55007 - Chemical Toxicological Analysis II

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has the theoretical and practical knowledge to carry out an advanced chemical-toxicological analysis. In particular the student is able to know the analytical characteristics of pollutants of water, air and soil; to understand the main methods for the quali-quantitative analysis of these pollutants; to apply specific methodologies and analytical techniques through single seat exercises; to process the analytical results.

Course contents

Principles, aims and problems of the advanced chemical-toxicological analysis. Peculiar characteristics of advanced chemical-toxicological analysis applied to biologically active compounds in environmental matrices.
Presentation and description of different specific types of environmental analysis that are necessary due to:
- Exposure to active ingredients (API) in the workplace, analytical assessment of the effectiveness of containment strategies
- Analysis of water (river or waste water) for monitoring endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) from industrial production
- Analysis of waste water for the monitoring of drugs and metabolites from biological matrices
- Analysis in soil samples to investigate the presence of hormones from livestock activities.

Insights and updates on the validation of advanced analytical methods and the parameters reported in the most recent international guidelines.
Sampling and pretreatment methods: extraction by filtration on nylon, solid phase extraction (SPE) on innovative sorbents.
UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy (also through indirect detection), molecular fluorescence spectroscopy (F, also by derivatization) and IR absorption spectroscopy: advanced analysis principles and applications.
Electrochemical detection based on the use of amperometric and coulometric detectors.
Evaporative laser light diffusion detector (ELSD).
Mass spectrometry: ionization techniques, types of sources, mass analyzers and acquisition methods.
Chiral instrumental analysis: enantioselective separations, chiral stationary phases, chiral selectors.

Readings/Bibliography

- Slides discussed during the course.
- Papers from the scientific literature discussed during the course.
- Handout of the laboratory experiments.

 

ONLY FOR CONSULTATION:

- Holler J.F., Crouch S.R. “Fondamenti di Chimica Analitica” di Skoog & West, EdiSES s.r.l., 2015.
- Skoog D.A., Holler J.F., Crouch S.R., Sabbatini L. “Chimica Analitica Strumentale”, EdiSES s.r.l., 2009.
- Hage D.S., Carr J.D. "Chimica Analitica e Analisi Quantitativa", Piccin, 2012

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures (32 h, 4CFU) during which the main advanced instrumental techniques, required for the analysis in environmental matrices will be discussed. The course deals also with laboratory activities (36 h, 3 CFU), during which the student will prepare a laboratory handbook. The laboratory activities offer the student the opportunity of carrying out different analyses for identification and determination in environmental matrices and of firsthand using the instrumentation required to perform such analyses.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment aims at verify practical skills and theoretical knowledge acquired by the student while attending both the lectures and the laboratory experiences. In particular the following skills will be evaluated:

- Mastery of the advanced instrumental analytical terminology and of the theoretical basis of the discussed topics;

- Ability to perform laboratory procedures for the quali-quantitative analysis;

- Specific training on the uses, reactions, toxicity and analytical procedures of the examined compounds;

- Critical processing and evaluation of the laboratory analytical results.

The learning assessment is done on the basis of an oral examination consisting of some questions about both the theoretical and the practical parts. During the laboratory experiences it is planned to carry out practical tests the results of which are reported by the students within his/her own laboratory notebook which is part of the final score.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be carried out by means of the common electronic media (pc, tablet and similar devices).
The practical exercises will be carried out in specially equipped laboratories where students have a single work place, analytical instrumentations and all the materials necessary to perform an advanced chemical-toxicological environmental analysis.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Mercolini