Biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) by a wood-rotting fungus.

Biotransformation of 6:2 FTOH [F(CF2)6CH2CH2OH] by the white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, was investigated in laboratory studies. 6:2 FTOH is a raw material increasingly being used to replace products that can lead to long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs, ≥ 8 carbons). During a product's life cycle and after final disposal, 6:2 FTOH-derived compounds may be released into the environment and potentially biotransformed. In this study, P. chrysosporium transformed 6:2 FTOH to perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), polyfluorocarboxylic acids, and transient intermediates within 28 days. 5:3 Acid [F(CF2)5CH2CH2COOH] was the most abundant transformation product, accounting for 32-43 mol % of initially applied 6:2 FTOH in cultures supplemented with lignocellulosic powder, yeast extract, cellulose, and glucose. PFCAs, including perfluoropentanoic (PFPeA) and perfluorohexanoic (PFHxA) acids, accounted for 5.9 mol % after 28-day incubation. Furthermore, four new transformation products as 6:2 FTOH conjugates or 5:3 acid analogues were structurally confirmed. These results demonstrate that P. chrysosporium has the necessary biochemical mechanisms to drive 6:2 FTOH biotransformation pathways toward more degradable polyfluoroalkylcarboxylic acids, such as 5:3 acid, with lower PFCA yields compared to aerobic soil, sludge, and microbial consortia. Since bacteria and fungi appear to contribute differently toward the environmental loading of FTOH-derived PFCAs and polyfluorocarboxylic acids, wood-rotting fungi should be evaluated as potential candidates for the bioremediation of wastewater and groundwater contaminated with fluoroalkyl substances.

6:2 and 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol anaerobic biotransformation in digester sludge from a WWTP under methanogenic conditions.

6:2 FTOH and 8:2 FTOH [FTOHs, F(CF2)nCH2CH2OH, n = 6, 8] are the principal polyfluorinated raw materials used to manufacture FTOH-based products, which may be released to WWTPs during their product life cycle. For the first time, anaerobic biotransformation of FTOHs and key biotransformation intermediates in WWTP digester sludge under methanogenic conditions was investigated. 6:2 FTOH was transformed to 6:2 FTCA, [F(CF2)6CH2COOH, 32-43 mol %], 6:2 FTUCA [F(CF2)5CF═CHCOOH, 1.8-8.0 mol %], and 5:3 acid [F(CF2)5CH2CH2COOH, 18-23 mol %] by day 90 and day 176 in two separate studies. 8:2 FTOH was transformed by day 181 to 8:2 FTCA (18 mol %), 8:2 FTUCA (5.1 mol %), and 7:3 acid (27 mol %). 6:2 and 8:2 FTOH anaerobic biotransformation led to low levels of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA, ≤0.4 mol %) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, 0.3 mol %), respectively. 6:2 FTUCA anaerobic biotransformation led to a newly identified novel transient intermediate 3-fluoro 5:3 acid [F(CF2)5CFHCH2COOH] and 5:3 acid, but not 5:2 sFTOH [F(CF2)5CH(OH)CH3] and α-OH 5:3 acid [F(CF2)5CH2CH(OH)COOH], two precursors leading to PFPeA (perfluoropentanoic acid) and PFHxA. Thus, FTOH anaerobic biotransformation pathways operated by microbes in the environment was likely inefficient at shortening carbon chains of FTOHs to form PFCAs (perfluorinated carboxylic acids). These results imply that anaerobic biotransformation of FTOH-based products may produce polyfluorinated acids, but is not likely a major source of PFCAs detected in anaerobic environmental matrices such as anaerobic digester sludge, landfill leachate, and anaerobic sediment under methanogenic conditions.

Aerobic soil biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer iodide.

