Alberto Chisvert

Dispersive solid-phase extraction based on oleic acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for UV-filter determination in water samples

A sensitive analytical method to concentrate and determine extensively used UV filters in cosmetic products at (ultra)trace levels in water samples is presented. The method is based on a sample treatment using dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) with laboratory-made chemisorbed oleic acid-coated cobalt ferrite (CoFe(2)O(4)@oleic acid) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as optimized sorbent for the target analytes. The variables involved in dSPE were studied and optimized in terms of sensitivity, and the optimum conditions were: mass of sorbent, 100mg; donor phase volume, 75 mL; pH, 3; and sodium chloride concentration, 30% (w/v). After dSPE, the MNPs were eluted twice with 1.5 mL of hexane, and then the eluates were evaporated to dryness and reconstituted with 50 μL of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) for the injection into the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Under the optimized experimental conditions the method provided good levels of repeatability with relative standard deviations below 16% (n=5, at 100 ng L(-1) level). Limit of detection values ranged between 0.2 and 6.0 ng L(-1), due to the high enrichment factors achieved (i.e., 453-748). Finally, the proposed method was applied to the analysis of water samples of different origin (tap, river and sea). Recovery values showed that the matrices under consideration do not significantly affect the extraction process.

Simple and commercial readily-available approach for the direct use of ionic liquid-based single-drop microextraction prior to gas chromatography: Determination of chlorobenzenes in real water samples as model analytical application

A simple and commercial readily-available approach that enables the direct use of ionic liquid (IL)-based single-drop microextraction (SDME) prior to gas chromatography (GC) is presented. The approach is based on thermal desorption (TD) of the analytes from the IL droplet to the GC system, by using a robust and commercially-available thermodesorption system. For this purpose, a two-glass-tube concentrically disposed system was designed. The inner tube is a laboratory-cut Pyrex tube (20mm length) that houses the ionic liquid droplet from the SDME process, and the outer tube is a commercially-available TD glass tube (187 mm length) commonly employed for stir-bar sorptive extractions (SBSE). In this way, the proposed device prevents IL from entering the GC system, as this could dirty the inlet or even block the column. The determination of 10 chlorobenzenes in water samples by GC coupled with mass spectrometric (MS) detection has been chosen as model analytical application, showing the feasibility of the proposed approach. The SDME process consists of a 5 microL droplet of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C6MIM][PF6]) suspended in the headspace (HS) of a 10 mL stirred sample. After extracting for 37 min at room temperature, the IL droplet is directly placed into the small inner tube, which is placed into the TD tube. The whole device is placed inside the TD unit, where desorption of the analytes is performed at 240 degrees C for 5 min with a helium flow rate of 100 mL min(-1). The analytical figures of merit of the proposed IL-(HS)-SDME-TD-GC-MS approach are very suitable for the determination of chlorobenzenes at ultratrace levels, with relative standard deviation values ranging between 2% and 17%, and limits of detection ranging between 1 and 4 ng L(-1), showing the potential offered by the IL-based SDME process with GC.

Determination of the UV filters worldwide authorised in sunscreens by high-performance liquid chromatography: Use of cyclodextrins as mobile phase modifier

Simultaneous determination of organic UV filters worldwide authorised in sunscreen formulations was performed by HPLC with UV spectrophotometric detection. The filters determined were: benzophenone-4, benzophenone-3, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, octyl dimethyl PABA, octyl methoxycinnamate, homosalate and octyl salicylate. A C18 stationary phase and an isocratic mobile phase of ethanol-water-acetic acid (70:29.5:0.5) containing 65.4 mM of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, were used with a flow-rate of 0.6 ml/min. UV measurements were carried out at 313 nm. The time required for the analysis was 20 min and the limits of detection were between 1.5 and 2.3 mg/l. The procedure proposed provides a green analytical method with a basic instrumental configuration, it is fast and accurate and does not involve highly toxic organic solvents.

