Isomer selectivity in aquatic toxicity and biodegradation of cypermethrin

Synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) are widely used in both agricultural and urban regions for insect control. Unlike many other pesticides, SPs are chiral compounds consisting of stereoisomers. However, occurrence of isomer selectivity in environmental processes is poorly understood for SPs. We evaluated isomer selectivity in toxicity of cypermethrin (CP) to Ceriodaphnia dubia and in its biodegradation by microbial isolates and in sediment. Among the eight enantiomers, two enantiomers (1R-cis-alphaS and 1R-trans-alphaS) were found to be toxic to C. dubia. Bacteria strains isolated from sediment selectively degraded CP diastereomers and enantiomers. The trans diastereomers were preferentially degraded over the cis diastereomers. Of the two active enantiomers, 1R-cis-alphaS was degraded slower, whereas 1R-trans-alphaS was degraded faster than the other stereoisomers. Similar isomer selectivity was observed during CP degradation in whole sediment. Since ecotoxicity is likely caused only by the biologically active enantiomers, knowledge on isomer selectivity may improve our understanding of the ecological risks of CP and analogous SPs.     

Chiral stability of synthetic pyrethroid insecticides

Synthetic pyrethroids are chiral compounds consisting of multiple stereoisomers. Evaluation of enantioselectivity in environmental fate and ecotoxicity requires analytical methods that preserve stereoisomer integrity during analysis. In this study, we characterized the stability of stereoisomers from four commonly used pyrethroids, cis-bifenthrin (cis-BF), permethrin (PM), cypermethrin (CP), and cyfluthrin (CF), during gas chromatography (GC) analysis and sample preparation. Stereoisomers of cis-BF and PM were found to be stable, but those of CP and CF were unstable, under heat or in water. Isomer conversion occurred only at the alphaC in CP or CF, causing the analyte stereoisomer to convert to an epimer. At a GC inlet temperature of 260 degrees C, about 9% conversion occurred for CP and CF. In organic solvents and sterile water, stereoisomers of cis-BF and PM were stable, but slow isomer conversion was observed for CP and CF in water at ambient temperature. However, isomer conversion for CP and CF was relatively insignificant (2-3%) when the GC inlet temperature was kept at < or = 180 degrees C or when on-column injection was used. Isomer conversion at the alphaC in water suggests that abiotic processes may also contribute to enantioselectivity observed in the environment for pyrethroids with the asymmetric alphaC.     

Determination of amino acid enantiomers in soils

Determination of amino acid enantiomers in environmental samples is difficult, because metals and organic impurities interfere with the analyses. We developed a new gas chromatographic method to assess amino acid enantiomer concentrations in complex soil matrices following hot HCl hydrolysis (6 M, 12 h, 105°C). The crucial focus was the establishment of a simple, reliable sample clean-up procedure. The presented method involved the adsorption of the enantiomers on a Dowex 50 W X8 cation exchange resin and the removal of interfering compounds with 0.1 M oxalic acid prior to amino acid elution with 2.5 M NH₄OH. After conversion to N-pentafluoropropionyl-amino acid iso-propyl esters, the diastereomers were separated by a Chirasil l-Val capillary column and quantified by a flame ionization or mass selective detector. The lower limit of quantification tested here was ≤1 pg injection amount. The recovery of amino acid enantiomers averaged 99±11% for pure standards and 97±11% for spiked soil hydrolysates. The general applicability of the method was demonstrated by determination of amino acid enantiomers in taxonomically different soils from different geographic regions. The coefficients of variation presented by d/l ratios were 12% for alanine and <10% for the other amino acids.     

Separation of flavanone-7-O-glycoside diastereomers and analysis in citrus juices by multidimensional liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

The major flavanone-7-O-glycoside constituents in citrus fruit juices (naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, narirutin, and eriocitrin) were separated as diastereomers by multidimensional liquid chromatography. The method consisted of coupling two HPLC columns: a reversed-phase (RP(18)) column was used for the separation of flavanone glycosides, which were, then, individually switched into a carboxymethylated beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD)-based column and resolved as the corresponding stereoisomers. The method was used for the full analysis of flavanone glycosides in fresh hand-squeezed and commercial fruit juices by combining the quantitative estimation with the diastereomeric analysis. Quantitative data were in general consistent with previously reported data in this field. CC-LC isomer analysis was carried out by coupling the beta-CD column with a mass spectrometer operated with negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI-MS). The results showed that hesperidin was present in orange juices almost exclusively as the 2S isomer, whereas narirutin had mainly the 2R configuration. In grapefruit juices (2S)-naringin prevailed with the respect to the 2R isomer, whereas the opposite was true for narirutin. Lemon juices contained eriocitrin stereoisomers in equal amount (50% each), but hesperidin was almost exclusively found as the 2S isomer. Significant differences of the diastereomeric ratios were observed between freshly squeezed juices and juices from commercial sources.     

