Organophosphate di-ester/tri-ester ratio as a novel interspecific metabolic biomarker: Dual sources and differential metabolism in terrestrial and aquatic organisms.
The di-OPE/tri-OPE ratio varies significantly between terrestrial and aquatic organisms, with aquatic invertebrates showing ratios up to 23.09, indicating efficient metabolism.
- Why it matters: Understanding interspecific differences in organophosphate metabolism is crucial for accurate food safety assessment and pollution source identification, yet remains poorly characterized.
- What they did: The study analyzed 24 tri-OPEs and 6 di-OPEs in 240 food samples from South China, examining metabolite-parent ratios and sources across different species and environments.
- The result: Findings demonstrate the di-OPE/tri-OPE ratio as a novel biomarker for interspecific metabolic capacity, aiding in source attribution and supporting food safety monitoring despite low health risks.