Determination of isoflavones and coumestrol in river water and domestic wastewater sewage treatment plants

Non-target analysis of organic waste amended agricultural soils: Characterization of added organic pollution

Amendment of soil with organic urban and animal wastes can keep arable soil fertile without the need for synthetic fertilizers. However, pollutants present in these types of waste might be carried into the soil with unintended consequences for the environment. We studied an experimental agricultural plot, which had been amended with either synthetic inorganic fertilizers, human urine, manure, or wastewater treatment sludge at very high rates. We applied chemical non-target analysis to characterize present organic micropollutants, intending to compare treatments and highlight suspects of environmental concern. Soil samples were prepared by pressurized liquid and purified with solid-phase extraction before analysis with nanoflow ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. Automated elucidation with two mass spectral libraries, multiple large chemical databases and environmental NORMAN suspect lists was able to annotate (level 3 and level 2) ∼ 20% of the 2306 detected features. A following principal component- and differential-analysis could separate the soil treatment groups' pollution profiles and highlight high relative abundance features. From cattle manure, natural compounds such as bile acids and steroids were found. Human urine led to pollution with common pharmaceuticals such as metoprolol and propranolol. The highest number was added by wastewater treatment sludge, with 25 significant contaminants, spanning blood pressure regulators, antidepressants, synthetic steroids and sleep medication. Furthermore, using Kendrick mass defect plots, a series of polypropylene glycols could be revealed in the soil. Non-target analysis appears to be a promising method to characterize organic pollutants in soils.

Exposure and Transport of Alkaloids and Phytoestrogens from Soybeans to Agricultural Soils and Streams in the Midwestern United States

Phytotoxins are naturally produced toxins with potencies similar/higher than many anthropogenic micropollutants. Nevertheless, little is known regarding their environmental fate and off-field transport to streams. To fill this research gap, a network of six basins in the Midwestern United States with substantial soybean production was selected for the study. Stream water (n = 110), soybean plant tissues (n = 8), and soil samples (n = 16) were analyzed for 12 phytotoxins (5 alkaloids and 7 phytoestrogens) and 2 widely used herbicides (atrazine and metolachlor). Overall, at least 1 phytotoxin was detected in 82% of the samples, with as many as 11 phytotoxins detected in a single sample (median = 5), with a concentration range from below detection to 37 and 68 ng/L for alkaloids and phytoestrogens, respectively. In contrast, the herbicides were ubiquitously detected at substantially higher concentrations (atrazine: 99% and metolachlor: 83%; the concentrations range from below detection to 150 and 410 ng/L, respectively). There was an apparent seasonal pattern for phytotoxins, where occurrence prior to and during harvest season (September to November) and during the snow melt season (March) was higher than that in December-January. Runoff events increased phytotoxin and herbicide concentrations compared to those in base-flow conditions. Phytotoxin plant concentrations were orders of magnitude higher compared to those measured in soil and streams. These results demonstrate the potential exposure of aquatic and terrestrial organisms to soybean-derived phytotoxins.

Occurrence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in ragwort plants, soils and surface waters at the field scale in grassland

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA)s are natural toxins produced by a variety of plants including ragwort. The PAs present a serious health risk to human and livestock. Although these compounds have been extensively studied in food and feed, little is known regarding their environmental fate. To fill this data gap, we investigated the occurrence of PAs in ragwort plants, soils and surface waters at three locations where ragwort was the dominant plant species to better understand their environmental distribution. The concentrations of PAs were quantified during the full growing season (April-November) and assessed in relation to rain events. PA concentrations ranged from 3.2-6.6 g/kg dry weight (dw) in plants, 0.8-4.0 mg/kg dw in soils, and 6.0-529 μg/L in surface waters. Maximum PA concentrations in the soil (4 mg/kg) and water (529 μg/L) were in mid-May just before flowering. The average distribution of PAs in water was approximately 5 g/10,000 L, compared to the average amounts present in ragwort (506 kg/ha), and soil (1.7 kg/ha). In general, concentrations of PAs increase in the soil and surface water following rain events.

A brief history and spectroscopic analysis of soy isoflavones

The production of soybean continues to increase worldwide. People are showing more interest in the beneficial health effects of soybeans than before. However, the origin and history of soybeans are still being discussed among many researchers. Chromatographic methods enable the desirable separation of a variety of isoflavones from soybeans. The structures of isolated soy isoflavones have been successfully identified in tandem with spectroscopic analytical instruments and technologies such as liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The theoretical background behind spectroscopy may help improve the understanding for the analysis of isoflavones in soybeans and soy-derived foods. This review covers the origin of the English name of soybean and its scientific name, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, based on the evidence reported to date. Moreover, the reports of soy isoflavones discovered over a period of about 100 years have been briefly reviewed.

