Simultaneous determination of endocrine disrupting compounds bisphenol F and bisphenol AF using carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified electrode

The biological effects of bisphenol AF in reproduction and development: What do we know so far?

Due to the established endocrine-disrupting effects of Bisphenol A (BPA), alternative bisphenols entered the market. Bisphenol AF (BPAF) is now commonly used in the industrial manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. However, BPAF's effects on reproduction and development have not been thoroughly reviewed. We investigated the relationship between BPAF exposure and reproduction and early development. We performed a literature review of studies on BPAF and reproductive physiology. Using keywords, we searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library Database, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov for English language literature available until December 2024; we additionally identified and included studies from bibliographies. We included 125 articles, spanning in vitro and in vivo model organism and human studies. BPAF is a selective estrogen receptor modulator and an androgen receptor antagonist and is more potent than BPA. It is detected in urine, blood products, saliva, amniotic fluid, and breast milk. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate a spectrum of BPAF-induced endocrine and reproductive changes in both sexes. There is strong evidence of alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and of altered steroidogenesis pathways. Multiple studies using zebrafish, Xenopus, chickens, and rodents, show BPAF's effects on embryogenesis, morphology, and sexual differentiation. Decreased serum testosterone and impaired spermatogenesis and oocyte viability have been demonstrated. The current literature shows clear disruptive effects of BPAF on reproductive health and embryonic development. Though further investigation is warranted, there is ample converging evidence to support limiting the use of BPAF and other similar bisphenols.

Simultaneous determination of bisphenol A and bisphenol AF using a carbon nanocages and CuO nanochains-based sensitive voltammetric sensor

A new and highly sensitive voltammetric technique was described in this study for the concurrent detection of endocrine disruptors bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) based on carbon nanocages (CNCs) and copper oxide nanochains (CuONCs). The CNCs was prepared by the solvothermal method and characterized using various techniques. Utilizing the nanocomposite of CNCs and CuONCs, the voltammetric sensor demonstrated outstanding performance in detecting BPA and BPAF simultaneously with distinct oxidation peaks and increased current peaks. The voltammetric signals have linear relationships with the two bisphenols ranging from 0.500 μM to 100 μM with a detection limit of 0.16 µM for BPA and 0.14 µM for BPAF. The newly designed sensor showed reliable consistency, long-term durability and anti-interference ability, and performed well in analyzing real water samples, indicating great potential for environmental monitoring.

An Overview of Aptamer-Based Sensor Platforms for the Detection of Bisphenol-A

Endocrine disruptive compounds are natural or anthropogenic environmental micropollutants that alter the function of the endocrine system ultimately damaging the metabolism. Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most common of these pollutants and it is often used in epoxy coatings and polycarbonates as a plasticizer. Therefore, monitoring BPA levels in different environments is very important and challenging. In recent years, an increasing number of BPA detection methods have been proposed. This article presents a critical review of aptamer-based electrochemical, fluorescence-based, colorimetric, and several other BPA detection platforms published in the last decade. Furthermore, a statistical evaluation has been made using principle component analysis showing analytical performance parameters do not create very different clusters. Comparisons to other BPA detection methods are also presented so that the reader has an overall literature overview.

Bisphenol F affects neurodevelopmental gene expression, mushroom body development, and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Bisphenol F (BPF) is a potential neurotoxicant used as a replacement for bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. We investigated the neurodevelopmental impacts of BPF exposure using Drosophila melanogaster as a model. Our transcriptomic analysis indicated that developmental exposure to BPF caused the downregulation of neurodevelopmentally relevant genes, including those associated with synapse formation and neuronal projection. To investigate the functional outcome of BPF exposure, we evaluated neurodevelopmental impacts across two genetic strains of Drosophila- w1118 (control) and the Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) model-by examining both behavioral and neuronal phenotypes. We found that BPF exposure in w1118 Drosophila caused hypoactive larval locomotor activity, decreased time spent grooming by adults, reduced courtship activity, and increased the severity but not frequency of β-lobe midline crossing defects by axons in the mushroom body. In contrast, although BPF reduced peristaltic contractions in FXS larvae, it had no impact on other larval locomotor phenotypes, grooming activity, or courtship activity. Strikingly, BPF exposure reduced both the severity and frequency of β-lobe midline crossing defects in the mushroom body of FXS flies, a phenotype previously observed in FXS flies exposed to BPA. This data indicates that BPF can affect neurodevelopment and its impacts vary depending on genetic background. Further, BPF may elicit a gene-environment interaction with Drosophila fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (dFmr1)-the ortholog of human FMR1, which causes fragile X syndrome and is the most common monogenetic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.

