title: Bioluminescent yeast estrogen assay (BLYES) as a sensitive tool to monitor surface and drinking water for estrogenicity.
abstract: Estrogenic 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.
authors: Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, CEP 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Ana Marcela Di Dea
authors: AM
authors: Bergamasco
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Eldridge
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Sanseverino
authors: Fernando Fabriz
authors: FF
authors: Sodré
authors: Cassiana Carolina
authors: CC
authors: Montagner
authors: Igor Cardoso
authors: IC
authors: Pescara
authors: Wilson Figueiredo
authors: WF
authors: Jardim
authors: Gisela de Aragão
authors: Gde A
authors: Umbuzeiro
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D001938:Brazil; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis*; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004967:Estrogens; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical