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Wang D, Wu G, Tian J, Li C, Liu J, Liang L, Qiu G. Efficient acid hydrolysis for compound-specific δ 15N analysis of amino acids for determining trophic positions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 256:119223. [PMID: 38810830 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Compound-specific isotope analysis of nitrogen in amino acids (CSIA-AA, δ15NAA) has gained increasing popularity for elucidating energy flow within food chains and determining the trophic positions of various organisms. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of hydrolysis conditions, such as HCl concentration and hydrolysis time, on δ15NAA analysis in biota samples. In this study, we investigated two HCl concentrations (6 M and 12 M) and four hydrolysis times (2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h) for hydrolyzing and derivatizing AAs in reference materials (Tuna) and biological samples of little egret (n = 4), night heron (n = 4), sharpbelly (n = 4) and Algae (n = 1) using the n-pivaloyl-iso-propyl (NPIP) ester approach. A Dowex cation exchange resin was used to purify amino acids before derivatization. We then determined δ15NAA values using gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS). The results revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in δ15NAA values among samples treated with different HCl concentrations or hydrolysis times, particularly for δ15NGlx (range: 21.0-23.5‰) and δ15NPhe (range: 4.3-5.4‰) in Tuna (12 M). Trophic positions (TPs) calculated based on δ15NAA at 2 h (little egret: 2.9 ± 0.1, night heron: 2.8 ± 0.1, sharpbelly: 2.0 ± 0.1 and Algae: 1.3 ± 0.2) were consistent with those at 24 h (3.1 ± 0.1, 2.8 ± 0.1, 2.2 ± 0.1 and 1.1 ± 0.1, respectively), suggesting that a 2-h hydrolysis time and a 6 M HCl concentration are efficient pretreatment conditions for determining δ15NAA and estimating TP. Compared to the currently used hydrolysis conditions (24 h, 6 M), the proposed conditions (2 h, 6 M) accelerated the δ15NAA assay, making it faster, more convenient, and more efficient. Further research is needed to simplify the operational processes and reduce the time costs, enabling more efficient applications of CSIA-AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Gaoen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Jing Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Chan Li
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Jiemin Liu
- Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, China
| | - Longchao Liang
- School of Chemistry and Material Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Kim D, Lee J, Won EJ, Lee SY, Cho HE, Choi H, Shin KH. Integrated approach for the isotope trophic position of black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) eggs over a decade: Combining stable isotopes of amino acids and fatty acids composition. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169732. [PMID: 38160818 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Recently, compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) using the amino acid nitrogen stable isotope ratio (δ15NAAs) has been widely used for accurate estimation of trophic position (TP). In addition, a quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) offers insights into diet sources. In this study, we used these techniques to estimate the TP for seabirds that rely on diverse food sources across multiple ecosystems. This allows for the proper combination of factors used in TP calculation which are different for each ecosystem. The approach involved the application of a multi-mixing trophic discrimination factor (TDF) and mixing β which is a Δδ15N between trophic and source amino acid of primary producer. Since the black-tailed gulls (BTGs) are income-breeding seabirds, which rely on energy sources obtained around their breeding sites, they and their eggs could be useful bioindicators for environmental monitoring. However, the ecological properties of BTGs such as habitats, diets, and TP are not well known due to their large migration range for wintering or breeding and their feeding habits on both aquatic and terrestrial prey. In this study, the eggs were used for estimating TP and for predicting TP of mother birds to overcome difficulties such as capturing birds and collecting non-invasive tissue samples. Eggs, sampled over a decade from three Korean islands, showed spatial differences in diet origin. Considering both the food chain and physiology of BTG, the TP of eggs was estimated to be 3.3-4.0. Notably, the TP was significantly higher at site H (3.8 ± 0.1) than at site B (3.5 ± 0.2), which indicated a higher contribution of marine diet as confirmed by QFASA. Using a reproductive shift of δ15NAAs, the TP of the mother birds was predicted to be 3.6-4.3, positioning them as the top predator in the food web. The advanced integration of multiple approaches provides valuable insights into bird ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dokyun Kim
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jangho Lee
- Natural Environment Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ji Won
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea; Institute of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Yong Lee
- Natural Environment Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Eun Cho
- Institute of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuntae Choi
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hoon Shin
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea.