6:2 FTI [F(CF2)6CH2CH2I] is a principal industrial raw material used to manufacture 6:2 FTOH [F(CF2)6CH2CH2OH] and 6:2 FTOH-based products and could enter aerobic environments from possible industrial emissions where it is manufactured. This is the first study to assess 6:2 FTI aerobic soil biotransformation, quantify transformation products, and elucidate its biotransformation pathways. 6:2 FTI biotransformation led to 6:2 FTOH as a key intermediate, which was subsequently biotransformed to other significant transformation products, including PFPeA [F(CF2)4COOH, 20 mol % at day 91], 5:3 acid [F(CF2)5CH2CH2COOH, 16 mol %], PFHxA [F(CF2)5COOH, 3.8 mol %], and 4:3 acid [F(CF2)4CH2CH2COOH, 3.0 mol %]. 6:2 FTI biotransformation also led to a significant level of PFHpA [F(CF2)6COOH, 16 mol % at day 91], perhaps via another putative intermediate, 6:2 FTUI [F(CF2)6CH ═ CHI], whose molecular identity and further biotransformation were not verified because of the lack of an authentic standard. Total recovery of the aforementioned per- and polyfluorocarboxylates accounted for 59 mol % of initially applied 6:2 FTI by day 91, in comparison to 56 mol % when soil was dosed with 6:2 FTOH, which did not lead to PFHpA. Thus, were 6:2 FTI to be released from its manufacture and undergo soil microbial biotransformation, it could form PFPeA, PFHpA, PFHxA, 5:3 acid, and 4:3 acid in the environment.

Identification and characterization of new Δ-17 fatty acid desaturases.

ω-3 fatty acid desaturase is a key enzyme for the biosynthesis of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids via the oxidative desaturase/elongase pathways. Here we report the identification of three ω-3 desaturases from oomycetes, Pythium aphanidermatum, Phytophthora sojae, and Phytophthora ramorum. These new ω-3 desaturases share 55 % identity at the amino acid level with the known Δ-17 desaturase of Saprolegnia diclina, and about 31 % identity with the bifunctional Δ-12/Δ-15 desaturase of Fusarium monoliforme. The three enzymes were expressed in either wild-type or codon optimized form in an engineered arachidonic acid producing strain of Yarrowia lipolytica to study their activity and substrate specificity. All three were able to convert the ω-6 arachidonic acid to the ω-3 eicosapentanoic acid, with a substrate conversion efficiency of 54-65 %. These enzymes have a broad ω-6 fatty acid substrate spectrum, including both C18 and C20 ω-6 fatty acids although they prefer the C20 substrates, and have strong Δ-17 desaturase activity but weaker Δ-15 desaturase activity. Thus, they belong to the Δ-17 desaturase class. Unlike the previously identified bifunctional Δ-12/Δ-15 desaturase from F. monoliforme, they lack Δ-12 desaturase activity. The newly identified Δ-17 desaturases could use fatty acids in both acyl-CoA and phospholipid fraction as substrates. The identification of these Δ-17 desaturases provides a set of powerful new tools for genetic engineering of microbes and plants to produce ω-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexanoic acid, at high levels.

Comparative metabolism of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene in male and female mouse, rat, dog, and human liver microsomes and cytosol and male rat hepatocytes via oxidative dehalogenation and glutathione S-conjugation pathways.

In vitro metabolism of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene (PFP) was investigated in the present study. PFP was metabolized via cytochrome P450-catalyzed oxidative dehalogenation in liver microsomes and glutathione transferase (GST)-catalyzed conjugation in liver microsomes and cytosol. Two oxidation products, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropionaldehyde (TPA) and 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvaldehyde (TFPA), and two GSH conjugates, S-(2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropenyl)-GSH (TFPG) and S-(1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)-GSH (PFPG) were identified. Enzyme kinetic parameters for the formation of TFPA, TFPG, and PFPG were obtained in male and female rat, mouse, dog, and human liver microsomes and cytosol and were confirmed using freshly isolated male rat hepatocytes. For the TFPA pathway, dog microsomes exhibited much larger K(m) values than rat, mouse, and human microsomes. Sex differences in the rates of metabolism within a given species were minor and generally were less than 2-fold. Across the species, liver microsomes were the primary subcellular fraction for GSH S-conjugation and the apparent reaction rates for the formation of TFPG were much greater than those for PFPG in liver microsomes. PFPG was unstable and had a half-life of approximately 3.9 h in a phosphate buffer (pH 7.4 and 37°C). The intrinsic clearance values for the formation of TFPA were much greater than those for the formation of GSH S-conjugates, suggesting that cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation is the primary pathway for the metabolism of PFP at relatively low PFP concentrations. Because saturation of the GST-mediated reactions was not reached at the highest possible PFP concentration, GSH S-conjugation may become a much more important pathway at higher PFP concentrations (relative to the K(m) for TFPA).

Determination of fluoride as fluorosilane derivative using reversed-phase HPLC with UV detection for determination of total organic fluorine.

