Contamination of xenoestrogens bisphenol A and F in honey: safety assessment and analytical method of these compounds in honey

Development and validation of an analytical methodology based on solvent microextraction and UHPLC-MS/MS for determining bisphenols in honeys from different botanical origins

A new analytical methodology was proposed to determine fourteen bisphenols in honeys from different botanical origins using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A fast, efficient, environmentally-friendly and simple sample treatment (recoveries between 81% and 116%; matrix effect <20% for all studied compounds except for bisphenol E, F and S) was proposed, which involved a solvent microextraction with acetone and a small volume/amount of 1-hexanol. Chromatographic analysis (< 15 min) was performed in a Kinetex EVO C18 column under gradient elution mode. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, limits of detection (0.2-1.5 μg/kg) and quantification (0.5-4.7 μg/kg), linearity, matrix effect, trueness, and precision (relative standard deviation <17%). Finally, thirty honey samples were analyzed, revealing the presence of residues of nine bisphenols in some of them. However, quantification was possible only in two cases for bisphenol A, with a concentration of approximately 13 μg/kg.

Assessing dietary bisphenol A exposure among Koreans: comprehensive database construction and analysis using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure primarily occurs through dietary intake. This study aimed to estimate the extent of dietary BPA exposure among Koreans. A thorough literature search was conducted to establish a BPA content database encompassing common foods consumed in Korea, including various food raw materials and processed food products. Dietary exposure levels were estimated by integrating the constructed BPA database with comprehensive nationwide 24 h-dietary recall datasets. The finding revealed that dietary BPA exposure was low for most Koreans, with a mean of 14.5 ng/kg bw/day, but was higher for preschool-age children (over 23 ng). Canned foods accounted for 9-36% of the total dietary exposure of the highest dietary exposure groups; while across all age groups, a considerable amount was derived from canned tuna, contribution of canned fruits and canned coffee (milk-containing) was high for preschool-age children and adults, respectively. Notably, for adults, a substantial proportion also stemmed from beer packaged in cans. While diet contributed over 80% of aggregate exposure for most age groups, preschool-age children experienced 60% exposure through diet due to additional exposure from indoor dust. Even at the high exposure scenario, aggregate BPA exposure levels remained lower than the current tolerable daily intake (TDI) set by the Korean agency (20 μg/kg bw/day). Nevertheless, most Koreans were exposed to BPA levels surpassing the strictest TDI (0.2 ng/kg bw/day) set by the European Food Safety Authority.

Evidence of increased estrogenicity upon metabolism of Bisphenol F - Elucidation of the key metabolites

The increasing concern over bisphenol A (BPA) has directed much attention toward bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) as BPA alternatives for the development of "BPA-free" products. Consequently, BPS and BPF were frequently detected in surface water, sediment, sewage effluent, indoor dust, and even in food and biological fluids in humans. Thus, environmental researches start to focus on the potential environmental risks of BPA alternatives. While the estrogenically active metabolites and the specific estrogenically active structure are still unknown. In this study, the MTT assay on acute cytotoxicity and the recombinant transactivation assay were carried out to determine whether BPF and BPS are suitable alternatives to BPA. Our results show that the cytotoxic and estrogenic activities of BPS and BPF are lower than those of BPA. However, after the addition of a rat liver homogenate to simulate mammal metabolism, BPF exhibited higher estrogenic activity than BPA. To identify the chemical structures and estrogen receptor binding affinities of active estrogenic metabolites, LC-MS, MetaPrint2D(-React), and VirtualToxLab were integrated. The observed results indicated that the para-hydroxylated BPF and BPF-OCH₃ might have strong ER binding affinities. These results demonstrate that metabolization is important to consider upon investigating endocrine disruption of chemicals getting into contact with humans, such as in dental sealing or food packaging. Alternatives to potentially hazardous substances should be thoroughly tested prior to use.

