The occurrence of emerging contaminants (ECs) in the aquatic systems under influence of urban areas have been considered as an environmental marker of anthropogenic contamination. In this study, 10 ECs were investigated in sediment samples from Santos Bay using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method with determination by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The method showed acceptable accuracy (51-116%) and precision (relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 9), limits of quantification in ng g-1 levels and matrix effect lower than 29%. Environmental occurrence of benzophenone-3, caffeine, ketoconazole and triclocarban was detected in two campaigns (2015 and 2019), with concentrations ranging from < 1 to 470 ng g-1. Caffeine and triclocarban were the most abundant target chemicals occurring in up to 71 and 100% of the sample point, respectively. The results indicated that ECs in sediment samples came from diffused sources as the discharge of treated and untreated sewage in the estuary.

In this study, two analytical methods were evaluated to determine haloacetic acids (HAAs) in drinking water samples. Direct aqueous injection (DAI) and solid phase extraction (SPE) were evaluated and determination was performed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) analytical column. Limits of quantification (LOQ) were between 10 and 500 µg L-1 by DAI and, considering a 125-fold pre concentration step, between 0.08 and 2.0 µg L-1 by SPE. Five HAAs exhibited good linear correlation coefficients, accuracy (70-120%) and precision (≤ 20%) using DAI, while accuracy (50 120%) and precision (≤ 20%) were reached for SPE, with the exception of monobromoacetic acid (MBAA), which showed accuracy < 50%. DAI showed to be a simple, fast and promising technique that reduces operators’ exposure and may replace methods that require a derivatization process, reaching LOQs below those established by the regulations for most analytes. SPE using polymeric cartridges and 2 mL of acetonitrile as elution solvent showed to be an interesting alternative for samples with low levels of HAAs. After evaluating the techniques, DAI was successfully employed to determine HAAs in drinking water samples and DCAA was detected in samples in concentrations between 15.3 and 33.6 µg L-1 and DBAA in concentration below 10 µg L-1.

This study evaluated the environmental occurrence of fifty-one pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in surface and drinking water samples collected in southern Brazil over a 4-year period. The method used involved a stage based on solid-phase extraction, followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Thirty compounds were detected (22 different pesticides and 8 PPCPs) and at least four compounds were identified in more than 50% of the samples. Atrazine was the most frequently detected pesticide and it was found at concentrations between 5 and 49 ng L-1. From PPCPs, glibenclamide, methylparaben and nimesulide were the most commonly detected in both drinking water and surface water samples. Results showed the extent to which traces of pesticides and PPCPs were present in water samples from this region.

An investigation was conducted to standardize conditions for laccase and lipase activity required to maximize trichothecene degradation. The analytical methods were suitable and validated in model solutions for detection of five analytes (T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol), the methods were then applied in the degradation tests of these trichothecenes. The method of salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE), using three different NaCl concentration levels, obtained recoveries in the range of 47.4-103.4% at pH 5.0 and 36.6-106.8% at pH 7.0, with an intra-day relative standard deviation under 15% for the majority of the compounds. Quantification limits remained in the region of 0.07 µg mL-1 for 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and 0.3 µg mL-1 for nivalenol. Finally, the suitable analytical methods were applied in a study of trichothecene degradation by enzymatic action, resulting in a reduction of 12.3% for T-2 toxin, 68.4% for deoxynivalenol, 50.2% for 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and 45.4% for 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol.

Ionic liquid-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-DLLME) was used for the determination of different chemical classes of analytes for the first time. Limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.5 to 2.5 µg L-1, and the linearity ranged from the LOQ of each compound to 50 µg L-1. Recoveries ranged from 70 to 120% for the compounds, with relative standard deviations less than 18%. The proposed method demonstrates for the first time that sample preparation by IL-DLLME and determination by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can be used successfully for the simultaneous extraction of 19 kinds of pesticides and 16 PPCPs from water samples. In addition, to eliminate the environmental risk of waste solvent disposal, this technique uses a low-toxicity extraction solvent. Finally, the analytical method proposed was applied successfully in analysis in surface water samples.

