Affiliations: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor
University, P.O. Box 97348, Waco, TX 76798-7348, USA | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
Abstract: Musk xylene (MX) is frequently used as fragrances in formulation of
personal care products. Quantification of a bound 4-amino-MX(4-AMX) as cysteine
adducts in trout hemoglobin (Hb) was made by gas chromatography-ion trap-mass
spectrometry (GC/MS). The Hb samples were collected from trout after 24 h
exposure to MX at 10μg/g, and or menhaden oil (control). The formation of
cysteine-Hb adduct was observed from nitroso derivative of MX, released by
alkaline hydrolysis. The released 4-AMX metabolite was extracted in n-hexane.
The extract was then reduced by evaporation, and analyzed by GC/MS. When
similar agreement of mass spectral features and retention time of 4-AMX were
obtained in both standard and sample solutions, the presence of 4-AMX
metabolite in the Hb was confirmed. The concentration of 4-AMX was found to be
3.1 × 10^{-6}–6.9 ×
10^{-6} mg/g in the Hb solution. Quantitation was made based
on an internal standard, a calibration plot, and response factor. In the
non-hydrolyzed and laboratory blank extracts, the 4-AMX metabolite was not
detected. Additionally, coeluting and interfering ions were observed in the
biological samples.
Keywords: biomarkers, musk xylene metabolite, Hb adducts, fish exposure