A quantitative method for fluoride determination using RP HPLC and UV detection was developed. The method is based on the reaction of fluoride with triphenylhydroxysilane in highly acidic conditions and extraction of the reaction product into n-heptane. Chromatographic conditions as well as the derivatization parameters were optimized. LOQ for fluoride ion was evaluated as 0.25 µM (4.75 ppb) and linear range of response up to 75 µM (1.42 ppm) was obtained. The method was developed as a part of a procedure designed for the determination of total organic fluorine in natural waters, using SPE on a carbon sorbent and sodium biphenyl reagent for the defluorination reaction. LOD for a model compound, perfluorooctanoic acid, calculated for the complete procedure with 2000-fold preconcentration, is 20 ppt (n=4). Initial results show feasibility of total organic fluorine determination for environmental purposes.

A survey of analytical methods employed for monitoring of Advanced Oxidation/Reduction Processes for decomposition of selected perfluorinated environmental pollutants.

The monitoring of Advanced Oxidation/Reduction Processes (AO/RPs) for the evaluation of the yield and mechanisms of decomposition of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) is often a more difficult task than their determination in the environmental, biological or food samples with complex matrices. This is mostly due to the formation of hundreds, or even thousands, of both intermediate and final products. The considered AO/RPs, involving free radical reactions, include photolytic and photocatalytic processes, Fenton reactions, sonolysis, ozonation, application of ionizing radiation and several wet oxidation processes. The main attention is paid to the most commonly occurring PFCs in the environment, namely PFOA and PFOS. The most powerful and widely exploited method for this purpose is without a doubt LC/MS/MS, which allows the identification and trace quantitation of all species with detectability and resolution power depending on the particular instrumental configurations. The GC/MS is often employed for the monitoring of volatile fluorocarbons, confirming the formation of radicals in the processes of C‒C and C‒S bonds cleavage. For the direct monitoring of radicals participating in the reactions of PFCs decomposition, the molecular spectrophotometry is employed, especially electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The UV/Vis spectrophotometry as a detection method is of special importance in the evaluation of kinetics of radical reactions with the use of pulse radiolysis methods. The most commonly employed for the determination of the yield of mineralization of PFCs is ion-chromatography, but there is also potentiometry with ion-selective electrode and the measurements of general parameters such as Total Organic Carbon and Total Organic Fluoride. The presented review is based on about 100 original papers published in both analytical and environmental journals.

In vitro metabolism of 8-2 fluorotelomer alcohol: interspecies comparisons and metabolic pathway refinement.

The detection of perfluorinated organic compounds in the environment has generated interest in their biological fate. 8-2 Fluorotelomer alcohol (8-2 FTOH, C(7)F(15)CF(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH), a raw material used in the manufacture of fluorotelomer-based products, has been identified in the environment and has been implicated as a potential source for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the environment. In this study, the in vitro metabolism of [3-(14)C] 8-2 FTOH and selected acid metabolites by rat, mouse, trout, and human hepatocytes and by rat, mouse, and human liver microsomes and cytosol were investigated. Clearance rates of 8-2 FTOH in hepatocytes indicated rat > mouse > human >/= trout. A number of metabolites not previously reported were identified, adding further understanding to the pathway for 8-2 FTOH metabolism. Neither perfluorooctanoate nor perfluorononanoate was detected from incubations with human microsomes. To further elucidate the steps in the metabolic pathway, hepatocytes were incubated with 8-2 fluorotelomer acid, 8-2 fluorotelomer unsaturated acid, 7-3 acid, 7-3 unsaturated acid, and 7-2 secondary fluorotelomer alcohol. Shorter chain perfluorinated acids were only observed in hepatocyte and microsome incubations of the 8-2 acids but not from the 7-3 acids. Overall, the results indicate that 8-2 FTOH is extensively metabolized in rats and mice and to a lesser extent in humans and trout. Metabolism of 8-2 FTOH to perfluorinated acids was extremely small and likely mediated by enzymes in the microsomal fraction. These results suggest that human exposure to 8-2 FTOH is not expected to be a significant source of PFOA or any other perfluorocarboxylic acids.

Separation and determination of perfluorinated carboxylic acids using capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect photometric detection.

Perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) belong to anthropogenic fluoroorganic compounds that have been detected in the natural environment and living organisms including humans. A capillary zone electrophoretic method with indirect UV detection using 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid (2,4-DNBA) as a chromophore probe has been developed for analysis of PFCAs (C6-C12) in water. Optimal analyte resolution and detection sensitivity was obtained with 50 mM Tris solution of pH 9.0 and 50% methanol as a background electrolyte (BGE). The baseline separation of C6-C12 PFCAs was obtained within 20 min with detection limits in the range from 0.6 to 2.4 ppm.

Method development for the determination of residual fluorotelomer raw materials and perflurooctanoate in fluorotelomer-based products by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

The methodology for the determination of perfluorooctanoate (C(7)F(15)COO-, PFO), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs: 6-2, 8-2, and 10-2), perfluorooctyl iodide (PFOI), and 8-2-8 fluorotelomer alcohol ester in complex fluorotelomer-based commercial products has been demonstrated and validated. Sample preparation procedures allowing determination of residual levels of these compounds were developed. The analytes were detected either by LC/MS/MS (PFO), LC/MS (FTOHs), or GC/MS (PFOI, 8-2-8 ester). The methods were validated by investigating the recoveries of analytes spiked at multiple levels to authentic sample matrices. The recoveries generally were between 70 and 130%. The limits of detection were in sub-microg/g range and the limits of quantitation were in the mug/g range. The methods were applied to fluorotelomer-based raw materials and fluorotelomer-based surfactants and polymeric products and represent methods useful for the determination of higher carbon chain length homologs as well.

Quantitative determination of perfluorooctanoic acid in serum and plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A selective and sensitive method for analysis of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in human serum and plasma, utilizing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), has been developed and thoroughly validated to satisfy strict FDA guidelines for bioanalytical methods. A simple, automated sample preparation procedure, involving extraction of the target analyte with acetonitrile on protein precipitation media in a 96-well plate format was developed, allowing efficient handling of large numbers of samples. The proposed method uses the calibration standards prepared in a surrogate matrix (rabbit serum or plasma) and (13)C-labeled PFOA as the internal standard to account for matrix effects, instrument drift, and extraction efficiency. Human serum and plasma could not be used for matrix matching of calibration standards as endogenous levels of PFOA observed in the control human serum and plasma significantly exceeded the targeted lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of the method. Precision and accuracy of the method were demonstrated by analysis of rabbit serum and plasma control samples fortified at 0.5, 5, and 40 ng/mL PFOA and human serum and plasma fortified at 1.0, 5.0, 40 ng/mL PFOA. The LLOQ of 0.5 ng/mL PFOA was experimentally demonstrated for rabbit and human serum and plasma. Within-day precision and accuracy, short-term stability, freeze-thaw stability, equivalence of response between PFOA and APFO (the ammonium salt of PFOA), and dilution of concentrated samples were also investigated. The results of the validation experiments comply with the precision and accuracy limits defined by the FDA guidance document: "Guidance for Industry, Bioanalytical Method Validation", May 2001.

Investigation of natural dyes occurring in historical Coptic textiles by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-Vis and mass spectrometric detection.

Liquid chromatography (LC) combined with ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and mass spectrometric (MS) detection was utilized to study the chemical components present in extracts of natural dyes originating from fiber samples obtained from Coptic textiles from Early Christian Art Collection of National Museum in Warsaw. Chromatographic retention, ionization, UV-Vis and mass spectra of twenty selected dye compounds of flavanoid-, anthraquinone- and indigo-types were studied. Most of the investigated compounds could be ionized by positive and negative ion electrospray ionization. Difficulties with the ionization by electrospray were experienced for indigotin and brominated indigotins, but these were ionized by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. Mass spectrometric detection, utilizing different scanning modes of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, combined with the UV-Vis detection was demonstrated to be a powerful approach to detection and identification of dyes in the extracts of archeological textiles. Using this approach the following compounds were identified in the extracts of Coptic textiles: luteolin, apigenin, rhamnetin, kaempferol, alizarin, purpurin, xanthopurpurin, monochloroalizarin, indirubin, and so the type of dye that was utilized to dye the textiles could be identified. Detection capabilities for several dye-type analytes were compared for the UV-Vis and mass spectrometric detection. The signal-to-noise ratios obtained for luteolin, apigenin, and rhamnetin were higher for the MS detection for most of the examined sample extracts. Purpurin, alizarin, and indirubin showed similar signal-to-noise ratios for UV-Vis and mass spectrometric detection.

