Improved Storherr tube for assisted and sweep co-distillation cleanup of pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and pentachlorophenol from animal fats

A procedure is presented for the simultaneous extraction from animal fat and quantitation of 15 pesticide residues, 4 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) formulations, and pentachlorophenol (PCP). Silanization of the Storherr tube packing reduces thermal decomposition and allows for residue recoveries in excess of 88% from pork, beef, chicken, sheep, and rabbit fat. This Storherr tube performs well in either the assisted distillation or sweep co-distillation mode of operation. Detection limits of 2-5 ppb for the pesticides and 10 ppb for the PCBs are readily attained.