Sunscreen Products as Emerging Pollutants to Coastal Waters

A growing awareness of the risks associated with skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation over the past decades has led to increased use of sunscreen cosmetic products leading the introduction of new chemical compounds in the marine environment. Although coastal tourism and recreation are the largest and most rapidly growing activities in the world, the evaluation of sunscreen as source of chemicals to the coastal marine system has not been addressed. Concentrations of chemical UV filters included in the formulation of sunscreens, such as benzophehone 3 (BZ-3), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), TiO2 and ZnO, are detected in nearshore waters with variable concentrations along the day and mainly concentrated in the surface microlayer (i.e. 53.6–577.5 ng L-1 BZ-3; 51.4–113.4 ng L-1 4-MBC; 6.9–37.6 µg L-1 Ti; 1.0–3.3 µg L-1 Zn). The presence of these compounds in seawater suggests relevant effects on phytoplankton. Indeed, we provide evidences of the negative effect of sunblocks on the growth of the commonly found marine diatom Chaetoceros gracilis (mean EC50 = 125±71 mg L-1). Dissolution of sunscreens in seawater also releases inorganic nutrients (N, P and Si forms) that can fuel algal growth. In particular, PO4 3− is released by these products in notable amounts (up to 17 µmol PO4 3− g−1). We conservatively estimate an increase of up to 100% background PO4 3− concentrations (0.12 µmol L-1 over a background level of 0.06 µmol L-1) in nearshore waters during low water renewal conditions in a populated beach in Majorca island. Our results show that sunscreen products are a significant source of organic and inorganic chemicals that reach the sea with potential ecological consequences on the coastal marine ecosystem.

Chemically surface-modified carbon nanoparticle carrier for phenolic pollutants: Extraction and electrochemical determination of benzophenone-3 and triclosan

Chemically surface-modified (tosyl-functionalized) carbon nanoparticles (Emperor 2000 from Cabot Corp.) are employed for the extraction and electrochemical determination of phenolic impurities such as benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone) or triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol). The hydrophilic carbon nanoparticles are readily suspended and separated by centrifugation prior to deposition onto suitable electrode surfaces and voltammetric analysis. Voltammetric peaks provide concentration information over a 10-100microM range and an estimated limit of detection of ca. 10microM (or 2.3ppm) for benzophenone-3 and ca. 20microM (or 5.8ppm) for triclosan. Alternatively, analyte-free carbon nanoparticles immobilized at a graphite or glassy carbon electrode surface and directly immersed in analyte solution bind benzophenone-3 and triclosan (both with an estimated Langmuirian binding constants of K approximately 6000mol(-1)dm(3) at pH 9.5) and they also give characteristic voltammetric responses (anodic for triclosan and cathodic for benzophenone-3) with a linear range of ca. 1-120microM. The estimated limit of detection is improved to ca.5microM (or 1.2ppm) for benzophenone-3 and ca. 10microM (or 2.3ppm) for triclosan. Surface functionalization is discussed as the key to further improvements in extraction and detection efficiency.

Determination of UV filters in both soluble and particulate fractions of seawaters by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

An analytical method to determine the total content (i.e., not only in the soluble fraction but also in the particulate one) of eight commonly used UV filters in seawater samples is presented for the first time. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) is used as microextraction technique to pre-concentrate the target analytes before their determination by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In order to release the UV filters from the suspended particles an ultrasound treatment is performed before DLLME. The ultrasound treatment time was studied in order to achieve a quantitative lixiviation of the target analytes. The type and volume of both disperser and extraction solvent, the sample volume, the pH and the ionic strength involved in the DLLME have been optimized to provide the best enrichment factors. Under the optimized conditions, the method was successfully validated showing good linearity, enrichment factors between 112 and 263 depending on the analyte, limits of detection and quantification in the low ng L(-1) range (10-30 ng L(-1) and 33-99 ng L(-1), respectively) and good intra- and inter-day repeatability (RSD <15%). No significant matrix effects were found. Finally, the method was satisfactorily applied to the analysis of three seawater samples from different origin. Results showed significant amounts of UV filters in the particulate fraction that would have been ignored if only the soluble fraction had been considered. This fact shows that the UV filters are also accumulated in the suspended particles contained in water, what should be taken into account from an environmental standpoint.

Cloud point–dispersive μ-solid phase extraction of hydrophobic organic compounds onto highly hydrophobic core–shell Fe2O3@C magnetic nanoparticles

A novel two-step extraction technique combining cloud point extraction (CPE) with dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (D-μ-SPE) is presented in this work for the first time. The method involves initial extraction of the target analytes by CPE in the micelles of a non-ionic surfactant medium; then highly hydrophobic polysiloxane-coated core-shell Fe(2)O(3)@C magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are used to retrieve the micellar phase. In that manner, the micellar phase containing the analytes is the target of the D-μ-SPE step rather than the analytes directly. MNPs are then collected by the application of an adscititious magnetic field overcoming the need for specific steps associated with CPE such as centrifugation to separate the surfactant-rich phase, refrigeration of the condensed micellar phase to reduce its viscosity or appropriate apparatus that enable direct sampling of the surfactant-rich phase. A noteworthy feature of the method is the introduction of highly oleophilic MNPs, which afford rapid and quantitative mass transfer of the surfactant phase, as opposed to other more conventional hydrophobic nanoparticles. In that manner, fast and reproducible extraction is accomplished, lending improved analytical features compared to conventional CPE, such as reduced analysis time and relative inertness to surfactant concentration and equilibration temperature. The analytes were recovered from the surface of MNPs by ultrasound-assisted back-extraction in a water-immiscible organic solvent where analytes are readily partitioned but the surfactant has limited solubility, thus minimizing its interference during chromatographic detection. As an analytical demonstration, different UV absorbing chemicals with various physico-chemical properties were used as model organic compounds for optimizing the parameters associated with this novel two-step extraction approach. The proposed method, combining two different and efficient techniques, offers satisfactory analytical features in terms of repeatability (4.5-7.5%), reproducibility (7.0-14.9%) and accuracy (88.5-97.2%). Most importantly it poses as an alternative and fast method for sample pretreatment opening new insights in surfactant-mediated extractions.