Determination of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol in animal plasma and tissues by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) constitute an important group of compounds among the perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The PFAS have recently been a focus of many environmental and biological studies. This generated a strong need for analytical methods for analysis of PFAS at trace levels in various environmental and biological matrices. A quantitative analytical method for analysis of 8:2 FTOH in rat plasma and rat liver, kidney, and adipose tissue using GC-MS with electron impact (EI) ionization was developed and validated. Extraction of water-diluted plasma with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was used for rat plasma. The analysis of rat liver or kidney tissues required homogenization of tissue on ice, extraction with hexane, and clean up of the extract by silica (Si) normal-phase solid phase extraction (SPE). Similarly, the adipose tissue was dissolved in n-heptane and cleaned up by Si SPE. The methods were validated by performing spike recovery experiments for each type of matrix investigated and tested on authentic samples originating from 8:2 FTOH toxicological studies.

5:3 Polyfluorinated acid aerobic biotransformation in activated sludge via novel "one-carbon removal pathways".

The polyfluorinated carboxylic acids 5:3 acid (C(5)F(11)CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)H) and 7:3 acid (C(7)F(15)CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)H) are major products from 6:2 FTOH (C(6)F(13)CH(2)CH(2)OH) and 8:2 FTOH (C(8)F(17)CH(2)CH(2)OH) aerobic biotransformation, respectively. The 5:3 and 7:3 acids were dosed into domestic WWTP activated sludge for 90 d to determine their biodegradability. The 7:3 acid aerobic biodegradability was low, only 1.7 mol% conversion to perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), whereas no transformation was observed previously in soil. In stark contrast, 5:3 acid aerobic biodegradability was enhanced 10 times in activated sludge compared to soil. The 5:3 acid was not activated by acyl CoEnzyme A (CoA) synthetase, a key step required for further α- or ß-oxidation. Instead, 5:3 acid was directly converted to 4:3 acid (C(4)F(9)CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)H, 14.2 mol%) and 3:3 acid (C(3)F(7)CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)H, 0.9 mol%) via "one-carbon removal pathways". The 5:3 acid biotransformation also yielded perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA, 5.9 mol%) and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, 0.8 mol%). This is the first report to identify key biotransformation intermediates which demonstrate novel one-carbon removal pathways with sequential removal of CF(2) groups. Identified biotransformation intermediates (10.2 mol% in sum) were 5:3 Uacid, α-OH 5:3 acid, 5:2 acid, and 5:2 Uacid. The 5:2 Uacid and 5:2 acid are novel intermediates identified for the first time which confirm the proposed pathways. In the biodegradation pathways, the genesis of the one carbon removal is CO(2) elimination from α-OH 5:3 acid. These results suggest that there are enzymatic mechanisms available in the environment that can lead to 6:2 FTOH and 5:3 acid mineralization. The dehydrogenation from 5:3 acid to 5:3 Uacid was the rate-limiting enzymatic step for 5:3 acid conversion to 4:3 acid.

6-2 Fluorotelomer alcohol aerobic biodegradation in soil and mixed bacterial culture.

The first studies to explore 6-2 fluorotelomer alcohol [6-2 FTOH, F(CF(2))(6)CH(2)CH(2)OH] aerobic biodegradation are described. Biodegradation yields and metabolite concentrations were determined in mixed bacterial culture (90d) and aerobic soil (180d). 6-2 FTOH primary degradation half-life was less than 2d in both. The overall mass balance in mixed bacterial culture (day 90) was approximately 60%. At day 90, the molar yield was 6% for 6-2 FTA [F(CF(2))(6)CH(2)COOH], 23% for 6-2 FTUA [F(CF(2))(5)CFCHCOOH], 16% for 5-2 sFTOH [F(CF(2))(5)CHOHCH(3)], 6% for 5-3 acid [F(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CH(2)COOH], and 5% for PFHxA [F(CF(2))(5)COOH]. The overall mass balance in aerobic soil was approximately 67% (day 180). At day 180, the major terminal metabolites were PFPeA, [F(CF(2))(4)COOH, 30%], PFHxA (8%), PFBA [F(CF(2))(3)COOH, 2%], and 5-3 acid (15%). A new metabolite 4-3 acid [F(CF(2))(4)CH(2)CH(2)COOH] accounted for 1%, 6-2 FTOH for 3%, and 5-2 sFTOH for 7%. Based on 8-2 FTOH aerobic biodegradation pathways, PFHxA was expected in greatest yield from 6-2 FTOH degradation. However, PFPeA was observed in greatest yield in soil, suggesting a preference for alternate degradation pathways. Selected metabolites were also studied in aerobic soil. 5-3 Acid degraded to only 4-3 acid with a molar yield of 2.3%. 5-2 sFTOH degraded to PFPeA and PFHxA, and 5-2 FT Ketone [F(CF(2))(5)COCH(3)] degraded to 5-2 sFTOH, suggesting that 5-2 sFTOH is the direct precursor to PFPeA and PFHxA. Another new metabolite, 5-3 ketone aldehyde [F(CF(2))(5)COCH(2)CHO] was also identified in mixed bacterial culture. The formation of PFBA, PFPeA, and 4-3 acid indicates that multiple -CF(2)- groups in 6-2 FTOH were removed during microbial biodegradation.

