Simultaneous Determination of Trace Levels of 12 Steroid Hormones in Soil Using Modified QuEChERS Extraction Followed by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS)

Concentration of steroid hormones in sediment of surface water resources in China: systematic review and meta-analysis with ecological risk assessment

The risk quotient (RQ) related to Estrone (E1), 17β-E2 (E2), Estriol (E3) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) in sediment of water resources in China was calculated using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method. Fifty-four papers with 64 data-reports included in our study. The rank order of steroid hormones in sediment based on log-normal distribution in MCS was E1 (3.75 ng/g dw) > E3 (1.53 ng/g dw) > EE2 (1.38 ng/g dw) > E2 (1.17 ng/g dw). According to results, concentration of steroid hormones including E1, E2 and E3 in sediment of Erhai lake, northern Taihu lake and Dianchi river was higher than other locations. The rank order of steroid hormones based on percentage high risk (RQ > 1) was EE2 (87.00%) > E1 (70.00%) > E2 (62.99%) > E3 (11.11%). Hence, contamination control plans for steroid hormones in sediment of water resources in China should be conducted continuously.

Detection of 13 emerging soil pollutant compounds using a dual extraction method (QuEChERS and solid phase extraction) and a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS method

Emerging pollutants derived from human and animal sources, are present in soils and pose significant environmental and health impacts, even at low concentrations. Their detection in soil is analytically complex due to soil interference and the rapid degradation of compounds in the matrix. In this study, a protocol was optimized for quantifying hormonal steroids (n = 7), human drugs (n = 3), and antibiotics (n = 3) by a dual-phase extraction using QuEChERS and Solid Phase Extraction (SPE), followed by analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The double extraction phase allows an accurate and effective purification of the target compounds while eliminating the interference in the soil matrix. The method is optimized to detect environmental concentrations of these pollutants, to suit large-scale sampling campaigns and to maintain the efficiency of extraction while reducing analysis time. The limits of detection (LODs) of these compounds ranged between 0.0043 and 0.13 ng/g and recovery rates between 75.9 % and 105.39 %.•Enhanced Analyte Purification: Implements QuEChERS and SPE for robust removal of matrix interferences, optimizing target compound isolation.•Precision at Trace Levels: Secures LODs as minimal as 0.0043 ng/g, enabling accurate detection of low-concentration contaminants.•Adapted for Broad-scale sampling: Modifies extraction and analysis durations to accommodate large-scale environmental assessments.

Unveiling the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals in northern French soils: Land cover variability and implications

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that can be found in the environment and have adverse effects on human health by mimicking, perturbing and blocking the function of hormones. They are commonly studied in water surfaces, rarely in soils, although it can be an important source of their presence in the environment. Their detection in soils is analytically challenging to quantify, hence the lack of known background concentrations found in the literature. This scientific research aimed to detect EDCs in soils by analyzing 240 soil samples using an optimized protocol of double extraction and analysis using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The optimized protocol allowed for very sensitive detection of the targeted compounds. The results showed a high concentration of 29.391 ng/g of 17β-estradiol in soils and 47.16 ng/g for 17α-ethinylestradiol. Testosterone and Progesterone were detected at a highest of 1.02 and 6.58 ng/g, respectively. The ∑EDCs which included estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and Bisphenol A was found at an average of 22.72 ± 35.46 ng/g in the study area. The results of this campaign showed a heterogeneous geographic distribution of the EDCs compounds in the different zones of study. Additionally, the study conducted a comparison of the concentration of EDCs in different land covers including urban areas, agricultural lands, grasslands and forests. We observed a significant difference between forests and other land covers (p < 0.0001) for 17α-ethinylestradiol, estriol, and progesterone. This presence of EDCs in forest lands is not yet understood and requires further studies concerning its origins, its fate and its effect on human health. This study is the first large-scale sampling campaign targeting EDCs in soils in Europe and the second in the world. It is also the first to assess the concentrations of these compounds based on different land covers.

