Evaluation of gel permeation chromatography for clean up of human adipose tissue samples for GC/MS analysis of pesticides and other chemicals.

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) has been evaluated for clean up of human adipose tissue sample extracts in preparation for confirmatory analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Studies were conducted with standard solutions, fortified chicken fat, and actual human adipose tissue samples. Nearly quantitative removal of lipid material was achieved with minimal losses of 16 organochlorine pesticides and metabolites: two polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures, two chlorinated naphthalene (PCN) mixtures, and a polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) mixture. Mass spectra free from interferences were obtained over the mass range from 46 m/z to 560 m/z.