Sensitive and selective determination of metabolically formed trans-dihydrodiols and phenols of benzo[a]pyrene in water and urine samples by HPLC with amperometric detection

A method has been developed to separate hydroxylated metabolites of the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene, i. e. trans-4,5-, 7,8-, 9,10-dihydrodiol and 1-, 3-, 7-, and 9-phenol, by HPLC with amperometric detection employing an isocratic methanol/water eluent (70:30, v/v) containing 0.5 g/L sulfuric acid and 1 g/L lithium perchlorate. Compared with the usually applied fluorescence (λ_ex = 265 nm, λ_em = 460 nm) and ultraviolet (λ = 265 nm) detection, the amperometric technique is about 2–12 times more sensitive for the determination of all metabolites investigated. The method was applied to the determination of the seven metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene in different water samples and in urine after solid-phase extraction (SPE). The results obtained by HPLC with amperometric detection after SPE enrichment from an aqueous extract of a soil sample and from the urine of a rat intragastrically treated with benzo[a]pyrene agreed well with the values determined with fluorescence and/or UV detection. Received: 20 December 1996 / Revised: 10 March 1997 / Accepted: 30 April 1997     

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.     

Sensitive determination of phenols in environmental water samples with SPE packed with bamboo carbon prior to HPLC

Bamboo carbon, an inexpensive, readily available material, has attracted great attention in recent years because of adsorptive properties. In this paper, the potential of bamboo carbon as a SPE adsorbent for the determination of phenols, was investigated. Phenols are important environmental contaminants that may adversely affect human health. Parameters influencing extraction efficiency, including type of eluent, eluent volume, amount of adsorbent, as well as sample pH, volume, and flow rate were investigated and optimized. The optimized results exhibited excellent linear relationships between peak area and phenol concentrations over the range of 2.0–100 ng/mL, with precision between 2.2–7.2%. The LODs were 0.06–0.4 ng/mL for the eight phenols tested. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of several real‐world environmental water samples. These results indicate that bamboo carbon may be used as a novel SPE adsorbent for the concentration and determination of phenols in real environmental water samples.     

Direct determination of benzo[a]pyrene in water samples by a gold nanoparticle-based solid phase extraction method and laser-excited time-resolved Shpol'skii spectrometry

The strong affinity between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the surface of gold colloids is investigated to device an extraction method for water samples. Within the 20-100 nm particle diameter range, the 20 nm gold nanoparticles showed the best extraction efficiencies for all the studied analytes. The new approach is combined to laser-excited time-resolved Shpol'skii spectrometry for the direct analysis of benzo[a]pyrene in drinking water samples. For a 500 μL sample volume, the analytical figures of merit demonstrate precise and accurate analysis at the parts-per-trillion level. The extraction efficiencies are statistically equivalent to 100% with relative standard deviations lower than 2%. The average recoveries were varied from 87.5% to 96.5% for different concentration of analytes. The simplicity of the experimental procedure, the low analysis cost, and the excellent analytical figures of merit demonstrate the potential of this approach for routine analysis of drinking water samples.     

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.     

Enrichment of benzo[a]pyrene in vegetable oils and determination by HPLC-FL

We have developed a simple method for the determination of the carcinogen Benzo[a]pyrene (BP) in vegetable oils. The method consists of extraction of the vegetable oil in acetonitrile, concentration to dryness in rotary evaporator and redissolution of the residue in hexane. The purification of the hexane extract was on Sep-Pack Silica Plus cartridges, and the determination of the BP in the isolated extract was by HPLC-FL. Detection and quantification limits were 0.23 and 0.32 μg kg⁻¹ of olive oil, respectively. Recovery (>93%) and RSD (<4%) were satisfactory. When applied to 18 oil samples, BP levels varied from not detected to 1.99 μg kg⁻¹.     

A simple method for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[k]fluoranthene in a mixture

Atmospheric particulate matter is routinely analysed for the concentration of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) has identical spectral characteristics and interferes in the fluorimetric estimation. A simple method for the determination of BaP in the presence of BkF is described. Based on quenching of the fluorescence of BaP by the addition of small amounts of nitromethane, the method can be used for accurate estimation for wide concentration ratios of BaP to BkF ranging from 0.1 to 10.0.     

