Resumen

VALENZUELA-QUINTANAR, A.I. et al. Optimization and validation of a method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion for organophosphorus pesticides in vegetables.. Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2006, vol.23, n.4, pp.471-482. ISSN 0378-7818.

The objective of this study was the optimization and validation of a method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in vegetables. This assay was carried out by capillary gas chromatography with Flame Photometric Detection (FPD) and a capillary column DB5; the recoveries were determined by fortifying six different crops (tomatoes, onions, green pepper, broccoli and squash) with the pesticides studied (diazinon, di-syston, methil-parathion, malathion, parathion, ethion). The optimization of the extraction of these pesticides was achieved using MSPD with diverse extraction and purification phases, where 0.5 g of silica gel on the extraction phase and 2 g of mix of charcoal-magnesium oxide-celite (1:2:4) on the purification phase, eluted using 40 mL dichloromethane, 95% lesser than the used in the official method, were able to extract the pesticides residues. The recoveries were in the range of 61 to 108%. The regression coefficients were 0.99, except for ethion (r = 0.98) over the range between 50, 100 and 200% of maximum residue limits. The applicability of the method to detect and quantify the pesticides studied was demonstrated successfully in 32 vegetables samples obtained from two locals markets. Malathion (0.08 µg/g) and parathion (0.06 µg/g), were detected in only one tomatoes sample, at levels lower than the maximum permits limits. The proposed analytical method could be used as an efficient, fast, cheap and ecological procedure in routine determinations of organophosphorous pesticides in vegetables.

Palabras clave : MSPD; pesticides; vegetables; extraction methods.