the organism level in marine bivalves. Besides pollutants, Coastal Systems are prone to changes in environmental Parameters, as the alteration of salinity values because of Climate Change. Together, these Stressors (pharmaceutical drugs and salinity changes) can exert different threats than each Stressor acting individually; for example, salinity can change the physical-chemical properties of the drugs and/or the sensitivity of the organisms to them. However, limited Information is available on this subject, with variable results, and for this reason, this study aimed to evaluate the impacts of salinity changes (15,25 and 35) on the effects of the antiepileptic carbamazepine (CBZ, 1 (ig/L) and the antihistamine cetirizine (CTZ, 0.6 pg/L), when acting individually and combined (CBZ + CTZ), in the edible clam Ruditapes philippinarum. After 28 days ofexposure, drugs concentrations, bioconcentration factors and biochemical parameters, related to clam's metabolic caparity and oxidative stress were evaluated. The results showed that dams under low salinity suffered more changes in metabolic, antioxidant and biotransformation activities, in comparison with the remaining salinities under study. However, limited impacts were observed when comparing drug effects at low salinity. Indeed, it seemed that CTZ and CBZ + CTZ, under high salinity (salinity 35) were the worst exposure conditions for the dams, since they caused higher leveis of cellular damage. It Stands out that salinity changes altered the impact of pharmaceutical drugs on marine bivalves.
Nebivolol (NEB), a β-blocker frequently used to treat cardiovascular diseases, has been widely detected in aquatic environments, and can be degraded under exposure to UV radiation, leading to the formation of certain transformation products (UV-TPs). Thus, the toxic effects of NEB and its UV-TPs on aquatic organisms are of great importance for aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, the degradation pathway of NEB under UV radiation was investigated. Subsequently, zebrafish embryos/larvae were used to assess the median lethal concentration (LC50) of NEB, and to clarify the sub-lethal effects of NEB and its UV-TPs for the first time. It was found that UV radiation could reduce the toxic effects of NEB on the early development of zebrafish. Transcriptomic analysis identified the top 20 enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways in zebrafish larvae exposed to NEB, most of which were associated with the antioxidant, nervous, and immune systems. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the pathways were reduced after UV radiation. Furthermore, the analysis of protein biomarkers, including CAT and GST (antioxidant response), AChE and ACh (neurotoxicity), CRP and LYS (immune response), revealed that NEB exposure reduced the activity of these biomarkers, whereas UV radiation could alleviate the effects. The present study provides initial insights into the mechanisms underlying toxic effects of NEB and the detoxification effects of UV radiation on the early development of zebrafish. It highlights the necessity of considering the toxicity of UV-TPs when evaluating the toxicity of emerging pollutants in aquatic systems.
Contamination of drinking water with pharmaceuticals is an emerging problem and a potential health threat. Immunochemical methods based on the binding of the analyte to specific antibodies enable fast & cost-effective on-site analyses. Magnetic bead-based immunoassays (MBBAs) allow for implementation into an immunosensor for online testing. Particles are prepared by either coupling the analyte molecule (diclofenac) or the respective antibody (amoxicillin) to the surface. For miniaturization, detection is performed electrochemically (chronoamperometry) on a microfluidic chip. The developed immunosensor will enable detection of pharmaceuticals directly in water supply pipes.
Contamination of drinking water with pharmaceuticals is an emerging problem and a potential health threat. Immunochemical methods based on the binding of the analyte to specific antibodies enable fast & cost-effective on-site analyses. Magnetic bead-based immunoassays (MBBAs) allow for implementation into an immunosensor for online testing. Particles are prepared by either coupling the analyte molecule (diclofenac) or the respective antibody (amoxicillin) to the surface. For miniaturization, detection is performed electrochemically (chronoamperometry) on a microfluidic chip. The developed immunosensor will enable detection of pharmaceuticals directly in water supply pipes.
Contamination of drinking water with pharmaceuticals is an emerging problem and a potential health threat. Immunochemical methods based on the binding of the analyte to specific antibodies enable fast & cost-effective on-site analyses. Magnetic bead-based immunoassays (MBBAs) allow for implementation into an immunosensor for online testing. Particles are prepared by either coupling the analyte molecule (diclofenac) or the respective antibody (amoxicillin) to the surface. For miniaturization, detection is performed electrochemically (chronoamperometry) on a microfluidic chip. The developed immunosensor will enable detection of pharmaceuticals directly in water supply pipes.
Increasing contamination of environmental waters with pharmaceuticals represents an emerging threat for the drinking water quality and safety. In this regard, fast and reliable analytical methods are required to allow quick countermeasures in case of contamination. Here, we report the development of a magnetic bead-based immunoassay (MBBA) for the fast and cost-effective determination of the analgesic diclofenac (DCF) in water samples, based on diclofenac-coupled magnetic beads and a robust monoclonal anti-DCF antibody. A novel synthetic strategy for preparation of the beads resulted in an assay that enabled for the determination of diclofenac with a significantly lower limit of detection (400 ng/L) than the respective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). With shorter incubation times and only one manual washing step required, the assay demands for remarkably shorter time to result (< 45 min) and less equipment than ELISA. Evaluation of assay precision and accuracy with a series of spiked water samples yielded results with low to moderate intra- and inter-assay variations and in good agreement with LC–MS/MS reference analysis. The assay principle can be transferred to other, e.g., microfluidic, formats, as well as applied to other analytes and may replace ELISA as the standard immunochemical method.
Portable, antikörperbasierte Analysenverfahren für die Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf
(2021)
Die Wasseranalytik wird bestimmt von zwei Hauptbedarfen, einerseits der Erfassung der Gewässergüte und Grundwassergüte als Basis für die Bereitstellung einwandfrei-en Trinkwassers und zum anderen des Monitorings der Wasserqualität in den Prozes-sen der Wasseraufbereitung und der Abwasserreinigung. Für beide Anwendungsbe-reiche ist eine laborbasierte Analytik eher hinderlich, werden die Analysenergebnisse doch eigentlich vor Ort benötigt, um etwa Beprobungskampagnen rasch anpassen zu können. Desweiteren werden die Daten auch schnell benötigt, um zeitnah in die technischen Prozesse einzugreifen. Organische Kontaminanten werden meist über chromatographische Verfahren, häufig gekoppelt mit einer massenspektrometrischen Detektion, in instrumentelle Labormethoden erfasst und die hochauflösende Massen-spektrometrie und die Non-target-Analytik haben viel zum Wissen über das Vorkom-men, insbesondere von sog. „emerging contaminants“, beigetragen, sowie zum Ver-ständnis der beteiligten Eintragspfade und Abbauwege. Moderne, portable Analy-senmethoden und insbesondere Sensoren werden zukünftig aber ihren Platz in der Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf einnehmen. Dies gilt insbesondere für anti-körperbasierte Analysenverfahren, da erst diese oft die nötige Selektivität und Sensitivität in die Detektionsmethoden einbringen.
A vast number of emerging pollutants has been detected in the environment over the last decades. Analytical methods suitable for trace analysis are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e. antibody-based, methods which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyse for the distribution and the trends of concentration levels of contaminants in the environment. Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. In order to use them wisely, indicator substances, sometimes called anthropogenic markers, should be selected and used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable instrumentation in the field (on-site) or in facilities such as wastewater treatment plants for on-line monitoring. Furthermore, there are array technologies that allow for parallel (multiplex) analysis of several analytes of interest.
The microtiter-plate based ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) is the method of choice for the analysis of a large number of samples [1]. ELISAs are available to monitor for anthropogenic markers such as the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the antihistaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the priority pollutant bisphenol A, and the bile acid isolithocholic acid. For on-site screening and monitoring, simpler formats, like mix-and-read assays, e.g. the Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay (FPIA) [2] or Lateral-flow Immunoassays (LFIA) [3] are more suitable tools, the latter based on dipsticks or cassettes, that is why they are also called pregnancy test-like assays. The suitability of multi-analyte formats such as immunomicroarrays depends on the choice of a signal-producing system that provides small uncertainties and good reproducibility of the measurements. Bead-based (“suspension”) arrays read out in flow cytometers are a powerful platform for multiplex assays [4]. Electrochemical formats run on portable devices provide additional advantages as no light source is required. They are most promising for stand-alone analysers and biosensors
Portable, antikörperbasierte Analysenverfahren für die Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf
(2021)
Die Wasseranalytik wird bestimmt von zwei Hauptbedarfen, einerseits der Erfassung der Gewässergüte und Grundwassergüte als Basis für die Bereitstellung einwandfreien Trinkwassers und zum anderen des Monitorings der Wasserqualität in den Prozessen der Wasseraufbereitung und der Abwasserreinigung. Für beide Anwendungsbereiche ist eine laborbasierte Analytik eher hinderlich, werden die Analysenergebnisse doch eigentlich vor Ort benötigt, um etwa Beprobungskampagnen rasch anpassen zu können. Des Weiteren werden die Daten auch schnell benötigt, um zeitnah in die technischen Prozesse einzugreifen. Organische Kontaminanten werden meist über chromatographische Verfahren, häufig gekoppelt mit einer massenspektrometrischen Detektion, in instrumentellen Labormethoden erfasst, und die hochauflösende Massenspektrometrie und die Non-target-Analytik haben viel zum Wissen über das Vorkommen, insbesondere von sogenannten „Emerging Contaminants“, beigetragen, sowie zum Verständnis der beteiligten Eintragspfade und Abbauwege. Moderne, portable Analysenmethoden und insbesondere Sensoren werden zukünftig aber ihren Platz in der Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf einnehmen. Dies gilt insbesondere für antikörperbasierte Analysenverfahren, da erst diese oft die nötige Selektivität und Sensitivität in die Detektionsmethoden einbringen.
