Application of high-performance thin-layer chromatography for the detection of organophosphorus insecticides in human serum after acute poisoning

We developed a rapid and simple method for identifying 25 commonly used organophosphorus insecticides in human serum using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). These organophosphates were separated on plates with three different developing systems within 6-18 min and detected by means of ultraviolet radiation and coloring reactions with 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine-tetraethylenepentamine reagent (NT reagent) or palladium chloride reagent (PdCl2 reagent). Each organophosphate was accurately identified by means of the R(F)X100 value and the spot color in three systems. The detection limits of dichlorvos, fenitrothion, malathion, methidathion, parathion and trichlorfon in serum by the liquid-liquid extraction method were 1.1, 0.12, 0.12, 0.05, 0.6 and 0.1 mu g/ml, respectively. These sensitivities may be sufficient to detect those organophosphates in patient serum after acute poisoning. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.