A rapid UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantitation of phytoestrogens and the distribution of enterolactone in an Alabama estuary

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or synthetic compounds that can interfere with the endocrine systems of humans and wildlife. EDCs can pass through wastewater treatment systems, or run off from urban areas or agricultural operations, into natural water bodies, exposing resident and migratory organisms to complex EDC mixtures. Some phytoestrogenic polyphenolics (PEPP) are known or suspected EDCs; however, their contribution to total EDC burden in natural surface water systems is largely unknown. We describe a rapid, sensitive, and reproducible quantitative method for analysis of 15 PEPP in estuarine sediment and water, using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The method provides excellent peak resolution, peak separation, and rapid run times (method separation/total run time: 8/12.5 min). With two exceptions, spiking experiments demonstrated that the percent recoveries for target PEPP in sediment and water samples were within acceptable analytical validation limits. LOD and LOQ values ranged from 0.004 to 0.010 ng/injection and 0.013-0.032 ng/injection, respectively. The validated method was used for PEPP analysis of sediment and water samples collected from 11 locations within the Perdido Bay estuary in coastal Alabama. No PEPP above the LOD were detected in sediment samples. The mammalian-derived lignin enterolactone was observed at low concentrations in water throughout the estuary, and significantly, at elevated concentrations at two locations associated with small-scale septic systems (3.66 ± 0.27 ng L^-1 and 4.01 ± 0.33 ng L^-1) and a large wastewater treatment system (4.56 ± 0.24 ng L^-1 and 5.69 ± 0.43 ng L^-1).

Removal of emerging contaminants daidzein and coumestrol from water by nanozeolite beta modified with tetrasubstituted ammonium cation

In present research, a simplistic hydrothermal method was adopted for one-step synthesis of nanozeolite beta (NZB) having an average particle size of 18nm with Si/Al ratio 46.67, surface area 328m²/g, pore volume 0.287cm³/g, and pore diameter 3.5nm. The surface of the synthesized NZB was modified with 0.5wt% hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br) and used as an adsorbent for the removal of two phytoestrogens daidzein and coumestrol from aqueous solutions. The surface properties and surface charge of NZB considerably changed after modification with HDTMA-Br, which resulted in enhanced removal of daidzein (92-98% from 7 to 27%) and coumestrol (93.5-99% from 5 to 9.2%). The surface modified zeolite beta (SMZB) has similar physical characteristics as of NZB with an average particle size of 20nm, surface area 299.8m²/g, pore volume 0.263cm³/g, and pore diameter 3.51nm. The influence of various parameters was examined by conducting a sequence of batch experiments. The adsorption equilibrium was achieved in less than 3h with saturation capacity of 40.74mg/g and 42.87mg/g for daidzein and coumestrol, respectively. The Freundlich isotherm and fractional order kinetic models represented the adsorption data very closely. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that sorption of both phytoestrogens onto SMZB is spontaneous and exothermic.

Priority Substances and Emerging Organic Pollutants in Portuguese Aquatic Environment: A Review

Aquatic environments are among the most noteworthy ecosystems regarding chemical pollution due to the anthropogenic pressure. In 2000, the European Commission implemented the Water Framework Directive, with the aim of progressively reducing aquatic chemical pollution of the European Union countries. Therefore, the knowledge about the chemical and ecological status is imperative to determine the overall quality of water bodies. Concerning Portugal, some studies have demonstrated the presence of pollutants in the aquatic environment but an overall report is not available yet. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review about the occurrence of priority substances included in the Water Framework Directive and some classes of emerging organic pollutants that have been found in Portuguese aquatic environment. The most frequently studied compounds comprise industrial compounds, natural and synthetic estrogens, phytoestrogens, phytosterols, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Concentration of these pollutants ranged from few ng L(-1) to higher values such as 30 μg L(-1) for industrial compounds in surface waters and up to 106 μg L(-1) for the pharmaceutical ibuprofen in wastewaters. Compounds already banned in Europe such as atrazine, alkylphenols and alkylphenol polyethoxylates are still found in surface waters, nevertheless their origin is still poorly understood. Beyond the contamination of the Portuguese aquatic environment by priority substances and emerging organic pollutants, this review also highlights the need of more research on other classes of pollutants and emphasizes the importance of extending this research to other locations in Portugal, which have not been investigated yet.

Phytoestrogens and mycoestrogens in surface waters--Their sources, occurrence, and potential contribution to estrogenic activity

This review discusses the potential contribution of phytoestrogens and mycoestrogens to in vitro estrogenic activities occurring in surface waters and in vivo estrogenic effects in fish. Main types, sources, and pathways of entry into aquatic environment of these detected compounds were summarized. Reviewed concentrations of phyto/mycoestrogens in surface waters were mostly undetectable or in low ng/L ranges, but exceeded tens of μg/L for the flavonoids biochanin A, daidzein and genistein at some sites. While a few phytosterols were reported to occur at relatively high concentrations in surface waters, information about their potencies in in vitro systems is very limited, and contradictory in some cases. The relative estrogenic activities of compounds (compared to standard estrogen 17β-estradiol) by various in vitro assays were included, and found to differ by orders of magnitude. These potencies were used to estimate total potential estrogenic activities based on chemical analyses of phyto/mycoestrogens. In vivo effective concentrations of waterborne phyto/mycoestrogens were available only for biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein, equol, sitosterol, and zearalenone. The lowest observable effect concentrations in vivo were reported for the mycoestrogen zearalenone. This compound and especially its metabolites also elicited the highest in vitro estrogenic potencies. Despite the limited information available, the review documents low contribution of phyto/mycoestrogens to estrogenic activity in vast majority of surface waters, but significant contribution to in vitro responses and potentially also to in vivo effects in areas with high concentrations.

