A new strategy based on cholesterol-functionalized iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by high-performance liquid chromatography with cholesterol column

This study reported for the first time the use of cholesterol-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Chol) for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in traditional Chinese medicine samples (TCMs) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with fluorescence detection. The method was efficient, environmentally friendly, and fast. The solvent consumption of the proposed column is only half of the conventional column but with higher efficiency. Influencing factors, including sorbent amount, desorption solvent, sample volume and extraction time, were investigated in detail. Under the optimum conditions, good linearity (R² > 0.991) was obtained over the range of 5–400 ng g⁻¹, with limits of detection (LOD) 0.75, 0.50, 1.0, 0.56, 0.60, 0.84 and 0.80 ng g⁻¹ for anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and benzo(k)fluoranthene, respectively.     

Isolation and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from natural water using accelerated solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

An innovative analytical procedure for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from large-volume water samples is presented. It involves sample preparation, sampling and the elution process in an automated continuous procedure involving the ASE technique. Prior to sampling, a XAD-2 resin column is prepared on the basis of a commercial accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) cartridge so that the resin bed is permanently fixed. Then, the XAD column inside the ASE cartridge is cleaned and conditioned. The sampling procedure involves conventional filtration with subsequent isolation of dissolved PAHs on an XAD-2 resin contained in the ASE cartridge. After sampling, the XAD-2 resin content inside the cartridge is eluted by ASE without any further sample preparation and subsequently reused. In order to validate the procedure, the PAHs were isolated from water samples from the Lake Maggiore (North of Italy) using both XAD-2 resin adsorption and hexane liquid-liquid extraction according to the International Standard Methodology ISO 17993. The mean percentages of deviation between concentrations obtained by both methodologies range from 6% for benzo(a)pyrene to 15% for fluoranthene and benzo(b,k)fluoranthene. Compared to the traditional techniques, this procedure offers numerous practical advantages: easy to perform, fast, savings in solvent volume and in time, all steps are fully automated thus avoiding any XAD-2 resin manipulation during and between steps and moreover, low detection limits were provided (0.001 ng l⁻¹ for chrysene, benzo(b,k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, and 0.01 ng l⁻¹ for acenaphthylene and fluoranthene).This procedure was developed in the frame of a project aimed at evaluating the diffuse input of organic contaminants in the Lake Maggiore.     

Resolution of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by constant-wavelength synchronous spectrofluorometry.

A method capable of determining 13 PAHs (acenaphthene, anthracene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenzo[ah]anthracene, fluoranthene, fluorene, indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, phenanthrene and pyrene) in a mixture of 16 EPA PAHs by second derivative synchronous spectrofluorometry in the constant wavelength mode was developed. It has not been possible to determine the following PAHs in the mixture: acenaphthylene, benzo[ghi]perylene and naphthalene. The approach studied allows the sensitive, rapid and inexpensive identification and quantitation of 13 PAHs in a solution of hexane. The detection limits are <1 microg L(-1) (except for chrysene and phenanthrene).     

Supercritical fluid extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from liver samples and determination by HPLC-FL

An extraction/clean-up procedure by SFE was developed for isolating PAHs from liver samples for subsequent HPLC-FL determination of ten PAHs in the enriched extract. Recoveries (90-115%) and RSD % (< or =7.7) were satisfactory. When applied to 11 samples of bird of prey (Tyto alba) protected species and classified of special interest, from the Galicia (Northwest to Spain), benzo[ghi]perylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were undetectable; chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene are only detected in one sample; benzo[a]anthracene and benzo[k]fluoranthene are only quantified in one sample and benzo[b]fluoranthene in two samples. The other PAHs, anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene are present in almost all the samples.     

Error propagation as a factor in selection of measurement intervals for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by second-derivative spectrofluorimetry

The most suitable wavelength intervals were selected for the determination of 4 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; benzo[g,h,i]perylene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, pyrene, and triphenylene) in very complex mixtures of 11 PAHs: anthracene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene, and triphenylene. The multiple linear regression algorithm was applied to measurements made in several wavelength intervals previously selected on the basis of sensitivity and minimum number of interfering compounds. Of the different models obtained, those displaying minimum error propagation in the analytical result were selected. By applying the models proposed in this study, we precisely and accurately determined benzo[g,h,i]perylene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, pyrene, and triphenylene in complex mixtures--a feat that could not be achieved by the use of constant-wavelength spectrofluorimetry in combination with second-derivative techniques.     

