New project combines thin-layer chromatography and bioassays

Water and food may contain mixtures of chemicals whose toxicity is difficult to assess with conventional analysis. Effect-based methods can be helpful. They allow for the highly sensitive detection of the responsible substances when coupled with high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS / MS). The mixtures are separated with HPTLC and the bands containing potentially toxic substances are tracked with the help of bioassays. These bands are subsequently characterized by LC-HRMS / MS. A joint project of the Ecotox Centre, Eawag (Juliane Hollender) and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (Andreas Schönborn) is pushing this promising new method for the detection of estrogens and genotoxicity. In the project, material profiles of real samples such as packaging material, drinking water and environmental water (ground water, surface water) are characterized. The project is financed by the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs.

New project combines thin-layer chromatography and bioassays

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