Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are compounds that consist of a carbon chainbackbone that is partially or entirely fluorinated, with an addition of a functional group. SomePFAS are known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and have therefore been drawing a lot ofattention as well as increased concerns. PFAS have been detected in humans, wildlife and theenvironment and some have exhibited toxic effects such as hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity,reproductive toxicity and endocrine disruption as well as being persistent and bioaccumulative.Serum, plasma and whole blood have been used as biomonitoring matrices in many studies toevaluate human exposure to PFAS. Restrictions have been applied to some PFAS, but thesecompounds are still ubiquitous. This study will investigate the performance (recovery, matrixeffect (ME) in terms of intra-/inter-day repeatability) of ion-pair extraction (IPE) and solid phaseextraction with weak anion exchange (SPE-WAX). The extraction methods were adapted fromliterature and 13 PFAS were selected for this work based on prior biomonitoring studies. Thetarget PFAS content was analyzed with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem massspectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The extraction methods were also compared for extractableorganofluorine (EOF) extraction in terms of blank levels as well as the amount extracted withdifferent methods; the EOF content was measured with combustion ion chromatography (CIC).The EOF levels were used to estimate the amount of unidentified organofluorine (UOF), to avoidunderestimating potential health hazards. Samples extracted using IPE had an average ionizationenhancement of 9%, while SPE-WAX showed an average ionization suppression of -1%. SPEWAXshowed higher average recoveries for procedural blanks (78%), horse serum (96%) andhuman serum (95%) in comparison to IPE (69%, 36%, 88%, respectively). The CIC analysis forEOF content was observed to be below MDL (<50 ng/mL F) with some contaminations observedin the procedural blanks.

This diploma thesis focuses on the determination of sulfonamide antibiotics especially the possibility of elimination of these substances from the aquatic ecosystem. Nowadays, environmental contamination of the pharmaceuticals and their residues is a serious concern. Main sources of this contamination are wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), where these compounds are not effectively removed by contemporary conventional technology. For this reason, new methods are being developed and tested that could eliminate the number of contaminants entering the environment in this way. There is a possibility to use the potential of the enzymatic system of wood-decay fungi, especially white rot fungi. Six representatives of sulfonamide antibiotics were selected and isolated from the aquatic matrix via solid phase extraction. The final identification and quantification method was high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Monitoring of the concentration level of selected sulfonamide antibiotics at the inflow and effluent at the Brno-Modřice WWTP was carried out weekly. Moreover, the effectiveness of elimination of selected antibiotics from the aquatic ecosystem by the use of Trametes versicolor wood-decay fungi cultured on a suitable carrier was verified.

Isolation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is an important step in the molecular diagnostics of microorganisms. A high quality of isolated DNA is necessary for DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The conventional DNA isolation using phenol chloroform extraction and DNA precipitation in ethanol is time consuming and requires the use of toxic phenol. Magnetic separation techniques using magnetic solid particles are one of modern methods to speed up the nucleic acids isolation. The aim of this work was to use two different types of magnetic particles for solidphase DNA extraction. The amounts of DNA in separation mixtures were measured using ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV). The first experimental conditions were tested on chicken erythrocytes DNA. Phosphate buffer (pH 7, 7.6 and 8) was used for adsorption of DNA on magnetic particles. It was shown that approximately almost one half of DNA was adsorbed to the particles. The elution conditions of DNA were also optimized. Secondly, bacterial DNA was tested. This DNA eluted from the particles was in PCR ready quality. High resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis is a simple, low-cost method for amplicon discrimination and easy connection with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this contribution, we report rapid species identification of strains belonging to the Lactobacillus group using HRM-PCR. Three different DNA isolation methods were used in this work: phenol extraction, separation using magnetic particles and commercial kit. Ten sets of targeted gene fragments primers (LAC1 – LAC2, LAC2 – LAC4, P1V1 – P2V1, Gro F – Gro R, 3BA-338f – Primer 1, V1F – V1R, CHAU - V3F – CHAU - V3R, CHAU - V6F – CHAU - V6R, poxcDNAFw – poxPromRVC, poxcDNAFw – poxPromRVT) were tested for amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. Use of GroF/R and LAC2/4 primers pairs successfully identify strains belong to the Lactobacillus group. The variance between used extraction methods for evidence of HRM curves was found.

Isolation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is an important step in the molecular diagnostics of microorganisms. A high quality of isolated DNA is necessary for DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The conventional DNA isolation using phenol-chloroform extraction and DNA precipitation in ethanol is time-consuming and requires the use of toxic phenol. Alternative method of DNA isolation is use of commercially available kits which, however, are expensive and their efficiency is low. Magnetic separation techniques using magnetic solid particles are one of modern methods to speed up the nucleic acids isolation. The aim of this work was to use two different types of magnetic particles for solid-phase DNA extraction. Magnetic microparticles P(HEMA – co – GMA) containing –NH2 group and nanoparticles PLL, whitch contains polylysine. The amounts of DNA in separation mixtures were measured using ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV). The first experimental conditions were tested on chicken erythrocytes DNA. Phosphate buffer (pH 7, 7.6 and 8) was used for adsorption of DNA on magnetic particles. It was shown that approximately almost one half of DNA was adsorbed on the particles. The elution conditions of DNA were also optimized. Secondly, bacterial DNA was tested. After optimalization, the developed method was used for DNA isolation from real food supplements. This DNA eluted from the particles was in PCR ready quality. High resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis is a simple, low-cost method for amplicon discrimination and easy connection with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this thesis, we report rapid species identification of strains belonging to the Lactobacillus group using HRM-PCR. Three different DNA isolation methods were used in this work: phenol extraction, separation using magnetic particles and commercial kit. Ten sets of targeted gene fragments primers (LAC1 – LAC2, LAC2 – LAC4, P1V1 – P2V1, Gro F – Gro R, 3BA-338f – Primer 1, V1F – V1R, CHAU - V3F – CHAU - V3R, CHAU - V6F – CHAU - V6R, poxcDNAFw – poxPromRVC, poxcDNAFw – poxPromRVT) were tested for amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. Use of GroF/R and LAC2/4 primers pairs successfully identify strains belong to the Lactobacillus group. The variance between used extraction methods for evidence of HRM curves was found.

This diploma thesis is focused on the issue of nonylphenol, degradation product of surfactants. Nonylphenol however most often arises in wastewater treatment plants predominantly during the microbial degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates used in industry. It is a substance highly bioaccumulative, toxic predominantly to aquatic organisms. Furthermore, it belongs among hormone disruptors. The detailed research was prepared, on the basis which experimental part of diploma thesis was solved. Nonylphenol was determined in samples of the wastewater. The solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for the isolation of the analyte and purification of the extract. The final determination was performed on the gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry with time of flight analyzer (TOF). All steps of the preanalytical and the analytical procedure were optimized.

This work is focused on the study of penetration of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment. The aim was to develop and verify the optimal method for long-term monitoring of the occurrence of selected pesticides and pharmaceuticals in surface waters. Two frequently used analgesics ibuprofen and diclofenac, and carbamazepine that is used to treat epilepsy, were chosen from the group of drugs. A group of 41 pesticides were selected for monitoring too. The attention was focused on a group of urea pesticides and phenoxyacetic acids, as well as on selected pesticides falling to the group of priority substances or identified as environmental quality standards. Some of pesticides were selected because their consumption in the Czech Republic exceeds 30 tons a year. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC / MS / MS) was used for the determination of selected analytes in surface waters. Two optimized analytical method were developed. Ten analytes were determined in negative ion mode and 34 analytes in positive ion mode. Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for purification and concentration of the samples. Developed methodology was validated and used for monitoring of selected compounds in samples of surface waters from the Morava River basin. Samples were collected on the rivers Morava and Svratka monthly for two years. Samples from the river Blata and stream Nivnička were collected for one year. Surface water samples were also collected from the river Litava. Four samples were taken throughout the length of the flow during one day. Smaller streams were chosen for monitoring because of the probability of occurrence of pesticides. They flow abundantly agriculturally cultivated areas. Drugs ibuprofen and diclofenac were detected in all taken samples, carbamazepine mostly. Among the most commonly occurring pesticides were bentazon, diuron, isoproturon, carbendazim, MCPA, MCPP, propiconazole, tebuconazole and 2,4-D.