Oxidized metabolites from benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[e]pyrene, and aza-benzo[a]pyrenes. A computational study of their carbocations formed by epoxide ring opening reactions

A DFT study aimed at understanding structure-reactivity relationships and fluorine substitution effects on carbocation stability in benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benzo[e]pyrene (BeP), and aza-benzo[a]pyrene (aza-BaP) derivatives are reported. The relative energies of the resulting carbocations are examined and compared, taking into account the available biological activity data on these compounds. O-Protonation of the epoxides and diol epoxides leads to carbocation formation by barrierless processes. Charge delocalization modes in the resulting carbocations were deduced via NPA-derived changes in charges, and fluorine substitution effects were analyzed on the basis of charge density at different carbocation positions. Thus, fluorine substitution at sites bearing negative charge generated inductive destabilization of the carbocation, whereas a fluorine atom at a ring position which presented significant positive charge density produced a less pronounced destabilization due to fluorine p-pi back-bonding. Protonation reactions were also studied for the azaBaPs. In selected cases, the covalent adducts generated via bond formation with the exocyclic nitrogen of cytosine were computed and relative energies and geometries of the resulting adducts were examined.     

Effects of cluster formation on spectra of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[e]pyrene

Absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) in solution and adsorbed on silica have been obtained and compared to examine the spectroscopic effects of clustering. Molecular mechanics calculations with the UFF potential were done to optimize monomer, dimer and trimer geometries, and energy differences were determined by MP2/6-31G* calculations. Fluorescence emission spectra of adsorbed BeP and BaP display a red shift that progresses with increased loading, and the two differ in their photodegradation kinetics. The experimental and theoretical results are found to be consistent.     

A novel application of nylon membranes to the luminescent determination of benzo[a]pyrene at ultra trace levels in water samples

Very simple and highly sensitive methods are presented for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene, one of the most carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The approaches are based on solid-phase extraction of the analyte on a nylon membrane via a syringe procedure, and its fluorescent or phosphorescent determination on the solid surface. While the native fluorescence of benzo[a]pyrene retained on a nylon surface is measured directly, room-temperature phosphorescence is induced by spotting a few microlitres of thallium(I) nitrate solution on the surface (heavy-atom effect). An enhancement of the phosphorescence signal was corroborated when the measurements were carried under a nitrogen atmosphere. The analytical figures of merit obtained under the best experimental conditions demonstrate the capability of detecting benzo[a]pyrene at a sub-parts-per-trillion (sub-ng L⁻¹) level. The potential interference from other common PAHs and also from different metal ions was studied. The feasibility of determining benzo[a]pyrene in real samples was successfully evaluated through the analysis of spiked tap, underground and mineral water samples of different origins. Recoveries obtained from spiked river waters were successfully compared with those provided by a reference method, through rigorous statistical analysis.     

Reinvestigation of the jutz synthesis of benzo [e] pyrene and benzo [a] pyrene derivatives from benzanthrene

Base-catalyzed reactions of benzanthrene with “vinamidinium salts” ($\text{2a-c}$ ) followed by thermal electrocyclic ring closure are regiospecific affording only benzo [e] pyrene derivatives, contrary to previous claims.     

Ionization constants and fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the isomeric benzo[a]pyrene phenols

The acid dissociation constants, for the ground and lowest excited singlet states of the benzo[a]pyrene phenols, are reported, and correlated with current thought on carcinogen activation. The corrected fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of these compounds and their anions are recorded. The shifts caused by ring hydroxylation of the parent compound, and the relative spectral band intensities for each phenol are compared to those of pyrene, in a brief assessment of spectral transition polarization in the phenols.     