This study aimed to develop and optimize an efficient photocatalytic process employing ruthenium [Ru(bipy)3]2+ doped TiO2-SiO2 for degrading synthetic wastewater containing six classes of pesticides (bentazone, carbofuran, clomazone, diuron, tebuconazole and pyraclostrobin). To optimize the degradation conditions for the six pesticides and assess the effect of two variables (reaction time and adsorption equilibrium time) on the heterogeneous photocatalytic process, a 22 experimental design with a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used. The CCRD was suitable for optimizing the heterogeneous photocatalysis, and the generated surface responses indicated that the best removal conditions were 15 min adsorption equilibrium time and 110 min reaction time. Under these conditions, a pesticide removal between 71.00 and 99.98% was obtained. Furthermore, the system yielded an excellent degree of synthetic wastewater mineralization, with 97.60% total organic carbon (TOC) removal after 110 min.

Mineral water is known for its high purity. Because mineral water is produced by the infiltration of water through the soil, there is the possibility of contamination with pesticides. The aim of this study was to develop a simple, rapid and efficient method for the extraction and preconcentration of different classes of pesticides in mineral water samples by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. To optimize the DLLME conditions for the different classes of pesticides and access the effect of variables on the extraction, a central composite design (CCD) with a five-level fractional factorial design was used for the construction of a second order response surface model (RSM). The limits of quantification were between 0.005 and 0.5 μg L-1. Correlation coefficients (r) were higher than 0.999. Recoveries ranged from 102 to 120%, with relative standard deviations between 1 and 10%. Low matrix effect for all compounds was observed. The result showed that using a mixture of acetone and acetonitrile as disperser solvent and a mixture of chloroform and monochlorobenzene as extractor solvent, it is possible to employ the traditional DLLME with chlorinated solvents to extract the multiclass pesticides from the water samples.

Um método para determinação de diuron e irgarol utilizando extração em fase sólida (SPE) com C18 e cromatografia líquida acoplada a espectrometria de massas com ionização por eletronebulização foi otimizado, validado e aplicado em amostras de águas estuarinas e costeiras sob influência dos portos de Rio Grande. Os impactos da pré-filtração e salinidade no processo de SPE, utilizando C18 e adsorvente polimérico, foram avaliados e não foi observado efeito. Recuperações entre 95 e 118% (desvio padrão relativo < 20%) e limites de detecção e quantificação do método de 1,3 e 4 ng L-1, respectivamente, foram determinados para ambos os compostos. As curvas analíticas apresentaram coeficientes de correlação maiores que 0,99. O efeito matriz foi menor que 20% para irgarol e entre 45,7 e 63,5% para diuron. Diuron e irgarol foram encontrados em 8 e 9 dos 21 locais amostrados, respectivamente, com concentrações variando entre < 1,3 a 20,9 ng L-1. As baixas concentrações encontradas, juntamente com as restrições internacionais de uso e a sua ausência nas quatro tintas anti-incrustantes usadas na região, indicam que os níveis de irgarol e diuron são provavelmente pouco relevantes nesta região. Além disso, estão abaixo daquelas capazes de causar danos às espécies aquáticas.

A method for the determination of irgarol and diuron using C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography with electrospray interface tandem mass spectrometry was optimized, validated and applied in estuarine and coastal waters under the influence of Rio Grande harbors (Patos Lagoon). The impact of pre-filtration and salinity in the extraction processes by SPE using C18 and polymeric adsorbents were evaluated and no effect was detected. Recoveries between 95 and 118% (relative standard deviation lower than 20%) and limit of detection and quantification for the method of 1.3 and 4 ng L-1, respectively, were reached for both compounds. The analytical curves presented correlation coefficients higher than 0.99. The matrix effect was lower than 20% for irgarol and between 45.7 and 65.3% for diuron. Diuron and irgarol were detected in 8 and 9 out of 21 sampled sites, respectively, with concentrations ranging from < 1.3 to 20.9 ng L-1. The low concentrations found, together with international restrictions of use and their absence in the four main antifouling paints used in the region, indicate that levels of diuron and irgarol are probably not relevant in this region. In addition, these levels were below of those capable of causing effects on tested species.