One of the most important chemicals used in the production of polymer plastics and coatings is bisphenol A. However, despite the large number of studies on the toxicity and hormonal activity of BPA, there are still open questions and thus considerable media attention regarding BPA toxicity. Hence, it is necessary to develop a sensitive, simple, cost-efficient, specific, portable, and rapid method for monitoring bisphenol A and for high sample throughput and on-site screening analysis. Lateral flow immunoassays have potential as rapid tests for on-site screening. To meet sensitivity criteria, they must be carefully optimized. A latex microparticle-based LFIA for detection of BPA was developed. The sensitivity of the assay was improved by non-contact printing of spot grids as the control and test lines with careful parameter optimization. Results of the test could be visually evaluated within 10 min with a visual cut-off of 10 µg/L (vLOD). Alternatively, photographs were taken, and image analysis performed to set up a calibration, which allowed for a calculated limit of detection (cLOD) of 0.14 µg/L. The method was validated for thermal paper samples against ELISA and LC–MS/MS as reference methods, showing good agreement with both methods
In this work, we report an electrochemical immunosensor to detect ethinylestradiol in water samples, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a detection technique. For the development of this immunosensor, the direct modification of the working electrode of a screen-printed carbon electrode was carried out. First, to reduce the resistance of the electrode, electroreduced graphene was incorporated on the surface.
Second, a porous gold structure was electrodeposited on reduced graphene by electrodeposition and the dynamic hydrogen bubble template assisted method. Thus, a marked increase in surface area was obtained for anti-EE2 antibodies immobilization. Subsequently, the specific anti-EE2 antibodies were covalently immobilized using α-lipoic acid for attaching them to the gold surface.
The electrode modified with the antibodies was incubated for 30 min in the samples containing EE2, producing the specific Antigen antibody binding. As the charge transfer resistance of a redox probe in the electrode surface is governed by the surface blocking effects, the charge transfer resistance was related to the amount of EE2 captured to realize a quantitative determination. For this, the EIS measurements were performed in a 4 mM [Fe(CN)6]4−/3− solution in 0.1 M KCl. The obtained Nyquist diagrams were adjusted using the Randles circuit as an equivalent circuit to obtain the corresponding resistances. The developed methodology showed good selectivity, precision, and sensitivity; although the LOD obtained was higher than those presented in other published articles, it turned out to be an alternative that allows the determination of ethinylestradiol using a simple disposable electrode.
A vast number of emerging pollutants is being detected in the environment. Another lingering problem are health-threatening contaminants, such as mycotoxins, that deteriorate food and feed.
Analytical methods, suitable for trace analysis, are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust, and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e., antibody-based methods, which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyze for the distribution and the concen-tration trends of contaminants.
Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. To use them wisely, indicator substances or sum parameters are being established and used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable instrumentation in the field (on-site), more precisely at the point-of-need. Furthermore, there are array technologies that allow for parallel analysis of several analytes of interest (multiplexing).
The talk reports on methods and data for compounds considered as anthropogenic contamination markers (the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the anti-histaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial amoxicillin, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the endo-crine disruptor bisphenol A, and a bile acid). Some work on mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and ergot alka-loids) is also presented. It is demonstrated that antibody-based approaches have a huge potential to gain analytical insights at the point-of-need.
Antibody-based analytical techniques have gained increasing importance in environmental analysis. Rapid assays, portable devices and formats that require a limited number of steps have a high potential for on-site analysis in outdoor environments or in environmentally relevant facilities such as wastewater treatment plants. Many of these methods have become more sensitive and more versatile due to new, advanced materials, such as novel particles, specifically prepared surfaces, new labels, specifically coated electrodes etc. The talk shows some of our works in this context.
A vast number of emerging pollutants is being detected in the environment. Another lingering problem are health-threatening contaminants, such as mycotoxins, that deteriorate food and feed.
Analytical methods, suitable for trace analysis, are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust, and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e., anti-body-based technologies, which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyze for the distribution and the concentration trends of contaminants.
Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. To use them wisely, indicator substances or sum parameters must be established to be used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable in-strumentation in the field (on-site), more precisely at the point-of-need. Furthermore, there are array technologies that allow for parallel analysis of several analytes of interest (multiplexing). The talk reports on methods and data for compounds con-sidered as anthropogenic contamination markers (the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the anti-histaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial amoxicillin, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A, and a bile acid). Some work on mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and ergot alkaloids) is also presented. It is demonstrated that antibody-based technolo-gies have a huge potential to gain analytical insights at the point-of-need.
Warfarin ist seit den 1950er Jahren einer der bekanntesten Gerinnungshemmer. Beim Menschen wird es bis heute zur Vorbeugung von Thrombose und der Behandlung von Vorhofflimmern und Arrhythmie eingesetzt. Doch schon einige Jahre vor der FDA Zulassung (U. S. Food and Drug Administration) als Medikament wurde es zur Bekämpfung von Nagetieren eingesetzt. Bis heute wurde es nur teilweise durch weitaus wirksamere antikoagulante Rodentizide (ARs) der zweiten Generation, sogenannte Superwarfarine, ersetzt. In der Fachliteratur finden sich zahlreiche Beispiele für sekundäre und tertiäre Vergiftung mit ARs bei Wildtieren und anderen Nichtzieltieren. Bisher ist relativ wenig über die Bioakkumulation, Persistenz und Toxizität von ARs und deren Transformationsprodukten (TPs) in der terrestrischen und aquatischen Umwelt, sowie der Nahrungskette bekannt.
Um Einblicke in mögliche Transformations- und Abbauprozesse von Warfarin unter umweltrelevanten Bedingungen zu erhalten und um diese Einflüsse zu simulieren, wurde hierzu eine elektrochemische Reaktorzelle in Kopplung mit einem Massenspektrometer verwendet. So können mögliche Phase-I-Metabolite und sogenannte „oxidation products“ vorausgesagt werden. Hinsichtlich des Verhaltens während der Wasseraufbereitung in Kläranlagen wurden technisch relevante Prozesse wie Chlorung, UV-Bestrahlung und Ozonung in Modellen simuliert, um hier potenzielle Abbauwege und -prozesse aufzuklären. Gebildete Transformationsprodukte wurden daher mittels unterschiedlicher chromatografischer Verfahren getrennt und massenspektrometrisch identifiziert, charakterisiert und verglichen.
Contamination of drinking water with pharmaceuticals is an emerging problem and a potential health threat. Immunochemical methods based on the binding of the analyte to specific antibodies enable fast & cost-effective on-site analyses. Magnetic bead-based immunoassays allow for implementation into an immunosensor for online testing. Particles are prepared by either coupling the analyte molecule (diclofenac) or the respective antibody (amoxicillin) to the surface. For miniaturization, detection is performed electrochemically (chronoamperometry) on a microfluidic chip. The developed immunosensor will enable detection of pharmaceuticals directly in water supply pipes.
Contamination of drinking water with pharmaceuticals is an emerging problem and a potential health threat. Immunochemical methods based on the binding of the analyte to specific antibodies enable fast and cost-effective on-site analyses. Magnetic bead-based immunoassays allow for implementation into an immunosensor for online testing. These particles are prepared by either coupling the analyte molecule (diclofenac) or the respective antibody (amoxicillin) to the surface. For miniaturization, detection is performed electrochemically on a microfluidic chip. The developed immunosensor will enable detection of pharmaceuticals directly in water supply pipes.
