Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry for screening of organohalogenated compounds in cat hair

Monitoring of environmental persistent organic pollutants in hair samples of cats and dogs

This study investigated 32 persistent organic pollutants, including 9 organochlorine pesticides, 15 polychlorinated biphenyls, 6 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 2 organophosphate pesticides in the hair samples of domestic cats and dogs living in an urban area in Samsun, Turkiye. Hair samples were collected from 35 cats and 38 dogs, grouped by sex and age (<3 or >3 years old). Samples were extracted using a liquid-liquid extraction method and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results revealed the presence of organochlorine pesticides (n = 58, 468.65 ± 92.30 ng/g), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (n = 57, 15.65 ± 3.91 ng/g), polychlorinated biphenyls (n = 55, 54.11 ± 9.47 ng/g), and organophosphate pesticides (n = 25, 568.43 ± 113.17 ng/g) in the samples. PCBs 81, 118, 128, 208, and 2,4-DDE were not detected in any samples. Only one sample did not contain any of the searched compounds. Fluorene was the most frequently detected pollutant (n = 53, 72.6 %), followed by β-hexachlorocyclohexane (n = 34, 46.6 %). The highest maximum concentration was observed for hexachlorobenzene (2748.03 ng/g), followed by aldrin (2313.45 ng/g) and fenitrothion (2081.13 ng/g). Pollutant concentrations did not differ between cats and dogs, sexes, and ages (p > 0.05). This study highlights the significant threat that urban areas pose to pets, and therefore, POPs should be monitored periodically in hair and other samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate POP levels in hair samples from cats and dogs in Turkiye.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Their Effects in Pet Dogs and Cats: An Overview

Over the past few decades, several pollutants classified as environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have become a matter of significant public health concern. Companion animals play a major role in human society, and pet ownership is substantially increasing worldwide. These intimate human-pet relationships imply sharing much of the same environment, thus including exposure to similar levels of EDCs in daily routine. Here, we review the current knowledge on the sources and routes of exposure to EDCs in domestic indoor and outdoor environments and discuss whether endocrine disruption is a health concern in pets. We summarize the phenomenon of endocrine disruption, providing examples of EDCs with a known impact on dog and cat health. Then, we propose an overview of the literature on the adverse effects of EDCs in domestic pets, with a special focus on the health of reproductive and thyroid systems. Finally, we explore the potential role of companion animals as unintentional sentinels of environmental exposure to EDCs and the implications for public health risk assessment in a "shared risk" scenario. Overall, this review supports the need for an integrated approach considering humans, animals, and the environment as a whole for a comprehensive assessment of the impact of EDCs on human and animal health.

An assessment of exposure to several classes of pesticides in pet dogs and cats from New York, United States

Exposure of pet dogs and cats to pesticides used in and around homes (e.g., lawns and gardens) is a significant health concern. Furthermore, some pesticides are directly used on dogs and cats for flea, lice, and tick control. Despite this, little is known regarding the extent of pesticide exposure in pets. In this study, we determined the concentrations of 30 biomarkers of pesticide exposure in urine collected from dogs and cats in New York State, USA: 6 dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites of organophosphates (OPs); 14 neonicotinoids (neonics); 3 specific metabolites of OPs; 5 pyrethroids (PYRs); and 2 phenoxy acids (PAs). The sum median concentrations of these 30 pesticide biomarkers (ΣPesticides) in dog and cat urine were 35.2 and 38.1 ng/mL, respectively. Neonics were the most prevalent in dogs (accounting for 43% of the total concentrations), followed by DAPs (17%), PYRs (16%), OPs (13%), and PAs (∼10%). In cat urine, neonics alone accounted for 83% of the total concentrations. Elevated concentrations of imidacloprid were found in the urine of certain dogs (max: 115 ng/mL) and cats (max: 1090 ng/mL). Some pesticides showed gender- and sampling location- related differences in urinary concentrations. We calculated daily exposure doses of pesticides from the measured urinary concentrations through a reverse dosimetry approach. The estimated daily intakes (DIs) of chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and cypermethrin were above the chronic reference doses (cRfDs) in 22, 76, and 5%, respectively, of dogs. The DIs of chlorpyrifos, parathion, diazinon, and imidacloprid were above the cRfDs in 33, 14, 100, and 29%, respectively, of cats. This study thus provides evidence that pet dogs and cats are exposed to certain pesticides at levels that warrant immediate attention.