Transport of prednisolone, cortisone, and triamcinolone acetonide in agricultural soils: Sorption isotherms, transport dynamics, and field-scale simulation

The occurrence of glucocorticoids (GCs) in agricultural soils has raised concerns due to their high polarity, widespread biological effects in vertebrates, and their potential to disrupt vital processes such as glucose metabolism and immune function. This study investigated the sorption and transport dynamics of three GCs, namely cortisone (COR), prednisolone (PNL), and triamcinolone acetonide (TCA) in five soil-water systems (S1-S5 systems). The sorption data of the GCs were fitted to a linear sorption model (R2 = 0.95-0.99), with organic carbon (OC) normalized sorption coefficients ranging from 2.26 ± 0.02 to 3.36 ± 0.02. The sorption magnitudes (Kd) of the GCs exhibited a nearly linear correlation with their corresponding octanol-water partition coefficients (logKow) in the S1-S3 systems. However, some deviations from linearity were observed in the S4 and S5 systems. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between the Kd values of the GCs and the OC% of the soils. These data indicated that specific and hydrophobic partitioning interactions governed the sorption of GCs onto soils. The transport data of the GCs were fitted to a two-site nonequilibrium model using the CXTFIT program (R2 = 0.82-0.98). The retardation factor (R) for each GC exhibited a positive correlation with the OC% and clay contents of soils. Additionally, the relationships between the logR values and logKow values of the GCs deviated slightly from linear correlation in most columns. These results indicated that specific interactions in the columns were more pronounced compared to the batch systems. An initial field-scale simulation demonstrated that frequent precipitation can facilitate the dilution and vertical transport of the GCs through soil profiles. The transport potential of the GCs was affected by the properties and soils and GCs. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the transport potential and associated environmental risks of GCs in soil-water systems.

Multiclass ultrasound-assisted extraction, clean-up and high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry quantification of steroid hormone residues in compost

An analytical method for multiclass determination of steroid hormones in compost has been developed to fill the lack of methods for steroid residuals monitoring in this waste-derived product, increasingly produced and recycled in the circular-economy approach. The procedure simply entails an ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) on 300 mg compost by 3 × 2.5 mL methanol × 5 min sonication steps followed by a quick clean-up by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on the silica-based Supelclean™ LC-NH₂ that avoids use of organic solvents. The clean extract is analysed by HPLC-MS/MS achieving firm identification and quantitation of the 16 steroids, i.e., glucocorticoids, progestins, androgens, oestrogens. The analytical figures of merits were assessed, viz. selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, matrix effect, trueness, precision, carry-over and robustness, in line with updated guidelines. Recovery was investigated in the concentration range 15-800 ng g^-1, and at the quality control levels (15, 50, 200 and 400 ng g^-1) was in the range 60-120%, with inter-day precision RSDs < 20% (n = 3). The experimental quantification limit was 15 ng g^-1 for all the hormones. The method was applied to analysis of different compost samples proving to be functional to environmental monitoring.

Mass spectrometric stochastic dynamic 3D structural analysis of mixture of steroids in solution - Experimental and theoretical study

There is explored, herein, functional relation: Experimental mass spectrometric phenomenon, obeying a certain scientific law ⇔ 3D molecular conformations and electronic structures of analytes obtained for quantum chemical theories. The paper answers to questions: (a) What evidence claims these actual relations among measurable and theoretical parameters, experimental factors and molecular properties; (b) how the provided evidence is collected and used; and (c) how empirical proof relates to assign and explain mass spectrometric phenomena of steroids afforded by our innovative stochastic dynamic mass spectrometric formula, D″_SD = 2.6388.10^-17.(<I²>-<I>²), quantum chemical 3D conformations, electronic structures and energetics of molecules, respectively. The paper address issue concerning empirical evidence at very high-to-exact level of assignment of 3D molecular conformations of steroids to experimental mass spectrometric fragment ions, accounting precisely for (i) effect of protonation; (ii) intramolecular rearrangement for A-D rings of steroidal skeleton and proton transfer effect, if any; in addition to (iii) examination of enantiomers of steroids in mixture with different stereochemistry, (R) and (S), of a set of six atoms of the molecular backbone of hydrocortisone (1), deoxycorticosterone (2), progesterone (3) and methyltestosterone (4), respectively. Results from testosterone (5) are discussed, as well. There are used ultra-high resolution atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometric data on analytes (1)-(4) at ng.(mL)^-1 concentration levels in mixtures in solution obtained for positive operation mode. High accuracy static and molecular dynamic quantum chemical computations and chemometrics are also utilized. Experimental 3D structural parameters of steroids obtained for stochastic dynamic diffusion theory are correlated with available crystallographic data.

