Fluorescent compounds, carcinogenicity

In the PO-CL system, the compounds showing native fluorescence or that fluoresce after chemical derivatization can be detected. As examples of the PO-CL detection of native fluorescence compounds, dipyridamole and benzydamine in rat plasma [57] and fluphenazine [58] have been reported in the former method, the detection limits of dipyridamole and benzydamine were 345 pM and 147 nM in plasma, respectively. Diamino- and aminopyrenes were sensitively determined using TCPO and their detection limits were in the sub-fmol range [59], Carcinogenic compounds such as 1- nitropyrene and its metabolites, can also be determined by the HPLC-PO-CL system. Nonfluorescent nitropyrenes were converted into the corresponding fluorescent aminopyrenes by online reduction on a Zn column followed by detection 2-50-fmol detection limits were achieved in the determination of ethanol extracts from airborne particulates (Fig. 13) [60],... 

Some analytes, such as riboflavin (vitamin B2)16 and polycyclic aromatic compounds (an important class of carcinogens), are naturally fluorescent and can be analyzed directly. Most compounds are not luminescent. However, coupling to a fluorescent moiety provides a route to sensitive analyses. Fluorescein is a strongly fluorescent compound that can be coupled to many molecules for analytical purposes. Fluorescent labeling of fingerprints is a powerful tool in forensic analysis.17 Sensor molecules whose luminescence responds selectively to a variety of simple cations and anions are available.18 Ca2+ can be measured from the fluorescence of a complex it forms with a derivative of fluorescein called calcein. 

A second vital observation was made when Mayneord, a physicist, joined in the research effort and decided to examine the conspicuous fluorescence of the many carcinogenic distillates present in Kennaway s laboratory. He found that most of the carcinogenic tars exhibited a common fluorescence spectrum (X 400, 418 and 440 nm) but, in subsequent studies with Hieger, none of the hydrocarbons available at that time exhibited these spectral characteristics (7 ). The spectrum of benz[a]anthracene was found to be similar to, but of longer wavelength than, that of the carcinogenic preparations but this similarity directed Kennaway s attention to Clar s report of the synthesis of dibenz[a hjanthracene (10). Tumors were obtained when this hydrocarbon was repeatedly painted on to mice and thus it was established that the properties necessary to elicit tumors in animals were contained within the structure of a single pure chemical compound (11). 

The elemental metallic form of beryllium is highly toxic, as are most of its compounds. When inhaled, the fumes, dust, or particles of berylhum are highly carcinogenic. Some beryllium compounds are toxic when they penetrate cuts in the skin (e.g., when an old fluorescent tube breaks). Beryllium oxide when inhaled can result in a fatal disease known as berylliosis (similar to, but more toxic than, sihcosis). 

Although many hydrocarbons exhibit fluorescence, often they are colourless and the fluorescence is only just into the blue, e.g. the linear terphenyl and quaterphenyl. Polycyclic ring systems such as terrylene and rubicene are used in analytical methods and OLEDs but a large number are ruled out of commercial use because of their potential to act as carcinogens. However, as mentioned in section 3.5.1.3, pery-lene is a useful fluorophore in a variety of outlets and pyrene is another polycyclic compound of interest. One derivative of pyrene (3.27) is a yellow-green fluorescent dye used in textile applications (Cl Solvent Green 7) and in analysis and sensors (see section 3.5.6.4). 

Air analysis may be performed by U.S.EPA Method TO 13 (U.S.EPA 1988), which is quite similar to the above method. PAH-bound particles and vapors (many compounds may partially volatilize after collection) may be trapped on a filter and adsorbent (XAD-2, Tenax, or polyurethane foam), and then desorbed with a solvent. The solvent extract is then concentrated and analyzed by HPLC (UV/Fluorescence detection), GC-FID, or GC/MS (preferably in SIM mode). Because of very low level of detection required for many carcinogenic PAHs, including benzo(a)pyrene, the method suggests the sampling of a very high volume of air (more than 300,000 L). 

The results of quantitative analyses for pyrene and chrysene in the Synthoil and shale oil samples are compared with those obtained for the same samples by MI fluorescence spectrometry in Table I. Several relevant conclusions emerge. First, both oils contain signiflcant concentrations of the highly carcinogenic compound benzo [a] pyrene the shale oil sample contains nearly 2 ppm of this hazardous substance. Second,... 

Figure 11.12 Comparison, following a chromatographic separation, of UV and fluorescence detection. Aflatoxins, which are carcinogenic contaminants present in certain hatches of grain cereals, are the subject of analysis by HPLC. Detection by fluorescence is much more sensitive to Gj and B2 than with UV detection (reproduced courtesy of SUPELCO). Below left, schematic of the different components of a LC-detector based upon fluorescence. This detector is able to find rapidely, for each compound eluted, the best coupling of excitation/emission without interrupting the chromatography underway (reproduced courtesy of a document from Agilent Technologies).

Many petroleum-based samples contain complex mixtures of PAHs, which are known or suspected carcinogens and mutagens. Multidimensional fluorescence analysis is suitable for the identification of fluorophores contained in oil samples. The basis of this technique is to employ a unique spectral fingerprint for the selective characterization and mapping of certain PAHs in the oil. Such a procedure is likely to provide a detection scheme for selective analysis of environmental samples for analytically important hazardous compounds. The primary goal will be to expand this technique to create a library containing... 

A close investigation of a disease causing severe losses of young turkeys and other domestic animals has revealed that death is attributed to aflatoxin contamination of the feed (11, 242]. The aflatoxin contents are very low in even the most toxic sample. Nevertheless, their characteristic strong fluorescence in ultraviolet light provides a method for monitoring these toxic and carcinogenic compounds. 

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