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A high-sensitivity and matrix-resistant liquid chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry method for accurate quantification of adipic acid in fungal microplastic degradation systems
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Researchers developed a fast lab test to measure adipic acid, a byproduct released when a plastic (polyurethane) breaks down. The method was used to track this byproduct during breakdown of the plastic by a marine fungus, showing accurate and sensitive detection within 6 minutes.
Microplastic pollution has become a growing global concern, and fungal biodegradation represents a promising approach for its mitigation. Accurate quantification of adipic acid (AA), a key monomer released during the degradation of poly(1,4-butylene adipate)-based polyurethane (PBA-PU), is essential for confirming the release of adipic acid units during PBA-PU degradation and verifying ester bond hydrolysis. A rapid and straightforward method was developed and validated using high-performance liquid chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) for AA quantification. The method, which is derivatization-free, matrix-resistant, and cost-effective, enables sensitive and precise trace-level detection of AA in complex fungal degradation matrices. It involves the addition of adipic acid- d 8 (deuterium-labeled AA) as an internal standard, followed by extraction through filtration and methanol dissolution. The extracts were analyzed on a reverse-phase C-18 column using liquid chromatography. The optimized analytical method enables accurate, sensitive, and efficient AA quantification within 6 minutes, demonstrating excellent linearity (R 2 > 0.99), matrix effect (-0.519%), precision (RSD < 10%), recovery (89.32 - 104.19%), stability (RSD < 15%), and limits of quantification (LOQ) of 15 ng/mL. This method was successfully applied to analyze AA produced during the fungal degradation of PBA-PU by Cladosporium oxysporum SCSIO 81042 (a marine-derived fungus), highlighting its applicability for routine analysis of AA monomers quantitative detection in microbial plastic degradation.
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