Biomedical subjects

E Pocurull

Publications and source records attributed to E Pocurull.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Stir bar sorptive extraction and large volume injection gas chromatography to determine a group of endocrine disrupters in water samples.

Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) combined with gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometric detection (MS) has been applied to determine a group of suspected endocrine disrupters in water samples. One centimeter stir bars coated with PDMS were used to extract the analytes and then solvent desorption was carried out. The absorption and desorption parameters in SBSE were optimized and large volume injection was used with a programmed temperature vaporizer injector (PTV) in GC to enhance the sensitivity of the method. The linear range of some endocrine disrupters was between 0.05 and 5 microg l(-1) and limits of detection were 0.01-0.24 microg l(-1) under full scan acquisition mode. The repeatability and reproducibility of the method (n = 5) for Ebro river water samples spiked at a level of 0.5 microg l(-1) was below 13 and 23%, respectively. Recoveries between 42 and 96% were obtained with the exception of atrazine. The method was applied to analyze real water samples from the Ebro River and irrigation streams of Ebro Delta and some of the compounds studied (aldrin, dieldrin, 4,4'-DDE and 4,4'-DDT) were found in some of them between detection and quantification limits.

Chromatography, Gas↗

PubMed2003

Determination of endocrine-disrupting compounds in water samples by on-line solid-phase extraction-programmed-temperature vaporisation-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

We developed an automated on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE)-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method to determine a group of endocrine disruptors in water samples. The interface device used for connecting SPE with GC was a programmed-temperature vaporiser (PTV) whose liner was packed with Tenax. We optimized the parameters that affected both SPE and PTV working in solvent vent mode. The performance of the method was tested with several environmental water samples. The limits of detection of the method were between 0.001 and 0.036 microg l(-1) under full-scan acquisition mode. We determined phthalates and adipate in all real samples at concentrations between 0.11 and 8.10 microg l(-1). Atrazine and p,p'-DDE were also found in an irrigation stream water sample at 0.16 and 0.04 microg l(-1), respectively.

Endocrine Glands↗

PubMed2002

Method based on solid-phase microextraction--high-performance liquid chromatography with UV and electrochemical detection to determine estrogenic compounds in water samples.

We determined a group of estrogenic compounds by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with both ultraviolet (UV) and electrochemical detection (ED). A modified liquid chromatograph was used. Polyacrylate fibers (85 microns) were used to extract the analytes from the aqueous samples. Dynamic and static modes of desorption were compared and the variables affecting both absorption and desorption processes in SPME-HPLC were optimized. Static desorption gave the best recoveries and peak shapes. The performance of the SPME-HPLC-UV-ED method was checked with river water and wastewater. The method enabled estrogenic compounds to be determined at low-microgram l-1 levels in real water samples. Limits of detection were between 0.3 and 1.1 micrograms l-1 using UV detection and between 0.06 and 0.08 microgram l-1 using ED. beta-Estradiol was found in samples from a wastewater treatment plant at concentrations between 1.9 and 2.2 micrograms l-1.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2002

Application of on-line solid-phase extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to the determination of endocrine disruptors in water samples.

We have applied a method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE), on-line coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry through an on-column interface, to determine a group of endocrine-disrupting compounds in water samples. We have optimised the parameters affecting the SPE process and transfer step and used the method to analyse river, coastal and tap waters. In the full-scan acquisition mode, all the compounds were determined by preconcentrating only 15 ml of water sample. Di-n-butyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate at concentrations between 0.02 and 0.5 microg l(-1) were determined in some real samples.

