Monitoring of estrogens, pesticides and bisphenol A in natural waters and drinking water treatment plants by solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A multi-residue analytical method has been developed for the determination of various classes of selected endocrine disruptors. This method allows the simultaneous extraction and quantification of different estrogens (estradiol, estrone, estriol, estradiol-17-glucuronide, estradiol diacetate, estrone-3-sulfate, ethynyl estradiol and diethylstilbestrol), pesticides (atrazine, simazine, desethylatrazine, isoproturon and diuron), and bisphenol A in natural waters. In the method developed, 500 ml of water are preconcentrated on LiChrolut RP-18 cartridges. Further analysis is carried out by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) in the positive ion mode for determination of pesticides and electrospray in the negative ionisation mode for determination of estrogens and bisphenol A. Recoveries for most compounds were between 90 and 119%, except for bisphenol A (81%) and diethylstilbestrol (70%), with relative standard deviations below 20%. Limits of detection ranged between 2 and 15 ng/l. The method was used to study the occurrence of the selected pollutants in surface and groundwater used for abstraction of drinking water in a waterworks and to evaluate the removal efficiency of the different water treatments applied. Water samples from the river, the aquifer, and after each treatment stage (sand filtration, ozonation, activated carbon filtration and post-chlorination) were taken monthly from February to August of 2002. The presence in river water of atrazine, simazine, diuron and bisphenol A were relatively frequent at concentrations usually below 0.1 microg/l. Lower levels, below 0.02 microg/l, were usual for isoproturon. Estrone-3-sulfate and estrone were detected occasionally in the river. Most of the compounds were completely removed during the water treatment, especially after activated carbon filtration.     

Immunosensor for estrone with an equal limit of detection as common analytical methods

Immunoanalytical methods at a very low limit of detection (LOD) and a low limit of quantification (LOQ) are becoming more and more important for environmental analysis and especially for monitoring drinking water quality. Biosensors have suitable characteristics such as efficiency in allowing very fast, sensitive, and cost-effective detection. Here we describe a fully automated immunoassay for estrone with a LOD below 0.20 ng L^–1 and a LOQ below 1.40 ng L^–1. In contrast to common analytical methods such as GC-MS or HPLC-MS, the biosensor used requires no sample pre-treatment and pre-concentration. The basis of our sensitive assay is the antibody with a high affinity constant towards estrone. The very low amount of antibody per sample results in low validation parameters (LOD, LOQ, and IC50), but this assay for estrone represents the current device-related limitation of the River Analyser (RIANA).     

Multichannel SPR biosensor for detection of endocrine-disrupting compounds

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor for simultaneous detection of multiple organic pollutants exhibiting endocrine-disrupting activity, namely atrazine, benzo[a]pyrene, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-nonylphenol, is reported. The biosensor utilizes a multichannel SPR sensor based on wavelength modulation of SPR and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) of sensing channels, antibodies as biorecognition element and a competitive immunoassay detection format. An analysis time of 45 min (including 30-min incubation of the sample with antibodies) and limits of detection as low as 0.05, 0.07, 0.16 and 0.26 ng mL⁻¹ are demonstrated for benzo[a]pyrene, atrazine, 2,4-D and 4-nonylphenol, respectively. The biosensor is also shown to be regenerable and suitable for repeated use.     

Optical biosensor for pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, hormones, endocrine disrupting chemicals and pesticides in water: Assay optimization process for estrone as example