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Sun Y, Ogawa NO, Ishikawa NF, Blattmann TM, Takano Y, Ohkouchi N. Application of a porous graphitic carbon column to carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of underivatized individual amino acids using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2023; 37:e9602. [PMID: 37580505 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Isolation of underivatized amino acids (AAs) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is becoming a popular method for carbon (δ13 C) and nitrogen isotope (δ15 N) analyses of AAs because of the high analytical precision and for performing dual-isotope analysis. However, some AAs in natural samples, especially small, hydrophilic AAs, are not suitably separated using reversed-phase columns (e.g., C18) and ion-exchange columns (e.g., Primesep A). METHODS We developed a new method for HPLC using a porous graphitic carbon column for the separation of nine hydrophilic AAs. After purification, δ13 C and δ15 N values of AAs were determined using elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS). We demonstrated the application of this method by determining δ13 C and δ15 N values of individual hydrophilic AAs in a biological sample, the muscle of blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus). RESULTS Chromatographically, the baseline separation of hydrophilic AAs was achieved in both the standard mixture and the biological sample. We confirmed that δ13 C and δ15 N values of AA standards remained unchanged during the whole experimental procedure. The δ13 C values of AAs in mackerel muscle are also in good agreement with the values obtained using another verified method for δ13 C analysis. CONCLUSIONS The good separation performance of hydrophilic AAs and the reliability of δ13 C and δ15 N analyses of individual AAs using the porous graphite column offer a significant advantage over conventional settings. We suggest that, in the future, the HPLC × EA/IRMS method can be used for reliable δ13 C and δ15 N analyses of AAs in natural samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Sun
- Biogeochemistry Research Center (BGC), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI), The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nanako O Ogawa
- Biogeochemistry Research Center (BGC), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Naoto F Ishikawa
- Biogeochemistry Research Center (BGC), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Thomas M Blattmann
- Biogeochemistry Research Center (BGC), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
- Geological Institute, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Yoshinori Takano
- Biogeochemistry Research Center (BGC), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Naohiko Ohkouchi
- Biogeochemistry Research Center (BGC), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
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Jiang Y, Zeng Y, Lu R, Zhang Y, Long L, Zheng X, Luo X, Mai B. Application of amino acids nitrogen stable isotopic analysis in bioaccumulation studies of pollutants: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163012. [PMID: 36965734 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Accurately quantifying trophic positions (TP) to describe food web structure is an important element in studying pollutant bioaccumulation. In recent years, compound-specific nitrogen isotopic analysis of amino acids (AAs-N-CSIA) has been progressively applied as a potentially reliable tool for quantifying TP, facilitating a better understanding of pollutant food web transfer. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the analytical procedures, applications, and limitations of AAs-N-CSIA in pollutant (halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs) and heavy metals) bioaccumulation studies. We first summarize studies on the analytical techniques of AAs-N-CSIA, including derivatization, instrumental analysis, and data processing methods. The N-pivaloyl-i-propyl-amino acid ester method is a more suitable AAs derivatization method for quantifying TP. The AAs-N-CSIA application in pollutant bioaccumulation studies (e.g., Hg, MeHg, and HOPs) is discussed, and its application in conjunction with various techniques (e.g., spatial analysis, food source analysis, and compound tracking techniques, etc.) to research the influence of pollutant levels on organisms is summarized. Finally, the limitations of AAs-N-CSIA in pollutant bioaccumulation studies are discussed, including the use of single empirical values of βglu/phe and TDFglu/phe that result in large errors in TP quantification. The weighted βglu/phe and the multi-TDFglu/phe models are still challenging to solve for accurate TP quantification of omnivores; however, factors affecting the variation of βglu/phe and TDFglu/phe are unclear, especially the effect of pollutant bioaccumulation in organisms on internal AA metabolic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiye Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanhong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - Ruifeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ling Long
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaobo Zheng
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiaojun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Bixian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Go YS, Won EJ, Kim SH, Lee DH, Kang JH, Shin KH. Stepwise Approach for Tracing the Geographical Origins of the Manila Clam Ruditapes philippinarum Using Dual-Element Isotopes and Carbon Isotopes of Fatty Acids. Foods 2022; 11:foods11131965. [PMID: 35804779 PMCID: PMC9265916 DOI: 10.3390/foods11131965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While there are many studies that have reported methods for tracing the geographical origin of seafoods, most of them have focused on identifying parameters that can be used effectively and not the direct application of these methods. In this study, we attempted to differentiate the geographical origins of the Manila clam R. philippinarum collected from different sites in Korea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and China using a combination of analyses based on dual-element isotopes, fatty acids (FAs), and compound-specific isotopic analysis of FAs. We hypothesized that a stepwise application of new parameters to unclassified samples could achieve this objective by integrating new information while reducing time and labor. The FA profiles and compound-specific carbon isotopic values of FAs were found to enhance the discrimination power of determining the geographic origin up to 100%. Our findings demonstrate the advantageousness of using several parameters simultaneously over the conventional method of employing individual analytical methods when identifying geographic origins of the Manila clam, which could have implications for tracing the origins of different shellfish species or other food products as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Shin Go
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Korea; (Y.-S.G.); (S.-H.K.); (D.-H.L.)
- Marine Environmental Management Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea
| | - Eun-Ji Won
- Institute of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Korea;
| | - Seung-Hee Kim
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Korea; (Y.-S.G.); (S.-H.K.); (D.-H.L.)
| | - Dong-Hun Lee
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Korea; (Y.-S.G.); (S.-H.K.); (D.-H.L.)
- Marine Environmental Management Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea
| | - Jung-Ha Kang
- Aquaculture Industry Division, West Sea Fisheries Research Institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Incheon 22383, Korea;
| | - Kyung-Hoon Shin
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Korea; (Y.-S.G.); (S.-H.K.); (D.-H.L.)
- Institute of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-400-5536
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