Development of an analytical method for detection of Imidacloprid Insecticide from Biological Matrix using LC-MS/MS

The aim of this paper is to develop an accurate and rapid method to extract neonicotinoid insecticide from biological matrices. There is increase in number of cases reported in forensic laboratories due to the intake of insecticides by accidental or homicidal or suicidal manner. In these cases, dispersive solid-phase extraction method helps to give accurate and rapid results. In forensic toxicology, there will be wide use of this method to extract insecticides from the viscera samples. Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide used in agriculture to kill insects and mites etc. In humans, it is moderately toxic. This insecticide mainly acts on the central nervous system of insects but, it does not show effects in mammals. Some studies reported that Imidacloprid causes severe gastrointestinal problems along with respiratory distress and neuropsychiatric issues when it is ingested or inhaled.

The chicken meatwas taken as biological sample in which 20 ppb concentration of Imidacloprid insecticide is spiked. The dispersive solid-phase extraction method is used to extract the insecticide from the biological matrix, and further this is analyzed in the LC-MS/MS for the detection and quantification of insecticide. For the detection, standard temperature, flow rate, suitable solvent system and pressure are maintained. Graphs are obtained, and the concentration of Imidacloprid insecticide obtained from chicken meat sample is 19.206ppb and the retention time is 5.018_max. It shows that the extraction process used gave the better recovery of 99. 88% and is between LOD I.e., 70–120%. it proves all the validation parameters I.e., Limit of quantification, recovery, precision, and selectivity. Hence it is proved that dispersive solid-phase extraction method used gave the good recovery in extraction of Imidacloprid insecticide from biological matrix.