Metrology for Monitoring of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Under the EU Water Framework Directive
(2021)
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances especially three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1))at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve.With respects to their physicochemical properties, the 3 substances have the potential to disseminate within aquatic environments, to enter the food chain and to bioaccumulate, Chemical monitoring relies on a succession of actions: sampling, storage and preservation of representative samples; pre-treatment of a sample portion for quantification, calibration, final determination, calculation of results, uncertainty estimation and final expression of results. Throughout this chain of operations, the guarantee of the stability of the analyte is a key issue that has to be addressed to correctly qualify and discuss monitoring data.
The project EDC-WFD aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch. Environmental quality standards (EQS) for these compounds are at the ultra-trace level (EQS EE2 = 35 pg/L, EQS E2 = 400 pg/L, EQS E1 = 3600 pg/L) and pose a significant challenge to analytical methods. Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17αE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. The project will also evaluate the interaction and partitioning of the 5 estrogenic compounds between water samples and suspended particulate matter (SPM) and the capability of developed methods to address the different fractions of matrix (whole water and dissolved concentrations of estrogens).
This contribution will present the objectives and methods applied within the EDC-WFD project that could support a better comprehension of the biogeochemical cycle of selected estrogenic substances in aquatic system
Funding: This project (18NMR01) has received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
A recently introduced inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight-mass spectrometer (ICP-ToF-MS) shows enhanced sensitivity compared to previous developments and superior isotope ratio precision compared to other ToF and commonly used single-collector ICP-MS instruments. Following this fact, an improvement for isotope dilution ICP-MS using the new instrumentation has been reported. This study aimed at investigating whether this improvement also meets the requirements of species-specific isotope dilution using GC/ICP-MS, where short transient signals are recorded. The results of the analysis of monomethylmercury (MMHg) of a sediment reference material show that isotope ratio precision of ICP-MS instruments equipped with quadrupole, sector-field, and time-of-flight mass analyzers is similar within a broad range of peak signal-to-noise ratio when analyzing one isotopic system. The procedural limit of quantification (LOQ) for MMHg, expressed as mass fraction of Hg being present as MMHg, w(Hg)MMHg, was similar as well for all investigated instruments and ranged between 0.003 and 0.016 μg/kg. Due to the simultaneous detection capability, the ICP-ToF-MS might, however, be more favorable when several isotopic systems are analyzed within one measurement. In a case study, the GC/ICP-ToF-MS coupling was applied for analysis of MMHg in sediments of Finow Canal, a historic German canal heavily polluted with mercury. Mass fractions between 0.180 and 41 μg/kg (w(Hg)MMHg) for MMHg, and 0.056 and 126 mg/kg (w(Hg)total) for total mercury were found in sediment samples taken from the canal upstream and downstream of a former chemical plant.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve.
The project EDC-WFD Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17αE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four selected effect-based methods (EBM) will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment. In particular, the EBM sensitivity, specificity and accuracy on reference materials with single or mixture solutions of the five substances at a concentration of EQS values will be explored.
This project (18NMR01) has received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
Herein, we present liquid and gas chromatographic methods coupled with
(high-resolution) mass spectrometry for the analysis of warfarin’s TPs.
Methodologies such as UV-irradiation, ozonation, and chlorination were
utilized to simulate primarily technical water treatment, as well as, abiotic transformation processes. Examination of resulting compounds by numerous analytical methods has provided first insights into a multitude of formed substances. Moreover, the oxidative phase I metabolism was mimicked by an electrochemical flow cell with the aim to synthesize and confirm major metabolic products via a nonbiologically mediated process. The further aim is the toxicological assessment of relevant TPs, as well as, the quantification of warfarin and its TPs under environmentally relevant conditions employing the introduced methodologies.
Sediments and soils can act as sinks of species of inorganic mercury (Hg2+), while they are simultaneously sources of volatile (Hg0) and organic species, such as monomethylmercury (MMHg). Although the fraction of MMHg in total Hg of sediments is suggested to be as low as 0.1 1%, MMHg is a serious threat for humans and wildlife due to its high potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification and the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier. This is highlighted by exceptionally high MMHg concentrations found in fish and fish predators, as well as aquatic insects and birds living in close vicinity to Hg contaminated waterbodies. Humans are exposed to MMHg mainly by ingestion of (predatory) fish and rice.
One example of a highly Hg contaminated waterbody is Finow Canal, the oldest artificial waterway still in operation in Germany, with Hg mass fractions of up to or even more than 100 µg/g found in the sediment, which are suggested to be attributable to a chemical plant producing (among other things) mercury-based seed dressings. Despite this high mass fraction of Hg, anaerobic conditions, high amounts of organic matter and iron, which are all favorable for Hg methylation, no investigations of Hg speciation have been conducted there up to now.
We investigated Hg speciation in sediments of Finow Canal on length from before the known polluted sited into the confluence with another waterway using species-specific isotope dilution (SSID) GC-ICP-ToF-MS. Mass fraction of up to 41 ng/g MMHg were determined in samples taken from Finow Canal and elevated concentrations could also be found around 14 km downstream of the confluence of Finow Canal with another waterway. In addition to this, highly toxic monoethylmercury (EtHg) could be detected in most of the sediment samples. These results are the first evidence of the occurrence of MMHg in this region and show the need for further investigation of the whole regional ecosystem, as well as the consideration of possible measures of remediation.
Der Bedarf nach schnellen und kostengünstigen Analysemethoden in der (Trink-)Wasseranalytik steigt mit dem zunehmenden Eintrag pharmazeutisch aktiver Substanzen in die Umwelt.
Insbesondere die Kontamination mit Antibiotika erscheint neben ökotoxikologischen Effekten vor allem in Hinblick auf die Evolution resistenter Keime im Wasser besorgniserregend.
Wir berichten hier über die Entwicklung eines magnetpartikelbasierten Immunoassays (MBBA) zur Detektion des Breitbandantibiotikums Amoxicillin (AMX) in Wasserproben, der im Vergleich zum entsprechenden Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) eine wesentlich kürzere Analysendauer sowie einen breiteren Messbereich mit niedrigerer Nachweisgrenze aufweist. Das angewendete Assayprinzip ist dabei leicht auf weitere Analyten übertragbar und ermöglicht die Implementierung in einen Immunosensor.
Die zunehmende Kontamination von (Trink)-Wasser mit pharmazeutischen Rückständen stellt ein potenzielles Gesundheitsrisiko dar und verlangt nach schnellen und zuverlässigen Analysemethoden. Hierbei können antikörper-basierte Methoden helfen, da sie schnelle und kostengünstige Vor-Ort-Messungen sowie Onlineanalysen ermöglichen.
Der Übergang von konventionellen plattenbasierten Formaten, wie ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay), zu einem Immunosensor für Online-Messungen wird durch den Einsatz magnetischer Mikropartikel als mobile Messplattform ermöglicht.
Die Partikel werden dazu entweder mit dem Antikörper oder dem Analyten gekoppelt. Diese beiden Strategien werden am Beispiel zweier relevanter Kontaminanten des Wassers gezeigt: Diclofenac (DCF) & Amoxicillin (AMX), und sind leicht auf andere Analyten übertragbar. Die magnetpartikelbasierten Assays (MBBAs) weisen niedrigere Nachweisgrenzen, breitere Messbereiche sowie kürzere Analysezeiten als die entsprechenden ELISAs auf und können in einen Immunosensor mit elektrochemischer Detektion auf einem mikrofluidischen Chip integriert werden.
We present the development of magnetic bead-based immunoassays for two potential contaminants of drinking water: the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac and the broad-spectrum antibiotic amoxicillin. For these analytes, different assay formats were developed which can generally be transferred to other analytes. The use of magnetic beads not only enables implementation of the assays into an online system since the beads can be reversibly immobilized by applying a magnetic field. Furthermore, our MBBAs hold several advantages over the conventional ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) for both analytes, such as lower limits of quantification, shorter assay duration and less washing steps required.
Strategies for the setup and miniaturization of an online immunosensor including electrochemical readout on a microfluidic chip will be discussed.
Warfarin ist seit den 1950er Jahren einer der bekanntesten Gerinnungshemmer. Beim Menschen wird es bis heute zur Vorbeugung von Thrombose und der Behandlung von Vorhofflimmern und Arrhythmie eingesetzt. Doch schon einige Jahre vor der FDA Zulassung (U. S. Food and Drug Administration) als Medikament wurde es zur Bekämpfung von Nagetieren eingesetzt. Bis heute wurde es nur teilweise durch weitaus wirksamere antikoagulante Rodentizide (ARs) der zweiten Generation, sogenannte Superwarfarine, ersetzt.
