Use of GC × GC/TOF-MS and LC/TOF-MS for metabolomic analysis of Hyalella azteca chronically exposed to atrazine and its primary metabolite, desethylatrazine

ABSTRACT Atrazine is one of the most commonly detected contaminants in the U.S. Little information is available on one of atrazine's metabolites, desethylatrazine (DEA). Two‐dimensional gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled with time of flight‐ mass spectrometry were used to examine metabolite profiles of Hyalella azteca chronically exposed to 30 µg/L atrazine and DEA. The majority of identified metabolites were by‐products of β‐oxidation of fatty acids suggesting possible disruption in energy metabolism. Eicosanoids increased in exposed females suggesting possible perturbations in neuropeptide hormonal systems. Overall, this research demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing metabolomic profiling of invertebrate species exposed to environmental contaminants as a way to determine mechanisms of toxicity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Atrazine is a commonly detected water contaminant. Little information is available on atrazine's metabolite desethylatrazine (DEA). We used metabolomics to examine metabolite profiles of Hyalella azteca exposed to 30 µg/L atrazine and DEA. The majority of metabolites were lipids and by‐products of β‐oxidation of fatty acids suggesting possible disruption in energy metabolism. Eicosanoids increased in exposed females suggesting perturbations in neuropeptide hormonal systems. This research demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing both GC × GC and LC TOF‐MS for metabolomic profiling of invertebrates.