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HomeSmall Molecule HPLCTrace LC-MS/MS Analysis of Hormones in Tap Water and After Purification to Laboratory Grade

Trace LC-MS/MS Analysis of Hormones in Tap Water

Anastasia Domanov1, Matias Kopperi2, Jevgeni Parshintsev2, Patrik Appelblad3, Stephane Mabic1

1Lab Water Solutions, Merck, Guyancourt, France, 2University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Finland, 3Advanced Analytical, Merck, Solna, Sweden

Three hormones were detected by LC-MS/MS in the tap water of different laboratories. After purification by Milli-Q® water purification systems, the hormones were no longer detected in the product ultrapure water, which could then be used for LC-MS/MS analyses of hormones. 

Role of ultrapure water in LC-MS/MS analyses

HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) is used for the trace analysis of organic compounds to address environmental, health and safety concerns. These methods have very low detection limits, making it critical to avoid, or at least minimize, contamination during the experimental process. Components of the HPLC instrument, the mass spectrometer,1 sample handling and manipulation2 as well as the reagents and solvents used in the analyses, can all contribute to contamination issues.

Water plays an important role in HPLC, where it is used extensively in the workflow. It is essential that the analytes detected come from the samples, and not from the water used in various steps of the experiment (such as in the preparation of samples, standards, blanks, and eluents; or rinsing/flushing of the HPLC and MS systems).

Trace analyses of hormones

Hormones are examples of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) that have been detected in environmental and drinking waters around the world in trace amounts.2,3 Even at very low concentrations, CECs could potentially exert ecotoxicological effects.3

Three tap water samples from France, Spain and China were analyzed. Estradiol and androsterone were detected in tap water in laboratories in France and Spain, while corticosterone was detected in the water sample from the Chinese laboratory. Table 1 summarizes the results of the LC-MS/MS analysis and Figure 1 shows the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) chromatogram of estradiol.

The ultrapure water produced in each laboratory was analyzed for the presence of these three hormones using the same method as for tap water analysis. In all three laboratories, no hormones were detected in the product ultrapure water (Table 1).

Hormone
Concentration (ng/L) 
 Tap waterAfter purification
Estradiol (France)265.40ND
Estradiol (Spain)297.92ND
Androsterone (France)515.33ND
Androsterone (Spain)
1635ND
Corticosterone (China)14.91ND
Table 1Hormone concentrations in laboratory tap water and in ultrapure water produced by each lab's water purification system. Data reported are one-time, one-location data and are not representative of water in the various countries where samples were taken. ND, not detected.
Representative MRM chromatograms of estradiol in laboratory tap water and ultrapure water sampled from Spain and France

Figure 1. MRM chromatogram (ESI+) of estradiol in tap water and in ultrapure water after purification using Milli-Q® systems. Data reported are one-time, one-location data and are not representative of water in the various countries where samples were taken.

The extent of organic contamination is important in trace LC-MS/MS analyses. The level of total oxidizable carbon (TOC) provides a general indication of organic contamination. A TOC level below 5 ppb is recommended for LC-MS/MS, which is achieved by Milli-Q® ultrapure water systems.

Experimental conditions for the analysis of hormones in water

Lab Water Purification Systems

In the Chinese and the Spanish labs, a Milli-Q® water pretreatment system incorporating intelligent reverse osmosis, Elix® eletrodeionization and a bactericidal UV lamp, similar to the Milli-Q® IX system, was used. Following the pretreatment step, a Milli-Q® polishing system, similar to the Milli-Q® IQ 7000 system, was used to deliver ultrapure water.

In the French lab, an integrated pure and ultrapure Milli-Q® water purification system, similar to the Milli-Q® IQ 7003 system, was used to deliver ultrapure water.

Instrumentation

LC-MS analyses were performed on an Agilent®1290 Infinity HPLC system coupled to an Agilent® 6420 Triple Quadrupole system (ESI+, MRM). A Purospher® STAR RP-18 endcapped (2 µm) Hibar® HR 50-2.1 column was used to separate the hormones under gradient elution conditions.

Samples and Standards

Quantitation was performed using the standard addition method (standards: androstenedione, androsterone, corticosterone, cortisone, estradiol, estrone, progesterone, OH-progesterone, testosterone). 1-liter samples of tap water and ultrapure water from Milli-Q® water purification systems were collected and enriched by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) before LC-MS/MS analysis. The samples were analyzed in triplicate and the quantitation was performed following the standard addition method.

