title: Analysis of fenthion in postmortem samples by HPLC with diode-array detection and GC-MS using solid-phase extraction.
abstract: Fenthion (O,O-dimethyl-O-[3-methyl-4-(methylthio)-phenyl]-thiophos-phate ) is an organophosphate insecticide. A specific method to quantitate fenthion in postmortem matrices with solid-phase extraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is presented. Fenitrothion (O,O-dimethyl-O-[3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl]-thiophosphate) is selected as the internal standard. For sample cleanup, a simple but selective solid-phase extraction is chosen after comparison with traditional liquid-liquid extraction procedures. Homogenized and appropriately diluted aqueous samples are applied, and the analytes are desorbed with 5 mL of dichloromethane. Aliquots of the extract are used for HPLC-DAD and GC-MS analysis, Liquid and GC conditions are as follows: gradient elution with a mixture of methanol and water (10:90 to 90:10, v/v) containing 0.0125M NaOH on an Aluspher RP-Select B column monitoring at 250 nm, and temperature programming from 60 to 300 degrees C on a dimethylpolysiloxane column in the SCAN mode, respectively. This method is applied to a suicidal case involving unsuspected acute intoxication with fenthion (concentration in blood, 3.8 micrograms/mL).
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium voor Toxicologie, Universiteit Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Borrey
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Peteghem
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piette
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Leenheer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005284:Fenthion / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning; D013405:Suicide
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D005284:Fenthion