Why endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) challenge traditional risk assessment and how to respond

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are a diverse group of "chemicals of emerging concern" which have attracted much interest from the research community since the 1990s. Today there is still no definitive risk assessment tool for EDCs. While some decision making organizations have attempted to design methodology guidelines to evaluate the potential risk from this broadly defined group of constituents, risk assessors still face many uncertainties and unknowns. Until a risk assessment paradigm is designed specifically for EDCs and is vetted by the field, traditional risk assessment tools may be used with caution to evaluate EDCs. In doing so, each issue of contention should be addressed with transparency in order to leverage available information and technology without sacrificing integrity or accuracy. The challenges that EDCs pose to traditional risk assessment are described in this article to assist in this process.

Sorption of isoflavones to river sediment and model sorbents and outcomes for larval fish exposed to contaminated sediment

Isoflavones are compounds whose presence in the aquatic environment is increasingly recognized and may be of concern due to their potential to act as endocrine disruptors. Sorption to particles may be a relevant removal mechanism for isoflavones. This work investigated the influence of pH, ionic strength, and sediment composition on sorption of genistein and daidzein, two key isoflavones, using sorption isotherms and edges. The effect of sorbed isoflavones on the survival, growth, and predator avoidance performance of larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) was assessed. Sorption to goethite and kaolinite was pH-dependent, with a maximum near pH 7 for both compounds. Sorption to montmorillonite was ionic-strength dependent but largely pH-independent. Overall, sorption to sediments is likely to sequester less than 5% of isoflavones in a discharge. No statistically significant effects were observed for larvae exposed to sorbed isoflavones, suggesting that sorption to sediments reduces exposure to isoflavones.

Development and validation of a high-resolution LTQ Orbitrap MS method for the quantification of isoflavones in wastewater effluent

Isoflavones and coumestranes are the most important classes of compounds among phytoestrogens; by binding to estrogen receptors, they mimic or modulate the effect on the endogenous receptors. Little information can be found in literature about the presence of isoflavones and coumestrol in the environment, even if it is known that this may have significance, being these substances classified as endocrine disrupting compounds. In this research, we aim to explore the capabilities of the LTQ Orbitrap Discovery hybrid MS in full-scan acquisition mode, with high resolution, to validate an analytical method for the quantification of nine isoflavones (genistein, genistin, glycitein, daidzein, daidzin, (R,S)-equol, biochanin A, formononetin and coumestrol) in wastewater samples. The correlation coefficients of calibration curves of the nine analyzed compounds were in a range of 0.996-0.999; recoveries at two different levels of concentration (0.05 and 0.5 µg/l) were in the range 73-98%, and the limits of detection ranged between 0.0014 and 0.017 µg/l, proving that this method is sensitive enough in comparison with other methods available in literature. This method has been applied for the analysis of 20 wastewater treatment plants in County Cork, Ireland.

Occurrence of isoflavonoids in Brazilian common bean germplasm (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is present in the daily diet of various countries and, as for other legumes, has been investigated for its nutraceutical potential. Thus, 16 genotypes from different gene pools, representing seven types of seed coats and different responses to pathogens and pests, were selected to verify their isoflavone contents. The isoflavonoids daidzein and genistein and the flavonols kaempferol, myricetin, and quercetin were found. Grains of the black type showed the highest concentrations of isoflavonoids and were the only ones to exhibit daidzein. IAC Formoso, with high protein content and source of resistance to anthracnose, showed the greatest concentration of genistein, representing around 11% of the content present in soybean, as well as high levels of kaempferol. Arc 1, Raz 55, and IAC Una genotypes showed high content of coumestrol. The results suggest the use of IAC Formoso to increase the nutraceutical characteristics in common bean.

Phytoestrogens in the environment, II: microbiological degradation of phytoestrogens and the response of fathead minnows to degradate exposure

Phytoestrogens are endocrine active compounds derived from plants, including the isoflavones genistein and daidzein, and their methylated derivatives biochanin A and formononetin. These compounds have been detected at the µg/L level in the effluents of plant-processing industries and municipal treatment plants and at the ng/L level in surface waters worldwide. The present study assessed the persistence of genistein and daidzein in natural aquatic systems, specifically riverine samples. Initial concentration, temperature, sample location, and time of sample collection varied. Genistein and daidzein were found to be readily biodegradable at all tested concentrations, at both 10 °C and 20 °C, in samples collected during different seasons, and in samples from 3 different rivers. In addition, organismal responses in larval and sexually mature fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were quantified following exposure to microbiologically degraded phytoestrogens (genistein, daidzein, and formononetin). Products of the microbiological degradation of parent phytoestrogens did not affect larval survival, growth, or predator avoidance. Female adult fathead minnows exposed to these degradation products produced significantly fewer eggs than those exposed to a control, but no other morphological, physiological, or behavioral changes were observed with male or female minnows. The present research suggests that although phytoestrogens are not likely to persist in aquatic systems, they may pseudo-persist if discharges are continuous; in addition, caution should be exercised with respect to high-concentration effluents because of the potentially antiestrogenic effects of phytoestrogen degradates.