Micro Salting-Out Assisted Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion: A Simple and Fast Sample Preparation Method for the Analysis of Bisphenol Contaminants in Bee Pollen

In the present work, a novel sample preparation method, micro salting-out assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion (μ-SOA-MSPD), was developed for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol B (BPB) contaminants in bee pollen. The proposed method was designed to combine two classical sample preparation methodologies, matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and homogenous liquid-liquid extraction (HLLE), to simplify and speed-up the preparation process. Parameters of μ-SOA-MSPD were systematically investigated, and results indicated the significant effect of salt and ACN-H₂O extractant on the signal response of analytes. In addition, excellent clean-up ability in removing matrix components was observed when primary secondary amine (PSA) sorbent was introduced into the blending operation. The developed method was fully validated, and the limits of detection for BPA and BPB were 20 μg/kg and 30 μg/kg, respectively. Average recoveries and precisions were ranged from 83.03% to 94.64% and 1.76% to 5.45%, respectively. This is the first report on the analysis of bisphenol contaminants in bee pollen sample, and also on the combination of MSPD and HLLE. The present method might provide a new strategy for simple and fast sample preparation of solid and semi-solid samples.

Targeted and untargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of honey samples for determination of migrants from plastic packages

Plastic food packages usually contain additives which may migrate from the package into the food and then be ingested by the consumer, representing a risk for their health. In this study, targeted and untargeted analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is proposed to monitor any contaminants of this type in honey. The application of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) as a preconcentration technique allowed very low detection limits to be reached for all the substances. Fifteen target compounds, including styrene, phthalates, fatty acids, alkylphenols and bisphenol A, were quantified. Untargeted analyses were also carried out, allowing other migrants in the honey samples to be identified, such as two phthalates, four acids, three esters, one aldehyde, one hydrocarbon and two alkyl phenol compounds. The proposed method was seen to be a useful approach for the quantification and identification of potential migrants from plastics in challenging samples such as honey.

Soil enzyme response to bisphenol F contamination in the soil bioaugmented using bacterial and mould fungal consortium

The concept of the study resulted from the lack of accurate data on the toxicity of bisphenol F (BPF) coinciding with the need for immediate changes in the global economic policy eliminating the effects of environmental contamination with bisphenol A (BPA). The aim of the experiment was to determine the scale of the previously unstudied inhibitory effect of BPF on soil biochemical activity. To this end, in a soil subjected to increasing BPF pressure at three contamination levels of 0, 5, 50 and 500 mg BPF kg^-1 DM, responses of soil enzymes, dehydrogenases, catalase, urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulphatase and β-glucosidase, were examined. Moreover, the study suggested a potentially effective way of biostimulating the soil by means of bioaugmentation with a consortium of four bacterial species: Pseudomonas umsongensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus weihenstephanensis and Bacillus subtilis, and the following fungal species: Mucor circinelloides, Penicillium daleae, Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus niger. It was found that BPF was a controversial BPA analogue due to the fact that it contributed to the inhibition of all the enzyme activities. Dehydrogenases proved to be the most sensitive to bisphenol contamination of the soil. The addition of 5 mg BPF kg^-1 DM of soil triggered an escalation of the inhibition comparable to that for the other enzymes only after exposing them to the effects of 50 and 500 mg BPF kg^-1 DM of soil. Moreover, BPF generated low activity of urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase. Bacterial inoculum increased the activity of urease, β-glucosidase, catalase and alkaline phosphatase. Seventy-six percent of BPF underwent biodegradation during the 5 days of the study.

Signal-on electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for bisphenol A based on hybridization chain reaction and electrically heated electrode

A simple and sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor has been developed for bisphenol A (BPA) detection. The capture DNA (CDNA) was modified on the heated indium-tin-oxide (ITO) working electrode surface firstly and then hybridized with BPA aptamer to form double strand DNA (dsDNA). The presence of target can cause the releasing of aptamer from the electrode surface since the aptamer prefers to switch its configuration to combine with BPA. Subsequently, the free CDNA will induce hybridization chain reaction (HCR) to produce long dsDNA on the electrode surface. Ru(phen)₃²⁺ can integrate into the grooves of dsDNA to act as an ECL reagent, thus enhanced ECL signal can be detected. The temperature control during the processes of target recognition and HCR were realized through the heated electrode instead of the bulk solution heating. Furthermore, the performance of the ECL aptasensor can be further enhanced at elevated electrode temperature. Under the optimized conditions, the ECL intensity of the system has a linear relationship with the logarithm of BPA concentration in the range of 2.0 pM-50 nM. The limit of detection (LOD) at 55 °C (electrode surface temperature) was calculated to be 1.5 pM, which was approximately 6.5-fold lower than that at 25 °C. The proposed biosensor has been applied to detect the BPA in drink samples with satisfactory results.