Certain contaminants at trace concentrations in surface waters can have dramatic effects on the hormonal system of organisms in the aquatic environment. Therefore, immunoanalytical methods at a very low limit of detection (LOD) and a low limit of quantification (LOQ) are becoming more and more important for environmental analysis and especially for monitoring drinking water quality. Environmental monitoring of antibiotics, hormones, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and pesticides in real water samples (e.g. surface, ground or drinking water) with difficult matrices places high demands on chemical analysis. Biosensors have suitable characteristics such as efficiency in allowing very fast, sensitive, and cost-effective detection. Here we describe an assay optimization process with a fully automated immunoassay for estrone which resulted in a LOD below 0.20 ng L⁻¹ and a LOQ below 1.40 ng L⁻¹. In contrast to common analytical methods such as GC-MS or HPLC-MS, the biosensor used requires no sample pre-treatment and pre-concentration. The very low validation parameters for estrone are the result of the continuous optimization of the immunoassay. The basis of our sensitive assay is the antibody with a high affinity constant towards estrone. During the optimization process, we reduced the amount of antibody per sample and improved the chip surface modification. Finally, this proceeding led to a calibration routine with an amount of antibody of only 3.0 ng per sample (sample volume: 1.0 mL). The reduction of the amount of antibody per sample results in better validation parameters (LOD, LOQ, and IC₅₀), but this reduction leads to the current device-related limitation of the River Analyser (RIANA).For some endocrine disrupting compounds, no effect levels (NOELs) in the lower nanogram per liter range are reported. This defines the challenge, which analytical methods have to compete with and our RIANA instrument with its improved sensitivity for the detection of a single hormone in the lower nanogram per liter range is a powerful tool in aquatic analytics in addition to the common analytical methods.     

Quantification and confirmation of priority organic micropollutants in water by LC-tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with a triple quadrupole analyser was used to determine selected (medium) polar organic pollutants—isoproturon, diuron and pentachlorophenol, as the herbicides simazine, atrazine, terbuthilazine, alachlor, and metolachlor—in treated water from urban solid-waste leachates. Two millilitres of water was preconcentrated by on-line trace enrichment (solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography) which allowed rapid analysis, but still with a satisfactory sensitivity, as the limits of quantification were 0.05?µg?L^?1, while the limits of detection were in the range of 0.001–0.01?µg?L^?1. Confirmation of the identity of compounds was ensured by the use of two tandem mass spectrometry transitions. Moreover, a study of matrix effects was thoroughly investigated by applying the developed procedure to different ground and surface waters. A simple dilution of the water sample with high-performance-liquid-chromatography-grade water was sufficient to minimize and/or remove this undesirable effect in all water samples tested, this approach being feasible due to the excellent sensitivity of the method.     

Towards an integrated biosensor array for simultaneous and rapid multi-analysis of endocrine disrupting chemicals

In this paper we propose the construction and application of a portable multi-purpose biosensor array for the simultaneous detection of a wide range of endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs), based on the recognition operated by various enzymes and microorganisms. The developed biosensor combines both electrochemical and optical transduction systems, in order to increase the number of chemical species which can be monitored. Considering to the maximum residue level (MRL) of contaminants established by the European Commission, the biosensor system was able to detect most of the chemicals analysed with very high sensitivity. In particular, atrazine and diuron were detected with a limit of detection of 0.5 nM, with an RSD% less than 5%; paraoxon and chlorpyrifos were revealed with a detection of 5 μM and 4.5 μM, respectively, with an RSD% less than 6%; catechol and bisphenol A were identified with a limit of detection of 1 μM and 35 μM respectively, with an RSD% less than 5%.     

An optical glucose biosensor based on entrapped-glucose oxidase in silicate xerogel hybridised with hydroxyethyl carboxymethyl cellulose

An optical glucose biosensor was fabricated by entrapping glucose oxidase (GOx) within the xerogel that was derived from tetraethylorthosilicate and hybridised with hydroxyethyl carboxymethyl cellulose polymer. The entrapped-GOx was mainly characterised with its long-lasting apparent biocatalytic activity as compared to that being entrapped in only sol-gel matrix. The biocatalytic activity of the entrapped-enzyme has extended its shelf lifetime up to 3 years. This long-term stability was closely correlated with the reduction in the shrinkage process of the hybrid gel being used. In conjunction with an optical oxygen transducer, the entrapped-GOx was assembled as an optical glucose biosensor comprised a sample flow system with which the dissolved oxygen in the sample could be precisely controlled and varied. The analytical working range was tuneable within 9.0 μM-100 mM range depending on the dissolved oxygen concentration in the test solution. The time taken to reach a 95% steady signal was 6-9 min at flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. The glucose biosensor has been satisfactorily applied to the determination of glucose contents of urine samples.     

