Single step clean-up and GC-MS quantification of organochlorine pesticide residues in spice powder

Levels of fourteen organochlorine pesticides have been determined in ready-to-use spice powders. The pesticides were extracted with n-hexane-dichloromethane (4:1) and the extracts were cleaned in a single step on a cartridge packed with silica- and Florisil. The pesticides were quantified by GC-MS in SIM (selected ion monitoring) mode. Recoveries measured for pesticide-free spices ranged from 60% for dieldrin and endrin to 97% for other pesticides. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method for all the pesticides was less than 15%. The method was applied to different spices (pepper, mace, and nutmeg). Methoxychlor, lindane, and DDT and its metabolites were found in all the samples; dieldrin and endrin were not detected in any.