Abstract:

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method based on ultrasonic-assisted extraction was presented for the determination of alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates residues in tropical fruits. The determination of samples by the method developed was achieved through the steps of extraction, condensation, chromatographic separation on a C18 column and fluorescence detection. Optimum conditions for the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of samples were investigated. Calibration curves for alkylphenol ethoxylates and nonyl phenol both exhibited good linearity over the concentration range from 0.5 to 50 μg/mL. Detection limits were 0.04 mg/kg for alkylphenol ethoxylates and 0.008 mg/kg for nonyl phenol. Mean recoveries for alkylphenol ethoxylates and nonyl phenol at 3 spike levels ranged from 92% to 102% and from 75% to 92%, respectively. In conclusion, this method is rapid, sensitive and accurate and meets the requirements of pesticide residue determination.

Key words: alkylphenol, alkylphenol ethoxylates, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, LC