Label-free detection of biomolecular interaction by optical sensors

Since the first label-free optical biosensor was commercialized in 1990 a rising number of publications have demonstrated the benefits of direct biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA) for biology and biochemistry. This article first gives an overview of the historical development of different transducer principles used for the detection of BIA. Subsequently, the four major parts of a biosensor system: transducer, sample handling, surface/immobilization chemistry and test formats/data evaluation will be discussed, with a main focus on the test formats and data evaluation. The intention of this review is to present an introduction to the field and to point out the difficulties most frequently encountered.     

Fiber-Optic Biosensor for the Detection of Atrazine: Characterization and Continuous Measurements

An optical fiber enzymatic biosensor was formed by immobilizing cells containing atrazine chlorohydrolase to the surface of a pH-sensitive optode. This enzyme catalyzes the dechlorination of atrazine, releasing hydrochloric acid and creating a signal response from the optode that was proportional to the atrazine concentration. Biosensors capable of quantitative and sensitive atrazine concentration measurements were developed using the atrazine chlorohydrolase of both Pseudomonas sp. ADP and Clavibacter michiganese sp. ATZ1. The biosensors based on both bacteria had a limit of detection of less than 1 ppb (validated using gas chromatography) and a linear range from 1 ppb to 100 ppb atrazine. Response times were a function of concentration and the source of enzyme, with a response time of 10 or 20 min for a 25 ppb atrazine solution. The performance of these sensors at various temperatures, pH values, and buffer capacities was also studied. The use of poly-L-lysine to increase the physical stability of biosensors containing Pseudomonas sp. ADP provided higher durability with no performance drawbacks. The atrazine biosensor was also used to measure atrazine concentrations in a soil column that was continuously fed a solution in which the atrazine concentration was increased or decreased. The atrazine biosensor provided continuous, in-situ measurements in the soil column, the first time that continuous biosensor measurements have been demonstrated in a soil system.     

Conductometric tyrosinase biosensor for the detection of diuron, atrazine and its main metabolites

The determination of diuron, atrazine, desisopropylatrazine (DIA) and desethylatrazine (DEA) were investigated using conductometric tyrosinase biosensor. Tyrosinase was immobilised on the biosensor sensitive part by allowing it to mix with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and then cross-linking in saturated glutaraldehyde (GA) vapour for 30 min. The determination of pollutants in a solution was performed by comparison of the output signal (i.e percentage of the enzymatic activity) of the biosensor before and after contact with pollutants. The measurement of the enzymatic activity was performed using 4-chlorophenol, phenol and catechol substrates and response times ranging from 1 to 5 min were observed. A 4-chlorophenol substrate was used to detect pesticides. A 30 min contact time of the biosensor in the pollutant solution was used. Under the experimental conditions employed, detection limits for diuron and atrazine were about 1 ppb and dynamic range of 2.3-2330 and 2.15-2150 ppb were obtained for diuron and atrazine, respectively. A relative standard deviation (n=3) of the output signal was estimated to be 5% and a slight drift of 1.5 μS h⁻¹ was observed. The 90% of the enzyme activity was still maintained after 23 days of storage in a buffer solution at 4 °C.     

How can immunochemical methods contribute to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive?

