Determination of hexabromocyclododecane isomers in sewage sludge by LC‐MS/MS

A method has been developed to determine α, β and γ diastereoisomers of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a brominated flame retardant, in sewage sludge, based on the ultrasonic‐assisted extraction (UAE) of samples with dichloromethane–ACN (1:1) and the subsequent clean‐up of extracts by dispersive solid phase extraction with primary–secondary amine. Levels of HBCD diastereoisomers were determined by LC coupled with ESI MS/MS. Evaluation of the matrix effect showed a high ion suppression for all the diastereoisomers studied, which was counteracted by using a mixture of labelled HBCD diastereoisomers as internal standards. This method yielded recoveries in the range of 79.6–112.5% with SDs equal or lower than 9.1 The limits of detection were 0.3 ng/g for α‐ and β‐HBCD and 0.2 ng/g for γ‐HBCD. The developed method was successfully applied to 19 sludge samples collected from the province of Madrid (Spain). In most of the samples, β‐HBCD was below the method detection limit, whereas α‐ and γ‐HBCD were quantified in all of the sludge samples, and γ‐HBCD was the predominant diastereoisomer in 63% of the analyzed samples and α‐HBCD predominated in the rest.     

Determination of hexabromocyclododecane diastereoisomers in Sargassum fusiforme and comparison of the extraction efficiency of ultrasonication, microwave-assisted extraction, Soxhlet extraction and pressurised liquid extraction

The concentrations of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCD) in Sargassum fusiforme, the common Chinese edible seaweed, were investigated by LC‐MS/MS. For the recovery of HBCD, the efficiency levels of ultrasonic‐assisted extraction, microwave‐assisted extraction, Soxhlet extraction and pressurised liquid extraction were compared under different conditions. Pressurised liquid extraction and ultrasonic‐assisted extraction resulted in complete extraction of HBCD (92.7–102.5% recovery). Microwave‐assisted extraction and Soxhlet extraction, on the other hand, offered relatively low extraction recoveries (82.1–90.6%). The instrumental LODs on columns in this study were 1.0, 0.3 and 0.7 ng/g for α‐HBCD, β‐HBCD and γ‐HBCD, respectively. Because of its accuracy, this straightforward method is particularly suitable for routine HBCD analysis.     

超高效液相色谱-串联四极杆质谱法检测小型家电外壳中的六溴环十二烷

建立了加热回流萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联四极杆质谱检测小型家用电器中六溴环十二烷( Hexabromocyclododecane,HBCD)的方法.实验优化了电子电器类产品的前处理方法,以甲苯-甲醇(10∶1,V/V)为萃取剂,加热回流4h.萃取出的溶液经N2吹干,初始流动相复溶,涡旋、离心、过膜,经ACQUITYTMUPLC BEH C18色谱柱分离;以甲醇-乙腈(4∶1,V/V)-10 mmol/L醋酸铵为流动相,质谱的多反应监测模式(MRM)进行检测,HBCD的3种同分异构体在3 min内完全分开.该物质的检山限为0.014 mg/L:定量限为0.068 mg/L;标准曲线的线性范围为1.6～ 32.4 mg/L,线性相关系数大于0.996,萃取回收率为68.0％～75.2％.通过外标法定量,并将本方法应用于实际样品(电视机外壳、电子相框、电磁炉外壳等)的检测.     

Methods for selective determination of persistent organochlorine pesticide residues in water and sediments by capillary gas chromatography and electron-capture detection

Different extraction methods were evaluated for the determination of fifteen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in water and sediments. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) was evaluated for the pesticides analyses in water while Soxhlet extraction (SE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) methods were compared in sediment. Of all the extracting solvents used, dichloromethane gave the best results. Percentage recoveries ranged from 71.03 +/- 8.15 (dieldrin) to 101.25 +/- 2.17% [a-benzenehexachloride (alpha-BHC)] in water with LLE. In sediments the percentage recoveries with Soxhlet extraction method varied between 88.22 +/- 7.85 (endrin) and 109.63 +/- 5.10% (beta-BHC) and ranged from 74.11 +/- 9.82 (2,4 DDT) to 97.50 +/- 4.56% (alpha-BHC) with MAE. The limits of detection for the OCPs ranged from 5.5 to 20.6 ng/l and between 0.6 and 2.1 ng/g. respectively. The LLE and the SE methods were applied to water and sediments samples, respectively, from marine and freshwater sources in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa that receive runoffs from agricultural lands and effluents from industries. The levels of OCPs ranged from 5.5 (2,4-DDD) to 450 +/- 0.10 ng/l (beta-BHC) in water samples and from 0.6 (aldrin and 2,4-DDD) to 184 +/- 0.12 ng/g (beta-BHC) in sediments for triplicate analyses. Some endocrine disrupting OCPs such as DDT, DDE, heptachlor, endosulphan and the chlordanes were detected.     

