Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in honeybees after solid-phase microextraction

A method based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection was developed for the purpose of determining 18 organophosphorus pesticide residues in honeybee samples (Apis mellifera). The extraction capacities of polyacrylate and poly(dimethylsiloxane) fibers were compared. The main factors affecting the SPME process, such as the absorption time profile, salt, and temperature, were optimized. The method involved honeybee sample homogenization, elution with an acetone:water solution (1:1) and dilution in water prior to fiber extraction. Moreover, the matrix effect on the extraction was evaluated. In samples spiked at the 0.2 mg kg−1 level, the coefficient variation was between 1 and 13% and the detection limits were below 10 μg kg−1. The SPME procedure was found to be quicker and more cost-effective than the solvent extraction method commonly used. The method was applied successfully to environmental screening. Parathion methyl was detected and confirmed in the real samples analyzed.