Immunochemical methods (in particular immunoassays) have been applied to spring and surface water samples, respectively, which were set-up as reference materials (RM) within two proficiency testing campaigns. For the first set of proficiency tests (PTs) described here (which were actually the second round of PTs organized, spring 2005), three ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) were employed in the enzyme tracer format for isoproturon, diuron, and atrazine, respectively. Results were evaluated in comparison with conventional reference methods (LC, GC). Based on their Z-score laboratory performances, the results for isoproturon and diuron were satisfactory, both for fortified spring water and for the blind solution. The results for atrazine were strongly influenced by other triazines present and needed detailed interpretation. For the second set of PTs described here (which were actually the third round of PTs organized, spring 2006), two ELISAs in the coating antigen format were used for isoproturon and diuron, and the result was included with the results obtained by conventional methods during the PTs. The results (the Z-scores) for isoproturon were again classified as satisfactory, in both fortified surface water and blind solution. The results for diuron in ELISA showed an influence of the water matrix, while the analysis of the blind solution was satisfactory. In addition, an ELISA in the enzyme tracer format was applied to analyze isoproturon, diuron, and atrazine in surface water samples, which had been set-up and spiked during a field trial (tank experiment) at the Maas River at Eijsden, The Netherlands. The immunoassay results were compared with those from an in-house on-line SPE LC/MS–MS used as reference. Although the immunochemical results were sometimes higher than those determined in the reference analysis, the general concentration trends in the samples were similar. The contribution of immunochemical methods to the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive is also discussed.     

Biosensors as useful tools for environmental analysis and monitoring

Recent advances in the development and application of biosensors for environmental analysis and monitoring are reviewed in this article. Several examples of biosensors developed for relevant environmental pollutants and parameters are briefly overviewed. Special attention is paid to the application of biosensors to real environmental samples, taking into consideration aspects such as sample pretreatment, matrix effects and validation of biosensor measurements. Current trends in biosensor development are also considered and commented on in this work. In this context, nanotechnology, miniaturisation, multi-sensor array development and, especially, biotechnology arise as fast-growing areas that will have a marked influence on the development of new biosensing strategies in the near future.     

An optical fiber biosensor for chlorpyrifos using a single sol-gel film containing acetylcholinesterase and bromothymol blue

An optical fiber biosensor consisting of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and bromothymol blue (BTB) doped sol-gel film was employed to detect organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos. The main advantage of this optical biosensor is the use of a single sol-gel film with immobilized AChE and BTB. The compatibility of this mixture (AChE and BTB) with the sol-gel matrix has prevented leaching of the film. The immobilization of the enzyme and indicator was simple without chemical modification. The biosensing element on single sol-gel film has been placed inside the flow-cell for flow system. In the presence of a constant AChE, a color change of the BTB and the measured reflected signal at wavelength 622nm could be related to the pesticide concentration in the sample solutions. The performance of optical biosensor in the flow system has been optimized, including chemical and physical parameters. The response time of the biosensor is 8min. A linear calibration curve of chlorpyrifos against the percentage inhibition of AChE was obtained from 0.05 to 2.0mg/L of chlorpyrifos (18-80% inhibition, R(2)=0.9869, n=6). The detection limit for chlorpyrifos was 0.04mg/L. The results of the analysis of 0.5-1.5mg/L of chlorpyrifos using this optical biosensor agreed well with chromatographic method.     

Stacking and simultaneous determination of estrogens in water samples by CE with electrochemical detection

A rapid and sensitive method based on transient ITP and field enhancement in CE with electrochemical detection at copper disk electrode was developed for the simultaneous separation and determination of three estrogens: estrone, 17β‐estradiol, and estriol. The effects of several important factors that influence the separation and detection were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the estrogens could be separated in 0.06 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution within 14 min. With transient ITP by addition of 0.5% NaCl, a good linear response was obtained for three estrogens from 0.2 to 10 μmol/L, with correlation coefficients higher than 0.9993. The detection limits were 8.9 × 10^?8, 6.7 × 10^?8, and 1.1 × 10^?7 mol/L (S/N = 3) for estriol, 17β‐estradiol, and estrone, respectively. This method was successfully employed to analyze different water samples from waterworks, tap water, fishpond, and river samples with recoveries in the range of 90.8–108.9%, and RSDs < 4.69%. The satisfied results demonstrated that this method was of convenient preparation, high sensitivity, and good repeatability, which could be applied to the rapid determination of environmental water samples.     