Simultaneous electrochemical detection of dimethyl bisphenol A and bisphenol A using a novel Pt@SWCNTs-MXene-rGO modified screen-printed sensor

Since bisphenol A (BPA) and dimethyl bisphenol A (DM-BPA) are human endocrine disruptors (EDCs) with tiny potential differences (44 mV) and widespread applications, there is a lack of published reports on their simultaneous detection. Therefore, this study reports a novel electrochemical detection system capable of simultaneous direct detection of BPA and DM-BPA using screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) as a sensing platform. To improve the electrochemical performance of the SPCE, the SPCE was modified by using a combination of Pt nanoparticles modified with single-walled carbon nanotubes (Pt@SWCNTs), MXene (Ti₃C₂), and graphene oxide (GO). In addition, the GO in Pt@SWCNTs-MXene-GO was reduced to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by the action of electric field (-1.2 V), which significantly improved the electrochemical properties of the composites and effectively solved the problem of dispersion of the modified materials on the electrode surface. Under optimal experimental conditions, Pt@SWCNTs-Ti₃C₂-rGO/SPCE exhibited a suitable detection range (0.006-7.4 μmol L^-1) and low detection limits (2.8 and 3 nmol L^-1, S/N = 3) for the simultaneous detection of BPA (0.392 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and DM-BPA (0.436 V vs. Ag/AgCl)). Thus, this study provides new insights into detecting compounds with similar structures and slight potential differences. Finally, the developed sensor's reproducibility, stability, interference resistance and accuracy were demonstrated with satisfactory results.

Electrochemical sensor based on epoxy-functionalized BEA nanozeolite and graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode for bisphenol E determination

An epoxy-functionalized beta type nanozeolite (BEA)/graphene oxide nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE/BEA/APTMS/GA/GO/NF) has been created for the differential pulse voltammetric determination of bisphenol E (BPE). The modified electrode presented an enhanced current response in comparison with bare GCE. A linear dependence of anodic peak current (Ip) and scan rate (ν) was observed, which showed that the electrochemical process was adsorption-controlled. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was employed and optimized for the sensitive determination of BPE. Under the optimized conditions, the anodic peak current was linearly proportional to BPE concentration in the range between 0.07 and 4.81 µM, with a correlation coefficient of 0.995 and limit of detection 0.056 μM (S/N = 3). The electrode showed good repeatability and storage stability, and a low response to interfering compounds. Comparison was made to the determination of bisphenol A. To confirm the electrode analytical performance, recovery tests were performed, and deviations lower than 10% were found. The BEA zeolite-GO nanocomposite proved to be a promising sensing platform for bisphenol determination.

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Simple preparation of surface molecularly imprinted polymer based on silica particles for trace level assay of bisphenol F

A new electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)-based porous interface was developed for selective recognition of bisphenol F (BPF) in this study. The sensor was prepared by depositing the solution containing TEOS and L-tryptophan (L-Trp) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a pore-maker via hydrolysis/condensation reaction on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). While the surface morphology and structure characterization were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical characterization was performed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The resulted MIP(TEOS:L-Trp)@GCE achieved a wide linear range of 1 × 10^-15-1 × 10^-14 M for BPF detection with an excellent detection limit of 0.291 fM. Furthermore, the recovery of BPF from spiked bottled water and serum samples varied between 98.83 and 101.03%. These results demonstrate that MIP(TEOS:L-Trp)@GCE was found to be a simple, sensitive, and selective smart interface to detect trace pollution even from complicated samples.

Latest Advances in Determination of Bisphenols with Nanomaterials, Molecularly Imprinted Polymers and Aptamer Based Electrochemical Sensors

Contamination of environmental sources such as soils, sediments and rivers and human exposure caused by several endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are considered as the most challenging issues of today's world. EDCs cover a wide variety of compounds ranging from phthalates to parabens and bisphenols (BPs) are the leading group among them. BPs are widely used during the production of different plastic materials such as food and beverage containers, toys, medical equipment and baby bottles that we use in every aspect of our lives. BPs may migrate from those products to different media under certain conditions and this situation causes chronic exposure for humans and other creatures in the environment. Especially bisphenol A (BPA) and its other analogues such as bisphenol F, bisphenol S and tetrabromobisphenol that have similar structures and are preferred as alternatives to BPA cause harmful adverse effects such as endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity. There are legal restrictions and prohibitions by the European Union (EU) in order to prevent possible harmful effects. Therefore, it is important to develop highly sensitive, fast, easy to use and cheap sensors for the determination of BPs in biological, environmental and commercial samples. Electrochemical sensors, which are one of the most widely, used analytical techniques, provide these conditions. Additionally, it is possible to enhance the performance of electrochemical sensors with nanomaterials, molecularly imprinted polymers or aptamer based technologies. This review aims to give comprehensive information about BPs with summarizing most recent applications of electrochemical sensors for their determination in different samples.

