Alternative eluent composition for LC-MS analysis of perfluoroalkyl acids in raw fish samples

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in grocery store foods: method optimization, occurrence, and exposure assessment

Dietary exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is poorly understood. Evaluating PFAS in food is complicated by the need to evaluate varied matrices and a lack of a standard, matrix-specific sample extraction methods. Prior food studies implemented universal rather than matrix-specific extraction approaches, which may yield false negatives and an underestimation of PFAS dietary exposure if methods are not suitable to all matrices. Here the objectives were to screen and optimize PFAS extraction methods for plants, tissues, and dairy; apply optimized extraction methods to a grocery store food survey; and compare estimated exposure to published reference doses (RfDs). Optimized, matrix-specific extractions generally yielded internal standard recoveries of 50-150% and matrix spike recoveries of 70-130%. The frequency of PFAS detection in grocery store foods (16 of 22 products) was higher than in previous work. PFAS were detected at concentrations of 10 ng kgdw-1 (perfluorobutane sulfonate; washed green beans and perfluorohexanoic acid; unwashed tomato) to 2680 ng kgdw-1 (perfluorohexane sulfonate; radish). Concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in carrots, lettuce, radish, and canned green beans yielded median exposure intake (EI) values of 0.016-0.240 ng per kgbw-day, which exceeded the EPA RfD (0.0015 ng per kgbw-day). Washing reduced radish PFOA concentrations below detection, but EIs at the reporting limit still exceeded the RfD. The combination of improved data quality and greater frequency of PFAS detection vs. prior studies plus EI > RfD for some PFAS suggests a need for matrix-specific extractions and analysis of PFAS in additional grocery store foods from broader geographic regions.

An amine-functionalized olefin-linked covalent organic framework used for the solid-phase microextraction of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in fish

Due to the environmental persistence and various health problems associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), they have come under increased public scrutiny. However, the efficient extraction of PFASs from complex media remains challenging. Herein, an olefin-linked covalent organic framework (COF-CN) has been prepared via a Knoevenagel condensation reaction, followed by reduction using LiAlH₄ to form an amine-functionalized COF (COF-NH₂). The characterization results demonstrated that the crystal structure was maintained during the post-modification step. Isothermal and kinetic adsorption studies showed the higher affinity of COF-NH₂ toward PFASs. Based on density functional theory, the adsorption mechanism of the stable six-member-ring structure formed between COF-NH₂ and PFASs via hydrogen bonding was tentatively revealed. After optimizing the solid-phase microextraction parameters, legacy and emerging PFASs were efficiently extracted from fish using the COF-NH₂ coating, followed by detection using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The method exhibited ideal linearity, low limits of quantification, excellent precision, and high relative recoveries. Finally, the bioconcentration kinetics for goldfish was studied, which can provide a feasible platform for investigating the accumulate ion and toxicity of PFASs.

Analysis of fluorinated compounds by micellar electrokinetic chromatography - mass spectrometry

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) is a good separation technique with high efficiency, high selectivity and simple preparation process. Hyphenation of MEKC with mass spectrometry (MS) could extend its application in complex sample analysis. However, direct coupling MEKC using commonly used surfactants like sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with ESI-MS will lead to strong signal suppression. In this work, a MEKC-MS method using volatile ammonium perfluorooctanoate as surfactant was developed. The MS compatibility of ammonium perfluorooctanoate was investigated. The result revealed that there is no signal suppression even the concentration of ammonium perfluorooctanoate was up to 300 mM. Meanwhile, we found that ammonium perfluorooctanoate used as surfactant in MEKC provided powerful F-F interaction and hydrophobic interaction, which was beneficial for separation of fluorinated compounds. Using the ammonium perfluorooctanoate based MEKC method, several groups of fluorinated compounds, which cannot be separated using non-fluorinated surfactants like lauric acid and SDS based MEKC method, were baseline separated. Finally, the MEKC-ESI-MS method was successfully applied for analysis of two herbicides including fluometuron and fenuron in lake water samples with high separation efficiency, high sensitivity, good linearity and reproducibility.

