Optimization of the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from wood samples by the use of microwave energy

A simple and rapid microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) procedure was developed and optimized for benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene in wood samples. The spiked wood used was prepared 3 months before analysis to simulate weathering processes and to allow the formation of analyte-matrix interaction. The samples, immersed in acetonitrile were irradiated with microwaves in a closed-vessel system. Optimization of the method was achieved by using a factorial design approach on parameters such as extraction time, temperature and sample amount. The analysis of extracts has been carried out by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for quantification and UV-diode-array detection for confirmation. The MAE procedure yielded extracts that could be analyzed directly without any preliminary clean-up or solvent exchange steps.     

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

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

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

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

Sample preparation of sewage sludge and soil samples for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons based on one-pot microwave-assisted saponification and extraction

A microwave-assisted sample preparation (MASP) procedure was developed for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sewage sludge and soil samples. The procedure involved the simultaneous microwave-assisted extraction of PAHs with n-hexane and the hydrolysis of samples with methanolic potassium hydroxide. Because of the complex nature of the samples, the extracts were submitted to further cleaning with silica and Florisil solid-phase extraction cartridges connected in series. Naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, were considered in the study. Quantification limits obtained for all of these compounds (between 0.4 and 14.8 μg kg⁻¹ dry mass) were well below of the limits recommended in the USA and EU. Overall recovery values ranged from 60 to 100%, with most losses being due to evaporation in the solvent exchange stages of the procedure, although excellent extraction recoveries were obtained. Validation of the accuracy was carried out with BCR-088 (sewage sludge) and BCR-524 (contaminated industrial soil) reference materials.     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Determination of nanogram/kilogram levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foods by HPLC with fluorescence detection

Methodology was developed for the determination of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in five food categories including meat/fish, dried dairy products, cereals, leafy vegetables and vegetable/marine oils. The eight PAH were fluoranthene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenzo[a]anthracene, dibenzo[ah]anthracene and dibenzo[ai]pyrene. Samples were digested with alcoholic KOH followed by partitioning into solvents such as cyclohexane or isooctane. Lipids and other interferences were removed by solvent partitioning with dimethylformamide or dimethylsulfoxide/water. Additional cleanup involving column chromatography on silica gel, Florisil or Sephadex LH-20 was employed as required. Reversed-phase chromatography with gradient elution and fluorescence detection was employed for the determinations. Confirmation was carried out by GC-MS/SIM. Detection limits ranged from 2-90 ng/kg depending on the PAH and food analyzed. Results of a small survey indicated that the meat/fish category had the highest levels (low microgram/kg, on average) of the foods studied.     

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

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

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

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

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

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

气相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定卷烟滤嘴中15种多环芳烃

建立了气相色谱-串联质谱同时检测卷烟滤嘴中15种多环芳烃的方法。卷烟滤嘴用二氯甲烷振荡萃取后,经0.22μm有机相滤膜过滤,采用DB-5MS色谱柱(30 m×0.25 mm,0.25μm)进行分离,电子轰击源、正离子模式下以多反应监测模式进行检测,内标法进行定量。15种多环芳烃(苊烯、苊、芴、菲、蒽、荧蒽、芘、苯并[a]蒽、屈、苯并[b]荧蒽、苯并[k]荧蒽、苯并[a]芘、二苯并[a,h]蒽、苯并[g,h,i]苝和茚并[1,2,3-c,d]芘)的线性关系良好,相关系数(R~2)为0.991 4~0.999 9。15种多环芳烃在低、中、高3个添加水平下的平均回收率为81.6%~111.2%;除了芴在低添加水平时相对标准偏差为19.2%外,其他相对标准偏差均小于16%。15种多环芳烃的检出限为0.02~0.24 ng/滤嘴,定量限为0.04~0.80 ng/滤嘴。方法前处理简便,具有快速、准确、灵敏度高及重复性好的优点,适用于卷烟滤嘴中多环芳烃的分析。     

Triphenylamine-functionalized magnetic microparticles as a new adsorbent coupled with high performance liquid chromatography for the analysis of trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous samples

Triphenylamine (TPA)-functionalized magnetic microspheres (Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2)/TPA) were prepared and applied as solid phase extraction (SPE) adsorbents for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental samples in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) conditions affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized, including elution solvent, standing time, amount of sorbent, and salt concentration. Due to the strong π-π conjugate effect between the benzene rings of TPA and PAHs, high extraction efficiency was achieved with spiked recoveries of 80.21-108.33% and relative standard deviations (RSD) of less than 10%. Good linearities (R(2) > 0.997) for all calibration curves were obtained with low limits of detection (LOD) of 0.25, 0.5, 0.5, 3.75, 0.2 and 0.04 ng L(-1) for anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene, respectively. The achieved results indicate the applicability of Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2)/TPA as MSPE adsorbents.     

