Increased Capabilities for the Analysis of Hormones in Drinking and Waste Water Using SPE and LC/MS/MS
Poster Presentation
Prepared by K. Parnell, S. Orlowicz, K. Parnell
Phenomenex, 411 Madrid Ave , Torrance, CA, 90501, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 310-212-0555
ABSTRACT
The presence of various hormones in worldwide water supplies has been of public concern for some time. As the scientific community tries to identify acceptable exposure limits, many new endogenous and synthetic hormones are being found in water supplies. Compounds such as ethynylestradiol, the active ingredient in a commonly prescribed birth control medication, are known to cause detrimental affects in both aquatic life and humans. Many other compounds are currently being investigated. Due to this public risk, there is a rapidly growing interest in monitoring these compounds. Within the United States, EPA method 539 was specifically developed to monitor this growing problem.
This study builds on the foundation of EPA 539 by providing an expanded list of target compounds to include compounds of current interest (i.e. progesterone), a more modern extraction and separation method, all while shortening the runtime to less than 30min. We expand the sample preparation techniques to a more versatile format for ease of use in a variety of different water matrices. By utilizing a SPE-tube format and exploring various particle sizes, differing water supplies can be easily scaled and processed in less labor intensive way. In addition, the final concentration levels of the extracts can be easily monitored and controlled to be more appropriate for a variety of different detectors, depending on your required sensitivity.
This study also offers an optimized LC/MS/MS method, exploring ionization polarities and that utilizes a high pH mobile phase in order to maximize the LC/MS/MS response. Since conventional silica-based HPLC media is not stable under alkaline conditions, an organo-silica hybrid column was used to perform these analyses.
Poster Presentation
Prepared by K. Parnell, S. Orlowicz, K. Parnell
Phenomenex, 411 Madrid Ave , Torrance, CA, 90501, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 310-212-0555
ABSTRACT
The presence of various hormones in worldwide water supplies has been of public concern for some time. As the scientific community tries to identify acceptable exposure limits, many new endogenous and synthetic hormones are being found in water supplies. Compounds such as ethynylestradiol, the active ingredient in a commonly prescribed birth control medication, are known to cause detrimental affects in both aquatic life and humans. Many other compounds are currently being investigated. Due to this public risk, there is a rapidly growing interest in monitoring these compounds. Within the United States, EPA method 539 was specifically developed to monitor this growing problem.
This study builds on the foundation of EPA 539 by providing an expanded list of target compounds to include compounds of current interest (i.e. progesterone), a more modern extraction and separation method, all while shortening the runtime to less than 30min. We expand the sample preparation techniques to a more versatile format for ease of use in a variety of different water matrices. By utilizing a SPE-tube format and exploring various particle sizes, differing water supplies can be easily scaled and processed in less labor intensive way. In addition, the final concentration levels of the extracts can be easily monitored and controlled to be more appropriate for a variety of different detectors, depending on your required sensitivity.
This study also offers an optimized LC/MS/MS method, exploring ionization polarities and that utilizes a high pH mobile phase in order to maximize the LC/MS/MS response. Since conventional silica-based HPLC media is not stable under alkaline conditions, an organo-silica hybrid column was used to perform these analyses.