Use of high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry for structural identification of monohydroxylated progesterones

For the structural identification of monohydroxylated progesterones synthesized by microorganisms, a method was developed using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-CIDMS). The retention times and MS/MS spectra of 11 different standards at 30 eV were collected and compared. The identification of D-ring-hydroxylated progesterones (15beta-, 16alpha-, 17alpha- and 21-OH-P) using ESI-CIDMS was not possible. However, they were separated chromatographically using a 65:35 mixture of water and acetonitrile containing 0.5% acetic acid. The other hydroxylated progesterones (2alpha-, 6beta-, 7beta-, 9alpha-, 11alpha-, 11beta-, and 19-OH-P) could be identified by comparison of eight fragments. The complete separation of 11 standards was achieved chromatographically. The developed assay was evaluated by the identification of monohydroxylated progesterones produced by CYP106A2 from Bacillus megaterium ATCC 13368.     

固相微萃取-高效液相色谱法测定水中的酞酸二(2-乙基己基)酯

分别采用PDMS、PDMS／DVB、CWX／DVB三种萃取头,应用固相微萃取与高效液相色谱联用技术(SPME-HPLC)分析了水溶液中的痕量酞酸二(2-乙基已基)酯(DE-HP)。实验发现,PDMS／DVB萃取头的萃取效果较其他两种萃取头理想;对SPME的萃取条件进行了优化,建立了水中痕量DEHP的SPME-HPLC分析方法,并对实际水样进行了分析。该方法的线性范围为0．62～15．60mg／L,相关系数为0．9991,检出限为0．06mg／L(3σ,n=11),相对标准偏差(RSD)为3．3％,回收率为89．9％～101．3％。     

Mixed liquids for single-drop microextraction of organochlorine pesticides in vegetables

A new approach for the extraction of nine kinds of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from vegetable samples coupling single-drop microextraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was presented. Experimental parameters, such as organic solvent, exposure time, agitation and organic drop volume were controlled and optimized. An effective extraction was achieved by suspending a 1.00microL mixed drop of p-xylene and acetone (8:2, v/v) to the tip of a microsyringe immersed in a 2mL donor aqueous solution and stirred at 400rpm. The approach was applied to the determination of OCPs in vegetable samples with a linearity range of 0.05-20ng mL(-1) for alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-hexachlorobenzene (BHC) and dicofol, 0.5-20ng mL(-1) for dieldrin and 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane (DDD) or 0.5-50ng mL(-1) for 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene (DDE) and 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2 (4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT). Correspondingly, the determination limit at an S/N of 3 ranged from 0.05ng mL(-1) for alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-BHC to 0.2ng mL(-1) for dicofol, dieldrin or p,p'-DDT. The relative recoveries were from 63.3 to 100%, with repeatability ranging from 8.74 to 18.9% (relative standard deviation, R.S.D.). The single-drop microextraction was proved to be a fast and simple approach for the pre-concentration of organochlorine pesticides in vegetable samples.     

Evaluation of Extraction Procedures of Organochlorine Pesticides from Natural Waters and Sediments

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate different procedures for the extraction of organochlorine pesticides (OCP's) from natural waters and sediments. In the case of extraction from water, a C18 disk solid-phase extraction method was employed. Recovery experiments in the range of 40 to 200 ng/l with selected organochlorine compounds resulted in average recoveries between 80 and 100%. Four different solvents, hexane, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile and methanol, were tested as eluting agents. Best recoveries were obtained with ethyl acetate and hexane. A comparative study of OCP sediment extraction procedures was performed employing sonication, Soxhlet extraction and shake-flask methods. The capacity of these methods to recover OCP's from a sediment sample fortified at 50 ng/g was evaluated using hexane : acetone (1:1 v/v), hexane: acetone (8:2 v/v), acetonitrile and dichlorometane. The three extraction techniques gave similar results and dichloromethane was the most effective solvent. The optimised methods were applied in the analysis of waters and sediments from the “Aiguamolls de l'Empordà” Nature Park, Girona (Spain).     

