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Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples
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Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 15286

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ewa Szpyrka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: analytical chemistry; pesticide; biodegradation; organic pollutants; heavy metals; chromatography; mass spectrometry; toxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Magdalena Słowik-Borowiec

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: analytical chemistry; pesticide; biodegradation; organic pollutants; chromatography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The state of the environment is a very important issue for ourselves and future generations. Due to human activity, our planet is constantly polluted with many substances that are dangerous to the health of people, animals, and plants, as well as to the state of water and air. Many of these substances are persistent pollutants that decay for years. A very important issue is the development of advanced analytical methods that allow the determination of these substances with very high sensitivity, even for trace levels in environmental samples of various types.

We are pleased to invite you to publish original and review papers in the field of trace pollutant analysis: heavy metals, pesticides, organic, and other persistent contaminants in environmental samples. Articles on new, advanced methods with application to analysis of such substances are also welcome. Furthermore, toxicological assessment of contaminants present in environmental samples to human health is also of interest. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.  

Dr. Ewa Szpyrka
Dr. Magdalena Słowik-Borowiec
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • environment
  • analytical methods
  • residues
  • pesticides
  • heavy metals
  • organic pollutants
  • persistent pollutants
  • chromatography
  • mass spectrometry
  • toxicological assessment

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 164 KiB  
Editorial
Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples
by Ewa Szpyrka and Magdalena Słowik-Borowiec
Molecules 2023, 28(7), 3046; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073046 - 29 Mar 2023
Viewed by 790
Abstract
The state of the environment is very important for our lives and for that of future generations [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