Phytoestrogens in the environment, I: occurrence and exposure effects on fathead minnows

Naturally occurring phytoestrogens may mimic biogenic estrogens and modulate endocrine action in vertebrates. Little is known, however, about their temporal and spatial variability in the environment and the biological effects associated with exposures. The present study assessed the environmental presence of phytoestrogens in human-impacted and relatively pristine areas. The response in larval and sexually mature fathead minnows to environmentally relevant concentrations of 3 common phytoestrogens (genistein, daidzein, and formononetin), both singly and in mixture, was also quantified. Phytoestrogens were only present in the human-impacted surface waters. When detected, mean concentrations were low (± standard deviation) in an urban lake: 1.4 ± 0.5 ng/L, 1.6 ± 0.7 ng/L, and 1.1 ± 0.2 ng/L for genistein, daidzein, and formononetin, respectively, and in treated wastewater effluent: 1.6 ± 0.4 ng/L, 1.8 ± 1.3 ng/L, and 2.0 ng/L. Biochanin A was detected twice, whereas zearalenone and coumestrol were never detected. No clear temporal trends of aqueous phytoestrogen concentration were evident. Larval survival was significantly reduced in genistein, formononetin, and mixture treatments, whereas adult male fish only exhibited subtle changes to their anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Daidzein-exposed adult females produced greater quantities of eggs. The present study indicates that genistein, daidzein, and formononetin are likely attenuated rapidly and are unlikely to cause widespread ecological harm in the absence of other stressors.

Identifying sources of emerging organic contaminants in a mixed use watershed using principal components analysis

Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to identify sources of emerging organic contaminants in the Zumbro River watershed in Southeastern Minnesota. Two main principal components (PCs) were identified, which together explained more than 50% of the variance in the data. Principal Component 1 (PC1) was attributed to urban wastewater-derived sources, including municipal wastewater and residential septic tank effluents, while Principal Component 2 (PC2) was attributed to agricultural sources. The variances of the concentrations of cotinine, DEET and the prescription drugs carbamazepine, erythromycin and sulfamethoxazole were best explained by PC1, while the variances of the concentrations of the agricultural pesticides atrazine, metolachlor and acetochlor were best explained by PC2. Mixed use compounds carbaryl, iprodione and daidzein did not specifically group with either PC1 or PC2. Furthermore, despite the fact that caffeine and acetaminophen have been historically associated with human use, they could not be attributed to a single dominant land use category (e.g., urban/residential or agricultural). Contributions from septic systems did not clarify the source for these two compounds, suggesting that additional sources, such as runoff from biosolid-amended soils, may exist. Based on these results, PCA may be a useful way to broadly categorize the sources of new and previously uncharacterized emerging contaminants or may help to clarify transport pathways in a given area. Acetaminophen and caffeine were not ideal markers for urban/residential contamination sources in the study area and may need to be reconsidered as such in other areas as well.

Estrogenic effect of the phytoestrogen biochanin A in zebrafish, Danio rerio, and brown trout, Salmo trutta

Isoflavones with estrogenic activity produced in Fabaceae plants are known to leach from agricultural areas to freshwater systems, but the effect of waterborne isoflavones in fish has not been thoroughly characterized. Therefore, the estrogenic effect of waterborne biochanin A was investigated in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta). Exposure of juvenile brown trout to 10 μg biochanin AL(-1) or higher caused marked vitellogenin induction after 9-10 days of exposure and so did exposure to 186 μg biochanin AL(-1) for 6h. Following 8d of exposure, a NOEC for induction of vitellogenin production in male zebrafish was 70 and LOEC 114 μg biochanin AL(-1). Exposure to 209 μg biochanin AL(-1) from hatch to 60 days post hatch (dph) caused a skewing of the sex ratio toward more phenotypic female zebrafish, but did not cause induction of vitellogenin in male and undifferentiated fish.

IN CONCLUSION

(1) biochanin A elicits estrogenic effects in trout at environmentally realistic concentrations, (2) brown trout plasma vitellogenin concentrations respond to lower biochanin A exposure concentrations than vitellogenin concentrations in zebrafish homogenates and (3) concerning vitellogenin induction, the hypothesis should be tested if short term tests with zebrafish may show a higher sensitivity than partial life cycle tests.

Analytical strategies based on chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of estrogen-mimicking compounds in food

Food safety can be compromised by the presence of a wide variety of substances, deriving from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Among these substances, compounds exhibiting various degrees of estrogenic activity have been widely studied in environmental samples, whereas less attention has been devoted to food matrices. The aim of the present review is to give a general overview on the recent analytical methods based on gas or liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for the determination of estrogen-like compounds in foods, including new developments, improvements and upcoming trends in the field. Attention will be focused on four representative groups of compounds, i.e. natural and synthetic estrogens, mycoestrogens, phytoestrogens, and alkylphenols.

Occurrence and mass balance of isoflavones on an experimental grassland field

Isoflavones and coumestrol (COU) are estrogenic compounds that are naturally produced by plants (e.g., red clover, soybeans). Although these compounds have been extensively studied in food and feed, only little is known about their environmental fate. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence of isoflavones (formononetin, daidzein, equol, biochanin A, and genistein) and COU over 3.5 years in red clover, manure, and soil of a grassland field with and without manure application, as well as their emission via drainage water. Isoflavones were regularly quantified in plant (≤ 15 × 10(6) ng/g(dry weight (dw))), manure (≤ 230 × 10(3) ng/g(dw)), soil (≤ 3.4 × 10(3) ng/g(dw)), and drainage water samples (≤ 3.6 × 10(3) ng/L). In contrast, COU was observed only in manure and soil. Cumulative isoflavone loads emitted via drainage water were around 0.2 × 10(-3) kg/ha/y, which is very little compared to the amounts present in red clover (105-220 kg/ha/y), manure (0.5-1.0 kg/ha/y), and soil (0.1-5.1 kg/ha/y). Under good agricultural practice, no additional emission of isoflavones into drainage water was observed after manure application. With calculated 17β-estradiol equivalents up to 0.46 ng/L in drainage water, isoflavones can constitute a dominant and ecotoxicological relevant portion of the total estrogenicity in small rural river catchments.