Determination of low-level pesticide residues in soft drinks and sports drinks by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted on a method for the measurement of 11 low-level pesticide residues in soft drinks and sports drinks by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The pesticide residues determined in this study were alachlor, atrazine, butachlor, isoproturon, malaoxon, monocrotophos, methyl paraoxon, phorate, phorate sulfone, phorate sulfoxide, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Blind fortification solutions containing 3 different levels of pesticide residues were provided to 9 collaborating laboratories to create test samples at concentrations of 0, 0.1, and 0.5 microg/L with a 10-fold concentration for phorate in a total of 6 matrixes (2 colas, 1 diet cola, 1 clear lemon-lime soft drink, 1 orange soft drink, and 1 sports drink). Good qualitative performance of the method was demonstrated for all pesticide residues. Reproducibility relative standard deviation (RSDR) ranged from 7 to 151% for alachlor, atrazine, butachlor, isoproturon, malaoxon, monocrotophos, methyl paraoxon, phorate, phorate sulfone, phorate sulfoxide, and 2,4-D at the 0.1 microg/L level (1.0 microg/L for phorate). At 0.5 microg/L (5.0 microg/L for phorate), RSDR ranged from 9 to 57% for alachlor, atrazine, butachlor isoproturon, malaoxon, monocrotophos, methyl paraoxon, phorate, phorate sulfone, phorate sulfoxide, and 2,4-D in all matrixes. Repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDr), applicable to the diet cola and sports drink, ranged from 0 to 124% for the 11 pesticide residues at the 0.1 microg/L level (1.0 microg/L for phorate). At 0.5 microg/L (5.0 microg/L for phorate), RSDr ranged from 4 to 26%. Recoveries for the 11 pesticide residues in all matrixes ranged from 84 to 300% at the 0.1 microg/L level (1.0 microg/L for phorate) and from 66 to 127% at the 0.5 microg/L (5.0 microg/L for phorate) level. Coefficients of determination (r2) of the matrix-matched calibration curves were > or = 0.95. It is recommended that the method be accepted by AOAC as Official First Action with a limit of quantification of 0.5 microg/L for alachlor, atrazine, butachlor, isoproturon, malaoxon, methyl paraoxon, monocrotophos, phorate sulfone, phorate sulfoxide, and 2,4-D and 5.0 microg/L for phorate.     

Total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) biosensor for environmental monitoring of testosterone with commercially available immunochemistry: antibody characterization, assay development and real sample measurements

Nowadays, little technology exists that can monitor various water sources quickly and at a reasonable cost. The ultra-sensitive, fully automated and robust biosensor River Analyser (RIANA) is capable of detecting multiple organic targets rapidly and simultaneously at a heterogeneous assay format (solid phase: bulk optical glass transducers). Commercialization of such a biosensor requires the availability of commercial high-affinity recognition elements (e.g. antibodies) and suitable commercial haptens (modified target molecules) for surface chemistry. Therfore, testosterone was chosen as model analyte, which is also a task of common analytical methods like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), because they have to struggle with detecting sub-nanogram per liter levels in environmental samples. The reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) was used to characterize the commercially available immunochemistry resulting in a high-affinity constant of 2.6 ± 0.3 × 10⁹ mol⁻¹ for the unlabeled antibody. After the labeling procedure, necessary for the TIRF-based biosensor, a mean affinity constant of 1.2 × 10⁹ mol⁻¹ was calculated out of RIfS (1.4 ± 0.4 × 10⁹ mol⁻¹) and TIRF (1.0 ± 0.3 × 10⁹ mol⁻¹) measurements.Thereafter, the TIRF-based biosensor setup was used to determine the steroidal hormone testosterone at real world samples without sample pre-treatment or sample pre-concentration. Results are shown for rapid and ultra-sensitive analyses of testosterone in aqueous samples with at a remarkable limit of detection (LOD) of 0.2 ng L⁻¹. All real world samples, even those containing testosterone in the sub-nanogram per liter range (e.g. 0.9 ng L⁻¹), could be determined with recovery rates between 70 and 120%. Therefore, the sensor system is perfectly suited to serve as a low-cost system for surveillance and early warning in environmental analysis in addition to the common analytical methods. For the first time, commercially available immunochemistry was fully characterized using a label-free detection method (RIfS) and successfully incorporated into a TIRF-based biosensor setup (RIANA) for reliable sub-nanogram per liter detection of testosterone in aqueous environmental samples.     

