CGC/AED and CGC/ECD/NPD comparison for the determination of acaricides in honey after hexane acetone extraction

The performance of a gas chromatographic system coupled to an atomic emission detector (GC/AED) is tested by comparison with a two-dimensional gas chromatographic system equipped with capillary columns of different polarity and simultaneous electron capture and nitrogen-phosphorus detection (ECD/NPD), for the determination of the acaricides chlordimeform, bromopropylate, amitraz and coumaphos on spiked honey samples. The acaricides were extracted with an n-hexane/acetone mixture (80:20, v/v) with a further clean-up step on an octadecylsilane cartridge. The 193 nm carbon emission line is the best choice in terms of sensitivity whereas the ECD/NPD system gives better selectivity.