12 pages, 1845 KiB  
Article
Method of Glyphosate, AMPA, and Glufosinate Ammonium Determination in Beebread by Liquid Chromatography—Tandem Mass Spectrometry after Molecularly Imprinted Solid-Phase Extraction
by Marta Małysiak and Tomasz Kiljanek
Molecules 2022, 27(17), 5741; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27175741 - 05 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2975
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop a method for the determination of glyphosate, its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate ammonium residues in beebread samples, which could then be used to assess bees’ exposure to their residues. The complexity of beebread’s [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to develop a method for the determination of glyphosate, its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate ammonium residues in beebread samples, which could then be used to assess bees’ exposure to their residues. The complexity of beebread’s matrix, combined with the specific properties of glyphosate itself, required careful selection and optimization of each analysis step. The use of molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MIP-SPE) by AFFINIMIP glyphosate as an initial clean-up step significantly eliminated matrix components and ensured an efficient derivatization step. Colorless beebread extracts were derivatized by the addition of 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl). After derivatization, in order to remove FMOC-OH and residual borate buffer, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up step using Oasis HLB was carried out. Instrumental analysis was performed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The method was validated according to the SANTE/11312/2021 guideline at concentrations of 5, 10, and 100 µg/kg, and satisfactory recovery (trueness) values (76–111%) and precision (RSDr) ≤ 18% were obtained. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 5 µg/kg for AMPA and glufosinate ammonium and 10 µg/kg for glyphosate. The method was positively verified by the international proficiency test. Analysis of beebread samples showed the method’s usefulness in practice. The developed method could be a reliable tool for the assessment of beebread’s contamination with residues of glyphosate, its metabolite AMPA, and glufosinate ammonium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples)
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18 pages, 3456 KiB  
Article
Detection of Atrazine and Its Metabolites in Natural Water Samples Using Photonic Molecularly Imprinted Sensors
by Zahra Salahshoor, Khanh-Van Ho, Shu-Yu Hsu, Adel H. Hossain, Kathleen Trauth, Chung-Ho Lin and Maria Fidalgo
Molecules 2022, 27(16), 5075; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27165075 - 10 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1524
Abstract
In a previous study, photonic-based molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were fabricated using atrazine (ATZ) and its metabolites, desethylatrazine (DEA) and desisopropylatrazine (DIA), as templates in separate matrices. For the purposes of monitoring the abovementioned molecules in natural waters, the effect of natural waters—featuring [...] Read more.
In a previous study, photonic-based molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were fabricated using atrazine (ATZ) and its metabolites, desethylatrazine (DEA) and desisopropylatrazine (DIA), as templates in separate matrices. For the purposes of monitoring the abovementioned molecules in natural waters, the effect of natural waters—featuring ionic strength and natural organic matter (NOM) on atrazine MIP—were studied in this work, and the photonic MIP was implemented for monitoring the target molecules in natural water samples collected from land in nearby farms in northeast of Columbia MO. Non-imprinted polymers (NIP) were also fabricated and applied in the experiments as a control test. In presence of NaCl, CaCl2, and NOM, MIPs presented lower responses by 26%, higher responses by 23%, and higher responses by 35%, respectively. NIPs response in terms of an increase or decrease was consistent with those of MIPs, but only for a lower percentage. MIPs response in natural waters—which were characterized for their physicochemical characteristics such as conductivity, total organic carbon content, etc.—provided a good approximation of the real concentrations obtained from the LCMS instrument; in general, they showed a good concordance, although large discrepancies occurred for some samples, which can be related to reproducibility issues in the manufacturing process or the presence of unknown interfering compounds in the real samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples)
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16 pages, 1489 KiB  
Article
Effect of Three Commercial Formulations Containing Effective Microorganisms (EM) on Diflufenican and Flurochloridone Degradation in Soil
by Paulina Książek-Trela, Ewelina Bielak, Dominika Węzka and Ewa Szpyrka
Molecules 2022, 27(14), 4541; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27144541 - 16 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1923
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of effective microorganisms (EM) present in biological formulations improving soil quality on degradation of two herbicides, diflufenican and flurochloridone. Three commercially available formulations containing EM were used: a formulation containing Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of effective microorganisms (EM) present in biological formulations improving soil quality on degradation of two herbicides, diflufenican and flurochloridone. Three commercially available formulations containing EM were used: a formulation containing Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, and Rhodopseudomonas bacteria and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae; a formulation containing Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhodococcus, Cellulomonas, Arthrobacter, Paenibacillusa, and Pseudonocardia bacteria; and a formulation containing eight strains of Bacillus bacteria, B. megaterium, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. pumilus, B. licheniformis, B. coagulans, B. laterosporus, B. mucilaginosus, and B. polymyxa. It was demonstrated that those formulations influenced degradation of herbicides. All studied formulations containing EM reduced the diflufenican degradation level, from 35.5% to 38%, due to an increased acidity of the soil environment and increased durability of that substance at lower pH levels. In the case of flurochloridone, all studied EM formulations increased degradation of that active substance by 19.3% to 31.2% at the most. For control samples, equations describing kinetics of diflufenican and flurochloridone elimination were plotted, and a time of the half-life of these substances in laboratory conditions was calculated, amounting to 25.7 for diflufenican and 22.4 for flurochloridone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples)
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30 pages, 358 KiB  
Article