New insights into bisphenols removal by nitrogen-rich nanocarbons: Synergistic effect between adsorption and oxidative degradation

In this work, nitrogen-rich graphene-like carbon sheets (N-GLCS) with high specific surface area (488.4m²/g), narrow pore distribution and high N-doping (18.4 at%) were prepared and applied as both adsorbent and catalyst for the removal of bisphenols. Adsorption experiments demonstrated the high adsorption capacities of the N-GLCS toward bisphenol F (BPF) (222.9mg/g), bisphenol A (BPA) (317.8mg/g), and bisphenol C (BPC) (540.4mg/g). Results showed that about 98.6% of BPA (70mg/L) was removed at pH 7.0 within 80min after the adsorption-catalytic degradation process. The N-GLCS also showed a superb reusability for the catalytic oxidative degradation of BPA (70mg/L) with the removal percentage maintains over 83% after 5 cycles. With the synergistic combination of the excellent adsorption and catalytic properties of the N-GLCS, trace amount of pollutants can be preconcentrated and immobilized at the surface of N-GLCs, at the same time, active radicals were also produced at the surface of the N-GLCS by the activation of peroxydisulfate (PS), and finally the pollutants can be degraded in-situ by the active radicals. These findings provide a new avenue towards the efficient removal of trace-level EDCs from water solution by using the coupled adsorption-advanced oxidation processes.

Binding modes of environmental endocrine disruptors to human serum albumin: insights from STD-NMR, ITC, spectroscopic and molecular docking studies

Given that bisphenols have an endocrine-disrupting effect on human bodies, thoroughly exposing their potential effects at the molecular level is important. Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR-based binding studies were performed to investigate the binding potential of two bisphenol representatives, namely, bisphenol B (BPB) and bisphenol E (BPE), toward human serum albumin (HSA). The relative STD (%) suggested that BPB and BPE show similar binding modes and orientations, in which the phenolic rings were spatially close to HSA binding site. ITC analysis results showed that BPB and BPE were bound to HSA with moderately strong binding affinity through electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The order of binding affinity of HSA for two test bisphenols is as follows: BPE > BPB. The results of fluorescence competitive experiments using 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonamide and dansylsarcosine as competitors, combined with molecular docking indicated that both bisphenols are prone to attach to the binding site II in HSA. Spectroscopic results (FT-IR, CD, synchronous and 3D fluorescence spectra) showed that BPB/BPE induces different degrees of microenvironmental and conformational changes to HSA.

In vitro and in silico assessment of the structure-dependent binding of bisphenol analogues to glucocorticoid receptor

Widespread use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenol analogues has attracted increasing attention for their potential adverse effects. As environmental endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), bisphenols (BPs) may activate a variety of nuclear receptors, including glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In this work, the binding of 11 BPs to GR was investigated by fluorescence polarization (FP) assay in combination with molecular dynamics simulations. The human glucocorticoid receptor was prepared as a soluble recombinant protein. A fluorescein-labeled dexamethasone derivative (Dex-fl) was employed as tracer. Competitive displacement of Dex-fl from GR by BPs showed that the binding affinities of bisphenol analogues were largely dependent on their characteristic functional groups. In order to further understand the relationship between BPs structures and their GR-mediated activities, molecular docking was utilized to explore the binding modes at the atomic level. The results confirmed that structural variations of bisphenol analogues contributed to different interactions of BPs with GR, potentially causing distinct toxic effects. Comparison of the calculated binding energies vs. experimental binding affinities yielded a good correlation (R ² = 0.8266), which might be helpful for the design of environmentally benign materials with reduced toxicities. In addition, the established FP assay based on GR exhibited the potential to offer an alternative to traditional methods for the detection of bisphenols.

Determination of Bisphenols and Related Compounds in Honey and Their Migration from Selected Food Contact Materials

This study reports the analysis of nine bisphenols (BPA, BPAF, BPAP, BPB, BPC, BPE, BPF, BPS, and BPZ) and related compounds (4-cumylphenol and dihydroxybenzophenone) in honey and food simulant. After sample preconcentration with Oasis HLB cartridges, analytes were silylated and analyzed by GC-MS. The validated methods with LODs in sub ng g^-1 were applied to 36 honey samples from European and non-European countries and food simulant stored in selected corresponding containers. Honey samples contained BPA, BPAF, BPE, BPF, BPS, and BPZ in amounts up to 107, 53.5, 12.8, 31.6, 302, and 28.4 ng g^-1, respectively. Under simulating conditions, BPA and BPAF were detected in food simulant up to 42.2 and 19.8 ng mL^-1, respectively. In certain cases, the detected bisphenols in honey probably derive from a source other than the final packaging.

