Comprehensive LC-MS/MS method combined with tandem hybrid hydrolysis for multiple exposure assessment of multiclass environmental pollutants

Seunghwa Lee; Kang Mi Lee; Sang Moon Han; Hyeon-Jeong Lee; Changmin Sung; Hophil Min; Hosub Im; Sang Beom Han; Sangwon Cha; Jaeick Lee

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.113053

Comprehensive LC-MS/MS method combined with tandem hybrid hydrolysis for multiple exposure assessment of multiclass environmental pollutants

Environ Res. 2022 Aug:211:113053. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113053. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Doping Control Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Hwarang-ro 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, South Korea.
² Institute for Life & Environmental Technology, Smartive Corporation, 155, Misagangbyeon-hangang-ro, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
³ Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, South Korea.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Dongguk University, 30, Pildong-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04620, South Korea.
⁵ Doping Control Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Hwarang-ro 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, South Korea. Electronic address: jaeicklee@kist.re.kr.

PMID: 35240112
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113053

Abstract

Environmental pollutants (EPOLs), such as phthalates, volatile organic compounds, phenols, parabens, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pyrethroids, and environmental tobacco smoke, are highly heterogeneous compounds. Recently, attention has been drawn to the assessment of the combinatory effects of multiple EPs. To correlate multiple exposures with potential health implications, advanced comprehensive analytical methods covering multiclass EPOLs are essential. However, because of several technical problems associated with enzyme hydrolysis, simultaneous extraction, and multiresidue liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, it is difficult to establish a comprehensive method covering a number of EPOLs in a single sample preparation and analytical run. We developed tandem hybrid hydrolysis, modified direct injection, and a comprehensive mobile phase to overcome these technical problems and established a comprehensive analytical method for simultaneous biomonitoring of multiclass EPOLs. Tandem hybrid hydrolysis using β-glucuronidase and consecutive acid hydrolysis allowed selective hydrolysis of glucuronide- and sulfate-conjugated metabolites without phthalate degradation. The comprehensive mobile phase composed of 0.01% acetic acid and acetonitrile enabled us to simultaneously analyze 86 EPOLs, with good chromatographic behavior and ionization efficiency. Modified direct injection allowed a small amount of sample and simultaneous urinary extraction. The method was validated and applied to 39 urine samples from 19 mother-newborn pairs for multiple exposure assessment. Results showed that BP-3, a general component in sunblock products, and monoethyl phthalate, a metabolite of diethyl phthalate, exhibit a clear positive correlation between mothers and newborns. Therefore, the developed method has potential as a novel analytical tool for long-term, large-scale, and data-rich human biomonitoring of EPOLs.

Keywords: Comprehensive mobile phase; Environmental pollutants (EPOLs); Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS); Tandem hybrid hydrolysis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
Chromatography, Liquid
Environmental Pollutants*
Humans
Hydrolysis
Infant, Newborn
Phenols / urine
Solid Phase Extraction
Tandem Mass Spectrometry* / methods

Substances

Environmental Pollutants
Phenols