Josep Caixach

Yeast–yeast interactions revealed by aromatic profile analysis of Sauvignon Blanc wine fermented by single or co-culture of non-Saccharomyces and Saccharomyces yeasts

There has been increasing interest in the use of selected non-Saccharomyces yeasts in co-culture with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The main reason is that the multistarter fermentation process is thought to simulate indigenous fermentation, thus increasing wine aroma complexity while avoiding the risks linked to natural fermentation. However, multistarter fermentation is characterised by complex and largely unknown interactions between yeasts. Consequently the resulting wine quality is rather unpredictable. In order to better understand the interactions that take place between non-Saccharomyces and Saccharomyces yeasts during alcoholic fermentation, we analysed the volatile profiles of several mono-culture and co-cultures. Candida zemplinina, Torulaspora delbrueckii and Metschnikowia pulcherrima were used to conduct fermentations either in mono-culture or in co-culture with S. cerevisiae. Up to 48 volatile compounds belonging to different chemical families were quantified. For the first time, we show that C. zemplinina is a strong producer of terpenes and lactones. We demonstrate by means of multivariate analysis that different interactions exist between the co-cultures studied. We observed a synergistic effect on aromatic compound production when M. pulcherrima was in co-culture with S. cerevisiae. However a negative interaction was observed between C. zemplinina and S. cerevisiae, which resulted in a decrease in terpene and lactone content. These interactions are independent of biomass production. The aromatic profiles of T. delbrueckii and S. cerevisiae in mono-culture and in co-culture are very close, and are biomass-dependent, reflecting a neutral interaction. This study reveals that a whole family of compounds could be altered by such interactions. These results suggest that the entire metabolic pathway is affected by these interactions.

Evaluation of a new automated cleanup system for the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in environmental samples.

An automated cleanup system (Power-Prep, Fluid Management Systems, Inc.) was evaluated for the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) in environmental samples. The study was firstly carried out against standard mixtures containing labeled and unlabeled PCDD/PCDF and a certified reference material (fly ash CRM 490). Next, a comparison between a conventional cleanup procedure and the new automated system for PCDD/PCDF analysis in environmental samples such as flue gas emissions, fly ashes, sludges, ambient air and soils was also made. The suitability of the system was finally assessed from the participation in an interlaboratory exercise. Owing to its capability to successfully perform the sample cleanup the Power-Prep apparatus is an alternative to the conventional methods.

Analysis of nitrosamines in water by automated SPE and isotope dilution GC/HRMS: Occurrence in the different steps of a drinking water treatment plant, and in chlorinated samples from a reservoir and a sewage treatment plant effluent

A method based on automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) and isotope dilution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) has been developed for the analysis of nine nitrosamines in water samples. The combination of automated SPE and GC/HRMS for the analysis of nitrosamines has not been reported previously. The method shows as advantages the selectivity and sensitivity of GC/HRMS analysis and the high efficiency of automated SPE with coconut charcoal EPA 521 cartridges. Low method detection limits (MDLs) were achieved, along with a greater facility of the procedure and less dependence on the operator with regard to the methods based on manual SPE. Quality requirements for isotope dilution-based methods were accomplished for most analysed nitrosamines, regarding to trueness (80-120%), method precision (<15%) and MDLs (0.08-1.7 ng/L). Nineteen water samples (16 samples from a drinking water treatment plant {DWTP}, 2 chlorinated samples from a sewage treatment plant {STP} effluent, and 1 chlorinated sample from a reservoir) were analysed. Concentrations of nitrosamines in the STP effluent were 309.4 and 730.2 ng/L, being higher when higher doses of chlorine were applied. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) were the main compounds identified in the STP effluent, and NDEA was detected above 200 ng/L, regulatory level for NDMA in effluents stated in Ontario (Canada). Lower concentrations of nitrosamines were found in the reservoir (20.3 ng/L) and in the DWTP samples (n.d. -28.6 ng/L). NDMA and NDEA were respectively found in the reservoir and in treated and highly chlorinated DWTP samples at concentrations above 10 ng/L (guide value established in different countries). The highest concentrations of nitrosamines were found after chlorination and ozonation processes (ozonated, treated and highly chlorinated water) in DWTP samples.

