Evaluation of alternative binding agents in the diffusive gradients in thin films technique (DGT) for determination of methylmercury

• Grant number: 13/09020-4
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Amauri Antonio Menegário
• Grantee: Carlos Eduardo Eismann
• Home Institution: Centro de Estudos Ambientais (CEA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Efficient analytical methods for the determination of Methylmercury (MeHg) are necessary to evaluate the toxicity potential of this mercury specie. The diffusive gradients in thin films technique (DGT) have been utilized efficiently for metal speciation, showing satisfactory results in many studies. The utilization of alternative binding agents can improve the efficiency of the DGT technique, becoming it better (in laborious and financial terms), for monitoring of methylmercury in the environment. In this work, the potential of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in agarose and the P81 membrane (binding agents) associated with the polyacrylamide will be evaluated as binding agent for the selective determination of MeHg. The use of these binding agents is positive as they are easily obtainable and have low financial cost. Also both agents have showed satisfactory results for retention of other species. Initially, the selective potential of the binding agents (P81 and S. cerevisiae) will be evaluated for MeHg and for Hg2+, and after, their combination with diffusive agent.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TAFURT-CARDONA, MAKENLY; EISMANN, CARLOS EDUARDO; SUAREZ, CARLOS ALFREDO; MENEGARIO, AMAURI ANTONIO; LUKO, KAREN SILVA; SARGENTINI JUNIOR, EZIO. In situ selective determination of methylmercury in river water by diffusive gradient in thin films technique (DGT) using baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) immobilized in agarose gel as binding phase. Analytica Chimica Acta, v. 887, p. 38-44, AUG 5 2015. Web of Science Citations: 8.