Simultaneous determination of phenolic xenoestrogens by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A highly sensitive and selective method for simultaneous determination of s ome hydroxyl group-containing endocrine disrupters, including bisphenol A ( BPA), bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol E (BPE), bisphenol F (BPF) and 4-nonylph enol (4-NP), was developed. The method consists of precolumn derivatization of the analytes, solid-phase extraction (SPE) and subsequent chromatograph ic analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluoresce nce detection. 4,4 ' -Cyclohexylidenebisphenol (BPZ) was used as an interna l standard. Derivatization was carried out using 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazo l-2-yl)benzoyl chloride (DIB-CI) as a label. Parameters of the derivatizati on reaction (temperature, time, concentration of reagent, stability, etc.) and of the solid-phase extraction (recovery, solvent, etc.) were studied in detail. Detection limits of compounds studied in standard solutions ranged from 0.08 - 1.3 ppb (ng/ml). The proposed method was successfully applied to plastic samples; BPA was found in both polycarbonate and polyvinyl chlor ide plastics, while 4-NP was found in plastics made of polyvinyl chloride a nd another polymer.