Improved multiresidue gas chromatographic determination of organophosphorus, organonitrogen, and organohalogen pesticides in produce, using flame photometric and electrolytic conductivity detectors.

The multiresidue procedure of Luke et al., which uses extraction with acetone and partition with petroleum ether and methylene chloride, was simplified and shortened by eliminating the Florisil cleanup. Double concentration with petroleum ether in the Kuderna-Danish evaporator following the initial concentration removed the last traces of methylene chloride. The extract was then injected into a gas chromatograph, using a Hall electrolytic conductivity detector for organohalogen, organonitrogen, and organosulfur pesticides or a flame photometric detector for organophosphorus pesticides. Recoveries of 70 pesticides are presented.