An Optimized Extraction Procedure for Determining Acaricide Residues in Foundation Sheets of Beeswax by Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Pesticides can be found in beehives for several reasons, including contamination from surrounding cultivars; yet one of the most pertinent is related to fact that beekeepers employ acaricides control various types mites, which may accumulate beeswax due their lipophilic nature. In present study, foundation sheets different origins, collected over a period three years, were analyzed detect residues seven (atrazine, chlorpyrifos, chlorfenvinphos, alpha-endosulfan, bromopropylate, coumaphos, tau-fluvalinate) by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. An efficient sample treatment (recoveries between 90% and 108%) proposed, involving solvent extraction 1% acetic acid acetonitrile mixture followed dispersive solid-phase (enhanced matrix removal lipid) polishing step. evaluation was made analytical performance proposed method. It shown selective, linear limit quantification 5000 µg/kg, precise (relative standard deviation values below 6%), goo sensitivity (limit ranging 5 10 µg/kg). Finally, results showed large majority (>90%) contained at least these compounds. Coumaphos tau-fluvalinate common, chlorpyrifos chlorfenvinphos detected lesser extent.