Multiresidue determination of endosulfan and metabolic derivatives in human adipose tissue using automated liquid chromatographic cleanup and gas chromatographic analysis

J Anal Toxicol. 2002 Mar;26(2):94-103. doi: 10.1093/jat/26.2.94.

Abstract

A multiresidue method based on normal-phase liquid chromatography (LC) cleanup and gas chromatography-electron capture detection-mass selective detection (GC-ECD-MSD) analysis has been developed for the determination of endosulfan and its main metabolic derivatives in human adipose tissues. Analytes were extracted by dissolving the fat samples in n-hexane, and the hexanic extracts were directly injected onto the silicagel column of the automated LC cleanup system. Purified LC extracts were analyzed by GC-ECD or GC-MSD, without any solvent exchanges or preconcentration steps. The high efficiency of the high-performance liquid chromatographic cleanup for the elimination of fats allowed to reach detection limits for all analytes at low nanograms-per-gram concentration levels. The optimized overall analytical procedure was applied to 18 selected human mammary adipose and abdominal fat tissue samples. p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene, and beta-HCH were the most frequently detected compounds, and residues of endosulfan-sulfate and -ether were also found in several samples. All findings were confirmed by an additional GC-MS-MS analysis of the LC sample extracts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / chemistry*
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chromatography, Liquid / instrumentation
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Endosulfan / analysis*
  • Endosulfan / pharmacokinetics
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated*
  • Insecticides / analysis*
  • Insecticides / pharmacokinetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • Insecticides
  • Endosulfan