Environmental Science and Pollution Research International 2015-08-01

A new method and tool for detection and quantification of PM oxidative potential.

Francesco Ciriello, Maurizio Gualtieri, Eleonora Longhin, Riccardo Ruffo, Marina Camatini, Paolo Parenti

Index: Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int. 22 , 12469-78, (2015)

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Abstract

Airborne particulate matter (PM) contains several quinones, which are able to generate reactive oxygen species impacting on cell viability. A method able to detect and quantify PM oxidative potential, based on the cytochrome c (cyt-c) reduction by means of superoxide anion produced through quinones redox cycling in the presence of reducing agents, is here described. Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine resulted to be the most efficient reducing agent among the ones tested. The procedure included rapid particles extraction, followed by two alternative analytical methods, a spectrophotometric assay based on the initial rate of cyt-c reduction at 550 nm, and an amperometric assay, based on self-assembled monolayers modified gold electrodes. The smallest amount of PM needed to obtain an evaluable signal is 2 μg. The described procedure may represent a starting point to develop devices for PM measurements in polluted atmospheric environments.