Exhaustive characterization of (semi-)volatile organic contaminants in car dust using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography ‒ Time-of-flight mass spectrometry

This work represents the first reported effort to build an extensive database of the organic volatile and semi-volatile contaminants present in car dust as a result of migration from materials used in auto-manufacturing. Untargeted analysis of car dust samples has been performed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with time-of-fight mass spectrometry (GC×GC ‒ToF MS) after generic sample preparation. The enhanced separation power and structural confirmation capabilities provided by this technique have been used for the either positive or tentative identification of 245 GC-amenable compounds, a number of them being identified for the first time in this type of matrix. Information concerning 5 compounds remaining unidentified has also been provided. Results have been summarised in a searchable database containing chromatographic, mass spectral and normalised abundances calculated for the detected analytes in the ten investigated car dusts used to discuss the main findings of the study. Results are expected to serve other researcher to take decisions concerning priority analytes for further evaluation in this research field and for car manufacturers who might search for safer materials.

Metabolite profile of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and dawadawa (an African fermented condiment) investigation using gas chromatography high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-HRTOF-MS)

Metabolite profile provides an overview and avenue for the detection of a vast number of metabolites in food sample at a particular time. Gas chromatography high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-HRTOF-MS) is one of such techniques that can be utilized for profiling known and unknown compounds in a food sample. In this study, the metabolite profiles of Bambara groundnut and dawadawa (unhulled and dehulled) were investigated using GC-HRTOF-MS. The presence of varying groups of metabolites, including aldehydes, sterols, ketones, alcohols, nitrogen-containing compounds, furans, pyridines, acids, vitamins, fatty acids, sulphur-related compounds, esters, terpenes and terpenoids were reported. Bambara groundnut fermented into derived dawadawa products induced either an increase or decrease as well as the formation of some metabolites. The major compounds (with their peak area percentages) identified in Bambara groundnut were furfuryl ether (9.31%), bis (2-(dimethylamino)ethyl) ether (7.95%), 2-monopalmitin (7.88%), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (6.98%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z) and 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester (5.82%). For dehulled dawadawa, the significant compounds were palmitic acid, ethyl ester (17.7%), lauric acid, ethyl ester (10.2%), carbonic acid, 2-dimethylaminoethyl 2-methoxyethyl ester (7.3%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester (5.13%) and maltol (4%), while for undehulled dawadawa, it was indoline, 2-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl) (26.1%), benzoic acid, 4-amino-4-hydroximino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyl ester (8.2%), 2-undecen-4-ol (4.7%), 2-methylbutyl propanoate (4.7%) and ë-tocopherol (4.3%). These observed metabolites reported herein provides an overview of the metabolites in these investigated foods, some of which could be related to nutrition, bioactivity as well as sensory properties. It is important to emphasize that based on some of the metabolites detected, it could be suggested that Bambara groundnut and derived dawadawa might serve as functional foods that are beneficial to health.

Brominated and organophosphorus flame retardants in South African indoor dust and cat hair

