Analytical methodologies for the determination of cytostatic compounds in environmental matrices

Abstract

The presence of cytostatic drugs in the environment is mainly due to the entry of nonmetabolized compounds prescribed in anticancer therapies that are excreted by patients. These compounds have been detected in wastewaters in very low concentrations. The analysis of cytostatic drugs in environmental samples is characterized by difficulty in the quantification of these low concentrations in complex matrices. Therefore, to be able to detect them, first an extraction process and preconcentration are necessary for their subsequent determination by the correct sensitive analytical techniques. Data about the mostly used techniques, their optimal conditions, the predominant compounds, and the results obtained will contribute to the knowledge of these emerging pollutants. In this chapter, a comprehensive description of methodologies used for the determination of cytostatic drugs in environmental samples is presented in terms of selecting suitable extraction and clean-up procedures. The most commonly used extraction/preconcentration techniques are solid-phase extraction (SPE) for liquid samples and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) as well as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for sludge samples. The detection is carried out mainly by liquid chromatography along with mass spectrometry detection.