A critical review on the distribution and ecological risk assessment of steroid hormones in the environment in China

During past two decades, steroid hormones have raised significant public concerns due to their potential adverse effects on the hormonal functions of aquatic organisms and humans. Considering China being a big producer and consumer of steroid hormones, we summarize the current contamination status of steroid hormones in different environmental compartments in China, and preliminarily assess the associated risks to ecological systems. The results show that steroid hormones are ubiquitously present in Chinese surface waters where estrogens are the most studied steroids compared with androgens, progestogens and glucocorticoids. Estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) and estriol (E3) are generally the dominant steroid estrogens in Chinese surface waters, whereas for the other steroids, androsterone (ADR), epi-androsterone (EADR), progesterone (PGT), cortisol (CRL) and cortisone (CRN) have relatively large contributions. Meanwhile, the investigations for the other environmental media such as particles, sediments, soils and groundwater have been limited, as well as for steroid conjugates and metabolites. The median risk quotients of most steroid hormones in surface waters and sediments are lower than 1, indicating low to moderate risks to local organisms. This review provides a full picture of steroid distribution and ecological risks in China, which may be useful for future monitoring and risk assessment. More studies may focus on the analysis of steroid conjugates, metabolites, solid phase fractions, analytical method development and acute/chronic toxicities in different matrices to pursue a more precise and holistic risk assessment.

Sample Preparation and Analytical Methods for Steroid Hormones in Environmental and Food Samples: An Update Since 2012

Steroid hormones (SHs) have been widely used over the past few decades as both human and veterinary drugs to prevent or treat infectious diseases and anti-inflammatory benefits in clinical. Unfortunately, their residues in foodstuffs and environmental samples can produce adverse effects on human and animal life such as disrupting the endocrine system. For these reasons, sensitive, simple and efficient methods have been developed for the determination of these compounds in various matrices. This critical review summarized the articles published in the period from 2012 to 2019 and can be used to help researchers to understand development of the sample pretreatment protocols and analytical methods used to detect SHs. The developed extraction and purification techniques used for steroids in different samples, such as cloud point extraction, solid phase extraction based on different novel materials, microextraction methods, QuEChERS and other methods are summarized and discussed. Analytical methods used to quantify these compounds, such as different chromatography methods, electrochemical methods, as well as other methods, are illustrated and compared. We focused on the latest advances in SHs pretreatment, and the application of new technologies in SHs analysis.

Occurrence and risk assessment of steroid estrogens in environmental water samples: A five-year worldwide perspective

The ubiquitous occurrence of steroid estrogens (SEs) in the aquatic environment has raised global concern for their potential environmental impacts. This paper extensively compiled and reviewed the available occurrence data of SEs, namely estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (17α-E2), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), based on 145 published articles in different regions all over the world including 51 countries and regions during January 2015-March 2020. The data regarding SEs concentrations and estimated 17β-estradiol equivalency (EEQ) values are then compared and analyzed in different environmental matrices, including natural water body, drinking and tap water, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent. The detection frequencies of E1, 17β-E2, and E3 between the ranges of 53%-83% in natural water and WWTPs effluent, and the concentration of SEs varied considerably in different countries and regions. The applicability for EEQ estimation via multiplying relative effect potency (REP_i) by chemical analytical data, as well as correlation between EEQ_bio and EEQ_cal was also discussed. The risk quotient (RQ) values were on the descending order of EE2 > 17β-E2 > E1 > 17α-E2 > E3 in the great majority of investigations. Furthermore, E1, 17β-E2, and EE2 exhibited high or medium risks in water environmental samples via optimized risk quotient (RQ_f) approach at the continental-scale. This overview provides the latest insights on the global occurrence and ecological impacts of SEs and may act as a supportive tool for future SEs investigation and monitoring.