Estrogenic compounds and estrogenicity in surface water, sediments, and organisms from Yundang Lagoon in Xiamen, China

Seven estrogenic compounds--estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), diethylstilbestrol (DES), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP), and bisphenol A (BPA)--in sediments, surface water, pore water, and organisms were investigated and estrogenic activities were estimated by examining estradiol equivalent (EEQ) concentrations in Yundang Lagoon of Xiamen. The results showed that estrogenic compounds were present in all matrixes of interest: in surface water, ranging from 609.61 to 711.31 ng/l; in pore water, ranging from 562.12 to 1038.15 ng/l; in sediments, ranging from 1433.12 to 2060.41 ng/g; and in biota samples, ranging from 1373.76 to 3199.09 ng/g (lipid weight). NP was the predominant component in all collected samples and the highest concentration was 1964.80 ng/g in sediment. Total EEQ ranged from 4.56 to 13.79 ng/l in surface water, from 2.40 to 17.16 ng/l in pore water, and from 8.66 to 23.95 ng/g in sediments. However, major contributors to total EEQ concentrations were E2, E1, and DES. The EEQ concentrations in surface water samples were at a higher level in comparison to that reported in European countries. To biological sample, the highest level of total estrogenic compounds was found in the short-necked clam. Higher values of the biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) were found in short-necked clam and black seabream, indicating that the living habits of organism and physical-chemical properties of estrogenic compounds might influence the bioavailability of estrogenic compounds in organisms.

Determination of endocrine-disrupting compounds in drinking waters by fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Growing attention has been recently paid to safety of food and drinking water, making necessary the adoption of policies for water sources protection and the development of sensitive and rapid analytical methods to identify micropollutants. Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) have emerged as a major issue as they alter the functioning of the endocrine system. Since ingestion of EDCs via food is considered the major exposure route, there is a growing interest in understanding EDC fate during drinking water treatment and in monitoring potential contamination of surface waters and groundwaters. In this work, a fast liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of 4-n-nonylphenol (NP), bisphenol A (BPA), estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in drinking waters. In the literature analytical articles seldom provide details regarding fragmentation pathways. In this paper spectra of the five EDCs in negative ESI were interpreted with the support of accurate mass spectra acquired by a quadrupole time-of-flight instrument; fragmentation pathways were also proposed. The chromatographic separation of EDCs was optimized on a Pinnacle DB Biphenylic column with a water-acetonitrile gradient. Quantitative analysis was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using bisphenol A-d(16) (BPA-d(16)) as internal standard; calibration curves showed good correlation coefficients (0.9989-0.9997). All figures of merit of the method were satisfactory; limits of detection were in the range 0.2-0.4 ng/ml. The method was applied to the determination of the analytes in waters sampled by polar organic chemical integrative samplers in a drinking water treatment plant. Rather low concentration of BPA, NP and E1 were measured in the inlet, while none of the considered EDCs was detected in the outlet.

Development of a fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of endocrine-disrupting compounds in waters

A fast liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS) method was developed to study five endocrine-disrupting compounds (4-n-nonylphenol, bisphenol A, estrone, 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol) in water. Different columns were tested; the chromatographic separation of the analytes was optimized on a Pinnacle DB biphenylic column with a water-acetonitrile gradient elution, which allowed the separation of the selected endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in less than 6 min. Quantitative analysis was performed in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode; two transitions were chosen for each compound, using the most abundant for quantitation. Calibration curves using bisphenol A-d (16) as internal standard were drawn, showing good correlation coefficients (0.9993-0.9998). All figures of merit of the method were satisfactory; limits of detection were in the low pg range for all analytes. The method was then applied to the determination of the analytes in real water samples: to this aim, polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) were deployed in the influent and in the effluent of a drinking water treatment plant in Liguria (Italy). The EDC level was rather low in the influent and negligible in the outlet, reflecting the expected function of the treatment plant.

Analysis of phytoestrogens, progestogens and estrogens in environmental waters from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

The environment is currently exposed to a large variety of man-made chemicals (e.g. for industrial, medicinal use) which have potential adverse effects to its ecological status. In addition, the densely populated areas represent local high emissions of those chemicals leading to more aggravating consequences. Estrogenic compounds that end-up in environmental water directly affect living organisms by interfering with their endocrine metabolism. The assessment of their presence in the environment requires sensitive and selective analytical methods. Nineteen estrogenic compounds belonging to different classes (5 free estrogens, 6 conjugated estrogens, 3 progestogens and 5 phytoestrogens) have been studied. The analytical methodology developed is based on solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and has been applied to study the occurrence of the above mentioned analytes in environmental waters from the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Due to insufficient infra-structure in this region, waste waters are released onto the environment without or with incomplete previous treatment. The results show that high levels of the phytoestrogens daidzein, coumestrol and genistein of up to 366 ng/L and progesterone of up to 47 ng/L could be found in river water. Estrogens and their conjugated derivatives were detected in the lower ng/L range up to 7 ng/L. The main estrogens estrone, estradiol and the synthetic ethinyl estradiol could not be detected. The developed method showed overall good performance with recoveries above 80% (with one exception), limits of detection < or =2 ng/L, good linearity and reproducibility.

