Determination of Phenoxy Acid Pesticides in Frog and Fish Tissues by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometric GC-MS method has been developed for the determination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) in frog and fish tissues. After homogenization and sonication of 5 g samples, purification was achieved by a liquid phase extraction procedure using methyl-tert-butyl ether. The extract was reacted for 30 min at 80 °C with 10 % H₂SO₄ in methanol to form the corresponding methyl esters, which were simultaneously extracted with petroleum ether, and analysed by GC-MS in selected ion monitoring mode. Detection limits were 1.0 and 0.5 μg. kg^?1 for 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T respectively in tissue samples and the calibration curves showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.999). Twenty-five frog samples and forty-six fish samples from various regions in Korea were analyzed. 2,4,5-T was detected up to a maximum concentration of 16.2 μg kg^?1 in frogs and fish. The developed method may be valuable for the national monitoring project of endocrine disruptors (EDs) in biota.