Bioluminescent yeast estrogen assay (BLYES) as a sensitive tool to monitor surface and drinking water for estrogenicity

Author(s)

Di Dea Bergamasco, Ana Marcela ^[1] ; Eldridge, Melanie ^[2] ; Sanseverino, John ^[2] ; Sodre, Fernando Fabriz ^[3] ; Montagner, Cassiana Carolina ^[4] ; Pescara, Igor Cardoso ^[4] ; Jardim, Wilson Figueiredo ^[4] ; Umbuzeiro, Gisela de Aragao ^{[5, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Pharmaceut, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Tennessee, Ctr Environm Biotechnol, Knoxville, TN 37996 - USA

^[3] Univ Brasilia, Inst Chem, BR-72919910 Brasilia, DF - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Chem, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, Fac Technol, BR-13484332 Limeira, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING; v. 13, n. 11, p. 3288-3293, NOV 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 31

Abstract

dEstrogenic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are a concern due to their ubiquity and recognized adverse effects to humans and wildlife. Methods to assess exposure to and associated risks of their presence in aquatic environment are still under development. The aim of this work is to assess estrogenicity of raw and treated waters with different degrees of pollution. Chemical analyses of selected EDCs were performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and estrogenic activity was evaluated using in vitro bioluminescent yeast estrogen assay (BLYES). Most raw water samples (18/20) presented at least one EDC and 16 rendered positive in BLYES. When EDCs were detected, the bioassay usually provided a positive response, except when only bisphenol A was detected at low concentrations. The highest values of estrogenic activity were detected in the most polluted sites. The maximum estrogenic activity observed was 8.7 ng equiv. of E2 L(-1). We compared potencies observed in the bioassay to the relative potency of target compounds and their concentrations failed to fully explain the biological response. This indicates that bioassay is more sensitive than the chemical approach either detecting estrogenic target compounds at lower concentrations, other non-target compounds or even synergistic effects, which should be considered on further investigations. We have not detected either estrogenic activity or estrogenic compounds in drinking water. BLYES showed good sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.1 ng equiv. E2 L(-1) and it seems to be a suitable tool for water monitoring. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/58449-2 - Occurrence and estrogenic activity of endocrine disruptor chemicals in drinking water and in raw water supplies of the State of São Paulo
• Grantee: Wilson de Figueiredo Jardim
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants