Honors College Theses
Publication Date
12-17-2024
Major
Biochemistry (B.S.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)
Faculty Mentor
Eric Gato
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a persistent and bioaccumulative pollutant, is a major environmental concern due to its adverse health effects and resistance to degradation. Conventional methods for detecting PFOA, such as LC-MS/MS and GC-MS, are often expensive, complex, and not always feasible for routine monitoring, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study explores a cost-effective fluorospectrophotometric method for detecting PFOA, leveraging eosin Y and polyethyleneimine (PEI) as fluorescent indicators. Fluorescence intensities of eosin Y at varying concentrations were measured in the presence of PEI and a Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 7), both with and without PFOA, using a Shimadzu spectrofluorometer. The results indicate a significant quenching effect on eosin Y fluorescence when PFOA is introduced, with noticeable reductions in fluorescence intensities for eosin Y concentrations of 0.08 µM, 0.09 µM, and 0.1 µM. In particular, the presence of PFOA led to a distinct decrease in fluorescence at the 0.08 µM eosin Y concentration, suggesting that eosin Y-PEI interaction is sensitive to the addition of PFOA. Control experiments with individual reagents (PEI, eosin Y, and the DMSO solvent) established baseline fluorescence profiles, which were essential for accurately assessing the effects of PFOA. This fluorospectrophotometric approach shows promise as a sensitive, accessible, and cost-effective method for detecting PFOA in aqueous solutions, with potential for adaptation in environmental monitoring. The method’s ability to detect low concentrations of PFOA by monitoring changes in fluorescence intensity makes it a viable alternative for routine detection in contaminated water sources, supporting early intervention and remediation efforts.
Recommended Citation
Akpabio, Edidiong, "Development of a Fluorospectrophotometric Method for the Detection of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Aqueous Solutions" (2024). Honors College Theses. 1009.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/1009