An optical glucose biosensor based on glucose oxidase immobilized on a swim bladder membrane

An optical glucose biosensor using a swim bladder membrane as an enzyme immobilization platform and an oxygen-sensitive membrane as an optical oxygen transducer has been developed. During the enzymatic reaction, glucose is oxidized by glucose oxidase with a concomitant consumption of dissolved oxygen resulting in an increase in the fluorescence intensity of the optical oxygen transducer. The fluorescence intensity is directly related to the glucose concentration. The effects of pH, temperature, buffer concentration, and selectivity have been studied in detail. The immobilized enzyme retained 80% of its initial activity after being kept for more than 10 months at 4°C. The glucose biosensor has been successfully applied to the determination of glucose content in human blood serum and urine samples. Martin M.F. Choi was on sabbatical leave at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from July 2004 to July 2005.     

Degradation of the herbicide isoproturon by a photocatalytic process

In this study, the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of isoproturon (one of the most widely used herbicides in agriculture) was investigated in an annular photoreactor packed with a TiO₂ photocatalyst. The results highlighted that the monolayer Langmuir adsorption isotherm model was well obeyed. The isoproturon adsorption equilibrium constant was determined experimentally. The codegradation of isoproturon and of other copollutants such as salicylic acid and phenol occurred, demonstrating that within the catalyst, the same type of sites can be involved in the adsorption of the two pollutants. The heat of adsorption fell in the range of 20 to 50 °C and was found to be ∼43 kJ/mol. As expected, the adsorption constant K_a decreased with increasing the fluid flow due to the temperature rise. The kinetics of the photocatalytic degradation of isoproturon revealed a first-order reaction for initial concentrations between 3 and 43 ppm. In our experimental conditions, no by-products were detected and total disappearance of isoproturon was observed.     

Integral toxicity test of sea waters by an algal biosensor

An integral toxicity test, based on an algal biosensor and suitable to be used in sea water, is presented. The biosensor was designed and built by coupling a Clark oxygen electrode as transducer and the marine alga Spirulina subsalsa as biological mediator; it constitutes the "core" in a lab-scale prototype of a flow apparatus suitable to continuously monitor, in sea water, the photosynthetic activity of the alga and, from its variation, the marine pollution from the toxicological point of view. Inorganic pollutants (heavy metals) were tested in previous researches while organic ones (chlorophenols, pesticides and surfactants) are the object of the present paper.     

Nucleic acid biosensors for environmental pollution monitoring

Nucleic acid-based biosensors are finding increasing use for the detection of environmental pollution and toxicity. A biosensor is defined as a compact analytical device incorporating a biological or biologically-derived sensing element either integrated within or intimately associated with a physicochemical transducer. A nucleic acid-based biosensor employs as the sensing element an oligonucleotide, with a known sequence of bases, or a complex structure of DNA or RNA. Nucleic acid biosensors can be used to detect DNA/RNA fragments or either biological or chemical species. In the first application, DNA/RNA is the analyte and it is detected through the hybridization reaction (this kind of biosensor is also called a genosensor). In the second application, DNA/RNA plays the role of the receptor of specific biological and/or chemical species, such as target proteins, pollutants or drugs. Recent advances in the development and applications of nucleic acid-based biosensors for environmental application are reviewed in this article with special emphasis on functional nucleic acid elements (aptamers, DNAzymes, aptazymes) and lab-on-a-chip technology.