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

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

Implementation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of halogenated contaminants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish

In the presented study, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC?×?GC-TOFMS) was shown to be a powerful tool for the simultaneous determination of various groups of contaminants including 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Since different groups of analytes (traditionally analyzed separately) were included into one instrumental method, significant time savings were achieved. Following the development of an integrated sample preparation procedure for an effective and rapid isolation of several groups of contaminants from fish tissue, the GC?×?GC-TOFMS instrumental method was optimized to obtain the best chromatographic resolution and low quantification limits (LOQs) of all target analytes in a complex mixture. Using large-volume programmable temperature vaporization, the following LOQs were achieved-PCBs, 0.01-0.25 μg/kg; PBDEs, 0.025-5 μg/kg; PAHs 0.025-0.5 μg/kg. Furthermore, several capillary column combinations (BPX5, BPX50, and Rxi-17Sil-ms in the first dimension and BPX5, BPX50, Rt-LC35, and HT8 in the second dimension) were tested during the experiments, and the optimal separation of all target analytes even of critical groups of PAHs (group (a): benz[a]anthracene, cyclopenta[cd]pyrene and chrysene; group (b): benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene; group (c): dibenz[ah]anthracene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene) was observed on BPX5?×?BPX50 column setup. Moreover, since the determination of target analytes was performed using TOFMS detector, further identification of other non-target compounds in real life samples was also feasible.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particulate matter collected with low volume samplers

The determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contained in samples of particulate matter (PM), collected with low volume pumps, were carried out with an high sensitivity method that comes from several revisions of a previous method. The present work describes how, by using programmable temperature vaporization (PTV) and a mass selective detector with inert ionic source for the GC-MS analysis and the modifications of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), the sensitivity of the method can be increased.The PAHs chosen for testing the method are: benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (Ip) and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DbA). They, in fact, belong to that group of substances that are the most harmful for human health for their carcinogenicity.PAHs recoveries for spiked standard solutions at different concentrations were between 95 and 100% with relative standard deviation ranging from 1 to 3%. The revised method was validated using a 1649a urban dust standard reference material (SRM). The results obtained were in good agreement with certified values. The high sensitivity of the method allows to carry out analyses using only a half of the sampled filter (usually 47 mm diameter membranes). In this way, the other half can be used for the characterization of the other components of PM (heavy metals, organic carbon, ions, etc). The last step has been constituted by application of the optimized method on real samples collected in two cities located in Southern Italy (Bari and Taranto).     

New approach for screening polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples

For the first time, solid-phase extraction (SPE) has been combined to room-temperature phosphorimetry (RTP) to determine the 16 polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons related as major pollutants by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These include naphthalene, anthracene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, fluoranthene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, pyrene, chrysene, phenanthrene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene. The pre-concentration factor obtained by SPE, combined with the sensitivity of RTP, resulted in calibration curves with linear dynamic ranges at the parts-per-billion level (ng ml(-1)). The limits of detection were estimated at the parts-per-trillion level (pg ml(-1)). Several pollutants usually encountered in water samples were tested for interference. These included polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. As a result of the appropriate combination of excitation wavelength (330 nm) and phosphorescence enhancers (0.1 M TlNO(3) and 0.05 M sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), no interference was observed. The results demonstrate the potential of SPE-RTP for screening polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental waters.     

Penetration of mercury-adsorbed phospholipid monolayers by polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

The penetration of phospholipid monolayers (dioleoyl lecithin) adsorbed on mercury by polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is described. The PAH studied were anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, fluoranthene and perylene. The penetration is monitored by measuring the differential capacitance of the monolayer; the uptake of PAH causes a potential shift (up to ?0.25 V) in the cathodic capacitance peaks. This occurs without displacement of the lipid from the mercury. The differential capacitance is measured by out-of-phase (90°) a.c. voltammetry and rapid cyclic voltammetry. The PAH permeate the mercury-adsorbed lipid layers from dilute aqueous solution; the order of affinity is benzo[a]anthracene > fluoranthrene = pyrene > anthracene = phenanthrene. The rates of penetration vary for the different compounds and depend on their water solubility.     

Solid-phase extraction of sugar cane soot extract for analysis by gas chromatography with flame ionisation and mass spectrometric detection

The incomplete combustion of biomass is one of the most important sources of emissions of organic compounds into the atmosphere, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which show genotoxic activity. Since environmental samples generally contain interferents and trace amounts of PAHs of interest, concentration and clean-up procedures are usually required prior to the final chromatographic analysis. This paper discusses the performance of Sep-Pak cartridges (silica gel and RP18) on clean-up of sugar cane soot extract. The best results were obtained with a silica Sep-Pak cartridge. The recoveries ranged from 79% (benzo[b]fluoranthene) to 113% (benzo[e]pyrene).