O. Ballesteros

Determination of Bisphenol A and its chlorinated derivatives in placental tissue samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The group of compounds commonly called endocrine disruptors covers a wide range of synthetic and natural substances able to alter the normal hormone function of wildlife and humans, consequently causing adverse health effects. Bisphenol A (BPA) and its chlorinated derivatives are some of these compounds. In this work, we propose a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to determine these compounds in human placental tissue samples. The method involves an extraction phase of the extracts from the samples using ethyl acetate, followed by a clean-up phase by centrifugation prior to their quantification by LC-MS/MS using an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in the negative mode. Deuterated Bisphenol A (BPA-d(16)) was used as internal standard. Found detection limits (DL) ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 ng g(-1) and quantification limits (QL) from 0.5 to 2.0 ng g(-1) for Bisphenol A and its chlorinated derivatives, while inter- and intra-day variability was under 8.1%. The method was validated using standard addition calibration and a spike recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 97% to 105%. This method was satisfactorily applied to the determination of BPA and its chlorinated derivatives in 49 placental tissue samples collected from women who live in the province of Granada (Spain).

Determination of ciprofloxacin in human urine and serum samples by solid-phase spectrofluorimetry

A method for the determination of trace amounts of ciprofloxacin has been developed, based on solid-phase spectrofluorimetry. The relative fluorescence intensity of ciprofloxacin fixed on Sephadex SP C-25 gel was measured directly after packing the gel beads in a 1-mm silica cell, using a solid-phase attachment. The wavelengths of excitation and emission were 272 and 448 nm, respectively. Using a sample volume of 1000 ml, the linear concentration range of application was 0.3-10.0 ng.ml(-1) of ciprofloxacin, with a R.S.D. of 1.2% (for a level of 4.0 ng.ml(-1)) and a detection limit of 0.1 ng.ml(-1). The method was applied to the determination of ciprofloxacin in human urine and serum samples. It was validated applying the standard addition methodology and using HPLC as a reference method. Recovery levels of the method reached 100% in all cases.

Nonylphenol and octylphenol in adipose tissue of women in Southern Spain

Alkylphenols (APs) and AP ethoxylates are environmental contaminants with endocrine disrupting activities in wildlife and humans. They have been largely used in industrial, agricultural, and domestic applications. Despite strong concerns about the consequences of human exposure to endocrine disrupters, little information is available on the presence in humans of compounds such as APs. The aim of the present study was to determine 4-nonylphenol (NP) and 4-octylphenol (OP) residues in adipose tissue of non-occupationally exposed women living in Southern Spain. NP was detected in 100% (n=20/20) and OP in 23.5% (n=4/20) of samples, with median levels of 57 and 4.5 ng g(-1) adipose tissue, respectively. Body mass index emerged as a determinant of exposure since it was associated with NP levels (p=0.041). Adipose tissue NP and OP levels are similar to the few data previously published in other countries. This is the first report on NP and OP levels in a population in Southern Spain. Further research is needed to determine trends in human exposure to these compounds and to investigate their consequences.

A new liquid chromatography―tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of parabens in human placental tissue samples

Endocrine disruptors are a group of organic compounds widely used, which are ubiquitous in the environment and in biological samples. The main effect of these compounds is associated with their ability to mimic or block the action of natural hormones in living organisms, including humans. Parabens (esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid) belong to this group of compounds. In this work, we propose a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to asses the presence of parabens most commonly used in industrial applications (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butyl-paraben) in samples of human placental tissue. The method involves the extraction of the analytes from the samples using ethyl acetate, followed by a clean-up step using centrifugation prior to their quantification by LC-MS/MS using an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in the negative mode. Deuterated bisphenol A (BPA-d(16)) was used as surrogate. Found detection limits (LOD) ranged from 0.03 to 0.06 ng g(-1) and quantification limits (LOQ) from 0.1 to 0.2 ng g(-1), while inter- and intra-day variability was under 13.8%. The method was validated using standard addition calibration and a spike recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 82% to 108%. This method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of parabens in 50 placental tissue samples collected from women who live in the province of Granada (Spain).

Determination of the antibacterial ofloxacin in human urine and serum samples by solid-phase spectrofluorimetry

Abstract A method for the determination of trace amounts of ofloxacin has been developed, based on solid-phase spectrofluorimetry. The relative fluorescence intensity of ofloxacin fixed on Sephadex SP C-25 gel was measured directly after packing the gel beads in a 1-mm silica cell, using a solid-phase attachment. The wavelengths of excitation and emission were 294 and 494 nm, respectively. The linear concentration range of application was 0.5–16.0 ng ml −1 of ofloxacin, with a relative standard deviation of 1.1% (for a level of 8.0 ng ml −1 ) and a detection limit of 0.14 ng ml −1 . The method was applied to the determination of ofloxacin in human urine and serum samples. It was validated applying the standard addition methodology and using HPLC as a reference method. Recovery levels of the method reached 100% in all cases.

