Development and evaluation of C18 and immunosorbent solid-phase extraction methods prior immunochemical analysis of chlorophenols in human urine

Two solid-phase extraction (SPE) methods, based on hydrophobic and selective (antibody-antigen) interactions, have been established and evaluated as clean-up methods prior the immunochemical analysis of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) in urine samples. Without a clean-up method the extent of interferences caused by the urine matrix in the ELISA [R. Galve, M. Nichkova, F. Camps, F. Sanchez-Baeza, M.-P. Marco, Anal. Chem. 74 (2002) 468] varies depending on individual urine samples and accurate measurements are only possible when 2,4,6-TCP concentration levels are higher than 40 μg L⁻¹. Both sample preparation methods improve detectability of the immunochemical method getting rid of the variability due to the intrinsic individual differences within the urine samples. Even though, the immunosorbent (IS)-SPE method developed has proven to be a superior sample preparation method eliminating completely matrix effects caused by both, non-hydrolyzed (NH) and hydrolyzed urine samples. The LOD reached by the C18-SPE-ELISA method (∼4 μg L⁻¹ for free and total chlorophenols) is sufficient for exposure assessment of the occupationally exposed population. However, the detectability (0.66 and 0.83 μg L⁻¹ in NH and hydrolyzed urine samples, respectively) accomplished by the IS-SPE-ELISA allows also biomonitoring potential exposure of non-occupationally exposed groups. Moreover, the specificity of the IS-SPE procedure can be modulated to provide a group-specific (9 chlorophenols and 2 bromophenols are extracted with an efficacy superior to 85%) or a more selective protocol (only 2,3,4,6-TtCP, 2,4,6-TCP are extracted with a recovery superior to 80% and 2,4,6-tribromophenol with a 70% recovery). On the other hand, the IS-SPE extracts produce cleaner chromatograms allowing quantitation by GC-ECD (or GC-MS) after toluene extraction and derivatization with a LOD near 0.1 μg L⁻¹ in NH and hydrolyzed urine samples. The IS-SPE-ELISA method has been validated with GC-ECD using spiked and real urine samples. This study also provides evidences of the general exposure of the population to organochlorinated and organobrominated substances. Measurable levels of 2,4,6-TCP, 2,4,5-TCP, 2,3,4,6-TtCP, 2,4,6-TBP and 2,4-DBP have been detected in some of the samples used in this study.     

气相色谱-质谱法测定水产品中19种氯代酚及其钠盐

建立了用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)联用法测定水产品中19种氯代酚及其钠盐的分析方法。试样用H_2SO_4消解后,用环己烷-乙酸乙酯提取酸解液中的氯代酚,利用酚类易溶于稀碱溶液的性质,将氯代酚提取到稀碱液中,调稀碱液pH至微酸性,用二氯甲烷-正己烷溶液萃取,无水Na_2SO_4脱水,浓缩定容并硅烷化衍生后,用GC-MS仪EI源选择离子模式检测,氘代4-氯-3-甲基酚(PCMC-d_2)和氘代2,4,6-三溴苯酚(2,4,6-TBP-d_2)为内标,内标法定量。氯代酚在2.0~70.0μg/L范围内,其浓度和峰面积呈良好的线性相关(r≥0.999);水产品中添加量为1.00μg/kg、2.00μg/kg、3.00μg/kg和7.00μg/kg时,回收率一氯酚(MCP)为55.2%~88.8%,二氯酚(DCP)为63.0%~114%,三氯酚(TCP)为76.0%~116%、四氯酚(TeCP)为78%~125%,五氯酚(PCP)为83.2%~104%;方法检出限在0.2~0.4μg/kg之间。     

Photolytic degradation of triclosan in the presence of surfactants

The formation of 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,8-DCDD) in the photolytic degradation of triclosan has evoked a great concern for its safety and environmental fate. The photochemical behaviour of triclosan in daily-used chemical products, in which triclosan is present in relatively high concentrations and coexists with surfactants, was, however, addressed less frequently. The present work is focused on the mechanistic aspects of triclosan photodegradation in an aqueous medium with a relatively high concentration (≥ 30 mg L⁻¹) and on the influence of pH (8.7 and 10.5) and surfactants (Triton X100, SDS, and CTMAB) on this process. The results demonstrated that photodegradation was strongly affected by the pH and the presence of surfactants. Photodegradation products, including 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 5-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenoxyl)-phenol, 2,8-DCDD, dimers, trimers, and other intermediates, were identified. Based on the analysis of photoproducts, homolytic scission of ether bond, dechlorination, ring closure, and photo-polymerisation were proposed as the main routes of triclosan photodegradation.     