In der Fachliteratur finden sich zahlreiche Beispiele für sekundäre und tertiäre Vergiftung mit ARs bei Wildtieren und anderen Nichtzieltieren. Bisher ist relativ wenig über die Bioakkumulation, Persistenz und Toxizität von ARs und deren Transformationsprodukten (TPs) in der terrestrischen und aquatischen Umwelt, sowie der Nahrungskette bekannt.
Um Einblicke in mögliche Transformations- und Abbauprozesse von Warfarin unter umweltrelevanten Bedingungen zu erhalten und um diese Einflüsse zu simulieren, wurde hierzu eine elektrochemische Reaktorzelle in Kopplung mit einem Massenspektrometer verwendet. So können mögliche Phase-I-Metabolite und sogenannte „oxidation products“ vorausgesagt werden. Hinsichtlich des Verhaltens während der Wasseraufbereitung in Kläranlagen wurden technisch relevante Prozesse wie Chlorung, UV-Bestrahlung und Ozonung in Modellen simuliert, um hier potenzielle Abbauwege und -prozesse aufzuklären. Gebildete Transformationsprodukte wurden daher mittels unterschiedlicher chromatografischer Verfahren getrennt und massenspektrometrisch identifiziert, charakterisiert und verglichen.
The demand for quick and reliable online sensors is rising not only in the field of environmental analysis with new and diversifying sources of pollution. A major aspect of this is the contamination of (drinking) water with pharmaceuticals representing a potential health threat and requiring timely countermeasures in case of contamination.
In this regard, antibody-based methods can be helpful as they enable fast and cost-effective on-site and potentially online analyses. The transition from the conventional plate-based formats like ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) to an immunosensor fit for online sensing can be achieved by using magnetic microparticles as a mobile sensing platform.
Beads are prepared by either coupling the antibody or the analyte to the surface. Both these strategies are presented using the example of two relevant contaminants in water: diclofenac (DCF) & amoxicillin (AMX), and can be transferred to other analytes.
The developed magnetic bead-based assays (MBBAs) exhibit lower LODs, enhanced sensitivity as well as shorter time of analysis than the respective ELISAs and can be integrated into an immunosensor with electrochemical detection on a microfluidic chip.
Contamination of waters with pharmaceuticals is an alarming problem as it may support the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, fast and cost-effective analytical methods for potential on-site analysis are desired in order to control the water quality and assure the safety of its use as a source of drinking water. Antibody-based methods, such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), can be helpful in this regard but can also have certain pitfalls in store, depending on the analyte. As shown here for the class of β-lactam antibiotics, hydrolysis of the β-lactam ring is a key factor in the immunochemical analysis as it influences antibody recognition. With the antibody used in this study, the limit of detection (LOD) in the immunoassay could be significantly reduced by hydrolysis for the five tested penicillins, with the lowest LOD for carbenicillin (0.2 nmol/L) and the greatest impact on penicillins G and V (reduction by 85%). In addition to enhanced quantification, our strategy also provides access to information about the degree of hydrolysis in water samples as shown for the most abundant penicillin amoxicillin.
Pharmacologically active compounds are often detected in wastewater and surface waters. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac (DCF) was included in the European watch list of substances that requires its environmental monitoring in the member states. DCF may harmfully influence the ecosystem already at concentrations ≤ 1 μg L−1. The fast and easy quantification of DCF is becoming a subject of global importance. Fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) is a homogeneous mix-and-read method which does not require the immobilization of reagents. FPIA can be performed in one phase within 20–30 min, making it possible to analyse wastewater without any complicated pre-treatment. In this study, new tracermolecules with different structures, linking fluorophores to derivatives of the analyte, were synthesized, three homologous tracers based on DCF, two including a C6 spacer, and one heterologous tracer derived from 5-hydroxy-DCF. The tracer molecules were thoroughly assessed for performance. Regarding sensitivity of the FPIA, the lowest limit of detection reached was 2.0 μg L−1 with a working range up to 870 μg L−1. The method was validated for real wastewater samples against LC-MS/MS as reference method with good agreement of both methods.
EDC WFD project to deliver reliable measurements of estrogens for better monitoring surveys and risk assessments.
Collaboration between National Metrology Institutes and advanced research institutes from 6 European countries A Balance of expertise: development and certification of RM, proficiency tests / interlaboratory comparison design, method development and validation, standardisation A 3 years project: September 2019- August 2022
Strong engagement with stakeholders (Advisory Group)
Herein, we present liquid and gas chromatographic methods coupled to (high-resolution) mass spectrometry for the analysis of warfarin’s transformation products.
Methodologies such as UV-irradiation, ozonation, and chlorination were utilised to simulate technical water treatment. Resulting compounds were elucidated and examined by numerous analytical methods. Moreover, the oxidative phase I metabolism was mimicked by an electrochemical flow cell to synthesise and confirm major metabolites. The further aim is the toxicological assessment of all substances formed, as well as, the quantification of warfarin and its TPs under environmentally relevant conditions employing the introduced methods.
Wir berichten hier über die Entwicklung plattenbasierter Magnetpartikel-Immunoassays für die Bestimmung des Breitbandantibiotikums Amoxicillin und des nicht-steroidalen Antirheumatikums Diclofenac im Trinkwasser. Für die beiden Analyten wurden unterschiedliche Ansätze entwickelt, mit partikelgebundenen Antikörpern für AMX und Analyt-gekoppelten Partikeln für DCF, die die simultane Detektion beider Kontaminanten im nanomolaren Konzentrationsbereich erlauben.
During the last two decades, studies related to the occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment have received great attention from the international scientific community. The monitoring of the presence of these compounds is particularly important since they are known to induce adverse effects in aquatic environments, even at extremely low concentrations. This work aimed to apply a simple and effective methodology, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in the monitoring of 17a-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and 17b-estradiol (E2) (a synthetic and a natural hormone, respectively), carbamazepine (CBZ, an antiepileptic), cetirizine (CET, an antihistamine) and caffeine (CAF, a stimulant) in water matrices with differing salinity and organic matter contents. ELISA was proven to be a valid and practical tool, especially for screening purposes in contrast to traditional chromatographic techniques which are prohibitively expensive for an application on a broader base. The main originality of this work was to establish seasonal and spatial effects on the occurrence of the referred contaminants by using the effectiveness of ELISA to screen those compounds in samples with different characteristics.
This work reports both the seasonal and spatial quantification of the referred contaminants in the aquatic environment of the central region of Portugal, with concentrations ranging as follows: 5–87 ng L-1, for
E2, 2–17 ng L-1, for EE2, 10–1290 ng L-1, for CBZ, 10–190 ng L-1, for CET, and 62–6400 ng L-1, for CAF.
Immunanalytische Bestimmung von β-Lactam-Antibiotika und deren Hydrolyseprodukten im Trinkwasser
(2020)
Die speziellen Herausforderungen der immunanalytischen Bestimmung von β-Lactam-Antibiotika in (Trink-)Wasserproben werden anhand eines neu entwickelten ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) für das Breitbandantibiotikum Amoxicillin diskutiert. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Hydrolyse des Analyten einen positiven Einfluss auf die Erkennung durch den Antikörper hat. Das entsprechende Hydrolyseprodukt, zu dem der Antikörper folglich eine höhere Affinität aufweist, wurde identifiziert und ein entsprechendes Verhalten wurde auch für andere β-Lactam-Antibiotika aus der Gruppe der Penicilline beobachtet. Eine Strategie für die Analyse von Wasserproben hinsichtlich Kontamination mit den hier betrachteten β-Lactamen und deren Hydrolyseprodukten wurde ausgearbeitet.
The potential release of hazardous substances from polymer-based products is currently in the focus of environmental policy. Environmental simulations are applied to expose such products to selected aging conditions and to investigate release processes. Commonly applied aging exposure types such as solar and UV radiation in combination with water contact, corrosive gases, and soil contact as well as expected general effects on polymers and additional ingredients of polymer-based products are described. The release of substances is based on mass-transfer processes to the material surfaces. Experimental approaches to investigate transport processes that are caused by water contact are presented. For tailoring the tests, relevant aging exposure types and release quantification methods must be combined appropriately. Several studies on the release of hazardous substances such as metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, flame retardants, antioxidants, and carbon nanotubes from polymers are summarized exemplarily. Differences between natural and artificial exposure tests are discussed and demonstrated for the release of flame retardants from several polymers and for biocides from paints. Requirements and limitations to apply results from short-term artificial environmental exposure tests to predict long-term environmental behavior of polymers are presented.
