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Method development for measuring trace levels of penicillins in aqueous environmental samples
F Bruno1, R Curini, A Di Corcia
1Dipartimento di Chimica, Università "La Sapienza", Piazza Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy.
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM
|August 17, 2001
Summary
A new liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method accurately detects eight penicillins in water samples. In situ derivatization enhances detection, achieving high recoveries and precise quantification for environmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Mass Spectrometry
Background:
- Penicillins are widely used antibiotics, raising concerns about their presence in aquatic environments.
- Trace-level detection of penicillins in diverse water matrices is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a sensitive method for determining eight penicillins in various aqueous environmental samples.
- To improve the detection limits and accuracy of penicillin analysis in water.
Main Methods:
- Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) with a single quadrupole instrument.
- Carbograph 4 cartridge for analyte extraction from large water volumes (0.1–4 L).
- In situ derivatization of penicillins to penicilloyl methyl esters to enhance MS response.
Main Results:
- High analyte recoveries (>80%) achieved for most penicillins across different water types (groundwater, river water, sewage).
- Excellent within-day precision (6–10%) at 50 ng/L in groundwater.
- Linear calibration curves (R² > 0.995) and low limits of quantification (2–24 ng/L).
Conclusions:
- The developed LC/ESI-MS method is effective for trace penicillin determination in environmental water samples.
- In situ derivatization significantly improves MS detection sensitivity for non-amphoteric penicillins.
- The method provides reliable data for environmental monitoring and risk assessment of penicillin contamination.