Voltammetric sensing of triclosan in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide using a cathodically pretreated boron-doped diamond electrode

ABSTRACT

In the present study, a simple, cheap and sensitive electrochemical method based on a cathodically pretreated boron-doped diamond (CPT-BDD) electrode is described for the detection of triclosan with the cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) media. The oxidation of triclosan was irreversible and exhibited an adsorption controlled process. The sensitivity of the adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurements was significantly improved with addition of CTAB. Using square-wave stripping mode, a linear response was obtained for triclosan determination in Britton-Robinson buffer solution at pH 9.0 containing 2.5 × 10^?4 M CTAB at around + 0.67 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) (after 30 s accumulation at open-circuit condition). The method could be used in the range of 0.01–1.0 μg mL^?1 (3.5 × 10^?8–3.5 × 10^?6 M), with a detection limit of 0.0023 μg mL^?1 (7.9 × 10^?9 M). The feasibility of the proposed method for the determination of triclosan in water samples was checked in spiked tap water.     

Trace analysis of parabens,triclosan and related chlorophenols in water by headspace solid-phase microextraction with in situ derivatization and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

An in situ derivatization solid-phase microextraction method has been developed for the determination of parabens, triclosan and related chlorophenols in water. Acetylated derivatives are selectively determined using gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Parameters affecting both derivatization and SPME procedures, such as fiber coating, extraction mode, temperature, volume of derivatizating reagent and ionic strength, are studied and optimized through a multifactorial experimental design. The performance of the method is studied in terms of accuracy, linearity, precision and limits of detection. Quantitative recoveries (≥82%) and satisfactory precision (RSD ≤ 12%) are obtained. Limits of detection at the low picogram per millilitre level are achieved for all target compounds. Linearity is studied in a wide range of concentrations and an analysis of variance with a lack-of-fit test is run to validate the calibration data. Extraction time profiles are also obtained. Finally, the applicability of the proposed method is demonstrated for several real samples including river water, wastewaters and swimming pool water. Since no matrix effects are observed, quantification can readily be carried out by external calibration with ultrapure water standards.     

Optimization of solid-phase microextraction conditions for the determination of triclosan and possible related compounds in water samples

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method for the determination of triclosan, methyl triclosan, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,3,4-trichlorophenol (considered as possible triclosan metabolites) in water samples was optimised. Analytes were first concentrated on a SPME fibre, directly exposed to the sample, and then triclosan and the two chlorinated phenols on-fibre silylated using N-methyl-N-(tert.-butyldimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA). Methyl triclosan remained unaffected during the derivatization step. Compounds were determined using gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Influence of different factors on the efficiency of extraction and derivatization steps was systematically investigated. Using a polyacrylate (PA) fibre quantification limits below 10 ng/l, and acceptable relative standard deviations, were obtained for all compounds after an extraction time of 30 min. On-fibre silylation was carried out in only 10 min. Moreover, the efficiency of the procedure was scarcely affected by the type of water sample. The method was applied to several samples of treated and raw wastewater, triclosan was found in all samples, at concentrations from 120 to 14,000 ng/l, and 2,4-dichlorophenol in most of them, at levels up to 2222 ng/l.     

Development of solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction methods for the determination of chlorophenols in cork macerate and wine samples

Tri-, tetra- and pentachlorophenol (TCP, TeCP and PCP) can be considered the precursors in the formation of corresponding chloroanisoles, known to be powerful odorants in corks and wine. Determining the presence of these chlorophenolic compounds in cork soaking solutions (ethanol/water mixtures, 12% (v/v) ethanol used for cork quality control testing), or in wine can be achieved by acetylation/gas chromatography electron-capture detection. In order to reach the required sensitivity, a previous preconcentration step is necessary. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) and headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) have given good results for the preconcentration of TCP, TeCP and PCP in such matrices. The use of Oasis HLB cartridges gives acceptable recoveries for the three compounds when different volumes (50-250 mL) of cork macerate with concentrations ranging from 20 to 150 ng/L are processed. Preconcentration based on HS-SPME has also been optimised with a 100 microm polydimethylsiloxane fibre and in situ derivatization. The HS-SPME method allows chlorophenols in a cork soaking solution and in wine to be determined with a limit of detection of 1 ng/L for each compound (in cork macerate) and a repeatability of around 0.5%-5% (n=8) for a concentration level of 30 ng/L.     