An overview of the analytical methods for the determination of organic ultraviolet filters in biological fluids and tissues.

Organic UV filters are chemical compounds added to cosmetic sunscreen products in order to protect users from UV solar radiation. The need of broad-spectrum protection to avoid the deleterious effects of solar radiation has triggered a trend in the cosmetic market of including these compounds not only in those exclusively designed for sun protection but also in all types of cosmetic products. Different studies have shown that organic UV filters can be absorbed through the skin after topical application, further metabolized in the body and eventually excreted or bioaccumulated. These percutaneous absorption processes may result in various adverse health effects, such as genotoxicity caused by the generation of free radicals, which can even lead to mutagenic or carcinogenic effects, and estrogenicity, which is associated with the endocrine disruption activity caused by some of these compounds. Due to the absence of official monitoring protocols, there is a demand for analytical methods that enable the determination of UV filters in biological fluids and tissues in order to retrieve more information regarding their behavior in the human body and thus encourage the development of safer cosmetic formulations. In view of this demand, there has recently been a noticeable increase in the development of sensitive and selective analytical methods for the determination of UV filters and their metabolites in biological fluids (i.e., urine, plasma, breast milk and semen) and tissues. The complexity of the biological matrix and the low concentration levels of these compounds inevitably impose sample treatment processes that afford both sample clean-up to remove potentially interfering matrix components as well as the enrichment of analytes in order to achieve their determination at very low concentration levels. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in the determination of UV filters in biological fluids and tissues, with special emphasis on the elucidation of new metabolites, sample preparation and analytical techniques as well as occurrence levels.

Development of stir bar sorptive-dispersive microextraction mediated by magnetic nanoparticles and its analytical application to the determination of hydrophobic organic compounds in aqueous media

A novel microextraction technique combining the principles of stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (DμSPE) is presented. The main feature of the method is the use of a neodymium-core stirring bar physically coated with a hydrophobic magnetic nanosorbent. Depending on stirring speed, the magnetic sorbent either acts as a coating material to the stir bar, thus affording extraction alike SBSE, or as a dispersed nanosorbent medium for the collection and extraction of the target analytes, in close analogy to DμSPE. Once the stirring process is finished, the strong magnetic field of the stir bar prevails again and rapidly retrieves the dispersed MNPs. Alike SBSE, the stir bar is collected and the analytes are back-extracted by liquid desorption into an appropriate organic solvent, which is used for analysis. This enrichment technique is easy to prepare since it does not require special surface modification procedures, uses low volumes of non-toxic organic solvents and most importantly imbues SBSE with additional functionalities against a wide range of analytes (since nanosorbents with various coatings can be employed) while it affords additional merits to DμSPE in terms of extraction and post-extraction treatment. As proof-of-concept this new approach was applied to the determination of organic UV filters in seawater samples using oleic acid-coated cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4@oleic acid) magnetic nanoparticles as sorbent material. The method showed good analytical features in terms of linearity, enrichment factors (11-148), limits of detection (low ngmL(-1)), intra- and inter-day repeatability (RSD<11%) and relative recoveries (87-120%).

Sensitive sequential-injection system for the determination of 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulphonic acid in human urine samples using on-line solid-phase extraction coupled with fluorimetric detection

2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulphonic acid (PBS) is an UV-filter contained in many cosmetics as a sunscreen. A direct, selective and sensitive method to determine traces of PBS is presented. The on-line separation of this compound from urine matrix was directly coupled with fluorimetric detection in a sequential-injection system. The separation was performed using a SAX microcolumn in which the analyte was retained and eluted selectively. The determination is carried out without any derivatization reaction, by directly measuring the intrinsic fluorescence of the analyte. The wavelengths of excitation and emission were 301 and 681 nm, respectively. On-line standard addition calibration is performed into the system, and only one standard solution is required. The limit of detection was 12 ng ml(-1). The method was satisfactorily used to determine PBS in both, spiked and unspiked human urine samples, without any pretreatment. The relative standard deviations of the results were in the order of 2-13%. The concentrations of the analyte obtained for unspiked samples taken from sunscreen users were higher than the limit of detection.