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi. The contamination of mycotoxins in food and feed products has been recognized to be an important safety issue for human and animal health. In the context of food safety, medical herbs nowadays are also considered as potential source of mycotoxins. Considering that mycotoxins are generally stable compounds and could not be destroyed completely during food-processing operations, prevention of contamination is identified as main issue.
Currently, biochemical, and immunochemical methods based on the use of antibodies as a specific recognition bioreagents are increasingly found to be applied in screening. Along with good common enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), more and more widely used method is fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). These methods help to monitor of many toxic substances in large number of samples and carried out quickly, easily, cheaply, and give good results in quantifying the one or more substances. That is why the use of immunochemical methods of analysis, such as ELISA and FPIA, is the most promising for solving this problem.
Thus, the aim of our work is to optimize the determination of mycotoxins by ELISA and FPIA in medical herbs. We selected antibodies and a tracer for the FPIA, then we constructed obtained a calibration curve and determined the sensitivity of this method for the samples in aqueous media. Then, the optimal sample preparation was elaborated: for spiked nuts samples were selected and prepared and a calibration curve was obtained with respect to the matrix effect. After that, the analysis of spiked nuts samples was performed by ELISA and FPIA and the sensitivity of both methods was compared.
Gegenstand der vorzustellenden Arbeiten ist die Prüfung der Umwelt-beständigkeit und -verträglichkeit von Materialien und Produkten hinsichtlich der Emission von potenziellen Schadstoffen in die Umwelt. Hierzu werden chemisch-physikalische Einflüsse (Bewitterung) und mikrobielle Beanspruchungen an Modellmaterialien evaluiert. So werden die Freisetzungsraten von Schadstoffen in Abhängigkeit der Beanspruchung beschrieben. Als Modellmaterialien kommen die Polymere Polystyrol (PS) und Polypropylen (PP) zum Einsatz. Synergistische Effekte der Bewitterungsparameter und der mikrobiologischen Beanspruchung sollen dabei ebenso betrachtet werden, wie die gezielte Alterung. Auch findet eine Beschreibung des Verhaltens der ausgetragenen Schadstoffe (polybromierte Flammschutzmittel) in den Umweltkompartimenten Boden oder Wasser statt. Hier sind mit Hilfe der zu entwickelnden Screening- und non-Target-Analyseverfahren die Transformation und der Metabolismus durch Mikroorganismen zu beschreiben. Aus den Ergebnissen sollen Korrelationen zwischen den künstlichen Alterungsverfahren und realen Szenarien abgeleitet werden.
Warfarin als ein Vertreter der NSO-Hetereozyklen, ist seit den 1950er Jahren einer der bekanntesten Gerinnungshemmer. Beim Menschen wird es bis heute zur Vorbeugung von Thrombose und der Behandlung von Vorhofflimmern und Arrhythmie eingesetzt. Doch schon einige Jahre vor der FDA Zulassung als Medikament wurde es zur Bekämpfung von Nagetieren eingesetzt. Bis heute wurde es nur teilweise durch weitaus wirksamere antikoagulante Rodentizide (ARs) der zweiten Generation, sogenannte Superwarfarine, ersetzt. In der Fachliteratur finden sich zahlreiche Beispiele für sekundäre und tertiäre Vergiftung mit ARs bei Wildtieren und anderen Nichtzieltieren. Bisher ist relativ wenig über die Bioakkumulation, Persistenz und Toxizität von ARs und deren Transformationsprodukten (TPs) in der terrestrischen und aquatischen Umwelt, sowie der Nahrungskette bekannt.
Um Einblicke in mögliche Transformations- und Abbauprozesse von Warfarin zu erhalten und um Umwelteinflüsse zu simulieren, wurde es in einer elektrochemischen Reaktorzelle oxidativ umgesetzt und mittels Massenspektrometrie analysiert. Hinsichtlich der Wasseraufbereitung in Kläranlagen wurden technisch relevante Simulationsverfahren wie Chlorung, UV-Bestrahlung und Ozonung angewendet um potentielle Eliminierungswege aufzuklären. Gebildete Transformationsprodukte wurden daher mittels unterschiedlicher chromatografischer Verfahren getrennt, massenspektrometrisch analysiert und verglichen.
Separation and detection of antioxidants using a graphene based electrochemical sensor platform
(2019)
CVD-Graphene is ideally suited as an active element for electrical and electrochemical sensing platforms, since it provides for high sensitivity and low detection limit. Electrochemical sensors provide a simple way to measure analytes in fluids with high sensitivity without the need for complex instrumentation. Due to These aspects, graphene sensors are interesting for a wide range of applications in bio analytics. Antioxidants are natural or synthetic compounds, which inhibit oxidation processes and hence often find use as preservatives.
It has been suggested that the long-term consumption of diets rich in antioxidants is associated with a lower risk of developing diseases linked to oxidative stress. Gallic acid and ascorbic acid are representatives of antioxidants. We have developed a graphene-based sensor platform to separate and subsequently detect antioxidants. Graphene exhibits low detection limits for ascorbic acid and polyphenols. In this study, the sensing of gallic acid and ascorbic acid on bare CVD graphene in various solvents was investigated by Square Wave Voltammetry. Furthermore, the separation and detection of the bioanalytes by deploying different membranes were evaluated.
Background. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a toxic low-molecular-weight secondary fungal metabolite produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus not only at pre-harvest time but also at post-harvest stages including storage. AFB1 was classified as a Group I carcinogen by the World Health Organization for Research on Cancer in 1993. AFB1 is able to naturally contaminate medicinal plants and therefore causing serious health issues for humans consuming the related medicine. This study aimed to develop an efficient fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) and for the first time a rapid (5-10 min), low-cost, and simple membrane-based flow-through immunoassay (MBA) for determination of AFB1 in medical herbs based on a monoclonal antibody.
Methods. Two different techniques for AFB1detection in medical herbs (Herba Orígani vulgáris, Folia Urticae, Fructus Rubi idaei) were developed and compared, namely an easy-to-use semi-quantitative flow-through membrane-based enzyme immunoassay (MBA), and a homogeneous method which needs no separation or washing steps (assay time 10 min), a quantitative fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA).
Results. A cut-off level of the developed MBA can vary wide from 0.8 ppb to 1 ppb. The FPIA method showed a linear working range of 8.6 ppb to 64 ppb, IC50 of FPIA is 24 ppb. The results were in good correlation with the ELISA results (IC50 = 0.1 ppb). LC–MS/MS was used to confirm the results, too.
Conclusion. MBA can be used for a quick on-site AFB1 detection in medical herbs (Herba Orígani vulgáris (Oríganum vulgáre), Folia Urticae (Urtíca dióica), Fructus Rubi idaei (Rúbus idáeus)), the developed test does not require special equipment and is not time-consuming (5-10min), includes several simple steps and can be performed directly on-site. The major advantages of the developed FPIA are its simplicity and suitability for a rapid screening of a large number of samples.
Gegenstand der vorzustellenden Arbeiten ist die Prüfung der Umwelt-beständigkeit und -verträglichkeit von Materialien und Produkten hinsichtlich der Emission von potenziellen Schadstoffen in die Umwelt. Hierzu werden chemisch-physikalische Einflüsse (Bewitterung) und mikrobielle Beanspruchungen an Modellmaterialien evaluiert. So werden die Freisetzungsraten von Schadstoffen in Abhängigkeit der Beanspruchung beschrieben. Als Modellmaterialien kommen die Polymere Polystyrol (PS) und Polypropylen (PP) zum Einsatz. Synergistische Effekte der Bewitterungsparameter und der mikrobiologischen Beanspruchung sollen dabei ebenso betrachtet werden, wie die gezielte Alterung. Auch findet eine Beschreibung des Verhaltens der ausgetragenen Schadstoffe in den Umweltkompartimenten Boden oder Wasser statt. Hier sind mit Hilfe der zu entwickelnden Screening- und non-Target-Analyseverfahren die Transformation und der Metabolismus durch Mikroorganismen zu beschreiben. Aus den Ergebnissen sollen Korrelationen zwischen den künstlichen Alterungsverfahren und realen Szenarien abgeleitet werden.