Determination of benzophenones in human placental tissue samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Benzophenones (BPs) are a family of compounds widely used to protect the skin and hair from UV irradiation. Despite human exposure to BPs through dermal application of products containing sunscreen agents and the increasing evidence that BPs are able to interfere with endocrine systems, few studies have examined the occurrence of BPs in humans. In this work, we propose a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to determine six BPs, namely, benzophenone-1 (BP-1), benzophenone-2 (BP-2), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), benzophenone-6 (BP-6), benzophenone-8 (BP-8) and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP) in human placental tissue samples. The method involves an extraction step of the analytes from the samples using ethyl acetate, followed by a clean-up step using centrifugation prior to their quantification by LC-MS/MS using an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in the positive mode. Benzophenone-d(10) (BP-d(10)) was used as surrogate. Found detection limits (LOD) ranged from 0.07 to 0.3 ng g(-1) and quantification limits (LOQ) from 0.3 to 1.0 ng g(-1), while inter- and intra-day variability was under 5%. The method was validated using standard addition calibration and a recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 98 to 104%. This method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of BPs in 16 placental tissue samples collected from women who live in Granada (Spain).

Determination of the antibacterial norfloxacin in human urine and serum samples by solid-phase spectrofluorimetry

A method for the determination of trace amounts of ofloxacin has been developed, based on solid-phase spectrofluorimetry. The relative fluorescence intensity of ofloxacin fixed on Sephadex SP C-25 gel was measured directly after packing the gel beads in a 1-mm silica cell, using a solid-phase attachment. The wavelengths of excitation and emission were 294 and 494 nm, respectively. The linear concentration range of application was 0.5-16.0 ng ml(-1) of ofloxacin, with a relative standard deviation of 1.1% (for a level of 8.0 ng ml(-1)) and a detection limit of 0.14 ng ml(-1). The method was applied to the determination of ofloxacin in human urine and serum samples. It was validated applying the standard addition methodology and using HPLC as a reference method. Recovery levels of the method reached 100% in all cases.

Multiclass method for the determination of quinolones and β-lactams, in raw cow milk using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

An analytical method based on a sample treatment by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the determination of 17 quinolones and 14 β-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins) in raw cow milk, was validated according to the European Commission guidelines as cited in the Decision 2002/657/EC. The extraction efficiency of the DLLME depends on several parameters such as the nature and volumes of extractant and dispersive solvents, pH, concentration of salt, shaking time and time of centrifugation. These variables were accurately optimized using multivariate optimization strategies. A Plackett-Burman design to select the most influential parameters and a Doehlert design to obtain the optimum conditions have been applied. Two different pH values were used for the extraction of compounds (pH 3 for acidic quinolones and β-lactams and pH 8 for amphoteric quinolones). The method was validated using matrix-matched standard calibration followed by a recovery assay with spiked samples. The limits of quantification found ranged from 0.3 ng g(-1) for amoxicillin to 6.6 ng g(-1) for ciprofloxacin, and the precision was lower than 15% in all cases as is required by the European Regulation. The decision limits (CCα) ranged between 4.1 and 104.8 ng g(-1), while detection capabilities (CCβ) from 4.2 to 109.7 ng g(-1). These values were very close to the corresponding maximum residue limits (MLRs) for the studied antibiotics. Recoveries between 72 and 110% were also obtained. Finally, in order to evaluate the applicability of the method, 28 raw cow milk samples were analysed and it was observed that 28% of the samples were positive. However, only 11% were considered non-compliant with the current EU legislation (Commission Regulation 37/2010), due to some milk samples corresponded to treated cows with these antibiotics.

A multiclass method for the analysis of endocrine disrupting chemicals in human urine samples. Sample treatment by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

The population is continuously exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This has influenced an increase in diseases and syndromes that are more frequent nowadays. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new analytical procedures to evaluate the exposure with the ultimate objective of establishing, in an accurate way, relationships between EDCs and harmful health effects. In the present work, a new method based on a sample treatment by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) for the extraction of six parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, isopropyl-, propyl-, isobutyl and butylparaben), six benzophenones (benzophenone-1, benzophenone-2, benzophenone-3, benzophenone-6, benzophenone-8 and 4-hydroxybenzophenone) and two bisphenols (bisphenol A and bisphenol S) in human urine samples, followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis is proposed. An enzymatic treatment allows determining the total content of the target EDCs. The extraction parameters were accurately optimized using multivariate optimization strategies. Ethylparaben ring-(13)C6 and bisphenol A-d16 were used as surrogates. Found limits of quantification ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 ng mL(-1) and inter-day variability (evaluated as relative standard deviation) ranging from 2.0% to 14.9%. The method was validated using matrix-matched standard calibration followed by a recovery assay with spiked samples. Recovery rates ranged from 94% to 105%. A good linearity, for concentrations up to 300 ng mL(-1) for parabens and 40 ng mL(-1) for benzophenones and bisphenols, respectively, was obtained. The method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of target compounds in human urine samples from 20 randomly selected individuals.

Characterization of aniseed-flavoured spirit drinks by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and chemometrics

The volatile composition of aniseed-flavoured spirit drinks was studied by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The influence of the time, temperature, volume of sample and ionic strength on the extraction were considered. Several aniseed-flavoured spirit drinks, such as pastis, sambuca, anis and raki were analyzed. The major compounds found were trans-anethole (41.22-98%), cis-anethole (0.77-18.65%) and estragole (0.1-17.96%). gamma-Himachalene (0-28.07%) and alpha-himachalene (0-4.8%) were also present in anis and raki beverages. The compounds determined were used as chemical descriptors to differentiate the four types of beverages considered. Principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and artificial neural networks (ANN) were used as chemometric tools for characterization purposes.