Electrochemical detection of bisphenols in food: A review

Bisphenols (BPs) are worldwide used organic compounds in plastics, belonging to the group of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which exhibits endocrine disruption to beings. Migration of BPs from food contact materials like plastic containers, epoxy coatings in metal cans and thermal papers, would results in bioaccumulation of BPs in human beings, causing adverse health effects. Therefore, sensitive and selective determination of BPs in food is needed. Among different strategies have been explored for the detection of BPs, electrochemical sensors with relatively high sensitivity and fast response are promising. This paper is devoted to comprehensively review the developed electrochemical methods for BPs sensing in food, so that to find a direction for developing low cost, high accuracy and compatibility sensors toward the sensitive and selective detection of BPs. Different electrochemical technologies categorized by recognition agents, aptamers, enzymes, molecularly imprinted polymers and nanomaterials are discussed and summarized in their mechanisms, usages, merits and limitations. The challenges and further perspectives in the development of electrochemical sensors is also discussed.

A water-stable molecular cadmium phosphonate bearing 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole as a highly sensitive luminescence sensor for the selective detection of bisphenol AF and bisphenol B

A highly water-stable molecular cadmium phosphonate bearing 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole has been used as a sensor platform for the luminescence detection of bisphenol AF (BPAF) and bisphenol B (BPB) in water with good sensitivity and selectivity.

Voltammetric aptasensor for bisphenol A based on double signal amplification via gold-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes and an ssDNA-dye complex

An aptasensor is described for the electrochemical determination of bisphenol A (BPA). Gold-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Au/MWCNTs) and a single-stranded DNA-dye complex are used as a double signal-amplification system. The BPA-binding aptamer was assembled on a disposable electrode modified with Au/MWCNTs. Methylene blue (MB) was then intercalated into the immobilized aptamer with an approximately molecular ratio of 4 to form a complex. Upon interaction with BPA, the immobilized aptamer underwent a conformational change. This causes the intercalated MB to be released from the complex into solution. As a result, the electrochemical signal of the intercalated MB, typically measured using square wave voltammetry at a potential of -0.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl (saturated KCl)) decreases. The fabrication of the aptasensor was characterized by the scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and electrochemical techniques. Under optimal experimental conditions, the current drops linearly with the logarithm of BPA concentrations over the range from 10 fM to 1 nM, and the limit of detection is 8 fM. The assay was applied to the determination of BPA in plastic drinking bottles, tap water, and milk. Graphical AbstractSchematic illustration of fabricating the aptasensor for bisphenol A (BPA) based on double signal amplification via gold-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Au/MWCNT) and an aptamer-dye complex. PET: poly(ethylene terephthalate).

Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of emerging bisphenol analogues in aquatic organisms from Taihu Lake, China

Due to regulations on bisphenol A (BPA) in many countries, a variety of bisphenol analogues are being widely manufactured and applied. However, there is a big knowledge gap on bioaccumulation and biomagnification of these emerging bisphenols in aquatic organisms. The bioaccumulation and magnification of nine bisphenol analogues in aquatic organisms at different trophic levels collected from Taihu Lake, China, were evaluated. The total concentrations of the nine bisphenols in the lake waters were in the range of 49.7-3480ng/L (mean, 389ng/L). BPA, bisphenol AF (BPAF) and bisphenol S (BPS) were the most predominant analogues in the water. The mean natural logarithm bioaccumulation factor (log BAFs) of BPAF, bisphenol C (BPC), bisphenol Z (BPZ) and bisphenol E (BPE) were greater than BPA, and there was a significantly positive correlation between log BAFs of the biphenols and their octanol-water partition coefficients (log K_ow). The trophic magnification factors of BPAF, BPC and BPZ were 2.52, 2.69 and 1.71, respectively, suggesting that they had the potential to biomagnify in the food web. The results of this study call for further investigations on risk assessment of these emerging pollutants in the environment.

Advances in sensing and biosensing of bisphenols: A review

Bisphenols (BPs) are well known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that cause adverse effects on the environment, biotic life and human health. BPs have been studied extensively because of an increasing concern for the safety of the environment and for human health. They are major raw materials for manufacturing polycarbonates, thermal papers and epoxy resins and are considered hazardous environmental contaminants. A vast array of sensors and biosensors have been developed for the sensitive screening of BPs based on carbon nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene and graphene oxide), quantum dots, metal and metal oxide nanocomposites, polymer nanocomposites, metal organic frameworks, ionic liquids and molecularly imprinted polymers. This review is devoted mainly to a variety of sensitive, selective and reliable sensing and biosensing methods for the detection of BPs using electrochemistry, fluorescence, colorimetry, surface plasmon resonance, luminescence, ELISAs, circular dichroism, resonance Rayleigh scattering and adsorption techniques in plastic products, food samples, food packaging, industrial wastes, pharmaceutical products, human body fluids and many other matrices. It summarizes the advances in sensing and biosensing methods for the detection of BPs since 2010. Furthermore, the article discusses challenges and future perspectives in the development of novel sensing methods for the detection of BP analogs.