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Maria Fernandez-Alvarez

Bio: Maria Fernandez-Alvarez is an academic researcher from University of Santiago de Compostela. The author has contributed to research in topics: Solid-phase microextraction & Matrix (chemical analysis). The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 15 publications receiving 390 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A solvent-free and simple method based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was developed in order to determine simultaneously 36 common pesticides and breakdown products in soil and showed that temperature and fiber coating were the most significant variables affecting extraction efficiency.

95 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A simple and rapid method based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique followed by gas chromatography with microelectron-capture detection (GC-microECD) was developed for the simultaneous determination of more than 30 pesticides (pyrethroids and organochlorinated among others) in milk, the first application of SPME for the determination of pyrethroid pesticides in milk.

81 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A matrix solid-phase dispersion method was developed for the simultaneous extraction of 36 common pesticides and breakdown products (mostly pyrethroids and organochlorines) in cattle feed and is the first application of MSPD for the extraction of most of the target pesticides from animal feed.

50 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Triclosan degradation occurred, and generation of 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was confirmed, throughout the pH range studied (from 3 to 9), and the main photode degradation mechanisms were postulated and photodegradation pathways proposed.
Abstract: In this study the photoinduced degradation of triclosan has been investigated by photo-solid-phase microextraction (photo-SPME). In photo-SPME, photodegradation is carried out on the SPME fibre containing the target compound. Triclosan was extracted from aqueous solutions by use of polydimethylsiloxane SPME fibres and these were subsequently exposed to UV irradiation (power 8 W, wavelength 254 nm) for different times (from 2 to 60 min). The photodegradation kinetics of triclosan were investigated, the photoproducts generated were tentatively identified, and the photochemical behaviour of these products was studied by use of this on-fibre approach followed by gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis. Eight photoproducts were tentatively identified, including chlorinated phenols, chlorohydroxydiphenyl ethers, 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and a possible dichlorodibenzodioxin isomer or dichlorohydroxydibenzofuran. The main photodegradation mechanisms were postulated and photodegradation pathways proposed. The effect of pH on triclosan degradation and on triclosan-to-dioxin conversion was also investigated. Triclosan degradation occurred, and generation of 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was confirmed, throughout the pH range studied (from 3 to 9).

38 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An alternative sample preparation method for photochemical studies, which overcomes all the disadvantages associated with classical approaches, is proposed, based on Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME), and can be considered as being within the scope of "green photochemistry", especially when it is combined with sunlight irradiation.

37 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the requirements for antimicrobial finishing, qualitative and quantitative evaluations of antimicrobial efficacy, the application methods of antimacterial agents and some of the most recent developments in antimicrobial treatments of textiles using various active agents such as silver, quaternary ammonium salts, polyhexamethylene biguanide, triclosan, chitosan, dyes and regenerable N-halamine compounds and peroxyacids.
Abstract: The growth of microbes on textiles during use and storage negatively affects the wearer as well as the textile itself. The detrimental effects can be controlled by durable antimicrobial finishing of the textile using broad-spectrum biocides or by incorporating the biocide into synthetic fibers during extrusion. Consumers' attitude towards hygiene and active lifestyle has created a rapidly increasing market for antimicrobial textiles, which in turn has stimulated intensive research and development. This article reviews the requirements for antimicrobial finishing, qualitative and quantitative evaluations of antimicrobial efficacy, the application methods of antimicrobial agents and some of the most recent developments in antimicrobial treatments of textiles using various active agents such as silver, quaternary ammonium salts, polyhexamethylene biguanide, triclosan, chitosan, dyes and regenerable N-halamine compounds and peroxyacids. Examples of commercial antimicrobial products are presented to illustrate...

967 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Concern has been raised over TCS's potential for endocrine disruption, as the antimicrobial has been shown to disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis and possibly the reproductive axis, and there is strong evidence that aquatic species such as algae, invertebrates and certain types of fish are much more sensitive to TCS than mammals.
Abstract: Triclosan [5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol; TCS] is a broad spectrum antibacterial agent used in personal care, veterinary, industrial and household products. TCS is commonly detected in aquatic ecosystems, as it is only partially removed during the wastewater treatment process. Sorption, biodegradation and photolytic degradation mitigate the availability of TCS to aquatic biota; however the by-products such as methyltriclosan and other chlorinated phenols may be more resistant to degradation and have higher toxicity than the parent compound. The continuous exposure of aquatic organisms to TCS, coupled with its bioaccumulation potential, have led to detectable levels of the antimicrobial in a number of aquatic species. TCS has been also detected in breast milk, urine and plasma, with levels of TCS in the blood correlating with consumer use patterns of the antimicrobial. Mammalian systemic toxicity studies indicate that TCS is neither acutely toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, nor a developmental toxicant. Recently, however, concern has been raised over TCS's potential for endocrine disruption, as the antimicrobial has been shown to disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis and possibly the reproductive axis. Moreover, there is strong evidence that aquatic species such as algae, invertebrates and certain types of fish are much more sensitive to TCS than mammals. TCS is highly toxic to algae and exerts reproductive and developmental effects in some fish. The potential for endocrine disruption and antibiotic cross-resistance highlights the importance of the judicious use of TCS, whereby the use of TCS should be limited to applications where it has been shown to be effective.

733 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Most frequent substances as well as those found at highest concentrations in different seasons and regions, together with available risk assessment data, may be useful to identify possible future PS candidates.

545 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The presence of mixtures of pesticide residues in soils are the rule rather than the exception, indicating that environmental risk assessment procedures should be adapted accordingly to minimize related risks to soil life and beyond.

540 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Forthcoming evidence on the role of antimicrobial surfaces could supplement infection prevention strategies for health care environments, including those targeting multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Abstract: There is increasing interest in the role of cleaning for managing hospital-acquired infections (HAI). Pathogens such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multiresistant Gram-negative bacilli, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile persist in the health care environment for days. Both detergent- and disinfectant-based cleaning can help control these pathogens, although difficulties with measuring cleanliness have compromised the quality of published evidence. Traditional cleaning methods are notoriously inefficient for decontamination, and new approaches have been proposed, including disinfectants, steam, automated dispersal systems, and antimicrobial surfaces. These methods are difficult to evaluate for cost-effectiveness because environmental data are not usually modeled against patient outcome. Recent studies have reported the value of physically removing soil using detergent, compared with more expensive (and toxic) disinfectants. Simple cleaning methods should be evaluated against nonmanual disinfection using standardized sampling and surveillance. Given worldwide concern over escalating antimicrobial resistance, it is clear that more studies on health care decontamination are required. Cleaning schedules should be adapted to reflect clinical risk, location, type of site, and hand touch frequency and should be evaluated for cost versus benefit for both routine and outbreak situations. Forthcoming evidence on the role of antimicrobial surfaces could supplement infection prevention strategies for health care environments, including those targeting multidrug-resistant pathogens.

466 citations