CGC/AED and CGC/ECD/NPD comparison for the determination of acaricides in honey after hexane/acetone extraction

Summary The performance of a gas chromatographic system coupled to an atomic emission detector (GC/AED) is tested by comparison with a two-dimensional gas chromatographic system equipped with capillary columns of different polarity and simultaneous electron capture and nitrogen-phosphorus detection (ECD/NPD), for the determination of the acaricides chlordimeform, bromopropylate, amitraz and coumaphos on spiked honey samples. The acaricides were extracted with ann-hexane/acetone mixture (8020, v/v) with a further clean-up step on an octadecylsilane cartridge. The 193 nm carbon emission line is the best choice in terms of sensitivity whereas the ECD/NPD system gives better selectivity.