Determination of Amitraz (Varroaset) Residue in Honey by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Amitraz (Varroaset) is an acaricide applied against Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Acarina: Varroidae) infestations on honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Amitraz residue in honey was determined by HPLC in Ankara, Turkey. Honey samples were collected from beekeepers during the harvesting period in Ayas, Kizilcahamam and Polatli towns in Ankara. Amitraz residue was found in various levels in six (15%) out of 32 honey samples. The residue amounts in the 6 samples were 5.35, 0.34, 0.23, 1.27, 0.92 and 0.40 ppm. The limit of detection was 0.0643 ppm and the recovery ratio was 56.71%. According to the results, some honey samples showed higher residue levels of amitraz than the World Health Organisation (WHO) limit of 1 mg/kg.