Pesticides and transformation products footprint in Greek market basket vegetables: Comprehensive screening by HRMS and health risk assessment.

Healthy dietary habits encourage vegetable consumption. Although pesticide use in crops may negatively affect human health through food intake, it can also contaminate aquatic and terrestrial environments. Thus, monitoring pesticides in high-consumption matrices is crucial.

High resolution mass spectrometry targeted analysis and suspect screening of pesticide residues in fruit samples and assessment of dietary exposure.

Fruits consistently hold a prominent position in healthy dietary habits. Pesticides are used to manage plant diseases, achieve sustainable production, and maintain high food standards. This study utilized a comprehensive analytical technique that involved both targeted analysis and suspect screening.

Target and suspect screening approaches for the identification of emerging and other contaminants in fish feeds using high resolution mass spectrometry.

Fish feed is essential in aquaculture fish production because, along with beneficial nutrients and components, many suspected compounds can be transferred to fish and ultimately to humans. In this context, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to monitor various pesticides and pharmaceutical compounds in aquaculture fish feed through target analysis and many other groups of chemicals via suspect screening approaches. In this study, the QuEChERS extraction method was optimized, validated, and applied to fifty-four fish feed samples collected from different production batches.

Aqueous fate of furaltadone: Kinetics, high-resolution mass spectrometry - based elucidation and toxicity assessment of photoproducts.

Furaltadone (FTD) is an antibiotic belonging to the nitrofurans group. It has been broadly used in livestock and aquaculture for therapeutic purposes, as well as for stimulating promotion. Although the European Union has imposed restrictions on the use of FTD since 1995 due to concerns regarding its toxicity, in many cases FTD has been excessively and/or illegally applied in productive animals in developing countries, because of its high efficacy and low-cost.

Determination of Multiclass Pharmaceutical Residues in Milk Using Modified QuEChERS and Liquid-Chromatography-Hybrid Linear Ion Trap/Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry: Comparison of Clean-Up Approaches and Validation Studies.

A multi-residue method was developed to identify and quantify pharmaceutical drug residues in full-fat milk, using a modified QuEChERS extraction procedure and sonication combined with Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-HR-Orbitrap-MS). Sample preparation involves three different QuEChERS extraction procedures and sorbents for the purification step. The optimized modified extraction method, combined with the clean-up approaches using C18 and the EMR-Lipid sorbent, has been validated in terms of linearity, recovery, precision, LOD and LOQ, matrix effects (ME) and expanded uncertainty.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Inherent Pharmaceutical Concentration Levels in Real Hospital WWTP Effluents Using g-CN Catalyst on CPC Pilot Scale Reactor.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of a solar photocatalytic process using g-CN as photocatalyst on the degradation of pharmaceutical compounds detected in hospital wastewater treatment plant secondary effluents. A compound parabolic collector pilot plant, established in the secondary effluent stream of the Ioannina city hospital wastewater treatment plant, was used for the photocatalytic experiments. The analysis of the samples before and after the photocatalytic treatment was accomplished using solid phase extraction (SPE), followed by UHPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap HRMS.

Simultaneous determination of pharmaceuticals and metabolites in fish tissue by QuEChERS extraction and UHPLC Q/Orbitrap MS analysis.

In recent years, the occurrence, fate, and adverse effects of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in aquatic organisms have become a noteworthy issue. In the present study, a rapid and sensitive multiresidue analytical method was developed for the determination of 18 parent PhACs and 5 metabolites in sea bream (Sparus aurata), by combining a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) procedure with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS). The method development involved optimization of extraction solvent, extraction salts, clean-up sorbents, and amount of sample evaluation, while identification on Orbitrap MS was based on accurate mass and further confirmation with MS/MS fragmentation.

Accurate mass screening of pesticide residues in wine by modified QuEChERS and LC-hybrid LTQ/Orbitrap-MS.