Biochemical responses of Mytilus galloprovincialis as biomarkers of acute environmental pollution caused by the Don Pedro oil spill (Eivissa Island, Spain)

In the present work, the potential use of several antioxidant and detoxification biomarkers in the digestive gland of wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) for biomonitoring the marine pollution induced by the Don Pedro oil spill has been investigated. Two locations from the East to South-East of Eivissa (Ibiza) and Formentera islands were selected, one extensively affected by the oil spill and the other one not affected and considered as the control area. Mussels were sampled one, two and six months after the Don Pedro accident. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels were significantly increased in the soft tissues of mussels in the affected area one month after the disaster, returning to normal values after six months. Markers of oxidative damage in lipids--malondialdehyde, and in proteins--carbonyl derivates, and antioxidant enzyme--catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, activities significantly increased as result of the spill oil after one month, returning to basal values at two month sampling time. Glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio (GSH/GSSG), as a marker of the redox status, was reduced after one and two months indicating a more oxidized situation. Markers of detoxification--glutathione-S-transferase and cytochrome P4501A activities and metallothionein gene expression--were significantly increased by the oil spill one month after the accident, returning to the basal values at two month sampling time. In conclusion, the Don Pedro accident induced a transient situation of PAHs pollution resulting in enhanced antioxidant and detoxification defense systems in the wild mussel M. galloprovincialis returning to normal levels six months from the spill. The selected biomarkers are a useful tool for biomonitoring the response to acute exposure to pollutants in marine mussels.

Degradation of polyethoxylated nonylphenols in a sewage treatment plant. Quantitative analysis by isotopic dilution-HRGC/MS.

Polyethoxylated alkylphenols (APnEO, where n is the number of ethylene oxide molecules), are non-ionic surfactants widely used for domestic and industrial purposes. Most of APnEO are polyethoxylated nonylphenols (NPnEO). NPnEO are widespread environmental pollutants with relatively low toxicity for mammals and higher toxicity for aquatic organisms. In addition, they have been described as endocrine disrupters in recent publications. One of the main problems related to these surfactants is their uncomplete degradation, even in the most effective sewage treatment plants. Usually, the final products, more toxic and resistant to biological degradation than NPnEO, are nonylphenol (NP), monoethoxylated nonylphenol (NP1EO), diethoxylated nonylphenol (NP2EO), nonylphenoxy acetic acid (NP1EC), and nonylphenoxyethoxy acetic acid (NP2EC). In this paper, the degradation of NPnEO was studied in the different processes of a sewage treatment plant. For this purpose, NP, NP1EO and NP2EO were analysed in composite samples collected at different points along the plant (influent, pre-treatment effluent, primary effluent, plant effluent). Analyses were carried out by isotopic dilution-HRGC/MS, using available labelled nonylphenols (13C6-NP, 13C6-NP1EO, 13C6-NP2EO) as internal standards. Extraction of NPnEO from aqueous samples, previous to analysis, was performed by the Likens-Nickerson method (simultaneous steam distillation/solvent extraction, SDE).

Analysis of cyanobacterial hepatotoxins in water samples by microbore reversed-phase liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry.

A method based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with positive electrospray ionisation was developed for the analysis of cyanobacterial hepatotoxins in environmental samples. The chromatographic separation was performed using two microbore columns, 2 mm and 1 mm I.D. columns, which allowed the coupling of liquid chromatography to mass spectrometry with no flow splitting. Analytes were eluted using two different water-acetonitrile, both acidified with formic acid gradients. Mass spectrometric parameters were optimised in order to maximise sensitivity. Detection limits for the 2 mm I.D. column ranged from 0.077 to 2.057 ng in full scan and from 0.021 to 1.153 ng in SIM mode. However, limits of detection as low as 60-340 pg in full scan and 6-72 pg in SIM mode were achieved for the 1 mm I.D. column. Finally, the proposed method was applied to the analysis of microcystins and nodularins in real samples.

Dioxin like compounds from municipal waste incinerator emissions: assessment of the presence of polychlorinated naphthalenes.

