HPLC determination of progesterone from water sources in the Decatur, Illinois area

CHED 235

Keith W. Kunz, kkunz@millikin.edu and Edward R. Acheson, eacheson@mail.millikin.edu. Department of Chemistry, Millikin University, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, IL 62522
Ground water contaminated with steroids and other pollutants can have widely varying, drastic effects on organisms that survive off this water. Specifically, progesterone can affect the reproductive capabilities of certain turtle species, ultimately leading to a decline in overall population. An HPLC method for the determination of steroids was adapted specifically to monitor progesterone levels in water samples. Progesterone was concentrated on an SPE cartridge and eluted with methanol. Progesterone in the eluted sample was measured via HPLC using a C-18 column with UV detection at 220 nm. Initial progesterone recoveries from spiked water samples showed unacceptable variability. The focus of our current work is to develop reproducible recoveries. Once reproducible recoveries have been obtained, water samples from the Decatur, Illinois area will be tested for progesterone content.