Zu den letzten beiden Jahrestagungen der GUS wurden Verfahren und Methoden vorgestellt, die es gestatten, den Transfer von Schadstoffen aus Materialien und Produkten in die Umwelt unter umweltrelevanten Bedingungen beschreiben zu können. Dabei lag der Fokus auf den Materialien und der eingesetzten Umweltsimulationen. In einem sich anschließenden Schritt soll nun das Verhalten der freigesetzten organischen Schadstoffe unter den Bedingungen von realen und simulierten Umwelteinflüssen charakterisiert und beschrieben werden. Hier werden im Detail drei potentielle Schadstoffe betrachtet, die Inhaltsstoffe bzw. Additive in den jeweils eingesetzten Materialien sind. Im Falle von Polypropylen (PP) und Polystyrol (PS) handelt es sich um polybromierte Flammschutzmittel BDE 209 (Decabrom-diphenylether, als Einzelsubstanz) und HBCD (Hexabromcyclododecan, als technische Formulierung). Für das eingesetzte Polycarbonat ist BPA (Bisphenol A) als Schadstoff zu definieren, welcher unter umweltrelevanten Bedingungen freigesetzt wird. Im Rahmen der durchzuführenden Arbeiten sollen die aufgeführten prioritären Schadstoffe hinsichtlich möglicher Transformationsprozesse in Umwelt und Klärwerk charakterisiert werden. Die unter den Bedingungen der Ozonung, Chlorierung und UV-Bestrahlung erhaltenen Transformationsprodukte (TPs) sollen im Sinne einer Non-Target-Analytik identifiziert und eindeutig charakterisiert werden. Die Ergebnisse sollen mittels vorhandener Analysenverfahren, wie GC-EI-MS, HPLC-ESI-IT-MSn bzw. LC-MS/MS erzeugt bzw. abgesichert werden. Anhand der in der Struktur eindeutig zu beschreibenden Transformationsprodukte und der Charakterisierung von potentiellen Intermediaten sollen belastbare Reaktionswege und –mechanismen abgeleitet werden.
In addition to previously reported results on the accelerated weathering of polystyrene samples (PS) containing 1 wt.% hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), we present the first results of our investigations of polypropylene samples (PP) containing 0.1 wt.% BDE-209. All studied polymer samples were exposed to a defined weathering schedule in a climate chamber in accordance to regulation EN ISO 4892-3:2006. For the determination of BDE-209 in the collected raining water the samples were prepared in accordance to a validated protocol. Before the analyses each sample was spiked with isotopically labeled BDE-209. Subsequently the samples were extracted with isooctane. The obtained extracts were concentrated, and the resulting solutions were analyzed by GC/MS. Additionally, the total bromine content was monitored for the weathered and untreated samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) as a non-destructive and rapid method. In general, the resulting data from the accelerated weathering will be compared to those from the natural weathering experiments. Here, the surfaces of the test pieces were analyzed by LA-ICP-MS and XRF as well. Moreover, soil bed tests were conducted in a well characterized model soil. This soil (boulder-clay, sand with 12 % loam, particle size in total 0.2-4 mm) is filled in a free-draining basin inside of an air-conditioned cellar. In this manner, TOC, water capacity and humidity are recorded parameters. To induce a leaching process from the samples by the raining water, the target water content is calculated to 8%. The actual humidity is measured by a tensiometer, assuring the duration of the raining period. A defined humidity is a fundamental parameter for a biological activity in the soil. The test polymers were placed up to the half in the soil. Microbial activity of the soil is monitored by a reference polymer (polyurethane) and should induce the release of HBCD and BDE-209 out of the test materials. These released analytes will be captured by passive samplers (silicone tubes) placed in a distinct distance to the polymer samples in the soil. The soil bed experiments are complementary to the weathering experiments due to the biological activity in the soil.
In addition to previously reported results on the accelerated weathering of polystyrene samples (PS) containing 1 wt.% hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), we present the first results of our investigations of polypropylene samples (PP) containing 0.1 wt.% BDE-209. All studied polymer samples were exposed to a defined weathering schedule in a climate chamber in accordance to regulation EN ISO 4892-3:2006. For the determination of BDE-209 in the collected raining water the samples were prepared in accordance to a validated protocol. Before the analyses each sample was spiked with isotopically labeled BDE-209. Subsequently the samples were extracted with isooctane. The obtained extracts were concentrated, and the resulting solutions were analyzed by GC/MS. Additionally, the total bromine content was monitored for the weathered and untreated samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) as a non-destructive and rapid method. In general, the resulting data from the accelerated weathering will be compared to those from the natural weathering experiments. Here, the surfaces of the test pieces were analyzed by LA-ICP-MS and XRF as well. Moreover, soil bed tests were conducted in a well characterized model soil. This soil (boulder-clay, sand with 12 % loam, particle size in total 0.2-4 mm) is filled in a free-draining basin inside of an air-conditioned cellar. In this manner, TOC, water capacity and humidity are recorded parameters. To induce a leaching process from the samples by the raining water, the target water content is calculated to 8%. The actual humidity is measured by a tensiometer, assuring the duration of the raining period. A defined humidity is a fundamental parameter for a biological activity in the soil. The test polymers were placed up to the half in the soil. Microbial activity of the soil is monitored by a reference polymer (polyurethane) and should induce the release of HBCD and BDE-209 out of the test materials. These released analytes will be captured by passive samplers (silicone tubes) placed in a distinct distance to the polymer samples in the soil. The soil bed experiments are complementary to the weathering experiments due to the biological activity in the soil.
Warfarin, also known as Coumadin is one of the most popular anticoagulant drugs used as a therapeutic in humans to prevent thrombosis, atrial fibrosis, and fibrillation since the 1950s. Because of its ability to hinder blood from clotting by blocking vitamin K-depending carboxylation of blood clotting precursors, it is also used as a rodenticide worldwide. Until today it has been partially substituted by far more potent anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs), so-called superwarfarins. There are numerous references confirming secondary and tertiary poisoning in non-target-animals and wildlife like mammals, birds, and fish associated with ARs. Up to now relatively little is known about persistence and toxicity of transformation products of those AR in the environment and food chain. Herein, warfarin was chosen as a model compound to determine andelucidate TPs which are generated technically and under environment-like conditions. Such as the simulation of the oxidative phase I metabolism by implementing electrochemical flow cells coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). Obtained results are being compared to TPs generated by UVB-irradiation and ozonation.
Analysis and separation of degradation products and TPs were achieved by a variety of gas- and liquid chromatographic techniques coupled to (high resolution) MS.
Environmental sustainability and –stability of materials concerning the migration of pollutants
(2019)
In addition to previously reported results on the accelerated weathering of polystyrene samples (PS) containing 1 wt. % hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), we present the first results of our investigations of polypropylene samples (PP) containing 0.1 wt. % BDE-209. All studied polymer samples were exposed to a defined weathering schedule in a climate chamber in accordance to regulation EN ISO 4892-3:2006. For the determination of BDE-209 in the collected raining water the samples were prepared in accordance to a validated protocol. Before the analyses each sample was spiked with isotopically labeled BDE-209. Subsequently the samples were extracted with isooctane. The obtained extracts were concentrated, and the resulting solutions were analyzed by GC/MS. Additionally, the total bromine content was monitored for the weathered and untreated samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) as a non-destructive and rapid method. In general, the resulting data from the accelerated weathering will be compared to those from the natural weathering experiments. Here, the surfaces of the test pieces were analyzed by LA-ICP-MS and XRF as well. Moreover, soil bed tests were conducted in a well characterized model soil. This soil (boulder-clay, sand with 12 % loam, particle size in total 0.2-4 mm) is filled in a free-draining basin inside of an air-conditioned cellar. In this manner, TOC, water capacity and humidity are recorded parameters. To induce a leaching process from the samples by the raining water, the target water content is calculated to 8%. The actual humidity is measured by a tensiometer, assuring the duration of the raining period. A defined humidity is a fundamental parameter for a biological activity in the soil. The test polymers were placed up to the half in the soil. Microbial activity of the soil is monitored by a reference polymer (polyurethane) and should induce the release of HBCD and BDE-209 out of the test materials. These released analytes will be captured by passive samplers (silicone tubes) placed in a distinct distance to the polymer samples in the soil. The soil bed experiments are complementary to the weathering experiments due to the biological activity in the soil.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve. The project EDC-WFD “Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive” aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17aE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods - Mass Spectrometry based method and effect-based methods (EBM) - and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four EBM will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve. The project EDC-WFD “Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive” aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17aE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods - Mass Spectrometry based method and effect-based methods (EBM) - and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four EBM will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve. The project EDC-WFD “Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive” aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17aE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods - Mass Spectrometry based method and effect-based methods (EBM) - and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four EBM will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment.
Regardless of its ban in agricultural use, the triazine derivative terbutryn is still used as a biocide against biofouling in building materials, such as façade colors and roof tiles. From there, it is washed off and may contaminate soil and surface waters, where it shows ecotoxicological behavior. For understanding of these leaching processes, analytical methods that can detect terbutryn in traces are necessary. In contrast to separation methods (Gas (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC)) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) have proven to be adequate tools for environmental monitoring. Compared to GC-or LC-MS, they are cheap, require only limited time and experimental expertise and enable high throughput. For quantification of terbutryn, EIAs have been established, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 50 ng L-1. For leaching experiments however, a lower LOD would be advantageous.