Benefits of ultrapure water to test hormones in environmental samples

LC-MS/MS analyses rely on high quality solvents that are free of contaminants that could cause interferences. Even if a scientist's molecules of interest are present in the tap water of their lab, Milli-Q® systems can deliver ultrapure water free of organic contaminants, making it suitable for the most sensitive LC-MS/MS analyses.

Related Products
Product No.Product NameDescriptionPricing
ZIQ7000T0CMilli-Q® IQ 7000 Ultrapure Water Purification Systemoutput: type 1 water (18.2 MΩ·cm), the most advanced Milli-Q® ultrapure (Type 1) water purification system that is intelligent, intuitive, and green.
ZIQ7003T0CMilli-Q® IQ 7003 Ultrapure and Pure Water Purification SystemProduces ultrapure (Type 1) water and pure (Type 2) water with a production flow rate of 3 L/hr from tap water feed
ZIQ7005T0CMilli-Q® IQ 7005 Ultrapure and Pure Water Purification SystemProduces ultrapure (Type 1) water and pure (Type 2) water with a production flow rate of 5 L/hr from tap water feed.
ZIQ7010T0CMilli-Q® IQ 7010 Ultrapure and Pure Water Purification SystemProduces ultrapure (Type 1) water and pure (Type 2) water with a production flow rate of 10 L/hr from tap water feed.
ZIQ7015T0CMilli-Q® IQ 7015 Ultrapure and Pure Water Purification SystemProduces ultrapure (Type 1) water and pure (Type 2) water with a production flow rate of 15 L/hr from tap water feed.
ZIX7003P0CMilli-Q® IX Pure Water System with E-POD® Dispenseroutput: type 2 water (> 5 MΩ·cm), input: potable tap water, The most advanced pure water system for the production of Elix® quality water at a flow rate of 3 L/h, with E-POD® pure water dispenser.
ZIX7005P0CMilli-Q® IX Pure Water System with E-POD® Dispenseroutput: type 2 water (> 5 MΩ·cm), input: potable tap water, The most advanced pure water system for the production of Elix® quality water at a flow rate of 5 L/h, with E-POD® pure water dispenser.
ZIX7010P0CMilli-Q® IX Pure Water System with E-POD® Dispenseroutput: type 2 water (> 5 MΩ·cm), input: potable tap water, The most advanced pure water system for the production of Elix® quality water at a flow rate of 10 L/h, with E-POD® pure water dispenser.
ZIX7015P0CMilli-Q® IX Pure Water System with E-POD® Dispenseroutput: type 2 water (> 5 MΩ·cm), input: potable tap water, The most advanced pure water system for the production of Elix® quality water at a flow rate of 15 L/h, with E-POD® pure water dispenser.
LCPAK0001LC-Pak® PolisherPlaced at the point of dispense of Direct-Q, Milli-Q Direct / Reference, Simplicity and Synergy systems, Designed for trace and ultra-trace organic analysis by HPLC, UHPLC, LC-MS, and LC-MS/MS
1.50646Purospher® STAR RP-18 endcapped (2 µm)L × I.D. 50 mm x 2.1 mm Hibar® HR UHPLC column
PHL89562Androstenedionephyproof® Reference Substance
31579AndrosteroneVETRANAL®, analytical standard
46148CorticosteroneVETRANAL®, analytical standard
39353Cortisonecertified reference material, TraceCERT®, Manufactured by: Sigma-Aldrich Production GmbH, Switzerland
PHR1353EstradiolPharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
46573EstroneVETRANAL®, analytical standard
P3972Progesteronemeets USP testing specifications
46923TestosteroneVETRANAL®, analytical standard
4633717α-HydroxyprogesteroneVETRANAL®, analytical standard

References

1.
Oehme M, Berger U, Brombacher S, Kuhn F, Kölliker S. 2002. Trace analysis by HPLC-MS: contamination problems and systematic errors. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 21(5):322-331. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-9936(02)00503-4
2.
Capdeville M, Budzinski H. 2011. Trace-level analysis of organic contaminants in drinking waters and groundwaters. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2010.12.006
3.
Snyder S, Wert E, Lei H, Westerhoff P, Yoon Y. 2007. Removal of EDCs and Pharmaceuticals in Drinking and Reuse Treatment Processes. [Internet]. AWWA Research Foundation. Available from: https://www.waterrf.org/research/projects/removal-edcs-and-pharmaceuticals-drinking-and-reuse-treatment-processes
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