Storage and Preservation of Artificial Sweeteners in Groundwater Samples

Abstract

Compound-specifi c standardized sampling and storage methods are not available for artifi cial sweeteners found in groundwater. This study aimed to understand: (1) the appropriate length of storage time for samples containing acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), saccharin (SAC), and cyclamate (CYC) in simulated groundwater (SGW); (2) conditions of their stability; and (3) which sampling materials are appropriate for sample collection. The evaluated storage conditions included acidifi cation, headspace, exposure to light, and refrigeration; the evaluated sampling materials included steel, stainless steel, aluminum, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide (nylon), polypropylene (PharMed BPT™) tubing, styrene-ethylenebutylene co-polymer (MasterFlex™) tubing, and polytetrafl uoroethylene (Tefl on™) tubing. All compounds evaluated were stable in storage at 4 °C for 241 d (8 months). Concentrations of artifi cial sweeteners were consistently within 60% to 120% of original concentrations, except ACE and SAC that were substantially lower under acidifi ed conditions at 25 °C after 241 d. Artifi cial sweetener concentrations remained nearly constant while in contact with all sampling materials except steel. SEM and TEM images showed oxidation of steel occurred; moreover, removal of all artifi cial sweetener compounds from aqueous solution had occurred after 289 d. These results suggest artifi cial sweetener analyses conducted within 14 d of sample collection produce optimal results; however, longer storage times may be acceptable under certain conditions. The results also suggest concentrations of artifi cial sweeteners in SGW are not affected by contact with typical well casing, sampling, and storage materials, with the exception of steel. The fi ndings from this study will improve the use of artifi cial sweeteners as tracers in environmental studies.Article impact statement : Artificial sweetener samples can be stored at 4 °C for up to 8 months, but should not be acidified when stored at 25 °C or be in contact with steel.

Groundwater Quality and Health: Making the Invisible Visible

“…When groundwater is sampled from the subsurface environment, losses of critical substances may occur due to precipitation, adsorption, evaporation, and redox reactions in the samples during storage and transportation. Great care must be taken to avoid air exposure and photolysis when the critical substances are redox active. − Then, a full list of substances can be analyzed for by the instruments in the field or in the lab. The potential transformation intermediates of the critical substances formed during groundwater discharge also need to be identified.…”

Combined effect of glyphosphate, saccharin and sodium benzoate on rats

“…Saccharin and other sweeteners pose a greater threat to the environment, for they are pollutants along with pharmaceutical preparations, steroid hormones and pesticides (Kobetičová et al, 2016). Numerous studies indicate presence of artificial sweeteners in groundwater and open water bodies practically throughout the world (Vymazal & Dvořáková Březinová, 2016;Brumovský et al, 2017;Edwards et al, 2017;Saurette et al, 2017;Snider et al, 2017;Yang et al, 2017).…”