Determination of enantiomers of synthetic pyrethroids in water by solid phase microextraction - enantioselective gas chromatography

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) is an ideal sample preparation technique because of its speed and solvent-free features. Sampling by SPME is selective and only the dissolved concentration is measured, which allows measurement of the bioavailable fraction of a contaminant in aqueous media. One potential application of SPME is for analysis of enantiomers of chiral contaminants in environmental samples. In this study, a method was developed for determining enantiomers of (Z)-cis-bifenthrin and cis-permethrin in water using coupled SPME and enantioselective gas chromatography (GC). Following SPME sampling, enantiomers of (Z)-cis-bifenthrin and cis-permethrin were separated at the baseline on a beta-cyclodextrin-based enantioselective column, and analyte enrichment onto the SPME fiber was not enantioselective. The GC response increased as sampling time was increased from 0 to 240 min, and as sampling temperature was increased from 20 to 40 degrees C. Organic solvents such as methanol, acetone, and acetonitrile enhanced, while soil extracts slightly decreased, the GC response. The integrated SPME-enantioselective GC method was used to analyze surface runoff samples. The analysis showed preferential degradation of the 1S-3S enantiomer over the 1R-3R enantiomer for both (Z)-cis-bifenthrin and cis-permethrin. The concentrations detected by SPME-GC were substantially smaller than those determined following solvent extraction, suggesting that SPME-enantioselective GC analysis selectively measured the dissolved fraction.     

Stereochemical composition of clenbuterol residues in edible tissues of swine

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed to measure the stereochemical residues of clenbuterol derivatives in edible tissues of swine. Clenbuterol present in tissue extracts was derivatized with phosgene to form clenbuterol oxazolidin-3-one, which was then separated into component enantiomers using a dimethyl beta-cyclodextrin capillary gas chromatographic column. Purified clenbuterol stereoisomers, isolated using published liquid chromatographic techniques, were used to determine stereoisomer elution order, stereoisomer racemization potential, and accuracy of the method. The stereochemical composition of clenbuterol could be measured at tissue concentrations of <2 ppb using the method. The dextrorotatory stereoisomer was the predominant clenbuterol stereoisomer present in edible tissues of hogs slaughtered after withdrawal periods of 0, 3, and 7 days, with a (+)/(-) isomer ratio of about 3:1. The prevalence of the dextrorotatory stereoisomer in edible tissues of hogs at all withdrawal periods suggests that stereoselective processes are occurring during the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and (or) excretion of clenbuterol. The effect of clenbuterol dose on its stereochemical composition in edible tissues is unknown but will be an area of further investigation.     

Determination of mechanism of flock sediment formation in tea beverages

The mechanism of sediment formation during the storage of green tea beverage was investigated. Green tea extract was separated by Diaion HP-20 column chromatography, and a sediment-formation test was performed. Results showed that at least one compound of the substance causing flock sediment was contained in each of the HP-20 nonadsorbed and adsorbed fractions. From the following fractionations and structure analyses, the substance in the HP-20 adsorbed fraction was determined to be 1-O-galloyl-4,6-O-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-beta-D-glucose (strictinin), which is one of the ellagitannins. Strictinin was hydrolyzed to ellagic acid by heat-sterilization processes such as retort sterilization or the ultra-high temperature processing used during the manufacturing of tea beverages. Ellagic acid combined with proteins in the HP-20 nonadsorbed fraction to form an irreversible sediment of green tea beverage; ellagic acid and proteins were confirmed to be present in that sediment. The HP-20 adsorbed fraction contained little strictinin and formed hardly any sediment, suggesting that control of the strictinin content is significant in avoiding sediment formation during the manufacturing process of tea beverages.     

