Analysis of O,S-dimethyl hydrogen phosphorothioate in urine, a specific biomarker for methamidophos

J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Oct 8;51(21):6103-9. doi: 10.1021/jf030405d.

Abstract

A rugged and sensitive method was developed to monitor urinary concentrations of O,S-dimethyl hydrogen phosphorothioate (O,S-DMPT), a specific biomarker of exposure to the organophosphate insecticide methamidophos. After pH adjustment and C18 solid phase extraction column cleanup, the urine was lyophilized at a low temperature to prevent loss of possibly highly volatile and unstable O,S-DMPT metabolite. The dried residue was derivatized using N-methyl-N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide and 1% tert-butyldimethylchlorosilane (MTBSTFA + 1% TBDMCS) in acetonitrile. After it was filtered, the derivatized product was analyzed and quantified by gas chromatography using a pulse flame photometric detector specific for phosphorus compounds. The limit of detection for this method was 0.004 ppm with a limit of quantitation of 0.02 ppm of urine. The mean recovery value for O,S-DMPT from 17 urine samples fortified at varying concentrations was 108% with a standard deviation of 12%.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / urine*
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Cold Temperature
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Freeze Drying
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Insecticides*
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds* / urine*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Insecticides
  • O,S-dimethyl hydrogen phosphorothioate
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds
  • methamidophos