Atualmente as nações industrializadas se deparam com um novo problema, a contaminação das águas por contaminantes emergentes, entre eles fármacos e produtos de cuidado pessoal (PPCPs). Neste trabalho, um método analítico empregando extração em fase sólida (SPE) e cromatografia líquida com fonte de ionização eletrospray acoplada com espectrometria de massas em série foi desenvolvido e validado para a determinação de nimesulida, amitriptilina, enalapril, glibenclamida, haloperidol e metilparabeno em amostras de água. O estudo da SPE envolveu a utilização de um planejamento fatorial fracionado 2v5-1 para a seleção das variáveis que afetam o procedimento de extração. Os limites de detecção variaram de 0,01 a 0,2 µg L-1 e os de quantificação de 0,05 a 1,0 µg L-1. Obteve-se uma boa linearidade (coeficiente de determinação, r > 0,99) para todos os compostos. As recuperações variaram entre 65 e 120% com valores de desvio padrão relativo (RSD) menores que 20%. O método foi aplicado para a determinação de PPCPs em amostras de água superficial e potável durante 3 meses. Os níveis de PPCPs detectados foram da ordem de µg L-1.

Currently, industrialized nations have faced a new problem, the contamination of water by emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). A method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization source tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the determination of nimesulide, amitriptyline, enalapril, glibenclamide, haloperidol and methylparaben in water samples. In the study of SPE, a 2v5-1 fractional factorial design was used as a tool for the selection of the most significant variables in the extraction efficiency of the analytes under study. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.01 to 0.2 µg L-1 and 0.05 to 1.0 µg L-1, respectively. Good linearity was obtained by a correlation coefficient (r) > 0.99 for all compounds. Recoveries ranged from 65 and 120% with relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 20%. The method was applied to the determination of PPCPs in samples of surface and drinking water for three months. PPCPs were detected at µg L-1 levels.

Neste trabalho, é descrito um método para determinação dos agrotóxicos 2,4-D, diurom e fipronil em mel de cana-de-açúcar. O método QuEChERS foi empregado para extração e a quantificação foi realizada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada ao detector por arranjo de diodos (HPLC-DAD) e cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massas sequencial com fonte de ionização por eletronebulização(LC-ESI-MS/MS). Após a otimização dos parâmetros de extração e determinação dos agrotóxicos, o método foi validado avaliando-se a curva analítica, linearidade, limites de detecção e quantificação, precisão (repetibilidade) e exatidão (recuperação). Devido à ocorrência do efeito de matriz, a quantificação foi realizada com os padrões analíticos preparados no extrato branco da matriz. O método apresentou limites de detecção na faixa de 0,016-0,1 mg kg-1 por HPLC-DAD e de 0,00016-0,0008 mg kg-1 por LC-ESI-MS/MS. O método foi empregado na determinação de agrotóxicos em mel de cana-de-açúcar.

This paper aims at describing a method to determine the pesticides 2,4-D, diuron and fipronil in sugarcane honey. The QuEChERS method was employed for extraction and the quantification was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization source (LC-ESI-MS/MS). After the optimization of the extraction parameters and the determination of the pesticides, the method was validated by evaluating the analytical curve, linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision (repeatability) and accuracy (recovery). Due to the occurrence of matrix effect, the quantification was performed using the analytical standards prepared in the blank matrix extract. The method provided limits of detection in the range of 0.016-0.1 mg kg-1 by HPLC-DAD and 0.00016-0.0008 mg kg-1 by LC-ESI-MS/MS. The method was applied to the determination of pesticides in sugarcane honey.