Simultaneous determination of estrogens and progestogens in honey using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This work describes the development and validation of a method for the simultaneous determination of 13 estrogens and progestogens in honey by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The hormones were preconcentrated by solid phase extraction. Pretreatment variables were optimized for a better compatibility with electrospray ionization interfaced mass spectrometry. The analytes were analyzed in multiple-reaction monitoring mode with two pairs of precursor product ion transitions. The proposed method was validated with method detection limits of 0.01-0.33ng/g and good linearities (r²>0.9901) throughout the studied concentration range. The recoveries of analytes at the spiking levels (5ng/g and 25ng/g) ranged from 71.2% to 99.7%, with relative standard deviations below 20%. The method was used to determine the target compounds in honey samples (orange blossom, clover and multiflower) obtained from supermarkets. Two samples of honey were found to contain trace amounts of estrone (<MQL) or progesterone (0.2±0.1ng/g), respectively.

Nitrogen-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide as a Bifunctional Material for Removing Bisphenols: Synergistic Effect between Adsorption and Catalysis

Nitrogen modified reduced graphene oxide (N-RGO) was prepared by a hydrothermal method. The nitrogen modification enhanced its adsorption and catalysis ability. For an initial bisphenol concentration of 0.385 mmol L(-1), the adsorption capacity of N-RGO was evaluated as 1.56 and 1.43 mmol g(-1) for bisphenol A (BPA) and 1.43 mmol g(-1) for bisphenol F (BPF), respectively, both of which were about 1.75 times that (0.90 and 0.84 mmol g(-1)) on N-free RGO. N-RGO could activate persulfate, producing strong oxidizing sulfate radicals. The apparent degradation rate constant of BPA on N-RGO was 0.71 min(-1), being about 700 times that (0.001 min(-1)) on N-free RGO. In mixtures of various phenols, the degradation rate constant of each phenol was linearly increased with its adsorption capacity. A simultaneous use of N-RGO and persulfate yielded fast and efficient removal of bisphenols. The use of N-RGO (120 mg L(-1)) and persulfate (0.6 mmol L(-1)) almost completely removed the added bisphenols (0.385 mmol L(-1)) at pH 6.6 within 17 min. A mechanism study indicated that the adsorption enriched the pollutant, and the catalytically generated sulfate radicals rapidly degrade the adsorbed pollutant, accelerating in turn the adsorption of residual pollutant.

Probing the binding of an endocrine disrupting compound-Bisphenol F to human serum albumin: insights into the interactions of harmful chemicals with functional biomacromolecules

Bisphenol F (BPF) as an endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) pollutant in the environment poses a great threat to human health. To evaluate the toxicity of BPF at the protein level, the effects of BPF on human serum albumin (HSA) were investigated at three temperatures 283, 298, and 308 K by multiple spectroscopic techniques. The experimental results showed that BPF effectively quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA via static quenching. The number of binding sites, the binding constant, the thermodynamic parameters and the binding subdomain were measured, and indicated that BPF could spontaneously bind with HSA on subdomain IIA through H-bond and van der Waals interactions. Furthermore, the conformation of HSA was demonstrably changed in the presence of BPF. The work provides accurate and full basic data for clarifying the binding mechanisms of BPF with HSA in vivo and is helpful for understanding its effect on protein function during its transportation and distribution in blood.

Simultaneous determination of endocrine disrupting compounds bisphenol F and bisphenol AF using carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified electrode

A novel, simple and selective electrochemical method was developed for simultaneous determination of bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) in aqueous media (phosphate buffer solution, pH 6.0) on carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (MWCNT-COOH/GCE) using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). In DPV, MWCNT-COOH/GCE could separate the oxidation peak potentials of BPF and BPAF present in the same solution though, at the bare GCE, the peak potentials were indistinguishable. The results showed that the electrochemical sensor exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of the two analytes. The peak current in DPV of BPF and BPAF increased linearly with their concentration in the ranges of 0.6-1.6 mmol/L BPF and 0.6-1.6 mmol/L BPAF. The detection limits were 0.1243 mmol/L and 0.1742 mmol/L (S/N=3) correspondingly. The modified electrode was successfully used to simultaneously determine BPF and BPAF in real samples.