In this research, a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction procedure and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Orbitrap-Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS), were combined to obtain a sensitive and rapid method for the determination of multiclass pesticides in white and red wines. The optimization strategy involved the selection of buffering conditions, by applying different QuEChERS procedures and sorbents for the cleanup step in order to achieve acceptably high recoveries and low co-extractives in the final extracts. Identification was based on both accurate mass and retention time, while further confirmation was achieved by MS fragmentation.

An overview of homogeneous and heterogeneous photocatalysis applications for the removal of pharmaceutical compounds from real or synthetic hospital wastewaters under lab or pilot scale.

The last few decades, Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs) have been considered as emerging contaminants due to their continuous release and persistence to aquatic environment even at low concentrations. A growing number of research articles have shown the occurrence of numerous PhACs in various wastewater treatment plant influents, hospital effluents, and surface waters all over the world. The rising concern regarding PhACs, which present high recalcitrance towards conventional treatment methods, has provoked extensive research in the field of their effective remediation.

Simple analytical methodology based on solid phase extraction for monitoring pesticide residues in natural waters.

Pesticide contamination of natural waters due to agricultural activities has been a widely publicized topic over the past 30 years and will continue to be a problem in the future. The determination of pesticide residues in water samples is necessary for solving various environmental problems. The aim of this work was to develop an efficient method on the basis of solid phase extraction (SPE) technique for the determination of 34 multiclass pesticides in natural waters.

Assessment of multiclass pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) in hospital WWTP influent and effluent samples by UHPLC-Orbitrap MS: Temporal variation, removals and environmental risk assessment.

Nowadays the occurrence and associated risks of Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs) in the aquatic environment comprises a major issue. In the present study, a comprehensive survey on contamination profiles, occurrence, removals, temporal variation and ecological risk of multiclass multiresidue PhACs, such as antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, lipid regulators and phsychiatrics, (including past and newly monitored PhACs as well as some of their metabolites) was performed in wastewaters from the WWTP of Ioannina University hospital along one year period on a monthly sampling basis. WWTP influent and effluent samples were analyzed for physicochemical quality parameters and PhACs concentration levels using Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Orbitrap-Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS), after Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) through Oasis HLB cartridges.

Environmental risks associated with contaminants of legacy and emerging concern at European aquaculture areas.

The contamination of marine ecosystems by contaminants of emerging concern such as personal care products or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances is of increasing concern. This work assessed the concentrations of selected contaminants of emerging concern in water and sediment of European aquaculture areas, to evaluate their co-variation with legacy contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and faecal biomarkers, and estimate the risks associated with their occurrence. The 9 study sites were selected in 7 European countries to be representative of the aquaculture activities of their region: 4 sites in the Atlantic Ocean and 5 in the Mediterranean Sea.

Psychiatrics and selected metabolites in hospital and urban wastewaters: Occurrence, removal, mass loading, seasonal influence and risk assessment.

The occurrence, removal, mass loading, seasonal influence and environmental risk assessment of nine psychiatric pharmaceuticals and four of their selected metabolites, were studied in one hospital and one urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Ioannina city, in northwestern Greece, providing information about the efficiency of the plants and their contribution into the final receiver's flow. Samples were collected from the influents and the effluents of the plants in different sampling campaigns, from July to December 2016. Analytical methodology was based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry, after solid-phase extraction through Oasis HLB cartridges.

Persistent and emerging pollutants assessment on aquaculture oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from NW Portuguese coast (Ria De Aveiro).

The study aim was to determine a range of relevant persistent and emerging pollutants in oysters produced in an aquaculture facility located in an important production area, to assure their safety for human consumption. Pollutants, including 16 PAHs, 3 butyltins (BTs), 29 flame retardants (FRs, including organophosphate and halogenated FRs), 35 pesticides (including 9 pyrethroid insecticides) and 13 personal care products (PCPs, including musks and UV filters), were determined in oysters' tissues collected during one year in four seasonal sampling surveys. The seasonal environmental pollution on the production site was evaluated by water and sediment analysis.

A modified QuEChERS approach for the analysis of pharmaceuticals in sediments by LC-Orbitrap HRMS.

