Abstract
Even though the methodology used for the determination ofβ-blockers andβ-agonists in environmental samples is based mainly on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography or liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection, the available literature data on the applied SPE procedures is rather sparse. In this paper such comparison is presented. Moreover, the usefulness of the eight SPE cartridges for the determination of fiveβ-blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, and propranolol) and twoβ-agonists (salbutamol and terbutaline) in environmental aqueous samples using GC techniques is tested. Among them, three (the trifunction sorbent Strata Screen C, the copolymers LiChrolut EN, and the functionalized copolymer Isolute ENV+) were used for the first time for this purpose. It was confirmed that polystyrene-divinylbenzene-N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers (PS-DVB-VP, Strata-X, and Oasis HLB cartridges) have a better potential than a cation-exchange sorbent for the extraction of the target drugs from environmental water samples. However, it should be stressed out that the direct application of the tested SPE conditions for the analysis of real environmental water samples is not possible, and such parameters, like volume of loading sample, appropriate solvents for washing and elution steps, and so forth, must be optimized again in order to achieve satisfactory recovery values for the target compounds.
Highlights
IntroductionThe increasing consumption of β-blockers (for the treatment of various cardiovascular disorders like high blood pressure, ischaemic heart disease, and heart rhythm disturbances) and β-agonists (antiasthmatic drugs) has caused their presence in the environment to become more noticeable
The increasing consumption of β-blockers and β-agonists has caused their presence in the environment to become more noticeable
Concentrations of metoprolol, propranolol, and nadolol in wastewater treatment plant effluents vary between 25 and 2800 ng/L; they are found in rivers and streams too (e.g., [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8])
Summary
The increasing consumption of β-blockers (for the treatment of various cardiovascular disorders like high blood pressure, ischaemic heart disease, and heart rhythm disturbances) and β-agonists (antiasthmatic drugs) has caused their presence in the environment to become more noticeable. The analytical methods used for their determination are usually based on liquid or gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. They are used for biomedical analysis in urine and blood (e.g., [9, 10]). With these techniques reliable identification data can be obtained, which is important especially in antidoping control because, apart from their clinical use and therapeutic value, some of these drugs are doping agents, whose use has been forbidden by the Medical Commission of the International Olympic Committee. It should be added that, because of their similar chemical and structural properties (all of them contain aminoethanol groups), β-blockers and β-agonists can be analysed in a single run (e.g., [4, 9])
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