For detection of terbutryn we developed a direct competitive ELISA based on a monoclonal antibody: Terbutryn and an enzyme-terbutryn conjugate (“tracer”) compete for the binding sites of the immobilized antibody. The bound tracer converts a colourless substrate into a blue-coloured product, which can be detected via spectrophotometry. For quantification of terbutryn, a sigmoidal calibration curve is used. For establishing of the EIA, a new tracer based on a terbutryn surrogate (“hapten”) was synthesized. After optimization of the experimental conditions, the immunoassay exhibited a more than ten-fold increased sensitivity (LOD: 3 ng L-1), high stability against sample compounds (Ca2+, NaCl) and lower cross-reactivities against structurally related compounds, than reported before. Analysis of spiked samples was possible with high precision (inter-assay CV: < 10 %) and accuracy (recoveries from spiked samples: 89 % ± 10%). We therefore propose it as quick and reliable method for leaching studies of terbutryn out of building materials.
Herein we present the data for a newly developed immunoassay for the determination of amoxicillin (AMX) in water samples using a commercially available monoclonal anti-AMX antibody. During optimization and testing of the assay, we observed a significant decrease of the C-value (IC50) of the ELISA calibration curves with aged standard solutions. Running the assay with standard solutions of synthesized AMX hydrolysis products revealed that this decreased C-value could be attributed mainly to the hydrolysis product amoxicilloic acid. Therefore, the limit of detection of the ELISA for AMX determination in water could be enhanced by either hydrolyzing the samples or testing for amoxicilloic acid as marker substance.
Herein, we present the development of a gas chromatographic method for Determination of warfarin, its TPs, and selected metabolites.
TPs were formed by applying UV-irradiation, ozonation, and an electrochemical cell coupled to mass spectrometry to mimic the oxidative phase I metabolism. The further aim is to use this method for detection and quantification under environmentally relevant conditions, as well as, toxicological assessment.
Pharmaceuticals, certain food ingredients, and mammalian endogenous metabolic products in wastewater are mostly of human origin. They are anthropogenic markers.
Proper knowledge of their levels in wastewater helps to track sources of pollutants in natural waters and allows for calculation of removal efficiencies in wastewater Treatment plants. Here, we describe the development and application of an indirect competitive, multiplexing suspension Array fluorescence immunoassay (SAFIA) for the detection of carbamazepine (CBZ), diclofenac (DCF), caffeine (CAF), and isolithocholic acid (ILA) in wastewater, covering those classes of anthropogenic markers. The assay consists of haptens covalently conjugated to fluorescence-encoded polystyrene core/silica shell microparticles to create a site for competitive binding of the antibodies (Abs). Bound Abs are then stained with fluorophore-labeled Abs. Encoding and signaling fluorescence of the particles are determined by an automated flow cytometer.
For compatibility of the immunoassay with the 96-well microtiter plate format, a stop reagent, containing formaldehyde, is used. This enables a wash-free procedure while decreasing time-to-result. Detection limits of 140 ± 40 ng/L for CBZ, 180 ± 110 ng/L for CAF, 4 ± 3 ng/L for DCF, and 310 ± 70 ng/L for ILA are achieved, which meet the sensitivity criteria of wastewater analysis. We demonstrate the applicability of SAFIA to real wastewater samples from three different wastewater Treatment plants, finding the results in good agreement with LC-MS/MS. Moreover, the accuracy in general exceeded that from classical ELISAs. We therefore propose SAFIA as a quick and reliable approach for wastewater analysis meeting the requirements for process analytical technology.
We report the first results for the immunochemical determination of the β-lactam antibiotic drug amoxicillin (AMX) in water samples by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The applied indirect competitive ELISA using a commercially available mouse anti-AMX antibody enables testing for AMX with a limit of detection of around 1 µg/L. Calibration curves of calibrators prepared in different water samples showed equal shape. This underlines the suitability of this assay for the AMX determination in these samples. Furthermore, cross-reactivities of structurally similar β-lactam antibiotics were examined and found to be low for ampicillin, penicillin G and penicillin V. In contrast, carbenicillin was recognized by the antibody even better than AMX indicating a positive effect of an additional carboxyl group on antibody binding. This is promising for further application of this assay, e.g. in the determination of the most relevant hydrolysis product of AMX, amoxicilloic acid.
Comparing Nontargeted LC-MS Methods by Co-visualizing Linear Dynamic Range and Chemical Coverage
(2019)
INTRODUCTION
Biological and environmental samples contain thousands of small molecule species that all vary in chemical properties and concentration range. Identifying and quantifying all these chemical entities remains a long-term goal in metabolomics and related systems approaches. Due to its broad selectivity, nontargeted LC-MS is usually the method of choice for broad chemical screening. Optimizing nontargeted LC-MS methods, however, is less straightforward than for targeted methods where sensitivity, specificity, linearity etc. serve as well-established performance criteria. We therefore investigated linear dynamic range (LDR) and chemical classification as alternative performance criteria to guide nontargeted method development.
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
LDR was defined as the linear portion of a feature’s response curve over multiple concentration levels. Comparing the LDR of features across methods can be expected to be significantly more robust than comparing signal intensities for a single concentration. To determine LDR for all features, a computational workflow was implemented in the R programming language. For estimating the linear portion of a curve, several mathematical approaches including linear, non-linear and piecewise linear regression were evaluated. Chemical classification was based on ClassyFire, which computes chemical classes for a given structure. To avoid false classifications for incorrectly annotated compounds, we took the following statistical approach. For each compound, multiple likely annotation hypotheses were derived using a recently described workflow[2]. All annotation hypotheses were submitted to ClassyFire and obtained classifications were ranked by frequency. The most frequently suggested class was kept for further analysis. Finally, LDR and chemical classes were visualized together on a molecular network, which was constructed using the well-established MS/MS similarity approach.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
For technical validation of the workflow, several hundred curve fits obtained from the different regression models were reviewed visually. Piecewise linear regression performed the most reliably with respect to the heterogeneous curve shapes of ‘real-life’ features. Validation of chemical classification was performed against a compound library, which showed that 90% of ~450 library compounds were correctly classified using the described approach. Two liquid chromatography methods (HILIC, RPC) as well as two electrospray ionization variants (low/high-temperature ESI) applied to urinary metabolomics were exemplarily studied to test the workflow. Molecular network visualization indicated that of all analytical setups, HILIC/high temperature ESI performed best in terms of high LDR achieved over a wide range of compound classes. Despite one order of magnitude lower sensitivity, HILIC/low temperature ESI showed similar chemical coverage, except for organic nitrogen compounds that were underrepresented compared to high-temperature ESI. Both RPC setups were inferior to the HILIC setups in terms of high-LDR features, supporting previous findings for the given matrix. The higher relative representation of benzenoids and lipids in RPC demonstrated that the workflow successfully captured expected selectivity differences between chromatographies.
CONCLUSION
When comparing nontargeted LC-MS methods for optimization purposes, ideally all available quantitative and qualitative information should be integrated. The present workflow follows this idea. Visualizing LDR and chemical classes of all features on a molecular network quickly indicated differences in method selectivity that were otherwise difficult to spot. As an automated approach, it is easily applied to repeated optimization steps, enabling effective optimization strategies.
Nontargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is widely used for small molecule screening in biotic or abiotic samples. However, HRMS approaches like metabolomics or environmental nontarget screening currently still lack confidence in chemical annotation, i.e. computational structure assignment to all measured mass signals. As a crucial step within the annotation pipeline, molecular weight inference (MWI) deduces a compound’s intact mass from diagnostic mass differences between MS1 peaks, allowing precise database queries in subsequent steps. As the common practice of considering all possible ionization products such as adducts, multimers, multiple charges etc. in MWI suffers from high false positive rates, we aimed at selecting candidate ionization products in a chemically sensitive way. Generally, electrospray ionization produces different types of adducts depending on chromatographic system and sample matrix, necessitating application-specific optimization for optimum MWI performance. To avoid, however, the tedious and potentially biased manual data curation connected to optimization, we established an R-based workflow for automating this task. The workflow consists of two parts. Part 1 creates an MS1 spectral library by performing peak detection, spectral deconvolution and target peak assignment based on density estimation. Part 2 analyzes ion relationships within the library and returns a list of detected ionization products ranked by their frequency. We applied the workflow to a commercial 634-compound library that was acquired for two chromatographic methods (reverse phase, RP; hydrophilic liquid interaction chromatographic, HILIC) and the two ESI modes (positive, negative). As expected, different frequency distributions of ionization products were found for the two chromatographies. Interestingly, however, some of the differences were expected in terms of solvent chemistries (e.g. [M+NH4]+ in ammonium formate-buffered HILIC) while others indicated more complex ion competition (e.g. abundant [M+K]+, [M+2K-H]+ in HILIC). This demonstrated the relevance of this empirical approach. We further show that MWI accuracy clearly benefitted from derived optimized adduct lists – by adding filters or weighting terms – and present FDR calculations supporting this observation. We conclude that chemistry-aware compound annotation based on the combination of high-throughput library acquisition and statistical analysis holds significant potential for further improvements in nontargeted small molecule HRMS.