Simultaneous Determination of Multi-Class Pesticide Residues and PAHs in Plant Material and Soil Samples Using the Optimized QuEChERS Method and Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis
by Magdalena Słowik-Borowiec, Ewa Szpyrka, Paulina Książek-Trela and Magdalena Podbielska
Molecules 2022, 27(7), 2140; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27072140 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2692
Abstract
New analytical approaches to the simultaneous identification and quantification of 94 pesticides and 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in five representative matrices (pepper, apple, lettuce, wheat, and soil) were developed. The analyses were based on gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass [...] Read more.
New analytical approaches to the simultaneous identification and quantification of 94 pesticides and 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in five representative matrices (pepper, apple, lettuce, wheat, and soil) were developed. The analyses were based on gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The procedure was optimized by changing the solvent used during the extraction, from acetonitrile to the acetone: n-hexane mixture at a volume ratio of 1:4 (v/v), as well as the use of a reduced amount of water during the extraction of compounds from cereals. An additional modification was the use of florisil instead of GCB in the sample cleanup step. A full method validation study was performed, at two concentration levels (LOQ and 1000 × LOQ), which showed satisfactory results for all analytes from the PAHs group, with recoveries ranging from 70.7–115.1%, and an average RSD of 3.9%. Linearity was tested in the range of 0.001–1.000 mg/kg and showed coefficients of determination (R2) ≥ 0.99 for all PAHs. Satisfactory recovery and precision parameters (LOQ and 100 × LOQ) were achieved for almost all analytes from the pesticide group in the range of 70.1–119.3% with the mean RSD equal to 5.9%. The observed linearity for all analytes in the concentration range of 0.005–1.44 mg/kg was R2 ≥ 0.99, with the exception of famoxadone, chizalofop-p-ethyl, prothioconazole, spirodiclofen, tefluthrin, and zoxamid. The extended uncertainties were estimated, using a top-down approach of 9.9% (average) and 15.3% (average) for PAHs and pesticides samples, respectively (the coverage factor k = 2, the 95% confidence level). Ultimately, the method was successfully applied to determine pesticide residues in commercial samples of fruit, vegetables and grain, and soil samples for PAHs, which were collected from selected places in the Podkarpacie region. A total of 38 real samples were tested, in which 10 pesticides and 13 PAHs were determined. Proposed changes allow us to shorten the sample preparation time (by 20%) and to reduce the consumption of organic solvents (by 17%). The use of florisil for sample cleanup, instead of GCB, improves the recovery of compounds with flat particles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples)
20 pages, 15945 KiB  
Article
Influence of Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment on the Changes in Residues of Important Elements in Drinking Water
by Jacek Cybulski, Agata Witczak and Kamila Pokorska-Niewiada
Molecules 2022, 27(3), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27030972 - 01 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2299
Abstract
Drinking water is the essential medium for food production, and is also needed for direct consumption; while it must be free of harmful substances, it also must have a composition that is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to evaluate [...] Read more.
Drinking water is the essential medium for food production, and is also needed for direct consumption; while it must be free of harmful substances, it also must have a composition that is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of water and wastewater treatment on reducing the concentrations of zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in the Western Pomerania Voivodeship in Poland. The research was carried out in 2017–2019. The analysis was performed with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-AES). The concentrations of trace elements in drinking water were below maximum acceptable concentrations (MACs). Reductions in the most dangerous elements during water treatment fluctuated from 48.5% (As) to 97% (Pb). Wastewater treatment reduced the concentrations of analyzed elements by a range of 28.6 to 60.8%, and the most toxic elements (Pb and As) by over 50%. Trace element concentrations in treated wastewater were below MAC values, and ranged from 1.15% (Pb) to 6.23% (As) of MACs for toxic elements. The concentrations of both essential elements (Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu) and toxic elements (Pb, As) in drinking water were below the MACs. Water treatment had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on decreasing trace element concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples)
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8 pages, 1154 KiB  
Article
The Effect of α-Tocopherol on the Reduction of Inflammatory Processes and the Negative Effect of Acrylamide
by Marta Kopańska, Marta Batoryna, Agnieszka Banaś-Ząbczyk, Joanna Błajda and Marcin W. Lis
Molecules 2022, 27(3), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27030965 - 31 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1969
Abstract
Our research aimed to show acrylamide’s influence on inflammatory processes, the oxidative stress it causes in the cholinergic system, and the possibility of reducing inflammation via supplementation with α-tocopherol. For this purpose, an in ovo model was used where the embryos were exposed [...] Read more.
Our research aimed to show acrylamide’s influence on inflammatory processes, the oxidative stress it causes in the cholinergic system, and the possibility of reducing inflammation via supplementation with α-tocopherol. For this purpose, an in ovo model was used where the embryos were exposed to acrylamide, α-tocopherol and a cocktail of these substances. After 48 h of exposure, we collected brain samples and performed biochemical assays to examine the effect of the chosen substances on oxidative stress (malondialdehyde-MDA and reduced glutathione-GSH) and acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE). The results showed that acrylamide decreased AChE activity in the examined brain samples by about 25% in comparison to the control group, and this effect was decreased by administering α-tocopherol. The concentration of malondialdehyde significantly increased in the group given acrylamide, while, in the group with α-tocopherol, the observed concentration was lower in comparison to the control group. Moreover, a decrease in glutathione concentration was observed after the administration of acrylamide; however, the protective effect of α-tocopherol was only slightly visible in this case. In conclusion, α-tocopherol minimizes the harmful effects of acrylamide on AchE, and it can minimize the concentration of MDA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Residues in Environmental Samples)
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