Determination of acephate and its degradation product methamidophos in soil and water by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and GC-MS

Acephate and its metabolite, methamidophos, are both highly polar organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) and are therefore highly soluble in water, which leads to difficulties when traditional methods of extraction, such as LLE (liquid–liquid extraction), are used. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is a relatively new, highly versatile method, which has proven successful in many cases that were considered problematic in the past. In this study, several adsorbents (polymeric and silica based) and parameters are considered and modified to obtain maximum recovery. Maximum recoveries for acephate and methamidophos were found to be 90–95% and 85–90% respectively with Oasis HLB cartridges and methylene chloride as the elution solvent. In order to establish applicability and reliability, the matrix effect of several real water and solid (compost and soil) samples was evaluated. A 20–30% diminution of recovery is noted for some samples with a complex matrix containing a high amount of dissolved organic matter.     

Selective ortho-chlorination of phenol using sulfuryl chloride in the presence of t-butylaminomethyl polystyrene as a heterogeneous amine catalyst

Reaction of phenol with sulfuryl chloride in the presence of a catalytic amount of the heterogeneous amine catalyst, t-butylaminomethyl polystyrene, in a nonpolar solvent, proceeds with high conversion (∼98%) and with high selectivity (∼89%) to ortho-chlorophenol. The catalyst is stable under the chlorination conditions, and can easily be regenerated by filtration and reused. This method could be applicable to other phenols.     

Faster and simpler determination of chlorophenols in water by fiber introduction mass spectrometry

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) of chlorophenols [2-chlorophenol (2CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (24CP), 4-chloro-3-methylphenol (43CP), 2,4,6-tri-chlorophenol (246CP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP)] followed by direct mass spectrometric analysis has been performed by fiber introduction mass spectrometry (FIMS). Two SPME fibers (65 μm PDMS/DVB and 85 μm PA fibers) were tested, and FIMS was performed via selective ion monitoring (SIM). The extractions were evaluated at 10% ionic strength and pH 1. Best extraction times were determined for both fibers. Limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) for both fibers were in the low μg L⁻¹ range. Coefficients of correlation for the analytical curves showed linear responses and mineral water and river water samples spiked with 50 μg L⁻¹ presented high recoveries. FIMS, as compared to current EPA methods, is demonstrated to allow faster and simpler (elimination of pre-separation or derivatization steps) analysis of chlorophenols in water with the required sensitivity.     

Confirmation of the formation of dichlorodibenzo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-dioxin in the photodegradation of triclosan by photo-SPME

Photodegradation is a possible way to eliminate organic pollutants from the environment but, at the same time, can be a source of toxic byproducts. The photochemical conversion of triclosan, a common pollutant in continental waters, into dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (DCDD) has been confirmed in our preliminary experiments employing photo-SPME (photo-solid-phase microextraction) using 18-W UV irradiation at 254-nm wavelength. Under these conditions, triclosan is rapidly photodegraded (70% of triclosan was degraded in 2 min); the most important novel aspect of this work is the conversion of triclosan to DCDD directly on the polydimethylsiloxane coating of the SPME fiber. Moreover, this conversion is also confirmed in non-buffered aqueous photodegradation experiments using SPME as the extraction technique. In all the experiments of this study, analysis was carried out by gas chromatography–electronic impact mass spectrometry (GC–EI/MS).     

竹炭为高效吸附剂的固相萃取分析环境水样中的痕量三氯生

建立了一种由竹炭作为固相萃取高效吸附剂富集环境水样中痕量三氯生的新方法. 研究并优化了几个影响富集效率的参数. 在优化条件下, 三氯生的检测限为0.08 μg/L, 在1～100 μg/L 范围内有良好的线性关系, 相对标准偏差为2.9% (n=7). 方法可应用于实际废水样品的分析.     

