Publication Abstract

Characterisation of persistent and bioaccumulative oestrogen and arylhydrocarbon receptor agonists

J.L. Balaam and K.V. Thomas

In this study, effect-directed analysis techniques were used to characterise oestrogen (ER) and arylhydrocarbon (AhR) receptor agonists present in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), collected from 4 UK estuaries, and two samples of marine mammals stranded on the UK coast

Tissue samples were extracted using steam distillation and the resulting solvent extracts screened using the yeast oestrogen screen (YES) and DR-CALUX^® bioassays. None of the samples contained any ER agonists, whilst both mussel and mammal samples contained AhR agonists.

Bioassay-directed fractionation techniques, using the above bioassays, were then applied in an attempt to identify the compounds responsible for the observed effects.

Results of the TIE study, along with extraction and fractionation techniques, are presented.