Gas chromatographic method for determination of fenitrothion in technical and in emulsifiable concentrate and water-dispersible powder formulations: collaborative study

A variety of column packings and internal standards were evaluated to determine the most satisfactory system to use in a gas chromatographic (GC) method for analysis of fenitrothion, technical and formulations. Fenitrothion and the most closely related isomer, O,O-dimethyl O-(4-methyl-3-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate, were resolved on columns packed with OV-210 and with polyphenyl ether, 6-ring (PPE-6R). A method based on the separation of fenitrothion on a PPE-6R column with fluoranthene as internal standard was selected for use in a limited collaborative trial and later for use in a full-scale collaborative trial with 21 collaborators participating. Each collaborator was furnished matched pairs of samples of technical fenitrothion, emulsifiable concentrate, and water-dispersible powder. The coefficients of variation (CV) for the paired samples were 1.02, 1.11, and 1.01, respectively, for technical fenitrothion, emulsifiable concentrates, and water-dispersible powders. Data are also presented for an alternative method in which compounds are separated on an OV-210 column with dibutyl sebacate as the internal standard. The method has been adopted official first action.     

Development of multiresidue analysis for twenty phthalate esters in edible vegetable oils by microwave-assisted extraction-gel permeation chromatography-solid phase extraction-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A novel multiresidue analysis method is developed for the determination of twenty phthalate esters at the μg/kg level in edible vegetable oils by microwave-assisted extraction-gel permeation chromatography-solid phase extraction-high resolution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MAE-GPC-SPE-HRGC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with methanol under microwave incubation. Cleanup was carried out with GPC followed by a further C18 SPE column and then separated by the HP-5MS capillary column under a temperature program. The eluents were qualitatively and quantitatively determined by tandem mass analyzer with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) type and positive ion mode. The calibration curves showed good linearity in the range 5 μg/kg to 2.50 mg/kg with correlation coefficients larger than 0.999. Low detection limits (LODs) of 0.218-1.367 μg/kg and quantification limits (LOQ) of 0.72-4.51 μg/kg were achieved. The mean recoveries were in the range from 93.04% to 104.6% at 5, 15, and 40 μg/kg spiked levels, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 1.01% and 5.26% (n = 7). This method could potentially overcome the interference from large amounts of lipids and pigment. The real sample test showed this method can be used for sensitive and accurate determination and confirmation of phthalate ester residues in high-fat and complex samples.     

Enantiomeric separation and toxicity of an organophosporus insecticide, pyraclofos

Despite the fact that the biological processes of chiral pesticides are enantioselective, knowledge of the toxicities of pyraclofos due to enantiospecificity is scarce. In this study, the optical isomers of pyraclofos were separated and their toxicities to butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and Daphnia magna were assessed. Baseline resolution of the enantiomers was obtained on both Chiralcel OD and Chiralpak AD columns. The effect of the mobile phase composition and column temperature were then discussed. The resolved enantiomers were characterized by their optical rotation and circular dichroism signs. The anti-BChE tests demonstrated that (-)-pyraclofos was about 15 times more potent than its (+)-form. However, acute aquatic assays suggested that (+)-pyraclofos was about 6 times more toxic than its antipode. Moreover, the joint toxicity of pyraclofos enantiomers to D. magna was found to be an additive effect. These results demonstrated that the overall toxicity of pyraclofos should be assessed using the individual enantiomers.     

Modified liquid chromatographic method for determination of gentian violet in animal feed

A modified liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of Gentian Violet (GV) in animal feed. The reliable detection limit is 0.5 ng (reference standards), and 1 ppm GV was reliably determined in feed. The calibration curve was linear between 1 and 40 micrograms/mL. The method, developed in a study by the National Center for Toxicological Research, was modified to use methanol-water (9 + 1) instead of benzene-methanol as the eluting solution in the column cleanup. GV is extracted from feed with methanol-1N HCl (99 + 1), cleaned up on a Sephadex LH-20 column to remove any remaining interferences, separated on a Nova-Pak C18 column fitted with a precolumn filter, and determined at 588 nm. The identity of GV is confirmed by thin-layer chromatography (Rf = 0.47) by comparison with a reference standard. Average recoveries from 3 sets of 5 feed samples containing 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 ppm GV were 115, 95, and 102%, respectively.     

