Development and application of diffusive gradients in thin-films for in situ sampling of the bitterest chemical – denatonium benzoate in waters

Denatonium benzoate (DB), a commonly used bitter agent in numerous products, has recently been recognized as waterborne contaminant due to concern about its potential persistence, mobility and toxicity (PMT). However, occurrence, levels fate global aquatic environments are largely unknown. In this study, new sampling method, based on diffusive gradients thin films (DGT) with mixed-mode cation exchange (MCX) the binding agent, was developed for measuring DB waters. MCX shows rapid adsorption high capacity DB. is linearly accumulated by MCX-DGT. pH (6–8), ionic strength (0.01–0.5 M), or DOM (0–10 M) do not show any significant effect MCX-DGT performance, confirming reliability. The DGT measurements wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) comparable those paralleled grab sampling. field results suggest persistent WWTPs could be domestic indicator. Therefore, promising technique understanding environmental of This first report using monitoring occurrence Chinese environments. Further exploration reliable passive tool wide range PMT substances different applications warranted.