Quantitative Method for the Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides in Serum

• Published in: Journal of analytical toxicology Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 23 - 26
• Main Authors: Minelli, Elizabeth Victoria, Ribeiro, Maria Lúcia
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Niles, IL Oxford University Press 01.01.1996; Preston
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography; Chromatography, Gas - methods; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Insecticides - analysis; Insecticides - blood; Medical sciences; Pesticides (organochlorine); Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Purification; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Solvents; Toxicology; Human; Electron capture; Insecticide; DDE; DDT; Organochlorine compounds; Pesticides; Serum; Gas liquid chromatography; HCH; Blood; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0146-4760; 1945-2403
• DOI: 10.1093/jat/20.1.23

A method for the determination of six organochlorine pesticides in human serum is proposed. Serum samples containing in vitro spiked pesticides (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p′-DDE, o,p′-DDT, and p,p′-DDT) were used to evaluate the method. The method involved pesticide extraction from a serum-silica suspension with n-hexane-acetone (9:1), extract purification using alumina-column chromatography, and analysis of the final extract using gas-liquid chromatography with electron-capture detection. Mean recoveries for the pesticides spiked from 1 to 7.5 ng/mL ranged from 82 to 97%; for those spiked from 4 to 30 ng/mL, recoveries ranged from 85 to 99%; and for those spiked from 20 to 150 ng/mL, recoveries ranged from 80 to 87%. The method is simple and rapid, requires a minimum of reagents and solvents, and provides high recovery values.