Enantioselective syntheses and sensory properties of the 3-mercapto-2-methylpentanols

3-Mercapto-2-methylpentanol, a new powerful flavor compound, exhibits two stereocenters giving rise to two pairs of diastereomers. To determine differences in the sensory properties, all four diastereomers and enantiomers were stereo- and enantioselectively synthesized. A highly diastereoselective aldol reaction using a chiral auxiliary was one of the key steps in the synthesis. Further derivatization yielded the enantiopure compounds. Odor thresholds in air and water were determined.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of multiresidue fluorescent derivatives of ionophore compounds, monensin, salinomycin, narasin, and lasalocid, in beef liver tissue

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method with fluorometric detection was developed to quantitatively determine residue levels of monensin, salinomycin, narasin, and lasalocid in beef liver tissue. The ionophores are extracted from the tissue, purified by both alumina and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and then derivatized. Lasalocid was directly esterified with 9-anthryldiazomethane (ADAM), but monensin, salinomycin, and narasin were first acetylated with acetic anhydride and then esterified with ADAM. The ADAM derivatives were purified on a silica gel column and separated by LC using an RP C-8 5 micron column. A fluorescence detector set at 365 nm (excitation) and 418 nm (emission) was used to monitor the column effluent. The detection limits were 0.15 ppm, and the calibration curves were linear between 0.5 and 5.0 ppm for all 4 ionophores. Mean recoveries were 57, 70, 75, and 90% for lasalocid (5 ppm), monensin (2.5 ppm), salinomycin (2.5 ppm), and narasin (2.5 ppm), respectively. The ionophores were also separated and semiquantitated by using bioautography and thin layer chromatography with a vanillin spray.     

Antioxidant activity of prune (Prunus domestica L.) constituents and a new synergist

Ethanol extract of prune was separated into hexane-soluble and H(2)O-soluble fractions, and the H(2)O-soluble fraction was further separated into a methanol (MeOH) eluate and an H(2)O eluate by Diaion HP-20 column chromatography. The MeOH eluate exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity among the separated fractions evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Further purification of the MeOH eluate led to isolation of a novel compound, 4-amino-4-carboxychroman-2-one, together with four known compounds (p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid beta-glucoside, protocatechuic acid, and caffeic acid), structures of which were identified by NMR and MS analyses. The ORAC values of these isolated compounds showed 0.15-1.43 units (micromol of Trolox equiv)/micromol, and the new compound showed a remarkable synergistic effect on caffeoylquinic acid isomers. The antioxidant activity of the MeOH eluate was highly dependent on the major prune components, caffeoylquinic acid isomers, with a contribution from the new synergist.     

Enantiomeric resolution of chiral pesticides by high-performance liquid chromatography

Successful enantiomeric separation of 10 chiral pesticides by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using cellulose-tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) (CDMPC) chiral stationary phase (CSP) was performed. The mobile phase was n-hexane modified by ethanol, propanol, 2-propanol (IPA), butanol, or isobutanol. The effects of mobile phase composition and column temperature on the separation were investigated. Baseline separation was obtained with ethofumesate, fluroxypyr-meptyl, malathion, benalaxyl, diclofop-methyl, methamidophos, vinclozolin, and lactofen, whereas near baseline separation was obtained with profenofos and acetochlor. Butanol was the best modifier for benalaxyl; isobutanol was the best modifier for lactofen, malathion, diclofop-methyl, and ethofumesate; and IPA was the best modifier for the other five. Better separations were not always at low temperature. The elution orders of the eluting enantiomers were determined by a circular dichroism (CD) detector. The quantitative analysis methods for the enantiomers of ethofumesate, benalaxyl, and diclofop-methyl were established. Validation parameters include linearity, precision, and limit of detection (LOD). The enantiomeric residual analysis procedures in soil and water samples were also developed using acetone extraction and C(18) solid phase extraction. The methods were reliable for residual analysis of the enantiomers.     

Distribution and organoleptic impact of sotolon enantiomers in dry white wines

The enantiomers of sotolon, a flavor compound typical of oxidized white wines, were separated by preparative HPLC to determine their perception thresholds and distribution in wines. The enantiomeric ratios of chiral sotolon were evaluated in several dry white wines using gas chromatography and a chiral column (beta-cyclodextrin) connected to a 2 m precolumn (BP20). The perception threshold of (S)-sotolon (0.8 microg/L) in model wine solution was 100 times lower than that of the (R) form (89 microg/L), indicating that (S)-sotolon contributes to the characteristic aroma of prematurely aged dry white wines. Both enantiomers are detected in white wines. Analysis of commercial dry white wines from various vintages and origins revealed three types of distribution patterns: the racemic form, an excess of R, and an excess of S. The proportions found in these wines may be partially explained by the slow racemization kinetics (20 months) of optically active sotolon.     

Biogenetic studies in Mentha x piperita. 2. Stereoselectivity in the bioconversion of pulegone into menthone and isomenthone.

