Occurrence of 97 Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater and Receiving Waters: Analytical Validation and Treatment Influence.

This study analyzed 97 pharmaceuticals in samples of surface water, as well as influent and effluent from various wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), during winter 2022 and spring 2023. Approximately 40% of the tested compounds were detected, at amounts ranging from below the methods' detection limits to 5623 ng/L (2-hydroxyibuprofen in surface water) and 12,664 ng/L (caffeine in wastewater). Twelve compounds (acetaminophen, ampicillin, azithromycin, caffeine, fluoxetine, gemfibrozil, 2-hydroxyibuprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, mazindol, naproxen, and salicylic acid) were detected with a 100% frequency in both surface water and wastewater samples.

Tracing Pharmaceuticals in Water Systems: Focus on Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Treatments.

Pharmaceutical residues in aquatic ecosystems pose significant environmental and public health challenges. Identifying the presence and levels of these pharmaceuticals is crucial. This study developed an analytical method to detect pharmaceuticals used for Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) disease, including psychiatric drugs and the stimulant caffeine, targeting 30 compounds.

Temporal Analysis of Pharmaceuticals as Emerging Contaminants in Surface Water and Wastewater Samples: A Case Study.

Pharmaceuticals in the environment are a global concern, with studies in all continents highlighting their widespread occurrence and potential ecological impacts, revealing their presence, fate, and associated risks in aquatic ecosystems. Despite typically occurring at low concentrations (ranging from ng/L to µg/L), advancements in analytical methods and more sensitive equipment have enabled the detection of a higher number of pharmaceuticals. In this study, surface and wastewater samples were extracted using solid phase extraction and analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

Evaluating the impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioaccumulation in adipose tissue of obese women.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread across the environment and humans are unavoidably and constantly exposed to them. As lipophilic contaminants, these substances tend to accumulate in fatty tissues as adipose tissue and exposure to these endocrine disruptors has been associated with severe health hazards including prevalence and incidence of obesity. Previous studies have shown significantly higher concentrations of PAHs in adipose tissue compared to other human samples, such as urine and plasma, which are typically used for PAHs assessment.

Analysis of atorvastatin in environmental waters: Validation of an electrochemical molecularly imprinted polymer sensor with application of life cycle assessment.

The widespread presence of pharmaceuticals in wastewater effluents after treatment stands as a significant challenge faced in the field of wastewater management and public health. Governments and the scientific community have worked to meet this urgent need for effective solutions. Nevertheless, the development of detection strategies for pharmaceutical monitorization capable of delivering rapid, on-site, and sensitive responses remains an ongoing necessity.

Optimization of a simple, effective, and greener methodology for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon extraction from human adipose tissue.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmentally persistent organic pollutants formed during incomplete combustion and pyrolysis processes. Humans are continuously exposed to PAHs which are linked to severe health effects such as diabetes, cancer, infertility, and poor foetal development, amongst others. PAHs are lipophilic compounds prone to accumulating in adipose tissue.

Seasonal and Spatial Comparison of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Among Decapod Shrimp from Coastal Portugal.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous global pollutants that are lipophilic, bioaccumulative and can be both endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. In this study, we measured 18 PAHs among decapod shrimp samples (Palaemon spp.) collected during the spring and autumn from multiple locations along the Portuguese coastal, including local markets and aquaculture farms.

Evaluation of the Biological Potential of (L.) S.F.Gray and (Kjellman) Setchell Subcritical Water Extracts.

Neuroprotection is a need that remains unmet in treating chronic neurodegenerative disorders, despite decades of extensive research. To find new neuroprotective compounds, extracts of (L.) S.

Multi-residue analysis of fifty pesticides in river waters and in wastewaters.

Three sampling campaigns were performed in the Lis River (Leiria, Portugal) in February of 2018, November of 2018, and May of 2019. River water and wastewater (influent and effluent) samples of two wastewater treatment plants were target of the study. A total of 25 samples were collected and 50 pesticides were monitored, including organochlorines, triazines, pyrethroids, and organophosphorus, among others.

Quantification of fluoroquinolones in wastewaters by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Antibiotics are the most consumed therapeutic classes worldwide and are released to the environment in their original form as well as potentially active metabolites and/or degradation products. Consequences of the occurrence of these compounds in the environment are primarily related to bacterial resistance development. This work presents a validated analytical method based on solid phase extraction (SPE) using HLB cartridges, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for quantification of seven different fluoroquinolone antibiotics, namely ciprofloxacin (CPF), enrofloxacin (ENR), lomefloxacin (LOM), norfloxacin (NOR), ofloxacin (OFL), prulifloxacin (PLF) and moxifloxacin (MOX) and its application to detect the target compounds in influents and effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP).

Monitoring survey of caffeine in surface waters (Lis River) and wastewaters located at Leiria Town in Portugal.

Investigation during 11-month period was performed to study the presence of caffeine in the Lis River in Leiria Town in Portugal, and a monitoring during 9-month period was realized to check the contribution of the human pollution of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that discharge their effluents to the studied river. The samples were collected in five sampling points along the river and in two influents and two effluents of the studied WWTPs. Caffeine was detected in all ninety-one collected samples.

Evaluation of the adsorption potential of biochars prepared from forest and agri-food wastes for the removal of fluoxetine.