This work is focused on the determination of polar pesticides in surface and waste waters. In this study Mecoprop-P, MCPA, Dichlorprop-P, 2,4-D and MCPBA in differently loaded surface waters and communal waters from sewage treatment plants were analyzed. These herbicides are included in the group identified as environmental quality standards. Some of herbicides (2,4-D and MCPA) were selected because their consumption in the Czech Republic exceeds 30 tons a year. Samples were collected prom three rivers near town of Jaroměř (Elbe, Úpa and Metuje Rivers), from one river near the town of Brno (Svratka River) and from inflow and outflow of two sewage treatment plants (WWTP Jaroměř, WWTP Brno – Modřice). Particular rivers were chosen for monitoring due to the probability of occurrence of herbicides, because they flow through agriculturally cultivated areas. Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for the isolation of target compounds and their concentration. Gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) was used for the determination of target analytes in surface and waste waters. Selected herbicides were detected in all collected samples.

(EN) This work aims at preparation, analysis and isolation of intermediates of biosynthetic pathways of 4-alkyl-L-proline derivatives for their structural elucidation. Compounds with incorporated 4-alkyl-L-proline derivatives include clinically used lincosamide antibiotic, lincomycin A, antitumor pyrrolobenzodiazepines and bacterial hormone hormaomycin. Detailed knowledge of biosynthetic pathways of these biological active substances can be used to prepare new, more efficient derivatives. The first part of this work focuses on yellow-coloured dicarboxylic intermediates 1 and 2 of the biosynthetic pathway of 4-propyl-L-proline - the precursor of lincomycin A. In the presence of the methylation agent, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, and LmbW C- -methyltransferase, 1 was partially converted into intermediate 2. Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, both intermediates were identified from absorption and mass spectrometry spectra. A semi-preparative chromatographic method for isolation of both intermediates was developed. Surprisingly, a significantly lower stability of 2 compared to intermediate 1 was observed in an in vitro enzymatic reaction mixture. The second part of the work focuses on 4-ethylidene-L-proline - the precursor of tomaymycin belonging to pyrrolobenzodiazepines. After...

Background: Measurement of plasma metanephrine, normetanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine is useful in the diagnosis of phaeochromocytomas, but many assays require a large volume of plasma due to poor assay sensitivity, and often require lengthy sample preparation. Our aim was to develop a method for measurement of plasma metanephrines using a small sample volume with minimal hands-on preparation. Methods: Samples were deproteinised using 10 K spin filters prior to online solid phase extraction using a Waters Acquity UPLC Online SPE Manager (Waters, Manchester, UK) coupled to a Waters Xevo TQ-S mass spectrometer (Waters, Manchester, UK). The assay was validated and results compared to a previously published method. Results: We achieved a limit of quantification of 37.5 pmol/L for metanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine and 75 pmol/L for normetanephrine using only 150 mL of sample. The assay was linear up to 30,000 pmol/L for all analytes and in a method comparison study results showed good agreement with a previously published LC-MS/MS assay. Conclusions: We have developed a simple method for measurement of plasma metanephrine, normetanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine using only 150 mL of sample. There is minimal hands-on sample preparation required and the assay is suitable for routine use in a clinical laboratory.

This diploma thesis deals with the determination of macrolide antibiotics in wastewater, especially with erythromycin, clarithromycin and roxithromycin. In this time are these pharmaceuticals prescribed quite frequently. Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for the isolation and the purification of selected analytes from an aqueous matrix; as the suitable procedure was found the using Oasis HLB cartridges. High performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (HPLC-MS) was optimized for its analysis of selected pharmaceuticals. The optimized method was used for the determination of pharmaceuticals in real water samples, which was taken at the inflow and the outflow of the urban wastewater treatment plant in Brno-Modřice.