Cooking methods affect the intake of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from grass carp

Consumption of fish is one of the predominant sources of human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). In this study, the effect of various cooking methods (boiling, steaming, grilling and frying) on the levels of PFASs in fish muscle and the intake of PFASs was explored by using grass carp collected from Tangxun Lake, Wuhan, China. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant PFASs in raw fish fillets, with the concentrations ranging from 59.6 to 136 ng/g ww, followed by perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) (7.73-51.9 ng/g ww). The concentrations of long-chain PFASs in fish increased after cooking, while those of short-chain PFASs decreased. The amounts of PFASs in the cooked fish fillets decreased except PFOS. Short-chain PFASs, including PFBS and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), were dominant in cooking juice. The highest amounts of PFBS in the juices were observed after boiling and frying, even higher than those in cooked fish fillets, suggesting that the release of short-chain PFASs to the cooking juices could not be neglected. Based on these results, the intake of short-chain PFASs amount through cooked fish fillets slightly decreased, but the intake of PFOS amount increased. However, consumption of cooking juice (fish soup) could increase the exposure risk of PFBS. Comprehensively considering the increase of PFOS and decrease of total PFASs, boiling may be the relatively better method to cook fish. As PFASs are ubiquitous and inevitable in aquatic food, it is thus important to choose appropriate cooking processes and dietary habits for reducing the intake of different PFASs from fish.

Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Changes during Food Storage and Processing

Many physicochemical changes occur during food storage and processing, such as rancidity, hydrolysis, oxidation, and aging, which may alter the taste, flavor, and texture of food products and pose risks to public health. Analysis of these changes has become of great interest to many researchers. Mass spectrometry is a promising technique for the study of food and nutrition domains as a result of its excellent ability in molecular profiling, food authentication, and marker detection. In this review, we summarized recent advances in mass spectrometry techniques and their applications in food storage and processing. Furthermore, current technical challenges associated with these methodologies were discussed.

Simultaneous determination of 21 trace perfluoroalkyl substances in fish by isotope dilution ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been identified as emerging environmental contaminants. In this study, an efficient and accurate ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of 21 PFASs in fish. Acetonitrile was used for sample extraction. Solid phase extraction (SPE) by WAX cartridges and then freezing at -30 °C were adopted as cleanup strategies. Strict measurements were performed to control background contamination during the whole procedure. Matrix effects were evaluated by external standard and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) methods. IDMS can compensate the matrix effects to a large extent. The method detection limits (MDLs) ranged from 2 pg/g to 10 pg/g except for PFBA (120 pg/g). The method quantitation limits (MQLs) ranged from 5 pg/g to 30 pg/g except for PFBA (300 pg/g). The matrix spiked recoveries of three spiked levels were in the range of 79.6%-109%. The intra-day relative standard deviation (RSD) and inter-day RSD were from 0.94% to 13.9% and 0.36% to 11.2% respectively. Two fish tissue reference materials were analyzed by the developed method. The results of reference materials were within the uncertainty of the given value. The quantitative results of IDMS and standard addition (SA) - IDMS were comparable. The developed UHPLC-MS/MS method was applied for PFASs detection in 20 marine fish samples. 9 PFASs were detected in the samples with the ∑₉PFASs concentration range of 0.04 to 2.14 ng/g wet weight (ww).

Temporal monitoring of perfluorooctane sulfonate accumulation in aquatic biota downstream of historical aqueous film forming foam use areas

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have recently received increased research attention, particularly concerning aquatic organisms and in regions of exposure to aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs). Air Force bases historically applied AFFFs in the interest of fire training exercises and have since expressed concern for PFAS contamination in biota from water bodies surrounding former fire training areas. Six PFAS were monitored, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), in aquatic species from 8 bayou locations at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana (USA) over the course of 1 yr. The focus was to evaluate temporal and spatial variability in PFAS concentrations from historic use of AFFF. The PFOS concentrations in fish peaked in early summer, and also increased significantly downstream of former fire training areas. Benthic organisms had lower PFOS concentrations than pelagic species, contrary to previous literature observations. Bioconcentration factors varied with time but were reduced compared with previously reported literature values. The highest concentration of PFOS in whole fish was 9349 ng/g dry weight, with 15% of samples exceeding what is believed to be the maximum whole fish concentration reported to date of 1500 ng/g wet weight. Further studies are ongoing, to measure PFAS in larger fish and tissue-specific partitioning data to compare with the current whole fish values. The high concentrations presently observed could have effects on higher trophic level organisms in this system or pose a potential risk to humans consuming contaminated fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2022-2029. © 2016 SETAC.