Occurrence and origin of estrogenic isoflavones in Swiss river waters

We report results from a systematic one-and-a-half year survey of the estrogenic isoflavones formononetin (FOR), biochanin A (BIO), daidzein (DAI), genistein (GEN), and equol in Swiss midland rivers. FOR was detected in about 90%, the other compounds in 13-56% of the weekly and fortnightly integrated flow proportional samples. Concentrations were mostly in the lower ng/L-range, with a maximum of 524 ng/L and 217 ng/L for equol and FOR, respectively. Due to dilution, concentrations were river discharge dependent with higher numbers in smaller rivers. Total isoflavone loads were in the order of a few kg/y, and occurred mainly during summertime. A complementary river water monitoring campaign throughout the country confirmed the above findings. Circumstantial evidence points to grassland as a major emission source of FOR and BIO (the main compounds in red clover) in surface waters, e.g., their absence in wastewater treatment effluents, better correlations of their loads with grassland areas than with population equivalents, similar isoflavone ratios in river water and grassland runoff. Source apportionment was less clear for DAI, GEN, and equol. The contribution of isoflavones to the total estrogenicity of surface waters is probably small, except maybe in local rural catchments without major anthropogenic activities.

Occurrence of phytoestrogens in municipal wastewater and surface waters

Phytoestrogens (isoflavones, enterolignans and coumestrol) in wastewater samples and surface water samples have been analysed by LC-ESI-MS(n). In wastewater samples, high levels of enterolactone (581-2111 ng/L), daidzein (341-1688 ng/L) and enterodiol (60-834 ng/L) were detected in raw sewage, but the vast majority of the analysed phytoestrogens were removed effectively in the treatment process. The removal rates of the analysed phytoestrogens in the two advanced tertiary treatment plants were >99%; a case study in one of the treatment plants showed that most of the residual phytoestrogens were removed by biological treatment using activated sludge. In surface water samples, daidzein was found at concentrations ranging from 2 ng/L to 33 ng/L in samples from two creeks, and up to 120 ng/L in surface water (pond) on a dairy farm. The analytical results suggest that direct excretions of livestock discharged from farmyards can be another potential source of phytoestrogen contamination in the aquatic environment.

Profile and removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals by using an ER/AR competitive ligand binding assay and chemical analyses

An estrogen receptor (ER)/androgen receptor (AR) ligand competitive binding assay (ER/AR-binding assay) and chemical analyses were used to evaluate the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) behavior of two municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (K and S). In the influents, estrone (E1), androsterone (A), androstenedione (AD), BPA (bisphenol A), NP (nonylphenol) and daidzein (DZ) were detected in high amounts with subsequent 24 h-average concentrations of 350, 1000, 29, 1300, 3900, and 5700 ng/L in K-WWTP and of 310, 620, 59, 1600, 2600, and 8400 ng/L in S-WWTP. The estrogenic (androgenic) activity as 17beta-estradiol (E2) equivalents (EEQ) or testosterone (Te) equivalents (TEQ) was consequently 620 ng E2/L (570 ng Te/L) and 580 ng E2/L (800 ng Te/L) for the two WWTPs. The removal efficiencies of the above mentioned sole target chemicals were 51%-100% for K-WWTP and 55.6%-100% for S-WWTP. The removal efficiencies of EEQ were about 73% for both WWTPs, while the removal efficiencies of TEQ were 62.1% for K-WWTP and 98.4% for S-WWTP. In addition, chemical-derived EEQ were about 1.2%-52.4% of those by ER-binding assay for K-WWTP and the corresponding ratios were 1.3%-83.3% for S-WWTP, while chemical derived TEQ were less than 3% of values measured by the AR-binding assay for both WWTPs.

Removal mechanisms for endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in wastewater treatment - physical means, biodegradation, and chemical advanced oxidation: a review

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are pollutants with estrogenic or androgenic activity at very low concentrations and are emerging as a major concern for water quality. Within the past few decades, more and more target chemicals were monitored as the source of estrogenic or androgenic activity in wastewater, and great endeavors have been done on the removal of EDCs in wastewater. This article reviewed removal of EDCs from three aspects, that is, physical means, biodegradation, and chemical advanced oxidation (CAO).