Trace determination of hexabromocyclododecane diastereomers in water samples with temperature controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid phase microextraction

A novel temperature controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid phase microextraction(TCIL-DLPME) coupled with rapid resolution liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry(RRLC-ESI-MS-MS) has been developed for the enrichment and determination of three hexabromocyclododecane diastereomers(HBCDs) in water samples.Green solvent ionic liquid(IL) was used as extraction solvent instead of toxic organic solvents.This technique also avoided the usage of dispersive solvent.Some important parameters that might affect the extraction efficiency were optimized.Under the optimum conditions,good linear relationship,sensitivity and reproducibility were obtained.All the limits of detection for the three diastereomers were 0.1 ng/ mL.The linear range was obtained in the range of 1-100 ng/mL for the total amount of three HBCD diastereomers.It was satisfactory to analyze real environmental water samples with the recoveries ranging from 77.2%to 99.3%.The main advantage of the method is toxic organic solvent-free.     

Supercritical fluid extraction and clean-up of organochlorine pesticides in Chinese herbal medicine

A method involving the simultaneous extraction and clean-up of 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) was developed using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) followed by gas chromatography-electron capture detection and mass spectrometric confirmation. The pesticides in the study consisted of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-benzene hexachloride, heptachlor, aldrin, heptachlor epoxide, endosulfan I, 4,4'-DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethene), dieldrin, endrin, 4,4'-DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane), endosulfan II, 4,4'-DDT (2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)1,1,1-trichloroethane), endrin aldehyde, and endosulfan sulfate. A series of experiments was conducted to optimize the final extraction conditions [pure CO2, 250 atm extraction pressure (1 atm = 101,325 Pa), 50 degrees C extraction temperature, 5 min static extraction time, 20 min dynamic extraction time, 2.0-g Florisil sorbent on top of 0.1-g samples, 12-ml n-hexane eluting at 1 ml/min, and a 10-ml extraction vessel]. Florisil sorbent was placed with the sample in the SFE vessel to provide a facile and effective clean-up approach. Mean recoveries of 78-121% with reproducibilities of 5-31% were obtained for the pesticides except for endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate and endrin aldehyde. The simple and rapid method may be used to determine OCPs in CHMs routinely, and in fact, was used to analyze CHMs sold in Taiwan.     

Simultaneous determination of hexabromocyclododecane, tetrabromobisphenol A, and related compounds in sewage sludge and sediment samples from Ebro River basin (Spain)

This paper describes the development of a methodology for the simultaneous determination and quantification of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), and related compounds (bisphenol A, monobromobisphenol A, dibromobisphenol A, and tribromobisphenol A) in sludge and sediment samples. The selected method is based on an extraction with dichloromethane: methanol followed by purification via SPE C₁₈ cartridges. Instrumental determination was carried out by liquid chromatography–quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QqLIT-MS), with quantification based on isotopic dilution method. Analyte recoveries were in the range of 39–120% and 88–126% for spiked sewage and sediment, respectively. Repeatability of replicate extractions was better than 13% relative standard deviation. Linearity was checked in the range of 0.05 and 25 injected nanograms. Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were in the range of 0.6 and 2.7 ng/g and 1.4 and 66 ng/g for sediment and sludge samples, respectively. The developed method was applied to sewage sludge and sediment samples collected along the Ebro River and Cinca River, one of its tributaries (northeast of Spain). TBBPA levels in sewage sludge ranged from not quantified to 1,329 ng/g dw, whereas levels in sediment samples were lower, between not detected and 15 ng/g dw. As regards HBCD, concentrations were between not detected and 375 ng/g for sludge samples and 0.8 and 1850 ng/g for sediments.     