The development of solid-surface fluorescence characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for potential screening tests in environmental samples

This paper presents the characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in solid-surface fluorescence as the first step for obtaining new optical sensors for PAHs screening. The fluorescence properties of the EPA-PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno [1,2,3-cd]pyrene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene) on five types of solid-surfaces were evaluated. The experimental variables (pH and percentage of organic solvent in samples) were studied, obtaining different possibilities for making individual sensors for some of these PAHs and the best conditions for developing sensors for PAH screening were also studied.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from buzzards (Buteo buteo) and tawny owl (Strix aluco) by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Supercritical fluid extraction was applied to the determination of naturally contaminated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bird tissue by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FL). Recoveries (> 90%) and relative standard deviations (< or = 7.7%) were satisfactory. The levels of 10 PAHs were analyzed in 6 classes of tissues (heart, liver, intestine, muscle, lung, and kidney) of 10 buzzards and 2 tawny owls, predatory birds from the Galicia (northwest Spain). The PAHs found most abundantly were pyrene, fluoranthene, benzo[a]anthracene, and anthracene. Chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[ghi]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were not detected. Intestine, kidney, and lung were more polluted than other tissues.     

Validation of a method for extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from sewage sludge and analysis by GC-MS

In the present study, the solid–liquid extraction with low temperature purification was validated for the determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from sewage sludge by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Recoveries ranged 70–114% for naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene, while the compounds benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and benzo[g,h,i]perylene showed recoveries of between 40 and 70%. The relative standard deviation was less than 13% for all of the compounds. Negative matrix effect was observed on the 10 compounds with less retention time in the chromatographic analysis and positive matrix effect noticed on the others. The limits of quantification were from 2 to 20 μg kg^?1, about 30 times less than the maximum residue limit allowed in sludge by the European Union. The validated method produced quantification of 11 PAHs in one sludge sample at concentrations ranging 20–2000 μg kg^?1.     

Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Airborne Particulate by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

This paper presents a trisolvent ultrasonic extraction and HPLC analysis method for the determination of 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air particulate collected on an air filter by a commercial high volume air sampler. A reverse phase column, Vydac 201 TP, and a gradient mobile phase, acetonitrile/water, were used. The 11 PAHs, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a, h]anthracene, benzo[ghi]perylene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and coronene were completely resolved under experimental conditions. All the PAHs except coronene were monitored by fluorescence with λ_ex=270 nm, λ_em>389 nm. Coronene was monitored by UV with λ=300 nm. The methodology was evaluated by spiking SRM 1649 with a PAH standard and then going through different extraction procedures and analyzing the PAH concentrations without clean-up. An external standard method was used for quantitation. The recovery yields for fluoranthene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[ghi]perylene and indeno[l,2,3-cd]pyrene were above 90%. The detection limits of PAH with fluorescence at λ_ex=270 nm, λ_em>389 nm ranged from 5.7 pg to 69.5 pg.     

The application of an in vitro gastrointestinal extraction to assess the oral bioaccessibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils from a former industrial site

The total and bioaccessible concentration of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil from a former industrial site was investigated. Typical total concentrations across the sampling sites ranged from 1.5 mg kg⁻¹ for acenaphthylene up to 243 mg kg⁻¹ for fluoranthene. The oral bioaccessibility of PAHs in soil was assessed using an in vitro gastrointestinal extraction (Fed Organic Estimation human Simulation Test, FOREhST method). The oral bioaccessibility data indicated that fluorene, phenanthrene, chrysene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene had the highest % bioaccessible fraction (based on their upper 75th percentile values being >60%) while the other PAHs had lower % bioaccessible fractions (means ranging between 35 and 59%). Significantly lower bioaccessibilities were determined for naphthalene. With respect to method validation and inter-laboratory comparison, the total and bioaccessible concentrations of benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)anthracene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene was compared to published data derived using the same samples. The total PAH concentrations at the site were compared with generic assessment criteria (GAC) using the residential land use scenario (with plant uptake at 6% soil organic matter). Concentrations of 7 of the PAHs investigated within the soils could lead to an unacceptable risk to human health at this site.     

Use of cotton as a sorbent for on-line precolumn enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in waters prior to liquid chromatography determination

Using cotton as a solid-phase extraction sorbent of the precolumn, an on-line coupled precolumn preconcentration-liquid chromatography system with fluorescence detection was developed for the determination of PAHs in aqueous samples. Four PAHs including fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene were preconcentrated by a precolumn packed with 30 mg of absorbent cotton and then separated by C₁₈ analytical column. When 100 ml of sample was enriched, the proposed procedure provided detection limits in the range of 0.5-57 ng l⁻¹. Several water samples spiked with PAHs were analyzed with recoveries in the range of 92-119% at spiking level of 100 ng l⁻¹ for fluorene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene, and 10 ng l⁻¹ for benzo[k]fluoranthene, respectively.     