Assessment of the acute toxicity of triclosan and methyl triclosan in wastewater based on the bioluminescence inhibition of Vibrio fischeri

In this work, the contributions of triclosan and its metabolite methyl triclosan to the overall acute toxicity of wastewater were studied using Vibrio fischeri. The protocol used in this paper involved various steps. First, the aquatic toxicities of triclosan and methyl triclosan were determined for standard substances, and the 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) were determined for these compounds. Second, the toxic responses to different mixtures of triclosan, methyl triclosan, and surfactants were studied in different water matrices, i.e., Milli-Q water, groundwater and wastewater, in order to evaluate (i) the antagonistic or synergistic effects, and (ii) the influence of the water matrices. Finally, chemical analysis was used in conjunction with the toxicity results in order to assess the aquatic toxicities of triclosan and its derivative in wastewaters. In this study, the toxicities of 45 real samples corresponding to the influents and effluents from eight wastewater treatment works (WWTW) were analyzed. Thirty-one samples were from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) equipped with two pilot-scale membrane bioreactors (MBR), and the influent and the effluent samples after various treatments were characterized via different chromatographic approaches, including solid-phase extraction (SPE), liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and SPE coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The toxicity was determined by measuring the bioluminescence inhibition of Vibrio fischeri. In order to complete the study and to extrapolate the results to different WWTPs, the toxicity to V. fischeri of samples from seven more plants was analyzed, as were their triclosan and methyl triclosan concentrations. Good agreement was established between the overall toxicity values and concentrations of the biocides, indicating that triclosan is one of the major toxic organic pollutants currently found in domestic wastewaters.     

Electrochemical behaviour of triclosan at a screen-printed carbon electrode and its voltammetric determination in toothpaste and mouthrinse products

Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of triclosan (2,2,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether) at a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). It was found that a single anodic peak occurred over the pH range 6.0–12.0; this peak was considered to result from an irreversible oxidation reaction at the phenolic moiety. A plot of E_p versus pH was constructed and from the break point a pK_a value of 7.9 was obtained, thus agreeing with the literature value. Detailed voltammetric studies were performed at pH 10, where the analyte exists as an anion. It was demonstrated that, at an initial potential of 0 V, the anion underwent electrosorption prior to electrochemical oxidation. The oxidation reaction appeared to involve a one-electron transfer, as deduced from a calculated n_a value of 0.5; the same value was obtained at pH 7.0. In contrast to triclosan, triclosan monophosphate was found to be electrochemically inactive when subjected to voltammetry under the stated conditions.

The electrochemical oxidation of triclosan at a SPCE was exploited for its determination (0.3%) in commercial toothpaste and mouthrinse products using differential pulse voltammetry. The recovery and precision data indicated that this approach may have application in routine quality control analysis.     

Full automatic determination of chlorophenols in water using solid-phase microextraction/on-fiber derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A fully automated combination of solid-phase microextraction and on-fiber derivatization coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed to determine 17 chlorophenols in aqueous samples. Optimal parameters for the automated process, such as fiber coating (polyacrylate), derivatization reagent (N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide), extraction time (60 min), derivatization time (5 min), incubation temperature (35°C), sample pH (3), and ionic strength (300 g L(-1) of NaCl), as well as desorption time (5 min) and desorption temperature (270°C) were established. The whole procedure took only 90 min and was performed automatically. The shortcomings of silylation derivatives, like incompleteness and instability, were overcome by using solid-phase microextraction on-fiber silylation in this study. The results from both pure water and river water samples showed that the method had a good linearity (r(2) = 0.9993-1.0000), ranging from 0.01 to 100 μg L(-1). The related standard deviations were between 3.6 and 10.0%. The limits of detections and qualifications ranged from 0.03 to 3.11 ng L(-1) and 0.09 to 10.4 ng L(-1) for the CPs, respectively. The proposed method is superior to traditional solid phase extraction procedure.     

A comparison between positive and negative ion modes in thermospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of chlorophenols and herbicides

Summary Positive and negative ion modes (Pl and NI, respectively) have been employed for the characterization of 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, Linuron and Cyanazine in thermospray (TSP) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The PI mode showed no response when 200 ng of the different chlorophenols were injected, while for Linuron and Cyanazine high signals were obtained with [M+NH₄]⁺ and [M+acetic acid]⁺ ions as base peaks, respectively. With the NI mode, the base peak usually corresponds to the [M−H]⁻ ion, with better sensitivities for the chlorophenols than for the herbicides. The chloride adduct [M+Cl]⁻ ion was also obtained for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol and for Linuron. Although the PI mode is more sensitive than the NI mode for the two herbicides, the combination of both ionization modes offers complementary structural information for characterizing such compounds in TSP LC-MS.     