Este estudo comparou quatro procedimentos de extração para a determinação simultânea das micotoxinas citrinina e ocratoxina A em amostras de arroz. Os procedimentos de Soares e Rodriguez-Amaya, Tanaka e os métodos de extração QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) e por ultrassom foram comparados em termos de geração de resíduos, limite de detecção, limite de quantificação e recuperação simultânea de micotoxinas. O procedimento de Soares e Rodriguez-Amaya e a extração por ultrassom apresentaram as menores recuperações, 83 e 55% para a ocratoxina A (OTA) e 55 e 48% para citrinina (CIT), respectivamente. O procedimento de Tanaka e a extração QuEChERS tiveram recuperações de 98 e 105% para OTA e 64 e 78% para CIT, respectivamente. Este último permitiu a extração simultânea das duas micotoxinas com uma redução de até 25 vezes na quantidade de solventes.

This study compared four extraction procedures for the simultaneous determination of mycotoxins ochratoxin A and citrinin in samples of rice. Soares and Rodriguez-Amaya and Tanaka procedures and the extraction methods QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) and by ultrasound were compared in terms of residue generation, limit of detection, limit of quantification and simultaneous recovery of mycotoxins. Soares and Rodriguez-Amaya and the method by ultrasound presented the lowest recoveries, 83 and 55% for ochratoxin A (OTA) and 48 and 55% for citrinin (CIT), respectively. Tanaka procedure and QuEChERS method presented the highest recoveries, 98 and 105% for OTA and 64 and 78% for CIT, respectively. The latter enabled the simultaneous extraction of the two mycotoxins, with a reduction of up to 25 times of the amount of the involved solvent.

The present study was carried out to establish the optimal conditions for performing ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) extraction using the QuEChERS method in rice. Employing the factorial experimental design, variables that significantly influenced the extraction stages were determined. The following variables were analyzed: addition of water, acidification of acetonitrile with glacial acetic acid, as well as amounts of magnesium sulfate, sodium acetate, sodium citrate and diatomaceous earth. The best combining procedure resulted in a predictive model using more water and less diatomaceous earth. Recoveries of CIT and OTA were 78-105%.

Os agrotóxicos são usados em muitas culturas para prevenir e preservar os grãos de possíveis ataques de pragas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a distribuição dos agrotóxicos bispiribaque de sódio, carbofurano, clomazona e tebuconazol nas diferentes frações do arroz beneficiado (arroz branco, farelo de arroz, arroz com casca, arroz parboilizado beneficiado, farelo de arroz parboilizado e arroz parboilizado com casca), o qual foi cultivado em campos experimentais sob condições controladas de aplicação. Para tanto, o método QuEChERS foi otimizado para a extração dos agrotóxicos e validou-se um método utilizando CLAE-DAD para quantificação e CL-EM para confirmação. O método QuEChERS modificado foi adequado na extração dos agrotóxicos, bem como as condições cromatográficas para identificação e quantificação, conforme os indicativos de eficiência determinados: LOD de 0,07 mg kg-1 e LOQ de 0,2 mg kg-1 para a mistura dos agrotóxicos, e recuperação para arroz e farelo de arroz de 119 e 116%, 84 e 119%, 113 e 96%, 103 e 97% para carbofurano, bispiribaque de sódio, clomazona e tebuconazol, respectivamente. O método desenvolvido foi aplicado nas frações do beneficiamento e o farelo apresentou maior concentração de resíduo dos agrotóxicos, quando comparado ao arroz beneficiado, sendo 8,0, 2,3, 2,2 e 1,6 vezes mais contaminado, em média, para tebuconazol, clomazona, carbofurano e bispiribaque de sódio, respectivamente. Apenas o clomazona e o tebuconazol apresentaram concentrações dentro do limite aceitável estabelecidos pelo Codex Alimentarius (0,1 mg kg-1) para o arroz beneficiado nas safras analisadas.