Mentha x piperita shoot tips and first leaf pairs were fed with aqueous solutions of different deuterium-labeled pulegone and various enantiomeric distributions. The essential oil was extracted by solid-phase microextraction and analyzed using enantioselective multidimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The genuine p-menthan-3-ones (-)-menthone and (+)-isomenthone as well as their labeled analogues were analyzed simultaneously. Both enantiomers of labeled pulegone were converted into the corresponding labeled p-menthan-3-ones by Mentha x piperita, indicating an unspecific reduction process. The generation of 4S- and 4R-configured p-menthan-3-ones differed in their stereoselectivities. Labeled (S)-pulegone was reduced by Mentha x piperita more rapidly rather than (R)-pulegone. From a comparison of labeled pulegone enantiomers the bioconversion preferrably led to 4S-configured diastereomers.     

Determination of ampicillin in serum by using simple ultrafiltration technique and liquid chromatographic analysis

A new liquid chromatographic method for determination of ampicillin in canine and equine serum has been developed. The serum sample (500 microL) is vortex-mixed with 20% ethanol (500 microL) and filtered using a 30,000 molecular weight cutoff microseparation tube to separate high molecular weight solutes following low-speed centrifugation. Ampicillin is then separated from other serum components by reverse phase ion-pair liquid chromatography (LC). The ultraviolet (UV) absorbance of the column effluent is monitored at 230 nm. Recoveries of ampicillin from canine serum spiked at concentrations of 10, 40, and 60 micrograms/mL were 93.1, 100.9, and 87.8%, respectively, with coefficients of variation (CVs) of 2.91, 3.08, and 4.08%, respectively. Recoveries of ampicillin from equine serum spiked at the same concentrations were 91.6, 90.1, and 88.7%, respectively, with CVs of 3.03, 2.61, and 3.35%, respectively. The limit of detection for ampicillin by this method is less than 0.5 micrograms/mL serum.     

Feasibility of diode-array instruments to carry near-infrared spectroscopy from laboratory to feed process control

Near-infrared calibrations were developed for the instantaneous prediction of the chemical and ingredient composition of intact compound feeds. Two rather different instruments were compared (diode array vs grating monochromator). The grating monochromator was used in a static mode in the laboratory, whereas the diode-array instrumentbetter adapted to online analysiswas placed on a conveyor belt to simulate measurements at a feed mill plant. Modified partial least squares (MPLS) equations were developed using the same set of samples analyzed in the two instruments. Sample set 1 ( N = 398) was used to predict crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF), while sample set 2 ( N = 393) was used for the prediction of one macroingredient (sunflower meal, SFM) and one microingredient (mineral-vitamin premix, MVP). The standard error of cross-validation (SECV) and the coefficient of determination (R2) values for CF were better using the monochromator instrument. However, results obtained for CP, SFM, and MVP using the samples analyzed in the diode-array instrument showed similar or even greater accuracy than those obtained using samples analyzed in the grating monochromator. The excellent predictive ability [R2> 0.95; RPD (ratio of standard deviation to SECV) > 3] obtained for CP, CF, and SFM opens the way for the online use of NIRS diode-array instruments for surveillance and monitoring in the manufacture, processing, and marketing of compound feeds. R2, RPD, and SECV values for MVP showed similar performance for both instruments. Although RPD values did not reach the minimum recommended for quantitative analysis, results are encouraging for an ingredient present in feed compounds in such very low amounts.     

Enantioselective degradation and chiral stability of pyrethroids in soil and sediment

Synthetic pyrethroids contain two or three chiral centers, making them a family of chiral pesticides with a large number of stereoisomers. Recent studies showed significant differences in aquatic toxicity between enantiomers from the same diastereomers of pyrethroids. To better understand the ecotoxicological effect and fate of pyrethroid insecticides, chirality in biodegradation must also be considered. In this study, we examined enantiomer compositions of selected pyrethroids in field sediment samples taken from various locations in southern California. Enantioselective degradation was frequently observed for cis-bifenthrin, permethrin, and cyfluthrin under field conditions. We further conducted long incubation experiments under laboratory-controlled conditions using single enantiomers of cis-bifenthrin, cis-permethrin, and cypermethrin. The half-lives for individual enantiomers were calculated to be 277-770 days for cis-bifenthrin enantiomers, 99-141 days for cis-permethrin enantiomers, and 52-135 days for cypermethrin enantiomers, respectively. The direction and degree of enantioselectivity in degradation were found to closely depend on the specific compound as well as experimental conditions. Because no significant difference in degradation was observed after samples were sterilized, the observed enantioselectivity may be attributed to preferential biological transformations.