Analysis of mono- and diesters of o-phthalic acid by solid-phase extractions with polystyrene-divinylbenzene-based polymers

Retention mechanisms of an unmodified and a hydroxylated polystyrene-divinylbenzene polymer were studied by solid-phase extraction of o-phthalic acid and some of its mono- and diesters from purified water and then analysing by GC-MS. The monoesters and phthalic acid were retained only when protonated (i.e. acidified with HCI to pH 0.9). Of all elution solvents tested, ethyl acetate gave the best overall recoveries (61-89%) with both polymers. Applicability to complex matrixes (e.g. acidogenic landfill leachates) was examined by introducing a washing step with acetone in acidified water (pH 0.9) to eliminate volatile fatty acids (C2-C6) from the cartridge. Finally, the method was tested on real samples.     

Factors influencing enantiomeric fractions of hexabromocyclododecane measured using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), the most heavily produced of the cycloaliphatic brominated flame retardants (BFRs), is a mixture of three predominant diastereomers (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-HBCD), each with a corresponding pair of enantiomers. We have investigated the liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) behaviour of the HBCD enantiomers, and demonstrated that enantiomeric fractions (EFs) calculated using data uncorrected for instrument and/or matrix effects can result in potentially inaccurate EF values. However, use of labelled surrogates effectively corrects for these effects. Experiments with racemic HBCD standards indicate that chromatographic factors, including mobile phase composition and column bleed from chiral stationary phases, may be contributors to variations in the mass spectrometric response of the HBCD enantiomers.     

Superheated water extraction of linear alquilbenzene sulfonates from sediments with on-line preconcentration/derivatization/detection

A fully automated screening method based on superheated water extraction of linear alquilbenzene sulfonates from sediments prior to preconcentration/derivatization/detection is presented. A multivariate optimization of both the extraction step and derivatization step was performed. Superheated water extraction was compared with conventional Soxhlet extraction obtaining better recoveries (>95% versus 80-86%) and a drastic reduction of the extraction time (50 min versus 24 h) by the proposed method. The on-line coupling of the extractor with a preconcentration/derivatization/detection manifold through a flow-injection interface has permitted to obtain a fully automated screening approach. Moreover, this research constitutes an environmentally friendly method due to the use of water as extractant instead of an organic solvent.     

Concurrent extraction,clean‐up,and analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers,hexabromocyclododecane isomers,and tetrabromobisphenol A in human milk and serum

A method has been developed and validated for the concurrent extraction, clean‐up, and analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), α‐, β‐, and γ‐hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in human milk and serum. Milk and serum samples were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction with acetone/hexane 1:1, v/v and liquid–liquid extraction with methyl‐tert‐butyl ether/hexane 1:1, v/v, respectively. The removal of co‐extracted biogenic materials was achieved by gel permeation chromatography followed by sulfuric acid treatment. The fractionation of the PBDEs and HBCD/TBBPA was performed using a Supelco LC‐Si SPE cartridge. The detection of the PBDEs was then performed by GC–MS and that of the HBCDs and the TBBPA was performed using UPLC–MS/MS. The pretreatment procedure was optimized, and the characteristic ions and fragmentation of the analytes were studied by MS or MS/MS. A recovery test was performed using a matrix spiking test at concentrations of 0.05–10 ng/g. The recoveries ranged from 78.6–108.8% with RSDs equal to or lower than 14.04%. The LODs were 1.8–60 pg/g. The usefulness of the developed method was tested by the analysis of real human samples, and several brominated flame retardants in different samples were detected and analyzed.     

Inclusion effect and structural basis of cyclodextrins for increased extraction of medicinal alkaloids from natural medicines

The enhancing effects of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins (CyDs) on the aqueous extraction of ephedrine and berberine from the natural medicines were investigated in HPLC analysis, and the greatest effect was observed for beta- and gamma-CyDs. To clarify the structural basis of such an increased extraction effect with beta-CyD, possible interaction modes of (1R,2S)-ephedrine with alpha-, beta-, and gamma-CyDs were investigated using molecular dynamic simulations in an aqueous solution system. It was shown that the wrapping model of ephedrine by beta-CyD is the most compact and thus increases the solubility most effectively, compared with those by other CyDs. The same mode could be possible for the greatest effect of gamma-CyD on the extraction of berberine from natural medicines. This clearly shows that CyDs are useful additives for the effective extraction of bioactive alkaloids from natural medicines.     