Health Risk Assessment of Six Heavy Metals in Different Sources of Honey Consumed in China

As the consumption of honey is booming because of its multiple health-promoting effects, the possible health risks resulting from long-term exposure to metals contained in this honey need to be evaluated. The concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, As,Hg and Zn) in three sources of honeys collected from China, were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) and hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) after microwave-assisted digestion. The rangs obtained for the element analyzed in ug kg-1 were as follow:Cd(4.9)Comparing with safety intake levels for these heavy metals recommended by US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), both the Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for single heavy metal and the Hazard Index (HI) value for all six heavy metals were far below 1, indicating no chronic-toxic risks from these heavy metals due to daily consumption of 0.01 kg of honey for a 70 kg individual.

Determination of endocrine disruptors in honey by CZE-MS using restricted access materials for matrix cleanup

An analytical method based on CZE coupled to ESI-MS is proposed for the identification and simultaneous quantification of several endocrine-disrupting chemicals in honey. The target compounds were the chlorophenols: 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol, and bisphenol-A, 4-tert-butylphenol, and 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid. A two-step optimization of the ESI-MS detection was carried out. First, the organic solvent present in the sheath liquid was selected and its effect on the analytical signal was studied. The best results in terms of the intensity of the MS signals were obtained with methanol. Thus, an experimental design technique (Doehlert type) was used for the optimization of the other parameters: the NH(3) concentration in the sheath liquid, the flow of the sheath liquid, the nebulizer pressure in ESI, and the drying gas temperature and flow. Here, we developed a new sample treatment based on the combined use of a restricted access material and a polymeric sorbent for SPE. The LOD achieved were in the range of 5-31 ng/g. The intraday precision of the proposed method was determined from replicate analyses (n=4) at a concentration level of 50 ng/g, with RSD values in the range of 15-23%. The results revealed that the proposed method is suitable for the reliable quantification of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in honey at nanograms per gram levels.

Development of molecular docking-based binding energy to predict the joint effect of BPA and its analogs

A general proposal for predicting the joint effect of endocrine disrupting chemicals by examining binding energy models was developed in this study. 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (BPA) and 11 of its analogs were chosen, and the estrogenic activity of each compound was measured by determining its EC50 value using a recombinant gene yeast assay. Binding energies (BEs) were calculated using Surflex-Docking software. The analysis of the relationship between EC50 values and BEs showed that there is a linear correlation between the BEs and EC50 values. Furthermore, the analysis of the given binary and quaternary mixtures of BPA and three of its analogs showed that the joint effects of the mixtures were affected by the proportions of the chemicals in each mixture and their relative binding energy. The correlation between the joint effects of mixtures and the binding energy of the individual compounds has been described using one formula, which can be used to predict the joint effects of other mixtures.

Risk assessment of bisphenol A migrated from canned foods in Korea

Exposure and risk assessment of bisphenol A (BPA) was conducted on consumption of canned foods in Korean adults. Sixty-one canned food items with different brands purchased from retail outlets in markets were analyzed for BPA concentration by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with fluorescence detection. Limits of detection (LOD) were 3 microg/kg for solid and 2 microg/kg for liquid foods. BPA was detected from 7 groups of food items, such as tuna (n = 8), fish (n = 11), fruits (n = 9), vegetables (n = 12), meats (n = 13), coffee (n = 5), and tea (n = 3) in the range from not detected (ND) to 136.14 microg/kg. Mean concentrations of BPA were 3.1 microg/kg (ND-21.5 microg/kg) for vegetables, 8.3 microg/kg (ND-14.26) for tea, 8.6 microg/kg (ND-54.56 microg/kg) for fruits, 24.49 microg/kg (ND-98.30 microg/kg) for meats, 39.78 microg/kg (ND-125.25 microg/kg) for fish, 43.7 microg/kg (ND-116.88 microg/kg) for tuna, and 45.51 microg/kg (ND-136.14 microg/kg) for coffee, in the order of magnitude. Based on daily dietary intake of canned food items and concentrations of BPA, human exposure level to BPA was estimated to be 1.509 microg/kg body weight (bw)/d, well below the tolerable daily intake (TDI) or reference dose (RfD) of 50 microg/kg, bw/d set by the European Commission, U.S.EPA, and South Korea. Therefore, the potential risk for BPA contamination due to consumption of each canned food items was calculated to be (1.509 microg/kg bw/d)/(50 microg/kg bw/d) = 0.03, which is the hazard index [HI = exposure level/(RfD or TDI)]. Evidence indicates that the levels of BPA levels in canned foods are not likely to constitute a safety concern for consumers in Korea.

