Large volume GC injection for the analysis of organophosphorus pesticides in vegetables using the through oven transfer adsorption desorption (TOTAD) interface

A simple, rapid and sensitive multiresidue method has been developed for the determination in vegetables of organophosphorus pesticides commonly used in crop protection. Pesticide residues are extracted from samples with a small amount of ethyl acetate and anhydrous sodium sulfate. No additional concentration and cleanup steps are necessary. Analyses are performed by large volume GC injection using the through oven transfer adsorption desorption (TOTAD) interface. The calculated limits of detection for each pesticide injecting 50 microL of extract and using an NPD are lower than 0.35 microg/kg which is much lower than the maximum residues levels (MRLs) established by European legislation. Repeatability studies yielded a relative standard deviation lower than 10% in all cases. The method was applied to the analysis of eggplant, lettuce, pepper, cucumber, and tomato.