Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of phosphine residues in stored products and processed foods.
A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was used for the quantitative confirmation of phosphine residues in stored products and processed foods. An established extraction technique was utilized for the preparation of headspace samples, which were analyzed by GC-MS and gas chromatography-nitrogen-phosphorus detection (GC-NPD). Wheat, oats, maize, white rice, brown rice, cornflakes, tortilla cornchips, groundnuts, and raisins were validated, showing excellent agreement between detectors when spiked at levels equivalent to 0.001 and 0.01 mg/kg phosphine and for samples containing incurred residues. The GC-MS method was reproducible and accurate when compared to the GC-NPD method and allowed five samples to be quantified in a working day. Subambient GC-MS oven temperatures were most suitable for phosphine residues ranging from 0.001 to 0.005 mg/kg, and a GC oven temperature of 100 degrees C was appropriate for residues >0.005 mg/kg. The method was sufficiently robust to be evaluated for other similar commodities as the need arises.
Norman
K N
KN
Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, United Kingdom. knorman@csl.gov.uk
Leonard
K
K
D005504:Food Analysis; D005511:Food Handling; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D010720:Phosphines / Q000032:analysis*
D007306:Insecticides; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010720:Phosphines; C044646:phosphine