Biotransformation of bisphenol F by human and rat liver subcellular fractions

Bisphenol F [4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl-methane] (BPF) has a broad range of applications in industry (liners lacquers, adhesives, plastics, coating of drinks and food cans). Free monomers of this bisphenol can be released into the environment and enter the food chain, very likely resulting in the exposure of humans to low doses of BPF. This synthetic compound has been reported to be estrogenic. A study of BPF distribution and metabolism in rats has demonstrated the formation of many metabolites, with multiple biotransformation pathways. In the present work we investigated the in vitro biotransformation of radio-labelled BPF using rat and human liver subcellular fractions. BPF metabolites were separated, isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and analysed by mass spectrometry (MS), MS(n), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Many of these metabolites were characterized for the first time in mammals and in humans. BPF is metabolised into the corresponding glucuronide and sulfate (liver S9 fractions). In addition to these phase II biotransformation products, various hydroxylated metabolites are formed, as well as structurally related apolar metabolites. These phase I metabolic pathways are dominant for incubations carried out with liver microsomes and also present for incubations carried out with liver S9 fractions. The formation of the main metabolites, namely meta-hydroxylated BPF and ortho-hydroxylated BPF (catechol BPF) is P450 dependent, as is the formation of the less polar metabolites characterized as BPF dimers. Both the formation of a catechol and of dimeric metabolites correspond to biotransformation pathways shared by BPF, other bisphenols and estradiol.

Human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA)

The plastic monomer and plasticizer bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide. BPA is used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins used in many consumer products. Here, we have outlined studies that address the levels of BPA in human tissues and fluids. We have reviewed the few epidemiological studies available that explore biological markers of BPA exposure and human health outcomes. We have examined several studies of levels of BPA released from consumer products as well as the levels measured in wastewater, drinking water, air and dust. Lastly, we have reviewed acute metabolic studies and the information available about BPA metabolism in animal models. The reported levels of BPA in human fluids are higher than the BPA concentrations reported to stimulate molecular endpoints in vitro and appear to be within an order of magnitude of the levels needed to induce effects in animal models.

Disposition and metabolic profiling of bisphenol F in pregnant and nonpregnant rats

The distribution of bisphenol F (4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl-methane, BPF) was studied in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Pregnant and nonpregnant animals were gavaged with a single dose of 7 or 100 mg/kg [3H]BPF and were kept for 96 h in metabolic cages. The excretion of BPF residues occurred mainly in urine (43-54% of the administered dose), which was found to contain at least six different metabolites, and to a lesser extent in feces (15-20% of the administered dose). Sulfatase treatment and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatography analyses suggest that the major urinary metabolite (more than 50% of the radioactivity present in urine) is a sulfate conjugate of BPF. At 96 h, BPF residues were detectable in all tissues examined with the largest amounts in the liver (0.5% of the dose). In pregnant rats dosed at day 17 of gestation, BPF residues were detected in the uterus, placenta, amniotic fluid, and fetuses (0.9-1.3% of the administered dose). Large amounts of radioactivity (8-10% of the dose) were still located in the digestive tract lumen at the end of the study. After administration of a single oral dose of [3H]BPF, 46% of the distributed radioactivity was excreted in bile over a 6 h period. In rats, BPF and/or its metabolites very likely undergo enterohepatic cycling, which could be responsible for the relatively high amounts of residues still excreted 4 days after BPF administration. This bisphenol is efficiently absorbed and distributed to the reproductive tract in female rats, and its residues pass the placental barrier at a late stage of gestation in rats.

Determination of endocrine-disrupting compounds in cereals by pressurized liquid extraction and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

A sensitive method based on pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) has been developed for the determination in cereal samples of seven endocrine-disrupting compounds: bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid (BBA), 4-nonylphenol (NP), 4-tert-butylphenol (t-BP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP). For the PLE procedure, methanol was selected as the extraction solvent. An experimental design approach was applied to optimize other PLE parameters. The recoveries achieved for the all seven compounds were in the 81-104% range, with relative standard deviations of 4-9%. An additional preconcentration step, based on solid-phase extraction (SPE), after the PLE step proved to be a successful way for obtaining a more sensitive method. The detection limits achieved in corn breakfast cereals were in the 0.003-0.013 microg g(-1) range, except for BPA, with a detection limit of 0.043 microg g(-1), for a sample size of 2.5 g. These values are similar to or even lower than currently legislated limits for pesticides in cereals and cereal-based foodstuffs. We also investigated possible contamination during the experimental process by the target compounds released from purified water, plastics, syringes, peristaltic pump tubes, glassware and other laboratory materials in contact with the samples along the analytical process.