This work reports on a rapid and sensitive analytical method intended to be used for investigation of 25 multiclass pharmaceuticals in sediments. The method comprises a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) extraction, followed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution linear ion trap/Orbitrap mass spectrometry, operated in positive ionization mode. The crucial parameters of both extraction and cleanup as well as those related to liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were optimized and the method was validated in terms of accuracy, method detection and quantification limits, precision, linearity, and matrix effects.

Environmental monitoring and risk assessment of pesticide residues in surface waters of the Louros River (N.W. Greece).

Estuarine environments are being constantly stressed by new sources of pollution (e.g. pesticides) derived from activities of industry and intensive agriculture.

Trace analysis of pesticide residues in sediments using liquid chromatography-high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

The present study describes the optimization and validation of an analytical method based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction and purification with dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) before analysis, followed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution linear ion trap/Orbitrap (LTQ Orbitrap) mass spectrometry for the determination of 18 pesticides in sediment. To optimize process efficiency, parameters such as pH, extraction salts, sediment amount, and cleanup sorbents were evaluated. Identification was based on both accurate mass and retention time, and further confirmation was achieved by mass spectrometry fragmentation.

Halogenated and organophosphorus flame retardants in European aquaculture samples.

This work monitors flame retardants in sediment, mussel and water samples from European fish farms. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were detected in 95% of the sediment and mussel samples with mean levels of 8.60±22.

Photochemical transformation and wastewater fate and occurrence of omeprazole: HRMS for elucidation of transformation products and target and suspect screening analysis in wastewaters.

Omeprazole is one of the world-wide most frequently prescribed and administered pharmaceuticals in humans for the relief of gastro-intestinal disorders. Despite its high worldwide consumption, omeprazole is rarely detected in urban wastewaters and environmental waters. On the other hand, its human urinary metabolites and transformation products formed through abiotic processes in the environment have been recently documented.

Effects of anti-androgens cyproterone acetate, linuron, vinclozolin, and p,p'-DDE on the reproductive organs of the copepod Acartia tonsa.

The study was performed to detect the effects of anti-androgenic compounds on the reproduction. In this paper alterations observed in the marine calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa exposed to environmental concentrations of cyproterone acetate (CPA), linuron (LIN), vinclozolin (VIN), and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) for 21 days covering a full life cycle are described. Histological alterations were studied with a focus on reproductive organs, gonad and accessory sexual glands.

Analysis, occurrence, fate and risks of proton pump inhibitors, their metabolites and transformation products in aquatic environment: A review.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) which include omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole, are extensively used for the relief of gastro-intestinal disorders. Despite their high worldwide consumption, PPIs are extensively metabolized in human bodies and therefore are not regularly detected in monitoring studies. Very recently, however, it has been shown that some omeprazole metabolites may enter and are likely to persist in aquatic environment.

Comprehensive study of the antidiabetic drug metformin and its transformation product guanylurea in Greek wastewaters.

Many pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and their transformation products (TPs) are not efficiently removed from wastewater treatment plants and enter into surface waters. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and behavior of metformin, one of the most prescribed drugs worldwide, and its biological transformation product guanylurea, in eight wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of Greece. All WWTPs were equipped with conventional activated sludge treatment and the samples were taken from the influents and the effluents, over the four seasons of one year.

Chemometric optimization of dispersive suspended microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in natural waters.

A dispersive suspended microextraction (DSME) method coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of ten polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in real water samples. The optimization of the method was achieved with a 2(7-4) Plackett-Burman design, while the significant factors were optimized using a central composite design (CCD). The parameters that were studied included the sample volume, organic solvent volume, extraction time, restoration time and organic solvent.

Residues of selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in postmortem lungs from Epirus, northwestern Greece.

Organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are compounds characterized as persistent organic pollutants (POP) in the environment. These compounds are monitored globally since they enter the human body and accumulate in tissues, resulting in consequent adverse effects. In this study concentrations of selected OC compounds were determined in human autopsy lungs from Epirus, a relatively restricted region in northwestern Greece.