Analytical Methodologies for the Determination of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Biological and Environmental Samples

Abstract

Endocrine-disruptor compounds (EDCs) can mimic natural hormones and produce adverse effects in the endocrine functions by interacting with estrogen receptors. EDCs include both natural and synthetic chemicals, such as hormones, personal care products, surfactants, and flame retardants, among others. EDCs are characterised by their ubiquitous presence at trace-level concentrations and their wide diversity. Since the discovery of the adverse effects of these pollutants on wildlife and human health, analytical methods have been developed for their qualitative and quantitative determination. In particular, mass-based analytical methods show excellent sensitivity and precision for their quantification. This paper reviews recently published analytical methodologies for the sample preparation and for the determination of these compounds in different environmental and biological matrices by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The various sample preparation techniques are compared and discussed. In addition, recent developments and advances in this field are presented.

Phenolics in Foods: Extraction, Analysis and Measurements

“…When temperatures around 200°C are used, a change in the dielectric water properties occurs, and then, the water behaves like a normal organic solvent, increasing their extraction eiciency [101]. The main advantages of PLE often reported by several researchers are cleanness of the extracts that PLE provides in comparison with classical maceration, Soxhlet, MAE and UAE, which results in reduced background noise during the subsequent analytical quantiication, is especially important when the LC-MS analysis due to ion-suppression efects [102]. By opposition, the main limitations often reported are the low selectivity towards the analytes during extraction, and many interferents may be extracted during the extraction process, an exaggerated dilution of the analytes, especially when a large number of cycles are used, and the high requirements in instrumentation, which increases their costs [103][104][105].…”

The Role of Endocrine Disruptors on Metabolic Dysfunction

“…Most EDCs are synthetic organic chemicals (xenobiotics) introduced into the environment by anthropogenic inputs [18]. A shared characteristic to all is that they contain at least one aromatic moiety in their molecular structure.…”

“…A shared characteristic to all is that they contain at least one aromatic moiety in their molecular structure. Thus, their hydrophobic properties might consist of an important characteristic of their behaviour [18]. Depending on the EDC, their effects on biota have been observed at EDC concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/L [18].…”

“…Thus, their hydrophobic properties might consist of an important characteristic of their behaviour [18]. Depending on the EDC, their effects on biota have been observed at EDC concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/L [18]. The analysis of EDCs in human samples represents a difficult task because of the high complexity of the matrices analysed and because of the usually low concentration (ng/L) at which the target analytes are present in such samples.…”

“…Moreover, because of the large variety of suspected EDCs, humans and animals are most likely exposed not to a single agent, but rather to a mixture of multiple EDCs [18]. So, the analysis of complex mixtures and of the body burden in EDCs are also a concern in actual toxicology and EDC research.…”