Development of stable isotope dilution quantification liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for estimation of exposure levels of bisphenol A, 4-tert-octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol, tetrabromobisphenol A, and pentachlorophenol in indoor air

The potential risks to human health and reproduction of phenolic xenoestrogens, such as bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), 4-nonylphenol (NP), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), and pentachlorophenol (PCP), have not been fully elucidated. It is possible that healthy humans are exposed to phenolic xenoestrogens in their daily lives. It is also possible that the source of human exposure to trace amounts of phenolic xenoestrogens is indoor air. Therefore, we have established an accurate, sensitive, and selective method for determining BPA, OP, NP, TBBPA, and PCP in air samples by using stable isotope dilution techniques using 13C12-BPA, 4-(1-methyl) octylphenol-d5 (m-OP-d5), 13C12-TBBPA, 13C6-PCP, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Air sampling (71/min, 24 hours), using glass filters (GB-100R, 47 mm) and Empore SDB-XD filters (47 mm/0.5 mm, 3M, Tokyo, Japan) and subsequent extraction by washing were carried out. Then the extracted sample solution was subjected to LC-MS. The percentage recovery of these analytes ranged from 87.0% to 101.9% (SD 0.2% to 4.6%, n=3) with correction using the stable isotope dilution quantification method. The quantification limit (signal-to-noise ratio, S/N>10) in the air samples was 0.1 ng/m3. Our findings suggest that the LC-MS method can detect low levels of phenolic xenoestrogens in air samples and that these trace levels of analytes exist in indoor air.

Determination of bisphenol A in milk by solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

A simple and reliable analytical method based on solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in milk. The effects of the experimental parameters of the LC-ESI-MS system (mobile phase and additives, flow rate, temperature of the ionization source, cone voltage and capillary potential) on the obtained signal were assessed and the parameters were optimized to provide maximum sensitivity and detectability. In addition, the performance of three commercial SPE sorbents (C18, PS-DVB and hydroxylated PS-DVB) was evaluated using spiked water and milk, diluted with a mixture of water-methanol (8:1). By using C18 cartridges and BPA-d(16) as internal standard, the mean relative recoveries at three fortification levels ranged between 97 and 104% and the corresponding inter-day precision (RSD%) was below 6% for 50 and 500 ng/g and below 20% for 5 ng/g fortification levels. It is shown that the ion suppression during ESI, the losses from the sample preparation procedure and the inter-day instability of LC-ESI-MS were overcome by the use of the deuterated internal standard. The concentration of BPA found in commercial canned milk samples ranged from <1.7 to 15.2 ng/g.

Determination of bisphenol A in canned foods by immunoaffinity chromatography, HPLC, and fluorescence detection

Bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations were determined in canned beverages, fruits, vegetables, and fat-containing foodstuffs bought in Austrian supermarkets. The analysis method consisted of sol-gel immunoaffinity chromatography followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. With one exception traces of BPA were detected in all samples. BPA recovery strongly depended on the food matrix, ranging from 27% in goulash to 103% in a lemon soft drink. The results obtained allow a more realistic picture of the BPA exposure caused by cans with an epoxy resin protective coating because--in contrast to several previous studies--only those fractions of the can contents that are actually consumed were analyzed. BPA concentrations ranging from 0.1 ng/mL (lemon soft drink) to 38 ng/g (ready-to eat soup from Thailand) were significantly lower than the European Union migration limit of 0.6 mg of BPA/kg of food.

Sample preparation including sol–gel immunoaffinity chromatography for determination of bisphenol A in canned beverages, fruits and vegetables

The paper describes the development of a very simple method to prepare samples of canned food (beverages, fruits and vegetables) for the determination of bisphenol A by isocratic HPLC with fluorescence detection. The new sample preparation method makes use of the selectivity of bisphenol A antibodies immobilized in a silica matrix by an inexpensive and simple sol-gel technique. In spite of applying highly complex food matrices, immunoaffinity columns could be used for clean-up of at least 15 real samples. Limits of detection (S/N=3) ranged from 0.1 ng/ml for beverages to 4.3 ng/g for vegetables.