Quantification of zearalenone in various solid agroenvironmental samples using D6-zearalenone as the internal standard

Because of its pronounced estrogenicity, zearalenone may be of concern not only in the aqueous but also in the terrestrial environment. Therefore, we developed several analytical methods to quantify zearalenone in different solid matrices of agroenvironmental relevance (i.e., plant organs, soil, manure, and sewage sludge). The use of D(6)-zearalenone as the internal standard (IS) was essential to render the analytical method largely matrix-independent because it compensated for target analyte losses during extract treatment and ion suppression during ionization. Soil and sewage sludge samples were extracted with Soxhlet, whereas plant material and manure samples were extracted by liquid solvent extraction at room temperature. Absolute recoveries for zearalenone were 70-104% for plant materials, 105% for soil, 76% for manure, and 30% for sewage sludge. Relative recoveries ranged from 86 to 113% for all matrices, indicating that the IS was capable to largely compensate for losses during analysis. Ion suppression, between 8 and 74%, was in all cases compensated by the IS but influenced the method quantification levels. These were 3.2-26.2 ng/g(dryweightdw) for plant materials, 0.7 ng/g(dw) for soil, 12.3 ng/g(dw) for manure, and 6.8 ng/g(dw) for sewage sludge. Plant material concentrations varied from 86 ng/g(dw) to more than 16.7 microg/g(dw), depending on the organ and crop. Soil concentrations were between not detectable and 7.5 ng/g(dw), depending on the sampling depth. Zearalenone could be quantified in all manure samples in concentrations between 8 and 333 ng/g(dw). Except for two of the 85 investigated sewage sludge samples, zearalenone concentrations were below quantification limit.

Quantification of six phytoestrogens at the nanogram per liter level in aqueous environmental samples using 13C3-labeled internal standards

In light of the estrogenic potentials and the recent concentration levels found for six phytoestrogens in surface waters, detailed monitoring and assessment of potential input sources are required. An accurate, precise, and sensitive HPLC-MS/MS analytical method incorporating five (13)C 3-labeled internal standards for the quantification of these plant estrogens in various aqueous environmental samples is presented here for the first time. The compounds investigated included biochanin A, daidzein, equol, formononetin, genistein, and coumestrol. The use of [ (13)C 3]biochanin A, [ (13)C 3]daidzein, [ (13)C 3]equol, [ (13)C 3]formononetin, and [ (13)C 3]genistein ensured an accurate quantification of the target analytes unaffected by matrix effects and analyte losses. Absolute method recoveries for all analytes ranged from 63 to 105%, from 63 to 99%, and from 73 to 133%, relative recoveries from 90 to 132%, from 89 to 139%, and from 89 to 115%, method detection levels from 0.5 to 2.7 ng/L, from 0.5 to 2.6 ng/L, and from 0.4 to 11.0 ng/L, and precision from 1 to 19%, from 1 to 16%, and from 1 to 11% in drainage water, river water, and WWTP effluent, respectively. The validated analytical method was applied in investigating the emission of the phytoestrogens via drainage water from a pasture containing 43% red clover ( Trifolium pratense) and in monitoring their occurrence in Swiss surface waters. Isoflavone concentrations ranging from 4 to 157 ng/L and up to 22 ng/L were found in drainage and river water, respectively.

Compositional changes induced by UV-B radiation treatment of common bean and soybean seedlings monitored by capillary electrophoresis with diode array detection

In this work, a new CE method with diode array detection (DAD) was developed for the monitoring and quantitation of flavonoids in different beans treated and untreated with UV-B radiation. Flavonoid concentration was monitored in UV-B-treated and untreated sprouts of three common beans (Zolfino ecotype, cv. Verdone, cv. Lingua di Fuoco) and one soybean (cv. Pacific). After acid hydrolysis of extracts, the CE-DAD method provides reproducible quantitative determinations of daidzein, glycitein, genistein, and kaempferol at ppm level in these natural matrices within a relatively short time (less than 16 min). Total flavonoid content determined by CE-DAD was 159 +/- 8, 26 +/- 2, 13 +/- 1, and 1.3 +/- 0.3 microg/g fresh weight for untreated sprouts of Pacific soybean, Verdone bean, Zolfino bean, and Lingua di Fuoco bean, respectively. UV-B treatment caused no significant quantitative effect on Pacific soybean sprouts, whereas it enhanced the total isoflavone content by 1.5, 1.8, and 3.2-fold in Verdone, Zolfino, and Lingua di Fuoco beans, respectively. The proposed method shows (i) the potentialities of bean sprouts as a natural source of bioactive compounds (antioxidants); (ii) the technological role of UV-B treatment for sprout isoflavone enrichment; and (iii) the good capabilities of CE-DAD to monitor this process.

Using calibration approaches to compensate for remaining matrix effects in quantitative liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometric analysis of phytoestrogens in aqueous environmental samples

Signal suppression is a common problem in quantitative liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS(n)) analysis in environment samples, especially in highly loaded wastewater samples with highly complex matrix. Optimization of sample preparation and improvement of chromatographic separation are prerequisite to improve reproducibility and selectivity. Matrix components are reduced if not eliminated by optimization of sample preparation steps. However, extensive sample preparation may be time-consuming and risk the significant loss of some trace analytes. The best way to further compensate matrix effects is the use of an internal standard for each analyte. However, in a multi-component analysis, finding appropriate internal standards for every analyte is often difficult. In this present study, a more practical alternative option was sought. Matrix effects were assessed using the post-extraction addition method. By comparison of three different calibration approaches, it was found that matrix-matched calibration combined with one internal standard provides a satisfactory method for compensating for any residual matrix effects on all the analytes. Validating experiments on different sewage treatment plant (STP) influent samples analyzing for a range of phytoestrogens showed that this calibration method provided satisfactory results with concentration ratio 96.1-105.7% compared to those by standard addition.