Polychloronaphthalenes (PCN) were identified and quantified in emission samples collected from five different municipal waste incinerators (MWI). Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDF) were also determined to find a possible relationship between these classes of organochlorinated compounds. The analyses of PCDD/PCDF and PCN were carried out by high resolution gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry using a positive electron ionization source and operating in the selected ion monitoring analyzer mode (HRGC-HRMS/EI(+)-SIM). The total levels of PCN varied from 1.08 up to 21.36 ng/Nm3 (mono- to octachlorinated) and 0.33 to 5.72 ng/Nm3 (tetra- to octachlorinated), whereas the levels of PCDD/PCDF ranged between 1.14 and 276.26 ng/Nm3 (0.01 and 5 ng I-TEQ/Nm3), depending on the type of the MWI. These findings do not corroborate a PCN and PCDD/PCDF correlation.

Study on PCDDs/PCDFs and co-PCBs content in food samples from Catalonia (Spain)

The results of a surveillance programme on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and co-planar polychlorinated biphenyls (co-PCBs) determination in 70 foodstuffs samples produced all over the four provinces of Catalonia is presented. The study included the analyses of raw milk, pure virgin olive oil, butter, chicken. pork and mussel samples collected between November 1999 and January 2000. Milk, virgin oil, pork or butter presented a variable dioxin and co-PCBs content, even though the limits proposed in the draft of the EC Regulation for its commercialization in the European countries were not reached. The levels of PCDDs/PCDFs and co-PCBs determined in chicken samples varied between 0.36-3.59 pg I-TEQ/g fat chicken (0.4--3.8 WHO-TEQ/g fat). Just one case presented remarkable content of dioxins (about 30 pg I-TEQ/g fat) with a complex congener-specific profile which indicates the presence of an external contamination. On the other hand, a congener-specific profile dominated by 2,3,7,8-TCDF and OCDD was observed in mussel samples from Catalonia. This fact was also observed in mussel samples from other sites in Spain.

Occurrence of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in N.E. Spanish surface waters and their removal in a drinking water treatment plant that combines conventional and advanced treatments in parallel lines.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) are two emerging contaminants that have been detected in all environmental compartments. However, while most of the studies in the literature deal with their presence or removal in wastewater treatment, few of them are devoted to their detection in treated drinking water and fate during drinking water treatment. In this study, analyses of PFOS and PFOA have been carried out in river water samples and in the different stages of a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) which has recently improved its conventional treatment process by adding ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis in a parallel treatment line. Conventional and advanced treatments have been studied in several pilot plants and in the DWTP, which offers the opportunity to compare both treatments operating simultaneously. From the results obtained, neither preoxidation, sand filtration, nor ozonation, removed both perfluorinated compounds. As advanced treatments, reverse osmosis has proved more effective than reverse electrodialysis to remove PFOA and PFOS in the different configurations of pilot plants assayed. Granular activated carbon with an average elimination efficiency of 64±11% and 45±19% for PFOS and PFOA, respectively and especially reverse osmosis, which was able to remove ≥99% of both compounds, were the sole effective treatment steps. Trace levels of PFOS (3.0-21 ng/L) and PFOA (<4.2-5.5 ng/L) detected in treated drinking water were significantly lowered in comparison to those measured in precedent years. These concentrations represent overall removal efficiencies of 89±22% for PFOA and 86±7% for PFOS.

GC/MS, HPLC and FAB Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Organic Micropollutants in Barcelona's Water Supply

Water samples from Llobregat river entering two water work plants, Barcelona tap water and waste dumping samples taken along the river course were analyzed for trace organic contaminants by different procedures, liquid-liquid extraction, adsorption on granular activated carbon followed by GC/MS/DS. Ether insoluble organic fractions were analyzed and fractionated by HPLC with diode-array detection, followed by FAB and FAB-CID-MIKE characterisation. Results, after two years monitoring, proved that surfactants, plasticizers, ethyleneglycol derivatives, phosphates, hydrocarbons and other miscellaneous compounds can be considered as chronic pollutants of Llobregat river. Some of the identified compounds by GC/MS and FAB mass spectrometry have not been previously reported to occur in water.