Gas-Liquid Chromatographic Analysis and Chemical Confirmation of Azodrin (Monocrotophos) Residues in Strawberries

Abstract

A gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method is described for the analysis and confirmation of azodrin (monocrotophos, 3-(dimethoxyphosphinyl)-N-methyl-cis-crotonamide) residues in strawberries. The strawberries are extracted with acetone, and the filtrate is partitioned with a mixture of methylene chloride and petroleum ether followed by further extraction with methylene chloride. The organic phases are combined, dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated to a small volume for GLC analysis on a 3% OV-210 column with flame photometric detection. Identity of the compound is confirmed by chromatography on the same column after trifluoroacetylation of an aliquot of the strawberry extract. The detection limit is about 2 ppb. The types of strawberry samples analyzed were fresh, frozen, pureed, and jam.