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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

A Modified QuEChERS-HPLC Method for Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Fine Particulate Matter
Published on: June 13, 2025
Biliary 1-hydroxypyrene as a biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish
Jana Blahova1, Kamila Kruzikova, Klara Hilscherova
1Department of Veterinary Public Health and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic. blahovaj@vfu.cz
Objectives:
The aim of this study was the assessment of the Svitava and Svratka rivers contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) using 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) concentrations in fish bile as a biomarker.
Design:
Levels of 1-OHP were determined by reverse phase HPLC with fluorescence detection. For valid assessment of bile accumulation levels, the 1-OHP concentration was normalized to the biliary protein content. The content of 1-OHP was correlated with the PAH content of river bottom sediments.
Results:
The highest level of 1-OHP in fish bile (136.1 ng.mg-1 protein) was found at the locality Rajhradice, which is situated downstream of Brno. Also the greatest level of sum of PAHs was found at this locality (17.1 microg.g-1 dry mass). Significant positive correlation (p< or =0.05) between the level of 1-OHP and sum of PAHs in sediment was found only in case of sediments collected in the same month as fish samples (in June).
Conclusion:
Our results document that 1-OHP in fish bile is a suitable biochemical marker for the assessment of aquatic ecosystem contamination by PAHs.
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