Method for the Determination of Organophosphorus and Pyrethroid Pesticides in Food via Gas Chromatography with Electron-Capture Detection

We have developed a rapid, high-throughput, accurate, multiresidue method for the analysis of selected organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides in a variety of food samples suitable for use in public health and epidemiologic investigations of high-use pesticides using modifications of existing methods. The procedure involves a pesticide extraction from the food sample with acetonitrile followed by a salting-out with NaCl and cleanup of the extract with a multilayer solid-phase extraction cartridge composed of a Supelclean ENVI-CARB-II top layer and a primary-secondary amine bottom layer separated by a polyethylene frit. To evaluate the method, we performed fortification studies at 50, 100, and 200 ng/g for 3 organophosphorus and 4 pyrethroid pesticides in 16 different foods. Instrumental analysis was carried out by capillary gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). Confirmatory analysis was performed by GC coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) in the selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Average recoveries for each fortification level ranged from 49 to 146% with 80% of recoveries between 80 and 120%.