Estrogens and Progestogens in Environmental Waters: Analytical Chemistry and Biosensing Perspectives on Methods, Challenges, and Trends

Abstract

Published as part of Analytical Chemistry special issue “Fundamental and Applied Reviews in Analytical Chemistry 2025”. Anna Lalik studied biotechnology at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Poland), where she received an MSc in the field of molecular biotechnology and biocatalysis. In 2005, she obtained a PhD in chemical sciences, also from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Poland). Since 2006, she has been working at the Silesian University of Technology (Poland): for the first 3 years as a postdoc and later as an assistant professor. Her research focuses on studying the regulation of cellular pathways by biologically active biomolecules. Julia Szreder studied chemistry at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland, in the Department of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry, and Biotechnology at the Faculty of Chemistry. She earned her engineering degree in 2022 and her master’s degree in 2023. After graduation, she began a PhD in chemical sciences. She is currently in the second year of her doctoral studies, focusing on the use of sugars to enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of biologically active compounds. Mirosława Grymel graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry of the Silesian University of Technology, Poland. In 2001, she obtained PhD in Chemistry with distinction. Currently, she works in a research and teaching position at the Department of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry, and Biotechnology of the Silesian University of Technology. Her main research interests are focused on the chemistry of organophosphorus compounds with a special emphasis on structural modifications of natural bioactive compounds (e.g., betulin, spilanthol). She specializes in the isolation of bioactive ingredients from plant extracts and elucidating the structures of novel organic compounds using spectroscopic methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. In her educational role, she has also successfully supervised interdisciplinary student teams through the implementation of Project-Based Learning initiatives multiple times. Sebastian Żabczyński graduated from the Silesian University of Technology (Poland), receiving a Master of Science in Engineering degree from the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy. In 2002, he obtained a PhD in technical sciences in the field of environmental engineering, also from the Silesian University of Technology (Poland). He worked for one year each as a postdoctoral researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG, Switzerland). His research focuses mainly on the removal of micropollutants from the environment using biological and physicochemical methods, as well as the biological production of hydrogen. Sylwia Bajkacz studied chemistry at the Silesian University of Technology (Poland), where she received her Diploma and Ph.D. degrees in 2008 and 2012, and in 2016 Habilitation. Her research activities include the development and application of new separation and spectral methods for medical diagnostics and for monitoring selected anthropogenic micropollutants and their transformation products in the environment. She is the author of 86 papers indexed in the JCR list (Hirsch index of 26). She has led several research projects and has received numerous awards, including the Minister of Higher Education Scholarship for Outstanding Young Scientists, the Award for the Best Doctoral Dissertation in Analytical Chemistry, the Polish Chemical Society Award for Scientific Achievement, The Professor Kazimierz Bartel Medal for Outstanding Achievements in Science, and others. Since 2022, she has been included in the prestigious World’s Top 2% Scientists list of the most influential scientists in the world. Mateusz Pielok received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemistry from the Silesian University of Technology (Poland) in 2025, with a specialization in pharmaceutical chemistry. During his studies, he actively participated in Project-based Learning activities, primarily focused on terpenoid chemistry. His research interests include the synthesis of modified natural compounds and the evaluation of their biological activity. Mirosław Cieślik received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in chemistry at the Silesian University of Technology (Poland) in 2025. During his studies, he enrolled in Project-based Learning initiatives and a student research group in analytical chemistry to gain more laboratory experience and begin his scientific career. Now, he is continuing his education at the Silesian University of Technology (Poland), and his research interests focus on broadly understood biochemistry. Agnieszka Kicińska graduated from a technical school in 2020, earning the title of chemical analysis technician. In 2024, she obtained her Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Technology. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Chemistry, deepening her scientific interests. Agnieszka is an active member of a student research group, where she participates in research projects and hones her competencies in analytical chemistry. Her main scientific interests are focused on modern chemical analysis methods and their applications in various fields of science and industry. Agata Wawrzkiewicz-Jałowiecka studied chemistry at the Silesian University of Technology (Poland), where she earned an MSc in bioanalytics in 2012. She was awarded the Omnium Studiosorum Optimo medal for the best graduate. In 2017, she completed a PhD in chemical sciences at the same institution, where she currently works as an assistant professor. She held postdoctoral appointments at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, USA, and at the Institute of Physics, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. Her current research interests focus on ionic transport through nanopores and ion channels. Her interdisciplinary work integrates bioanalytics, molecular electrophysiology, nonlinear signal analysis, and computer simulation techniques. A.W.-J., M.P., M.C., and A.K. would like to thank the Silesian University of Technology for providing financial support under project No. 31/010/SDU20/0006-10. 17-hydroxyprogesterone triplet dissolved organic carbon triplet state dissolved organic mater androstenedione annual average value environmental air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction atmospheric pressure chemical ionization aqueous two-phase system gold nanoparticles bar adsorptive microextraction bisphenol A N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide chemically activated luciferase gene expression carbon black current salting-out homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction chemiluminescence immunoassay carbon nanotubes l-menthol and (1S)-(+)-camphor-10-sulfonic acid cyclic voltammetry decamethylcyclopentasiloxane diode array detector dichloromethane deep eutectic solvents diethylstilbestrol deep eutectic solvent based liquid phase microextraction dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction dansyl chloride differential-pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetric differential pulse voltammetry drospirenone 2,5-divinylterephthalaldehyde estrone 17β-estradiol estriol effect-based method electrochemical luminescence endocrine disrupting chemical 17α-ethinylestradiol equivalent to the concentration ethylene glycol dimethacrylate electron ionization electrochemical impedance spectroscopy enzyme-linked fluorescence assay enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay equivalent of progesterone concentration environmental quality standard estrogen response elements electrospray ionization fluorescence detection functionalized graphene glassy carbon electrode gas chromatography–mass spectrometry gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry gold nanoparticle graphene oxide graphene quantum dots human kidney cells hydrophilic–lipophilic balance sorbents high performance liquid chromatography high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection high-resolution gas chromatography with negative chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection immunoaffinity chromatography ionic liquids infrared spectroscopy partition coefficients liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry layered double hydroxide lateral flow immunoassays liquid–liquid extraction liquid–liquid microextraction levonorgestrel limit of detection limit of quantification localized surface plasmon resonance methacrylic acid monoclonal antibody maximum allowable concentration environmental quality standard the human breast cancer cell line micellar electrokinetic chromatography megestrol acetate magnetic ionic liquids molecularly imprinted polymer molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers mixed-matrix membrane magnetic particles multiple reaction monitoring magnetic solid phase extraction N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide methyl tert-butyl ether multiwalled carbon nanotubes not detected norgestrel near-infrared spectroscopy National Institute of Standard and Technology norethisterone progesterone polyaniline protic ionic liquid polypyrrole progesterone response elements Primary and Secondary Amines quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based assay reduced graphene oxide radioimmunoassays reactive oxygen species relative standard deviation spray-assisted liquid-phase microextraction based on droplet formation simulated body fluid stir-bar sorptive extraction surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy sequential injection analysis-lab on valve system selected ion monitoring screen-printed carbon electrode solid phase extraction solid-phase microextraction screen-printed working electrode switchable solvent-based liquid phase microextraction square wave voltammetry the human breast cancer cell line thin film microextraction tie-line length trimethylchlorosilane trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate testosterone the human osteosarcoma cell line ultrasound-assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction ultrasound-assisted extraction ultrafast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography wastewater treatment plant 17α-estradiol 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate microliquid desorption microsolid phase extraction This article references 259 other publications. 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