Analysis of abamectin residues in avocados by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A Vol. 1165; no. 1; pp. 52 - 57
• Main Authors: Hernández-Borges, Javier, Ravelo-Pérez, Lidia M., Hernández-Suárez, Estrella M., Carnero, Aurelio, Rodríguez-Delgado, Miguel Ángel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 21.09.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Abamectin; Avocados; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods; detection; drug residues; European Union; fluorescence; Fluorescence detection; food analysis; food composition; food contamination; Food industries; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; High-performance liquid chromatography; hydroxyethyl cellulose; hydroxypropyl cellulose; Ivermectin - analogs & derivatives; Ivermectin - chemistry; Ivermectin - isolation & purification; maximum residue limits; new methods; Persea - chemistry; pesticide law; Pesticide Residues - chemistry; Pesticide Residues - isolation & purification; Solid Phase Extraction - methods; Spectrometry, Fluorescence - methods; Spain; Abamectin; High-performance liquid chromatography; Avocados; Fluorescence detection; Solid phase extraction; Chemical analysis; HPLC chromatography; Derivatization; Solvent extraction; Macrocycle; Chemical enrichment; Ultrasound assisted extraction; Sample preparation; Biopesticide; Ultrasound; Quantitative analysis; Fluorescence detector; Fruit; Precolumn; Pesticides; Lactone; Contamination; Antibiotic; Fluorescent labelling; Residue; Avermectins; Avocado; Parasiticide; Microbial insecticide
• ISSN: 0021-9673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2007.07.033

In this work an analytical method for the determination of abamectin residues in avocados is developed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence (FL) detection. A pre-column derivatization with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) and N-methylimidazole (NMIM) was carried out. The mobile phase consisted of water, methanol and acetonitrile (5:47.5:47.5 v/v/v) and was pumped at a rate of 1 mL/min (isocratic elution). The fluorescence detector was set at an excitation wavelength of 365 nm and an emission wavelength of 470 nm. Homogenized avocado samples were extracted twice with acetonitrile:water 8:2 (v/v) and cleaned using C 18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. Recovery values were in the range 87–98% with RSD values lower than 13%. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) of the whole method were 0.001 and 0.003 mg/kg, respectively. These values are lower than the maximum residue limit (MRL) established by the European Union (EU) and the Spanish legislation in avocado samples.