8-2 fluorotelomer alcohol aerobic soil biodegradation: pathways, metabolites, and metabolite yields.

The biodegradation pathways and metabolite yields of [3-(14)C] 8-2 fluorotelomer alcohol [8-2 FTOH, F(CF(2))(7)(14)CF(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH) in aerobic soils were investigated. Studies were conducted under closed (static) and continuous headspace air flow to assess differences in degradation rate and metabolite concentrations in soil and headspace. Aerobic degradation pathways in soils were in general similar to those in aerobic sludge and bacterial culture. (14)C mass balance was achieved in soils incubated for up to 7 months. Up to 35% (14)C dosed was irreversibly bound to soils and was only recoverable by soil combustion. The average PFOA yield was approximately 25%. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) yield reached approximately 4%. (14)CO(2) yield was 6.8% under continuous air flow for 33 days. Three metabolites not previously identified in environmental samples were detected: 3-OH-7-3 acid [F(CF(2))(7)CHOHCH(2)COOH], 7-2 FT ketone [F(CF(2))(7)COCH(3)] and 2H-PFOA [F(CF(2))(6)CFHCOOH]. No perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was observed. The formation of 2H-PFOA, PFHxA, and (14)CO(2) shows that multiple -CF(2)- groups were removed from 8-2 FTOH. 7-3 Acid [F(CF(2))(7)CH(2)CH(2)COOH] reached a yield of 11% at day 7 and did not change thereafter. 7-3 Acid was incubated in aerobic soil and did not degrade to PFOA. 7-2 sFTOH [F(CF(2))(7)CH(OH)CH(3)], a transient metabolite, was incubated and degraded principally to PFOA. 7-3 Acid may be a unique metabolite from 8-2 FTOH biodegradation. The terminal ratio of PFOA to 7-3 acid ranged between 1.8-2.5 in soils and 0.6-3.2 in activated sludge, sediment, and mixed bacterial culture. This ratio may be useful in evaluating environmental samples to distinguish the potential contribution of 8-2 FTOH biodegradation to PFOA observed versus PFOA originating from other sources.

Kinetics of 8-2 fluorotelomer alcohol and its metabolites, and liver glutathione status following daily oral dosing for 45 days in male and female rats.

Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) are raw materials used in the manufacture of polymeric and surfactant products. Based on previous findings from single oral dosing in rats with radiolabeled 8-2 FTOH, glutathione (GSH) depletion and/or the presence of perfluorinated/polyfluorinated acids and aldehyde metabolites was hypothesized to account for the hepatocellular lesions observed in male rats from a 90-day subchronic oral dosing study. Further, the reported nephropathy in female rats from the subchronic experiment was hypothesized to have been initiated by a thiol metabolite produced by degradation of GSH conjugates. In the current investigation, the kinetics of 8-2 FTOH and its metabolites along with liver GSH status were evaluated in the rat following daily oral dosing with 8-2 FTOH for 45 days at 5 and 125 mg/kg/day. Liver GSH stores 1-2h after dosing were unaffected, suggesting that GSH depletion is not likely a relevant mode of action in the liver. The tissue metabolite data indicate that the liver toxicity mode of action is likely associated with elevated levels of perfluoroalkyl acids found in males, since other polyfluorinated metabolites and 8-2 FTOH were present in livers from female rats at comparable or higher levels. Detection of the N-acetyl cysteine conjugate of the unsaturated parent telomer alcohol in urine from female rats and not male rats provides some evidence to support the mechanistic basis for the observed kidney effects. Further, the increasing levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in plasma from female rats over the 45-day dosing phase, while unexpected, may reflect an increased net absorption of 8-2 FTOH, slow elimination of intermediates in the metabolic pathway between 8-2 FTOH and PFOA, or altered kidney clearance. The results of this study have enhanced our understanding of 8-2 FTOH kinetics and metabolism and potential modes of action in the rat, which will guide the design of future studies for FTOHs and our need to define the mechanistic basis for the observed effects.