Endocrine Glands↗

PubMed2002

Solid-phase microextraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography to determine phenolic compounds in water samples.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) and electrochemical detection (ED) has been applied to determine 11 phenolic compounds considered priority pollutants by the US Environmental Protection Agency. 85 microm polyacrylate fibers were used to extract the analytes from the aqueous samples. Two different designs of the liquid chromatograph were compared in combination with SPME. Dynamic and static modes of desorption in both HPLC designs were compared and the variables affecting both absorption and desorption processes in SPME-HPLC were optimized. Static desorption in both HPLC systems showed better recoveries for the phenolic compounds. The performance of the SPME-HPLC-UV-ED method was evaluated with river water and wastewater samples. The method enabled the determination of phenolic compounds at low levels in these water samples.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2001

Comparison of different fibers for the solid-phase microextraction of phthalate esters from water.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been applied to determine six phthalate esters and one adipate ester in water. The SPME parameters were optimized for several commercially available fibers. A 65-microm polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene (PDMS-DVB) was the fiber selected and was applied to analysis of water from the Ebro river and the industrial port of Tarragona. The studied compounds were found at concentrations ranging from 0.4 microg l(-1) for di-n-butyl phthalate ester (DnBP) to 3.2 microg l(-1) for bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate ester (DEHP). The linear range for real samples was from 0.1 to 10 microg l(-1) for most phthalates, and the limits of detection of the method were between 3 and 30 ng l(-1). Repeatability and reproducibility between days (n = 5) for 1 microg l(-1) samples were below 13 and 18%, respectively.

Dibutyl Phthalate↗

PubMed2000

Trace determination of antifouling compounds by on-line solid-phase extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A new method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) on-line coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry through an on-column interface has been applied to determine three antifouling compounds in water samples. Parameters affecting the SPE process and transfer step have been optimised and the method developed has been applied to the analysis of marinas, fishing ports and Ebro river water. The method allows the analytes to be detected at 0.01 microgram l-1 in SIM acquisition mode by preconcentrating only 10 ml of water sample. Different marina and fishing port water samples have been analysed and Irgarol 1051 has been found in some of them at a concentration level equal or lower than 0.05 microgram l-1.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

PubMed2000

Introduction of large volumes of water-containing samples into a gas chromatograph. Improved retention of volatile solutes through the swing system.

The swing system is designed for introducing large volumes of water-containing samples into a gas chromatograph. Sample evaporation and solvent-solute separation are performed in separate compartments. This widens the application range to compounds of higher volatility. Sample evaporation takes place in a hot chamber packed with Carbofrit. Solvent-solute separation is performed in a cascade of increasing powers of retention. While high boiling solutes are retained in an oven-thermostatted retaining precolumn, the more volatile components are retained by a packed bed of sorbents of increasing powers of retention situated in a programmed temperature vaporiser. For elution, the gas flow is reversed and the solutes are discharged from the heated packed bed through the retaining precolumn into the separation column.

Chromatography, Gas↗

PubMed2000

Determination of phthalate esters in water samples by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with an 85 microm polyacrylate fiber, coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine six phthalate esters and bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate in water samples. The variables affecting the SPME absorption process were optimized and the method developed was applied to analyze both tap and commercial mineral water samples as well as water from the Ebro river and fishing and industrial ports. For real samples, the linear range in full scan acquisition mode was between 0.02 and 10 microg l(-1) for most compounds, and the limits of detection of the method were between 0.006 and 0.17 microg l(-1). Commercial water samples contained in recipients which were made from different materials were analyzed, and the influence of the material of the recipients on the concentration of phthalates was evaluated.

Esters↗

PubMed1999

On-line solid-phase extraction-ion-pair liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry for the trace determination of naphthalene monosulphonates in water.

This paper presents an HPLC-MS method for the fully automated determination of a group of naphthalene monosulphonates in environmental water samples. The analytical procedure consisted of on-line ion-pair solid-phase extraction using a PLRP-S precolumn and ion-pair LC separation with triethylamine as ion-pair reagent in both cases. A mass spectrometric detector, coupled to LC through an electrospray interface and operated in negative ion mode, was used. Diagnostic ions usually corresponded to [SO3]- and/or [M-SO2H]- together with [M-H] and/or [M-2H+Na]-. The method was applied to the trace determination of several sulphonates present in tap water, seawater and water from the Ebro river. The analytes were determined at a concentration level between 0.05 and 1 microg l(-1) under selected ion monitoring acquisition by preconcentrating just 15 ml of sample. Naphthalene-1-sulphonate and naphthalene-2-sulphonate were identified and quantified in one of the samples of seawater.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed1999

Optimization of solid-phase microextraction conditions using a response surface methodology to determine organochlorine pesticides in water by gas chromatography and electron-capture detection.

