Trace level determination of organochlorine, organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides in lanolin using gel permeation chromatography followed by dual gas chromatography and gas chromatography–negative chemical ionization mass spectrometric confirmation

A methodology for multi-class pesticide determination at trace level in lanolin is presented. Gel permeation chromatography on a Bio-Beads SX-3 column followed by a dual GC chromatographic determination has been developed. The effluent of the analytical column (50% diphenyl–methyl- or 14% cyanopropyl–phenylpolysiloxane) was split into an electron-capture and a nitrogen–phosphorus detection system. The chromatographic system was optimised for 28 pesticides commonly used to control sheep pests and corresponding to organochlorine, organophosphorus and pyretroid classes. Identification has been carried out by gas chromatography coupled to negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Recoveries ranged from 72 to 94% and the detection limits from 20 to 97 ng/g depending on the pesticide class, the RSDs were below 10%. Finally, the developed analytical methodology has been successfully applied to the determination of pesticides in several lanolin samples.