Twelve biochars from forest and agri-food wastes (pruning of Quercus ilex, Eucalyptus grandis, Pinus pinaster, Quercus suber, Malus pumila, Prunus spinosa, Cydonia oblonga, Eriobotrya japonica, Juglans regia, Actinidia deliciosa, Citrus sinensis and Vitis vinifera) were investigated as potential low-cost and renewable adsorbents for removal of a commonly used pharmaceutical, fluoxetine. Preliminary adsorption experiments allowed to select the most promising adsorbents, Quercus ilex, Cydonia oblonga, Eucalyptus, Juglans regia and Vitis vinifera pruning material. They were characterized by proximate, elemental and mineral analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, determination of specific surface area and pH at the point of zero charge.

Mineral Content of Various Portuguese Breads: Characterization, Dietary Intake, and Discriminant Analysis.

The chemical composition and daily mineral intake (DMI) of six macro (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and chloride) and four microminerals (copper, iron, manganese, and zinc) were determined in four types of Portuguese breads (white wheat, maize, wheat/maize, and maize/rye breads). Samples were processed with microwave assisted digestion and mineral composition was determined with a high-resolution continuum-source atomic absorption spectrometer with flame and graphite furnace. Bread contributes to an equilibrated diet since it is rich in several minerals (0.

Assessment of 83 pharmaceuticals in WWTP influent and effluent samples by UHPLC-MS/MS: Hourly variation.

The removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is variable and some of these compounds pass these plants almost intact and others presenting a removal efficiency close to 100%. Their incomplete removal results in a continuous discharge of pharmaceuticals into the environment. To assess the profile of contamination of influents and effluents over a day, a set of 83 pharmaceuticals were evaluated hourly in a WWTP in Leiria, Portugal.

Anthropogenic contamination of Portuguese coastal waters during the bathing season: Assessment using caffeine as a chemical marker.

Bathing water quality standards are based on international standards and legislations. However, in Europe, only the microbiological parameters are to be accomplished. Recent research has focused on chemical indicators that can determine human fecal contaminants in water.

Analysis of pharmaceutical adulterants in plant food supplements by UHPLC-MS/MS.

A method based on the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was successfully developed and validated for the analysis of 26 pharmaceutical compounds belonging to different therapeutic classes (anorexics, stimulants, anxiolytics, antidepressants and laxatives), which are all prone to be illegally added into weight-loss plant food supplements (PFS) for their pharmacological activity. Internal standard calibration with six isotopically labelled compounds rendered good linearity in the range of 5 to 1000μg/l, depending on the compound, and good sensitivity with limits of quantification in the range of 0.02-9.

Presence of pharmaceuticals in the Lis river (Portugal): Sources, fate and seasonal variation.

The occurrence of 33 pharmaceuticals and metabolites was evaluated along the Lis river and in the influents and effluents of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located along the river. Results indicate that pharmaceuticals, such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, carbamazepine and fluoxetine, and the metabolite salicylic acid are widespread along the Lis river, showing 100% of detection frequency, at levels up to 1.3μgL.

Optimization of the Ion Source-Mass Spectrometry Parameters in Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Pharmaceuticals Analysis by a Design of Experiments Approach.

The flow rates of drying and nebulizing gas, heat block and desolvation line temperatures and interface voltage are potential electrospray ionization parameters as they may enhance sensitivity of the mass spectrometer. The conditions that give higher sensitivity of 13 pharmaceuticals were explored. First, Plackett-Burman design was implemented to screen significant factors, and it was concluded that interface voltage and nebulizing gas flow were the only factors that influence the intensity signal for all pharmaceuticals.

A throughput method using the quick easy cheap effective rugged safe method for the quantification of ibuprofen and its main metabolites in soils.

Quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction is a modern sample preparation method that involves a number of steps with a low susceptibility to error. The efficiency of a laboratory can be improved not only through labor reduction and consumable savings but also through the use of high-throughput methods and the reduction of wastes. In commercially available kits, different salts and buffers are mixed in anhydrous packages.

Assessment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic pharmaceuticals in seawaters of North of Portugal: occurrence and environmental risk.

The occurrence of seven pharmaceuticals and two metabolites belonging to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics therapeutic classes was studied in seawaters. A total of 101 samples covering fourteen beaches and five cities were evaluated in order to assess the spatial distribution of pharmaceuticals among north Portuguese coast. Seawaters were selected in order to embrace different bathing water quality (excellent, good and sufficient).

Development of a SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS methodology for the determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic pharmaceuticals in seawater.

An analytical methodology for the simultaneous determination of seven pharmaceuticals and two metabolites belonging to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics therapeutic groups was developed based on off-line solid-phase extraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS). Extraction conditions were optimized taking into account parameters like sorbent material, sample volume and sample pH. Method detection limits (MDLs) ranging from 0.

Role of oxidative stress-induced systemic and cavernosal molecular alterations in the progression of diabetic erectile dysfunction.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent complication of diabetes, and oxidative stress is an important feature of diabetic ED. Oxidative stress-induced damage plays a pivotal role in the development of tissue alterations. However, the deleterious effects of oxidative stress in the corpus cavernosum with the progression of diabetes remain unclear.

Response surface methodology applied to SPE for the determination of ibuprofen in various types of water samples.

Over the last few years, there has been a growing concern about the presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment. The main objective of this study was to develop and validate an SPE method using surface response methodology for the determination of ibuprofen in different types of water samples. The influence of sample pH and sample volume on the ibuprofen recovery was studied.