Separation and analysis of the pyrethrins by combined gas-liquid chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

Pyrethrins, the 6 naturally occurring insecticidal esters of pyrethrum extract, were analyzed by combined gas-liquid chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Separation was best on an OV-25 column with temperature programming; The chemical ionization mass spectra for the 6 esters as well as for the thermally isomerized pyrethrins I and II are reported and discussed. Using selective ion monitoring, a lower limit of detectability of all 6 esters was 114 ng of total extract injected on the column.