Analytical method development for the determination of four biocides used in antifouling paints in estuarine waters and sediments by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Summary Irgarol 1051, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid and diuron are biocides utilised in antifouling paints as alternatives to organotin compounds, after restrictions imposed in the use of tributyltin in 1987. Effective analytical methods for the simultaneous determination of these four biocides in waters and sediments have been developed and method performance data are presented. Quantification is by gas chromatography—electron ionisation mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS). The method involves the simultaneous extraction of the biocides from water with dichloromethane or from sediments with dichloromethane and acetone. For the determination of diuron the extract was methylated prior to GC analysis to avoid thermal degradation in the instrument. The method was applied to water and sediment samples spiked with the biocides. The highest detection sensitivities were achieved in the selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Recovery studies were performed at 20, 2 and 1 ppb for all biocides in water and 400, 40 and 20 ppb in sediments. The percentage recoveries ranged between 90 and 100% for waters and 80 and 90% for sediments. Seven determinations were made at each concentration level along with a procedural blank. The quantification limit of the method was around 0.2 ppb for water and 5 ppb for sediments depending on the individual compound.     

Screening method for linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in sediments based on water Soxhlet extraction assisted by focused microwaves with on-line preconcentration/derivatization/detection

A screening method for linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) in sediments has been developed. Soxhlet extraction with water assisted by focused microwaves provides recoveries better (>90%) than obtained by conventional Soxhlet extraction (70-80%). Coupling of the extractor with an on-line preconcentration/derivatization/detection manifold through a flow injection (FI) interface allows a fully automated screening approach. A yes/no answer can be obtained in less than 2 h (for the whole analytical process), a short time compared with the at least 24 h of Soxhlet extraction (without final detection). Due to the use of water as leaching agent, the proposed method is environmentally friendly.     

Decontamination of organochlorine pesticides in Radix codonopsis by supercritical fluid extractions and determination by gas chromatography

A method involving depuration of 12 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from Radix codonopsis was developed using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The pesticides investigated in the study included alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-benzene hexachloride, PCNB (pentachloro-nitrobenzene), PCA (pentachloroaniline), HEPT (heptachlor), MPCPS (methyl-pentachlorophenyl sulfide), pp'-DDE [1,1-dichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene], op'-DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)ethane], pp'-DDD [1,1-dichloro-2-2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] and pp'-DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane]. A series of experiments was conducted to optimize the final extraction conditions as follows: pure CO2, extraction pressure 15 MPa, extraction temperature 60 degrees C, extraction time 20 min and flow rate 55 mL/h. A GC method with electron capture detection was employed for the determination of the OCPs in Radix codonopsis. An HPLC method was developed for the quantitative determination of active constituents. SFE was used to remove the organochlorine pesticide from Radix codonopsis. The results showed that at least 93.5% of the organochlorine pesticide residues in the herb sample were removed by SPE, while 95.0% of the active constituent marker (atractylenoide III) remained.     

Simultaneous extraction and determination of anionic surfactants in waters and sediments

A new method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the most frequently used anionic surfactants - linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), alkyl ethoxysulfates (AES) and alkyl sulfates (AS) - in aqueous and sediment samples. Preconcentration and purification of water samples are carried out by means of solid-phase extraction (SPE). The efficiency of two different extraction methods for the analysis of sediments - Soxhlet extraction and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) - has been compared. Identification and quantification of the target compounds is performed using a liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system equipped with an electrospray interface (ESI) in negative ion-mode. Homologue recoveries are 85-123% for SPE, 94-112% for Soxhlet extraction and 81-125% for PLE in the case of LAS, and 60-94% for SPE, 61-109% for Soxhlet extraction and 55-99% for PLE in the case of AES, whereas the limits of detection are 0.1-0.5 ngml(-1) in water and 1-5 ngg(-1) in sediment. This method has been applied to the determination of anionic surfactants in the Guadalete estuary (SW Spain), and LAS concentration levels from 538 to 1014 ngg(-1) in sediments and from 25.1 to 64.4 ngml(-1) in waters have been found. AES values from 168 to 536 ngg(-1) in sediments and from 4.5 to 11.9 ngml(-1) in waters are reported for the first time in European rivers.