QuEChERS method for the simultaneous quantification of phorate and its metabolites in porcine and chicken muscle and table eggs using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

An analytical method to detect phorate and its metabolites, including phorate sulfone, phorate sulfoxide, phoratoxon, phoratoxon sulfone, and phoratoxon sulfoxide, in porcine and chicken muscles and table eggs was developed and validated. Extraction was performed using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method and analysis was conducted using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Matrix-matched calibrations were linear over the tested concentrations, with determination coefficient ≥ 0.995 for all tested analytes in the different matrices. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.001 and 0.004 mg/kg, respectively. The calculated recovery rates at three fortification levels were satisfactory, with values between 74.22 and 119.89% and relative standard deviations < 10%. The method was applied successfully to commercial samples collected from locations throughout the Korean Peninsula, and none of them showed any traces of the tested analytes. Overall, the developed method is simple and versatile, and can be used for monitoring phorate and its metabolites in animal products rich in protein and fat.