Investigation of the biodegradation potential of a fluoroacrylate polymer product in aerobic soils.

Biodegradation of fluorinated polymers is of interest to assess them as a potential source of perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) in the environment. A fluoroacrylate polymer product test substance was studied in four aerobic soils over two years to assess whether the fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) side chains covalently bonded to the polymer backbone may be transformed to form PFCAs. The test substance itself was not directly measured; instead, nine analytes were determined to evaluate biodegradation. Terminal biotransformation products measured included perfluorooctanoate (PFO), perfluorononanoate (PFN), perfluorodecanoate (PFD), perfluoroundecanoate (PFU), and pentadecafluorodecanoate (7-3 acid). The molar concentration of 8-2 fluorotelomer alcohol (8-2 FTOH) in the test substance, fluoroacrylate polymer and residual unreacted raw materials and impurities ("residuals") were compared with the molar concentrations of the terminal biotransformation products for mass balance and kinetic assessments. Over the two year time frame of the experimental study, the fluoroacrylate polymer showed a slight extent of potential biodegradation under the experimental conditions of the study. A biodegradation half-life of 1200-1700 years was calculated for the fluoroacrylate polymer based on the rate of formation of PFO in aerobic soils. When the degradation rates of the fluoroacrylate polymer and residuals were applied to estimated total historic fluoroacrylate polymer production, use and disposal, the biodegradation of fluoroacrylate polymer and residuals is calculated to contribute less than 5 tonnes of PFO per year globally to PFCAs present in the environment.

HPLC-MS of anthraquinoids, flavonoids, and their degradation products in analysis of natural dyes in archeological objects.

LC with MS detection was optimized for sensitive and selective analysis of main classes of natural dyes used in ancient times for dyeing textiles -- red anthraquinoids, yellow flavonoids, and known degradation products of flavonols -- hydroxybenzoic acids. Fragmentation patterns of both negative and positive molecular ions for the above mentioned compounds were investigated. Three acquisition modes of MS analysis: scanning, SIM, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in both positive and negative ion modes were optimized and compared with each other and with the UV-Vis diode-array detection. Even though in the applied chromatographic system formic acid was used in the mobile phase, SIM in the negative ion mode was the most selective and sensitive detection for all the investigated compounds when both mixtures of standards and analysis of extracts from archeological samples were concerned, with one exception -- alizarin, for which MS detection in positive ion mode was more sensitive. Detection limits obtained with MS detection for all investigated compounds except quinizarin were lower than the ones obtained with the diode-array UV-Vis detection, making MS detection the most suitable tool for the analysis of natural dyes and their degradation products in extracts from archeological samples.

Flow-injection determination of total organic fluorine with off-line defluorination reaction on a solid sorbent bed.

Considering recent reports on widespread occurrence and concerns about perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental and biological systems, analysis of these compounds have gained much attention in recent years. Majority of analyte-specific methods are based on a LC/MS/MS or a GC/MS detection, however many environmental or biological studies would benefit from a total organic fluorine (TOF) determination. Presented work was aimed at developing a method for TOF determination. TOF is determined as an amount of inorganic fluoride obtained after defluorination reaction conducted off-line using sodium biphenyl reagent directly on the sorbent without elution of retained analytes. Recovered fluoride was analyzed using flow-injection system with either fluorimetric or potentiometric detection. The TOF method was tested using perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCA), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as model compounds. Considering low concentrations of PFAS in natural samples, solid-phase extraction as a preconcentration procedure was evaluated. Several carbon-based sorbents were tested, namely multi-wall carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibres and activated carbon. Good sorption of all analytes was achieved and defluorination reaction was possible to carry out directly on a sorbent bed. Recoveries obtained for PFCAs, adsorbed on an activated carbon sorbent, and measured as TOF, were 99.5+/-1.7, 110+/-9.4, 95+/-26, 120+/-32, 110+/-12 for C4, C6, C8, C10 and C12-PFCA, respectively. Two flow systems that would enable the defluorination reaction and fluoride determination in a single system were designed and tested.