Highly sensitive and selective fluorescence optosensor to detect and quantify benzo[a]pyrene in water samples

We describe here a method for detecting and quantifying the highly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in water, based on a flow-trough optical sensor. The technique is fast (response time of 40 s) and simple and at the same time meets the standards of sensitivity and selectivity required by the European Guidelines on Water for Human Consumption. The optosensor is based on the on-line immobilization of BaP on a non-ionic resin (Amberlite XAD-4) solid support in a continuous-flow system. BaP was analyzed in a 15 mM H₂PO₄⁻/HPO₄²⁻ buffer solution with 25% (v/v) 1,4-dioxane at pH 7. Fluorescence intensity was measured at λ_ex/em=392/406 nm. The experimental conditions (reagent phase, pH, type and concentration of buffer solution and organic solvent) and flow-injection values (flow rate and injection volume) were carefully controlled. Under these conditions the optosensor was sensitive to a linear concentration range of between 3.0 and 250.0 ng l⁻¹ with a detection limit of 3.0 ng l⁻¹ and a standard deviation of 1.5% at 150 ng l⁻¹. The optosensor was applied to the quantification of BaP in drinking and waste water samples (95-105% recovery) in presence of the other 15 EPA PAHs at 1000 ng l⁻¹ concentration level. The influence of other fluorescent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potential interference from ions usually present in water was also evaluated.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from liver samples and determination by HPLC-FL

An extraction/clean-up procedure by SFE was developed for isolating PAHs from liver samples for subsequent HPLC-FL determination of ten PAHs in the enriched extract. Recoveries (90–115%) and RSD % (≤ 7.7) were satisfactory. When applied to 11 samples of bird of prey (Tyto alba) protected species and classified of special interest, from the Galicia (Northwest to Spain), benzo[ghi]perylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were undetectable; chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene are only detected in one sample; benzo[a]anthracene and benzo[k]fluoranthene are only quantified in one sample and benzo[b]fluoranthene in two samples. The other PAHs, anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene are present in almost all the samples.     

Second-derivative constant-wavelength synchronous scan spectrofluorimetry for determination of benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene in drinking water

The use of derivative constant-wavelength synchronous scan fluorimetry is reported for the determination of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants in drinking water (linearity range 0.4-4 mug 1(-1)). The limits of detection (LD) and quantification (LQ) (mug 1(-1)) are 0.01 and 0.07 for benzo[b]fluoranthene, 0.03 and 0.12 for benzo[a]pyrene and 0.19 and 0.57 for indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene in the presence of three other pollutants, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[ghi]perylene and fluoranthene. The precision (RSD /= 85%) were satisfactory.     

Improved efficiency of extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material Diesel Particulate Matter (SRM 2975) using accelerated solvent extraction

The efficiency of extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with molecular masses of 252, 276, 278, 300, and 302 Da from standard reference material diesel particulate matter (SRM 2975) has been investigated using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with dichloromethane, toluene, methanol, and mixtures of toluene and methanol. Extraction of SRM 2975 using toluene/methanol (9:1, v/v) at maximum instrumental settings (200 °C, 20.7 MPa, and five extraction cycles) with 30-min extraction times resulted in the following elevations of the measured concentration when compared with the certified and reference concentrations reported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): benzo[b]fluoranthene, 46%; benzo[k]fluoranthene, 137%; benzo[e]pyrene, 103%; benzo[a]pyrene, 1,570%; perylene, 37%; indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, 41%; benzo[ghi]perylene, 163%; and coronene, 361%. The concentrations of the following PAHs were comparable to the reference values assigned by NIST: indeno[1,2,3-cd]fluoranthene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and picene. The measured concentration of dibenzo[a,e]-pyrene was lower than the information value reported by the NIST. The measured concentrations of other highly carcinogenic PAHs (dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, dibenzo[a,i]pyrene, and dibenzo[a,h]pyrene) in SRM 2975 are also reported. Comparison of measurements using the optimized ASE method and using similar conditions to those applied by the NIST for the assignment of PAH concentrations in SRM 2975 indicated that the higher values obtained in the present study were associated with more complete extraction of PAHs from the diesel particulate material. Re-extraction of the particulate samples demonstrated that the deuterated internal standards were more readily recovered than the native PAHs, which may explain the lower values reported by the NIST. The analytical results obtained in the study demonstrated that the efficient extraction of PAHs from SRM 2975 is a critical requirement for the accurate determination of PAHs with high molecular masses in this standard reference material and that the optimization of extraction conditions is essential to avoid underestimation of the PAH concentrations. The requirement is especially relevant to the human carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene, which is commonly used as an indicator of the carcinogenic risk presented by PAH mixtures.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons formed during the pyrolysis of phenylalanine

The formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during pyrolysis process of phenylalanine had been studied. Ten PAHs, including fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[e]pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using selective ion monitoring mode. This technique offers the capability to analyze trace amounts of PAHs in phenylalanine pyrolyzates. The pyrolysis was carried out in a micro-furnace with quartz furnace liner. The injection was conducted with glass pelletizer syringe to avoid metal contamination. Qualitative results were obtained at 900 degrees C and quantitative analysis of 10 PAHs was done for 700 and 900 degrees C.     

Collection and analytical characterisation of the atmospheric particulate in the city of Bari

In this paper an application of new procedures for atmospheric particulate analysis is illustrated. PM10, PAHs (benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjF), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), indeno[1, 2, 3-cd]pyrene (Ip), dibenzo[a, h]anthracene (DbA)) and heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Mn, Cd, Fe and Pb) were investigated. PM10 determination was performed by gravimetric method, PAHs were measured by GC-MS, and heavy metals by HPIC. An air quality monitoring campaign on the territory of Bari municipality has been organised, and its results are shown.     

Quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in human hair by HPLC with fluorescence detection: a biological monitoring method to evaluate the exposure to PAHs

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection was developed for the quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in human hair. Fifteen kinds of PAHs classified as priority pollutants by the US EPA were quantified with four perdeuterated PAHs as internal standards. After 50 mg hair samples were washed with n-hexane to remove external contamination of PAHs, the samples were digested in 2.5 M sodium hydroxide. The digests were extracted with n-hexane and then analyzed by HPLC. Eleven kinds of PAHs were identified in hair samples of 20 subjects, and 10 kinds of PAHs were eventually quantified using the internal standards. For anthracene, chrysene and benzo[k]fluoranthene, significant differences were observed between smokers and non-smokers. Although benzo[b]fluoranthene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[ghi]perylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were observed in the particulates of indoor and outdoor air, they were not detected in all hair samples. The analysis of PAHs in human hair should be useful as a new biomarker to evaluate the exposure to PAHs.     

Optimization of the matrix solid-phase dispersion sample preparation procedure for analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils: comparison with microwave-assisted extraction

A fast and simple preparation procedure based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique is proposed for the first time for the isolation of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soil samples. Naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene were considered in the study. Extraction and clean-up of samples were carried out in a single step. The main parameters that affect extraction yield, such as dispersant, type and amount of additives, clean-up co-sorbent and extractive solvent were evaluated and optimized. The addition of an alkali solution in MSPD was required to provide quantitative recoveries. Analytical determinations were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Quantification limits (between 0.01 and 0.6 ng g(-1) dry mass) were well below the regulatory limits for all the compounds considered. The extraction yields for the different compounds obtained by MSPD were compared with the yields obtained by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). To test the accuracy of the MSPD technique, the optimized methodology was applied to the analysis of standard reference material BCR-524 (contaminated industrial soil), with excellent results.     

Use of coacervates for the on-site extraction/preservation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and benzalkonium surfactants

The suitability of coacervates for the preservation of organic pollutants after their extraction from water samples was investigated for the first time. Acid-induced sodium dodecanesulfonic acid (SDSA) micelle-based coacervates were selected for this purpose. Their capacity to preserve benzalkonium homologue (C₁₂, C₁₄ and C₁₆) surfactants (BASs) and different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF), benzo(ghi)perylene (BghiP), benzo(a)anthracene (BaA) and indene(1,2,3-c-d)pyrene (IP)] was investigated. BASs and PAHs were efficiently extracted by the coacervate by formation of mixed aggregates and hydrophobic interactions, respectively. Their stability into the coacervate was investigated under three temperature conditions (room temperature, 4 °C and −20 °C) and two hydrochloric acid concentrations (3.75 M and 4.2 M), which was used to induce coacervation. No losses were observed during at least 3 months at the different experimental conditions tested. The increase of the temperature up to 35 °C for a month did not affect the stability of the target compounds. No influence of the water matrix (distilled, river or wastewater) on the stabilization of BASs and PAHs was observed. The high-stabilizing capacity of the coacervate for the target compounds and its low volume make easy the transport and storage of analytes.