The development of an automated miniaturized analytical system that allows for the rapid monitoring of carbamazepine (CBZ) levels in serum and wastewater is proposed. Molecular recognition of CBZ was achieved through its selective interaction with microbeads carrying anti-CBZ antibodies. The proposed method combines the advantages of the micro-bead injection spectroscopy and of the flow-based platform lab-on-valve for implementation of automatic immunosorbent renewal, rendering a new recognition surface for each sample. The sequential (or simultaneous) perfusion of CBZ and the horseradish peroxidase-labelled CBZ through the microbeads is followed by real-time on-column Monitoring of substrate (3,30,5,50-tetramethylbenzidine) oxidation by colorimetry. The evaluation of the initial oxidation rate and also the absorbance value at a fixed time point provided a linear response versus the logarithm of the CBZ concentration. Under the selected assay conditions, a single analysis was completed after only 11 min, with a quantification range between 1.0 and 50 µg L⁻¹. Detection of CBZ levels in undiluted wastewater samples was feasible after a simple filtration step while good recoveries were attained for spiked certified human serum, analyzed without sample clean-up.
The efficiency, relatively low cost and eco-friendly nature of hydrogen peroxide-assisted photocatalysis treatment procedures are significant advantages over conventional techniques for wastewater remediation. Herein, we evaluate the behaviour of g-cyclodextrin (g-CD) immobilised on either bare or chitosan (CS)–functionalised Fe3O4 nanoparticles, for photodegrading Bisphenol A (BPA) in ultrapure water and in real wastewater samples. The BPA removal efficiencies with Fe3O4/g-CD and Fe3O4/CS/g-CD were compared with those of Fe3O4/b-CD, and were monitored under UVA irradiation at near-neutral pH. The addition of H2O2 at low concentrations (15 mmol L-1) significantly increased BPA photodegradation in the presence of each nanocomposite. The highest catalytic activity was shown by both Fe3O4/g-CD and Fe3O4/CS/g-CD nanocomposites (,60 and 27%BPA removal in ultrapure water and real wastewater effluent, respectively). Our findings reveal the superior performance of g-CD-functionalised Fe3O4 relative to that of Fe3O4/b-CD. The use of CD-based nanocomposites as photocatalytic materials could be an attractive option in the pre- or post-treatment stage of wastewaters by advanced oxidation processes before or after biological treatment.
Draft standards for the determination of organic pollutants in the solid matter of environmental matrices such as sludge, treated biowaste and soil have been basically developed in the framework of the European standardization project HORIZONTAL. A research project financed by the German Federal Environment Agency was initiated to finalize some of these CEN standard drafts, since fully validated standard procedures are crucial for the evaluation of their reliability in the context of implementation in legislation on environmental health.
Approach: Appropriate test materials (< 2mm particle size) were prepared and homogenized from contaminated soils, sludge and treated biowaste containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), dioxins, furans and dioxin-like-PCB and served, along with reference solutions, as the basis for international interlaboratory comparisons. Performance data of three analytical standard procedures were obtained by the statistical evaluation of results received from 11 to 29 participants per test material.
Results: The overall variation coefficients of reproducibility (between-lab standard deviations) for the sum parameters were roughly between 10 and 35 %. The variation coefficients of repeatability (within-lab standard deviations) range between 3 % and 8 % and show no trend considering the substance groups or matrices.
The highest coefficients of reproducibility were found for the analysis of PAHs, which were between 26 and 35 %, depending on the matrix, whereas 7-17 % reproducibility was observed for toxicity equivalents (TEQ) comprising dioxins, furans and dl-PCB.
Conclusions: Overall, the results confirm that the procedures described in the Technical Specifications are fit for purpose for all three matrices and that the feasibility of the HORIZONTAL approach, to cover several matrices with one standard per analyte, was thereby proven.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that has been used in the production of plastics for more than 40 years. BPA released from bottles made of polycarbonates has been identified as a potential endocrine disrupting substance. Comprehensive research has been undertaken to test and verify its effect on animals and human beings.
Many methods have been proposed for the determination of BPA, in particular, gas and liquid chromatography. The main disadvantages of such approaches are the high cost of the equipment, the significant duration of an analysis, and difficulties in screening a large number of samples. Lateral Flow ImmunoAssay (LFIA) attributes are high throughput, high specificity and sensitivity, as well as low cost and simplicity.
An LFIA test strip was developed. This LFIA is based on anti-BPA antibodies (from mouse) conjugated with gold nanoparticles as the marker by passive absorption and covalent coupling, deposited in an elaborate pad. To form control and test zones, anti-mouse antibody and a BVA-BSA conjugate were spotted on the nitrocellulose membrane, respectively.
Negative samples are revealed by red lines both in the test and control zones, respectively, whereas positive samples produce a single red line only in the control zone. The measurement range is 0.05 – 23 μg/L, visually detected by the naked eye within 5 minutes. In addition, the intensities at the test line can be read by dedicated lateral flow readers (opTrilyzer® and Cube by opTricon, Berlin) for a more precise and documented determination.
Gegenstand der vorzustellenden Arbeiten ist die Prüfung der Umweltbeständigkeit und -verträglichkeit von Materialien und Produkten hinsichtlich der Emission von potenziellen Schadstoffen in die Umwelt. Hierzu werden chemisch-physikalische Einflüsse (Bewitterung) und mikrobielle Beanspruchungen an Modellmaterialien evaluiert. So werden die Freisetzungsraten von Schadstoffen in Abhängigkeit der Beanspruchung beschrieben. Als Modellmaterialien kommen die Polymere Polystyrol (PS) und Polypropylen (PP) zum Einsatz, die jeweils mit polybromierten Flammschutzmitteln (PBFSM) versehen sind. Synergistische Effekte der Bewitterungsparameter und der mikrobiologischen Beanspruchung sollen dabei ebenso betrachtet werden, wie die gezielte Alterung. Auch findet eine Beschreibung des Verhaltens der ausgetragenen Schadstoffe in den Umweltkompartimenten Boden oder Wasser statt. Hier sind mit Hilfe der zu entwickelnden Screening- und non-Target-Analyseverfahren die Transformation und der Metabolismus durch Mikroorganismen zu beschreiben. Auch soll mit Hilfe der RFA und der LA-ICP-MS die Abreicherung der PBFSM in den Modellmaterialien beschrieben werden. Aus den Ergebnissen sollen Korrelationen zwischen den künstlichen Alterungsverfahren und realen Szenarien abgeleitet werden.
Gegenstand der vorzustellenden Arbeiten ist die Prüfung der Umweltbeständigkeit und -verträglichkeit von Materialien und Produkten hinsichtlich der Emission von potenziellen Schadstoffen in die Umwelt. Hierzu werden chemisch-physikalische Einflüsse (Bewitterung) und mikrobielle Beanspruchungen an Modellmaterialien evaluiert. So werden die Freisetzungsraten von Schadstoffen in Abhängigkeit der Beanspruchung beschrieben. Als Modellmaterialien kommen die Polymere Polystyrol (PS) und Polypropylen (PP) zum Einsatz, die jeweils mit polybromierten Flammschutzmitteln (PBFSM) versehen sind. Synergistische Effekte der Bewitterungsparameter und der mikrobiologischen Beanspruchung sollen dabei ebenso betrachtet werden, wie die gezielte Alterung. Auch findet eine Beschreibung des Verhaltens der ausgetragenen Schadstoffe in den Umweltkompartimenten Boden oder Wasser statt. Hier sind mit Hilfe der zu entwickelnden Screening- und non-Target-Analyseverfahren die Transformation und der Metabolismus durch Mikroorganismen zu beschreiben. Auch soll mit Hilfe der RFA und der LA-ICP-MS die Abreicherung der PBFSM in den Modellmaterialien beschrieben werden. Aus den Ergebnissen sollen Korrelationen zwischen den künstlichen Alterungsverfahren und realen Szenarien abgeleitet werden.