Flame retardants (FRs), such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), are diverse groups of compounds used in various products related to the indoor environment. In this study concentrations of eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), two alternative BFRs and ten OPFRs were determined in indoor dust (n = 20) and pet cat hair (n = 11) from South Africa. The OPFRs were the major FRs, contributing to more than 97% of the total FR concentration. The median Ʃ₁₀OPFRs concentrations were 44,800 ng/g in freshly collected dust (F-dust), 19,800 ng/g in the dust collected from vacuum cleaner bags (V-dust), and 865 ng/g in cat hair (C-hair). Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was the dominant OPFR in the dust samples with median concentrations of 7,010 ng/g in F-dust and 3,590 ng/g in V-dust. Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) was the dominant OPFR in C-hair, with a median concentration of 387 ng/g. The concentrations of Ʃ₈PBDEs were higher in F-dust than in V-dust. BDE209 was the dominant BFR in all three matrices. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-phthalate (BEH-TEBP) and 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5- tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) showed notable contributions to the BFR profile in cat hair. A worst-case dust exposure estimation was performed for all analytes. The estimated TCIPP daily intake through dust ingestion was up to 1,240 ng/kg bw for toddlers. The results indicate that OPFRs are ubiquitous in South African indoor environment. Indoor dust is a major source of human exposure to environmental contaminants. This can for example occur through hand-to-mouth contact of toddlers, and is an important route of exposure to currently used FRs accumulated on dust particles. The presence of FRs, in particular high concentrations of OPFRs, suggests that children and indoor pet cats may have greater exposure to FRs than adults.

Differential metabolic signatures in naturally and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermented ting (a Southern African food) with different tannin content, as revealed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics

Fermented whole grain (WG) sorghum food products including WG-ting can be obtained from different sample sources and fermentation conditions, leading subsequently to variations in the molecular composition of the products. There is however, a lack of detailed understanding and description of differential molecular profiles of these food products. Thus, the current study is a nontargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics approach to descriptively elucidate metabolic profiles of two WG-sorghum types [high tannin (HT) and low tannin (LT)] and their derived WG-ting products obtained via fermentation. Metabolites were extracted with 80% aqueous methanol and analyzed on a gas chromatography high resolution time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-HRTOF-MS) system. Chemometric methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were applied to mine the generated data. Our results showed that tannin contents influenced the composition of the raw sorghum and derived WG-ting samples. Metabolite signatures that differentiated raw HT- and LT-sorghum included cyclic compounds, pesticides, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, fatty acid esters, and sugar derivatives. Furthermore, fermentation of the HT- and LT-sorghum into WG-ting led to an increase in the levels of fatty acids, fatty acid esters and some other compounds which are vital from a dietary and health context. Equally observed were reduction of some phenols, cyclic compounds, a pesticide and ketone. Thus, the results demonstrated that the inherent metabolic composition of raw sorghum would lead to differential metabolic changes in the fermented products such as WG-ting, with subsequent dietary and health implications. Fermenting ting with Lactobacillus fermentum FUA 3321 was most desirable as relevant metabolites were observed in both HT- and LT-ting samples. Furthermore, the study highlights the applicability of GC-MS metabolomics in understanding WG-ting fermentation.

Determination of plasma concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in pet cats and dogs

The aim of this study was the determination of plasma concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in cats and dogs and evaluation of their prevalence and possible effects. The concentrations of nine OCPs, such as α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), β-HCH, γ-HCH, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, 2,4′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (2,4′-DDT), 4,4′-DDT, 2,4′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (2,4′-DDE) and 4,4′-DDE and 16 PCBs (PCB-28, -52, -70, -74, -81, -99, -101, -118, -138, -153, -156, -170, -180, -183, -187 and -208) were evaluated in the plasma samples of pet cats ( n = 15) and dogs ( n = 21). The concentrations of OCPs ranged from 1.12 ng g−1 lipid weight (lw) to 7.65 ng g−1 lw in cats and from 1.25 ng g−1 lw to 6.79 ng g−1 lw in dogs. In addition, mean PCB levels were 0.58–5.66 and 0.52–6.62 ng g−1 lw in cats and dogs, respectively. β-HCH, γ-HCH and PCB-138 levels were significantly higher in dogs ( p < 0.05). As far as could be determined, OCPs and PCBs were detected in the plasma samples of domestic cats and dogs in Turkey for the first time. Their concentrations were similar to those reported in earlier studies abroad. However, in contrast to other research, the levels of some OCPs were higher in dogs than in cats. It is concluded that, because of their high prevalence and potential health effects in animals and humans, OCP and PCB levels should be monitored systematically in domestic cats and dogs.