Pesticides are used to prevent pests from attacking grains in order to preserve the crops. This paper aims at evaluating the distribution of the pesticides bispyribac-sodium, carbofuran, clomazone and tebuconazole in different fractions of milled rice (white rice, rice bran, husked rice, parboiled rice, parboiled rice bran, and husked parboiled rice) which is planted on experimental fields under controlled conditions. The QuEChERS method was adapted to the extraction of pesticides and validated by using HPLC-DAD for quantification and LC-MS for confirmation. The analytical method of extracting pesticides, as well as the chromatographic conditions for identification and quantification, were suitable, according to certain efficiency indicators: 0.07 mg kg-1 LOD and 0.2 mg kg-1 LOQ for the mixture of pesticides and rice and rice bran recoveries of 119 and 116%, 84 and 119%, 113 and 96%, 103 and 97% for carbofuran, bispyribac-sodium, clomazone and tebuconazole, respectively. The method under development was applied to rice fractions: bran had the highest residue concentration of the studied pesticides, when compared to milled rice, showing 8.0, 2.3, 2.2 and 1.6 times more contamination, in average, with tebuconazole, clomazone, carbofuran and bispyribac-sodium, respectively. Only clomazone and tebuconazole were in the acceptable limits established by Codex Alimentarius (0.1 mg kg-1) for milled rice.

Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido e validado um método analítico baseado na extração em fase sólida (SPE) e cromatografia líquida acoplada a espectrometria de massas em tandem (LC-APCI-MS/MS) para a determinação e confirmação de cinco fármacos em amostras de água. Os limites de detecção (LOD) variaram de 0,053 a 0,53 µg L-1 e os limites de quantificação (LOQ) de 0,16 a 1,6 µg L-1. Foi obtida boa linearidade com r > 0,99 para todos os compostos. As recuperações dos compostos variaram de 70 a 120%, com desvios padrão relativos (RSD) menores que 20% para todos. Através do monitoramento de reações múltiplas (MRM), foram selecionadas duas transições diferentes íon precursor-íon produto para cada fármaco.

In this work, an analytical method based on solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the determination and confirmation of five pharmaceuticals in water samples. The limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.053 to 0.53 µg L-1 and the limits of quantification (LOQ) from 0.16 to 1.6 µg L-1. Good linearity was obtained with r > 0.99 for all compounds. The recoveries of the compounds ranged from 70 to 120% with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 20% for all. Through multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) two different transitions, precursor ion-product ion, were selected for each pharmaceutical.

O sistema de degradação utilizando ferro metálico e peróxido de hidrogênio (reação de Fenton) foi empregado para a degradação do herbicida diurom. Visando obter as melhores condições de degradação, foram otimizados parâmetros que influenciam no processo, como pH, concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) e quantidade de ferro. A degradação do herbicida foi acompanhada por cromatografia líquida com detecção por arranjo de diodos (CLAE-DAD) e cromatografia líquida com detecção por espectrometria de massas sequencial (LC-ESI-MS/MS), além da determinação de carbono orgânico total (COT). Nas melhores condições de degradação, pH = 2,5; 2 g de ferro e 2 mmol L-1 de H2O2, uma solução aquosa de diurom comercial (10 mg L-1), alcançou valores não detectáveis ao tempo de 10 min, para diurom e para o metabólito monitorado, 3,4-DCA. Ainda os valores de COT foram reduzidos, chegando a valores menores que 5 mg L-1, mostrando a eficiência e rapidez do sistema.

A degradation system using metallic iron and hydrogen peroxide (Fenton reaction) was employed for the degradation of the diuron herbicide. In order to obtain the maximum degradation the main conditions such as pH, hydrogen peroxide concentration and iron amount, were optimized. Herbicide degradation was evaluated by liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and total organic carbon analysis (TOC). In the best degradation condition, pH = 2.5, 2 g of iron and 2 mmol L-1 of hydrogen peroxide, after 10 min a commercial diuron solution (10 mg L-1) had no detection values for diuron and its metabolic, 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA). The TOC was reduced to values lower than 5 mg L-1 showing the efficiency of the system.