Abstract

                                The modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation method was developed and validated for quantification of trace level of dicofol, chlordane and dieldrin pesticides in sunflower oil. The proposed method was applied for extraction of pesticides in sunflower oil and results were plotted with the help of matrix-matched calibration using relative responses versus standard solution. The quantification of pesticide residues carried out in sunflower oil by Gas Chromatography coupled with ECD detector. The method reveals that experimental results were satisfactory in respect of various analytical parameters such as linearity, recovery and precision. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for target analytes were in the range of 0.001–0.011 mgkg-1 and 0.002–0.030 mgkg-1 respectively. The influence activated charcoal addition to the sorbents for the recovery of target analyte was also studied and presented in the results.

Key words : Modified QuChERS method, Organochlorine pesticides, Sunflower oil, Activated charcoal, Residues.