Magnesium oxide microspheres as a novel solid‐phase extraction sorbent for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene in environmental water samples

Magnesium oxide microspheres were developed as a novel SPE sorbent for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), one of the most potent carcinogenic agents, in environmental water samples. The parameters controlling the extraction efficiency, such as elution volume, flow rate, pH values, and breakthrough volume, were investigated in detail. Considering the facile preparation and satisfying recovery, a corresponding analytical method has been developed to determine the concentration of BaP in real tap water, river water, and seawater. The recoveries for the spiked BaP were excellent (94–101%).     

A photoelectrochemical immunosensor for benzo[a]pyrene detection amplified by bifunctional gold nanoparticles

Ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical immunoassay of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) is proposed using an antibody-modified nanostructured TiO(2) electrode combined with bifunctional gold nanoparticles modified with the PAH antigen and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The HRP-catalyzed reaction prompts the electron transfer between the electrode and electrolyte causing an excellent photocatalytic performance.     

Measurement of benzo[a]pyrene,benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[g,h,i]perylene by ultraviolet spectroscopy

Microchimica Acta - The technique for determining benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[k]fhuoranthene, and benzo[g,h,i]perylene respectively inμg amounts by UV absorption measurements is described. The...     

Sensitive, selective spectrophotometric determination of phenols with periodic acid

A new spectrophotometric determination of phenols with periodic acid has been developed. The colored product of phenol periodic acid reaction has a λ_max 380 nm. The determination of phenol, pyrocatechol, α-naphthol, β-naphthol, quinol, p-cresol, m-cresol, 8-quinolinol, resorcinol, phloroglucinol, and gallic acid has been done. The effects of possible variables e.g., temperature, reagent, pH buffers have been studied. A study of interferences is made. Mechanism of the reaction is discussed.     

Development of a highly sensitive monoclonal antibody based ELISA for detection of benzo[a]pyrene in potable water

In Europe, a limit value of 10 ng L(-1) was set by the European Commission for benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in water intended for human consumption (Council Directive 98/83/EC) and, therefore, sensitive and reliable methods are needed to evaluate its presence. We report here on the development of a highly sensitive indirect competitive ELISA for the detection of B[a]P in potable water. Fourteen monoclonal antibodies were generated in mice using novel B[a]P derivatives. The immunoassay with the least interference and the best sensitivity was optimized and characterized. As co-solvent, ten percent methanol (v/v) was determined as the optimum concentration for B[a]P solubilization for use with the developed ELISA. With the purified antibody (clone 22F12) the average IC50 for B[a]P and corresponding detection limit at a signal:noise (S/N) ratio of 3 was 65 ng L(-1) and 24 ng L(-1), respectively. From the 16 EPA-designated PAHs, only chrysene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and benzo[b]fluoranthene showed a cross-reactivity (CR) higher than 20%. No CR was observed for two- and three-ringed aromatics as well as dibenz[ah]anthracene and benzo[ghi]perylene. The effect of pH value (range 6.5-9.5), ionic strength (specific electric conductivity 1 microS cm(-1)-2.5 mS cm(-1)), and inorganic ions (sodium, copper, iron, aluminium, manganese, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and nitrite at maximum permissible levels according to the Council Directive) on both signal and sensitivity of the ELISA was studied. No significant influence of these parameters on the ELISA competition curve was found. We suggest that the optimized ELISA can be used to monitor potable water samples without previous extraction from the samples. The assay should facilitate the cleanup of B[a]P contaminated sites where B[a]P levels fall close to the limit value of the new drinking water directive.     

Solid-surface phosphorescence characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and selective determination of benzo(a)pyrene in water samples

This paper presents the phosphorescence characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on solid-surface for obtaining new flow-through phosphorescence optosensors for PAHs-based on-line, immobilized onto a non-ionic resin solid support coupled to a continuous flow system and the applications for the selective determination of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). The phosphorescent characterization of 15 PAHs, described as major pollutants by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, 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) has been carried out. The experimental variables (heavy atom, deoxygenation and organic solvent in samples) for obtaining different possibilities for developing mono and multi-parameter PAH sensors and the conditions for PAH screening have been carefully studied and the experimental conditions to determination of BaP in presence of other PAHs in water samples have been optimized.