A toxic reagent-free method for normal-phase matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction and reversed-phase liquid chromatographic determination of aldrin, dieldrin, and DDTs in animal fats.

Abstract

A method for the determination of aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, DDE, and DDD contamination in animal fats (beef tallow, lard, and chicken fat) without using toxic reagents is developed, that uses high-performance liquid chromatography after the sample has been prepared by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) with acidic alumina oxide. A reversed-phase C(1)-silica column with a mobile phase of 50% (v/v) ethanol solution (in water) and a photo-diode array detector were used for the determination. Average recoveries of the target compounds (0.2-5.0 microg g(-1)) ranged from 84-98%, with coefficients of variation of <5%. The limits of quantitation were </=0.16 microg g(-1 )for AD, </=0.10 microg g(-1) for DD, </=0.06 microg g(-1) for DDT, </=0.07 microg g(-1) for DDE, and </=0.05 microg g(-1 )for DDD. No toxic reagents were used at all.