Gas chromatography with capillary flow technology An effective analytical method for detecting pesticide residues in olive oil

The detection of residual organophosphorous pesticides in processed olive oil is complicated by the chromatographically active nature of these compounds, which compromises chromatographic resolution. This study demonstrates a quick and effective analytical method for the determination of low ppm and trace level OP pesticide residues in an olive oil extract. A J&W DB-35ms Ultra Inert (UI) 30 m x 0.25 mm, 0.25 mu m column resolved the pesticides of interest in less than 16 minutes, yielding excellent peak shape for even the more problematic OP pesticides. The detection limits for most of the pesticides were 10-15 ng/mL. A simplified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method provided sufficient sample matrix clean-up while preserving low-level analyte detection. A capillary flow technology (CFT) device was installed post column to split the effluent between the MSD and FPD and implement an automated back flush to diminish residual sample carryover and reduce instrument cycle times.