Occurrence of estrogenic compounds in and removal by a swine farm waste treatment plant

The total estrogenic activity of the wastewater from a swine farm in Japan was quantitatively characterized, and the compounds responsible for the estrogenic activity were identified and quantified. The wastewater treatment process consisted of a series of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and a trickling filter. Samples were collected at each treatment step, and the total estrogenic activity was determined by use of an in vitro gene expression assay (MVLN; MCF-7 human breast cancer cell stably transfected with the pVit-tk-LUC receptor plasmid). Individual estrogenic compounds were identified and quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ MS/MS). To further identify the compounds contributing to the estrogenic activity in the wastewater, the sample extracts were fractionated into 12 fractions (fractions 1-12) by HPLC. The rate of removal of estrogenic activity between the effluent and the influent was greater than 97%. The trickling filter removed the majority of the estrogenic activity. The removal rates of specific estrogenic compounds ranged from 44 to 99%. Estrogenic activity was detected mainly in the fractions containing estrone (El), 17beta-estradiol (betaE2), 17alpha-estradiol (alpha E2), estriol (E3), bisphenol A (alphaPA), and equol (EQ0). The ratios of betaE2-EQc (betaE2 equivalents derived from chemical analysis) to betaE2-EQB (betaE2 equivalent derived from bioassay) in the 12 fractions collectively were contributed by El (17-30%), betaE2 (23-30%), acE2 (<1%), E3 (1-2%), BPA (<1%), and EQO (2-3%) in the influent and El (16-37%), PE2 (<1-7%), alphaE2 (<1%), E3 (<1-3%), BPA (<1%), and EQO (<1%) in the effluent. The compounds responsible for most of the estrogenic activity measured in the bioassay were natural estrogens such as El and betaE2.

Biologically directed environmental monitoring, fate, and transport of estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds in water: A review

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are contaminants that may be hormonally active at low concentrations and are emerging as a major concern for water quality. Estrogenic EDCs (e-EDCs) are a subclass of EDCs that, when organisms are exposed to them, function as estrogens. Given that there are numerous e-EDCs that can negatively affect humans and wildlife, general screening techniques like biologically based assays (BBAs) may provide major advantages by estimating the total estrogenic effects of many e-EDCs in the environment. These techniques may potentially be adapted for field portable biologically directed sampling and analyses. This article summarizes available BBAs used to measure estrogenic e-EDCs in the environmental samples and also presents results relating to fate and transport of e-EDCs. Estrogenic EDCs appear to be almost ubiquitous in the environment, despite low solubility and high affinity of organic matter. Potential transport mechanisms may include: (1) transport of more soluble precursors, (2) colloid facilitated transport, (3) enhanced solubility through elevated pH, and (4) the formation of micelles by longer-chain ethoxylates. Due to their persistent and ubiquitous nature, source control strategies for e-EDCs may reduce influent concentration to wastewater treatment plants so that the post treatment effluent will decrease concentrations to estrogenically inactive levels. Alternatively if source reduction is not possible, then more testing is needed on tertiary treatment technologies and treatment efficiencies for e-EDCs. There is still a need for research on remediation and restoration approaches for habitats disturbed by elevated e-EDC concentrations.

Analysis of hormonal steroids in fish plasma and bile by coupling solid-phase extraction to GC/MS

An analytical procedure for the simultaneous determination of twelve endogenous steroids (testosterone, androstenedione, 17beta-estradiol, estrone, pregnenolone, progesterone, dihydroandrostenedione, dihydrotestosterone, 11alpha-ketotestosterone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one) in plasma and bile samples by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been developed. After enzymatic hydrolysis for bile samples only, samples were concentrated and purified using two successive SPE (C(18) and NH(2)) cartridges. Analytes were derivatized with a mixture of N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) / mercaptoethanol / ammonium iodide (NH(4)I) and determined by GC-MS in selective ion monitoring mode. For most of the steroids monitored, recoveries were in the range 90-120% in plasma and in the range 60-70% in bile, and the reproducibility was below 10% for the complete procedure. Limits of detection obtained ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 ng/g in fish plasma and from 1.6 to 14 ng/g in fish bile. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of plasma steroids in flounders (Platichthys flesus) collected from two French estuaries.

Simultaneous determination of isoflavones and lignans at trace levels in natural waters and wastewater samples using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry

A high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MSn) method has been developed for the trace determination of phytoestrogens in aquatic environmental samples. The method includes solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analysis using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry. The aquatic environmental samples, influent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and creek water, were adjusted to pH approximately 5 before extraction. The analyzed phytoestrogens were identified by an MSn method and quantified against a deuterated internal standard (genistein-3',5',6,8-D4). In negative ion mode, 0.1% formic acid was employed in acetonitrile/water mobile phase. The method detection limits ranged from 0.5 to 10 ng/L in WWTP influent and from 0.1 to 5 ng/L in creek water. Average SPE recoveries for the analyzed phytoestrogens ranged from 85 to 95%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) (%) ranging from 3.9 to 6.5. The concentrations of the six analyzed phytoestrogens varied from 0.2 to 600 ng/L with high levels of enterolignans (enterolactone and enterodiol) found in the collected wastewater. The method is shown to be suitable for the determination of phytoestrogens in aquatic environmental samples at nano- and sub-nanogram per liter levels.