A response surface methodology was applied to optimise the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) conditions using a polyacrylate-coated fiber to determine thirteen organochlorine pesticides from water. Analyses were performed using gas chromatography-electron-capture detection. Variables affecting absorption in both the headspace and immersion extraction were optimised by using a response surface generated with a Doehlert design, and the results were compared. The immersion SPME method was selected since higher recoveries were obtained for most of the compounds studied. The method developed was applied to the analysis of tap and Ebro river water samples. The linear range of most pesticides for real samples was found to be between 0.001 and 2.5 micrograms l-1 and the limits of detection were between 0.15 and 0.35 ng l-1. The repeatability and the reproducibility between days of the method (n = 6), expressed as relative standard deviation, for tap water spiked at a level of 1 ng l-1 were between 5.7 and 25.6% and between 7.6 and 26.5%, respectively.

Chromatography, Gas↗

PubMed1999

Solid-phase microextraction of the antifouling Irgarol 1051 and the fungicides dichlofluanid and 4-chloro-3-methylphenol in water samples.

Three pesticides usually added to paint formulations, Irgarol 1051, dichlofluanid and 4-chloro-3-methylphenol, were determined by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with 85-micron polyacrylate fibers and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The parameters affecting the SPME process (the pH, the addition of salt to the sample, and the time and temperature of the absorption step) were optimized. The method developed was applied to the analysis of water samples from Ebro river, marinas and fishing ports. The method enables these compounds to be detected at concentrations between 0.2 and 3.0 micrograms l-1 under full scan conditions and between 0.05 and 0.08 microgram l-1 under SIM mode.

Absorption↗

PubMed1998

On-line coupling of solid-phase extraction to gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection to determine pesticides in water.

A group of pesticides with different chemical structures was determined in water by on-line coupling of solid-phase extraction to gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection through an on-column interface. A 10 mm x 2 mm I.D. precolumn packed with PLRP-S was selected for the solid-phase extraction process. The parameters affecting the transfer of the analytes from the precolumn to the GC system (e.g. flow-rate, temperature and solvent vapor exit time) were optimized. An organic modifier was added to the sample before the extraction process to avoid adsorption problems. The use of the MS detector under selected ion monitoring acquisition enabled the analytes to be quantified at sub microgram-per-litre levels preconcentrating only 10 ml of sample, and the limits of detection (S/N = 3) were between 2 and 20 ng l-1. The method was applied to the determination of the pesticides in tap and river water, and molinate was determined in Ebro river water.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

PubMed1997

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in waters by use of supercritical fluid chromatography coupled on-line to solid-phase extraction with disks.

The potential of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled on-line to solid-phase extraction (SPE) with disks for determining sixteen different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed. A preliminary study of the chromatographic separation was conducted that led to the use of SPE coupled to SFC for improved detection limits. Disks of two different materials, i.e., C18 and polystyrene-divinylbenzene, were assayed in terms of the variables influencing the extraction step. C18 disks provided the best results, with detection limits ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 micrograms l-1. The ensuing method was applied to river and tap water with good repeatability and reproducibility, and no interference from the sample matrix.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

PubMed1996

On-line solid-phase extraction coupled to supercritical fluid chromatography to determine phenol and nitrophenols in water.

Determining of phenol and nitrophenols using solid-phase extraction on-line coupled to supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is studied. SFC quickly separated the compounds studied, in less than 6 min, and solid-phase extraction was used to decrease the limits of detection. C18, PLRP-S and a highly cross-linked styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer in a 10 x 3 mm I.D. laboratory-packed precolumn were tested comparatively as sorbents in the preconcentration step. Tetrabutylammonium bromide was used as ion-pair reagent in the extraction process to increase breakthrough volumes, mainly for phenol. Performance of the method was checked with tap and river waters.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