Determination of chlorophenols in soil samples by microwave-assisted extraction coupled to headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-electron-capture detection

Microwave-assisted extraction coupled to headspace solid-phase microextraction was studied and applied for one-step in-situ sample preparation prior to analysis of chlorophenols (CPs) in soil samples. The CPs in soil sample were extracted into the aqueous solution and then directly onto the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber in headspace under the aid of microwave irradiation. After being desorbed from SPME fiber in the GC injection port, CPs were analyzed with a GC-electron-capture detection system. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as the extraction solutions, the pH in the slurry, the humic acid content in the soil, the power and the irradiation time of microwave as well as the desorption parameters were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the extraction of a 1.0 g soil sample with a 6-ml aqueous solution (pH 2) and a polyacrylate fiber under the medium-power irradiation (132 W) for 9 min achieved the best extraction efficiency of about 90% recovery and less than 10% RSD. Desorption was optimal at 300 degrees C for 3 min. Detection limits were obtained at around 0.1-2.0 microg/kg levels. The proposed method provided a simple, fast, and organic solvent-free procedure to analyze CPs from soil sample matrix.     

Synthesis and evaluation of molecularly imprinted core-shell carbon nanotubes for the determination of triclosan in environmental water samples

Synthetic core-shell molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared for the extraction of trace triclosan in environmental water samples. The synthesis process combined a surface molecular imprinting technique with a sol-gel process based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated with silica. The morphology and structure of the products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption properties of the polymers were demonstrated by equilibrium rebinding experiments and Scatchard analysis. The prepared imprinted materials exhibited fast kinetics, high capacity and favorable selectivity. The process of synthesis was quite simple and different batches of MIPs and non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) showed good reproducibility in the template binding. The feasibility of determination of triclosan from real samples was testified using spiked river and lake water samples. The recoveries of river water and lake water samples were ranged from 92.1 to 95.3% and 90.7 to 93.6%, respectively, when the environmental water samples were spiked with 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 μg L(-1) of TCS. In addition, the reusability of MIPs and NIPs without any deterioration in capacity was demonstrated for at least 10 repeated cycles.     

Optimisation of the derivatisation reaction and subsequent headspace solid-phase microextraction method for the direct determination of chlorophenols in red wine

An acetylation reaction for the derivatisation of the three chlorophenols involved in cork taint was optimised using a Doehlert design for direct application in wine samples. In this first step, the optimum reaction pH, by adding different amounts of KHCO3, and the required quantity of derivatisation reagent were fixed. Then a series of parameters relevant for the headspace solid-phase microextraction process, such as desorption conditions, salt addition and agitation sample were evaluated. A simultaneous study of the type of fibre and extraction temperature was performed at five levels and based on the results obtained the rest of factors (sample volume and exposition time) that could potentially affect the extraction yields were optimised by a central composite design. According to the validation of the method, we propose here, to our knowledge, the first application of solid-phase microextraction for the direct analysis of chlorophenols in red wine samples.     

Assessment of priority pesticides,degradation products,and pesticide adjuvants in groundwaters and top soils from agricultural areas of the Ebro river basin

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was employed for the determination of 30 widely used pesticides including various transformation products and alkylphenols in water and agricultural soils with the aim of assessing the impact of these compounds in agricultural soils and the underlying aquifer. The extraction, clean-up, and analytical procedures were optimized for both water and soil samples to provide a highly robust method capable of determining target analytes at the ppb–ppt level with high precision. For water samples, different solid-phase extraction cartridges and conditions were optimized; similarly, pressurized liquid extraction conditions were tested to provide interference-free extracts and high sensitivity. Instrumental LODs of 3–4 pg were obtained. The multi-residue extraction procedures were applied to the analysis of groundwaters and agricultural soils from the Ebro river basin (NE Spain). Most ubiquitous herbicides detected were triazines but some acetanilides and organophosphorus pesticides were also found; the pesticide additive tributylphosphate was found in all water samples. Levels varied between 0.57 and 5.37 μg/L in groundwater, whereas nonylphenol was the sole compound detected in soil. Alkylphenols are used as adjuvants in pesticide formulations and are present in sludges employed as soil fertilizers. Occurrence was found to be similar to other environmental studies.