Screening for twenty-eight target anabolic-androgenic steroids in protein supplements using QuEChERS extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are very potent muscle builders, and professional sportsmen often take protein supplements to improve their performance. Several studies have emphasised that protein supplements may contain undeclared AASs banned by the International Olympic Committee/World Anti-Doping Agency. The widespread occurrence and abuse of contaminated protein supplements is extremely dangerous because of their side effects. To minimise the chances of an unattended positive doping test or to avoid serious health problems, adequate screening methods for the detection of a wide range of steroids is essential. To address this requirement, a rapid and effective modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method was developed and validated to screen and quantify the simultaneous analysis of twenty-eight AASs in protein supplements using LC-MS/MS. The validated method was applied to 198 protein supplements collected from on-line and, off-line markets, and direct purchase from overseas between 2019 and 2020. Of the 198 samples, two samples contained testosterone and stanozolol at concentrations of 0.27 μg/g and 0.023 μg/g, respectively. In addition, 5α-hydroxylaxogenin was detected for the first time in three products purchased in Korea from overseas. The modified QuEChERS method was established and successfully applied to screen and determine AASs as a measure of continuous control and supervision in protein supplements.

Determination of Bisphenol A by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Based on Graphene Magnetic Dispersion Solid Phase Extraction

Bisphenol A (BPA), as one of the environmental endocrine disruptors, is extensively existing and threatening to human health. To evaluate the environmental exposure level and protect human from the hazard of BPA, a precise and sensitive method is established. In this work, Graphene@ Fe3O4 (G@Fe3O4) is prepared by chemical coprecipitation method as magnetic dispersion solid phase extraction (MDSPE) material. The rapid and specific detection method of BPA is carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Properties of G@Fe3O4 are identified by the fourier infrared spectrum and scanning electron microscopy. Conditions of solid phase extraction are optimized. Under the optimal extraction conditions, G@Fe3O4 has perfect enrichment effect on BPA. There is a good linear relationship in the range of 5.0~1000.0 μg/L with the correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The detection limit is 0.1 μg/L. This method is applied to water samples successfully, and recoveries of BPA are between 88.19% and 99.56% (RSDs < 3.00%). G@Fe3O4 was synthesized, which was used to extract BPA in water samples before HPLC analysis, and has shown perfect extraction ability toward BPA, which indicates that the determination method of BPA by HPLC based on graphene MDSPE is faster and more precise.

QuEChERS pretreatment combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determination of aristolochic acids I and II in Chinese herbal patent medicines

Aristolochic acid I and II (AA I and II), a kind of nephrotoxic and carcinogenic compound, are widely added in Chinese herbal patent medicines though they have been banned due to their toxicity. However, the traditional sample pre-treatment combined with the LC-MS analysis system is not effective to determine AAs in such complicated patent medicines. The QuEChERS pretreatment method possesses some merits such as being quick and effective. In this work, the modified QuEChERS method was first used to determine AA I and II in Chinese herbal patent medicines combined with the HPLC-MS/MS analysis system. Extraction and removal of target analytes from powder, tablet, and capsule samples were conducted using the modified QuEChERS pretreatment. The liquid extracts of Chinese herbal patent medicines could be analyzed directly. The method optimization results show that average recoveries ranged from 96.6% to 110.3% with relative standard deviations ranging from 4.2% to 13.0%. The quantization limits of the three selected matrices are estimated as follows (AA I/II): 2.8/6.5 ng mL^−l in liquid herbal extract, 6.5/12.5 ng g⁻¹ in tablets, and 22.1/42.1 ng g⁻¹ in capsules. This method was conducted to investigate the presence of AAs, which are a type of nephrotoxic and carcinogenic carboxylic acid, in 30 herbal products sold through the Internet in China. AA I and II were detected in 53% and 20%, respectively, of tested samples.

Aristolochic acid I and II (AA I and II), a kind of nephrotoxic and carcinogenic compound, are widely added in Chinese herbal patent medicines though they have been banned due to their toxicity.