Direct gas chromatographic determination of carbaryl residues in honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) using a nitrogen-phosphorus detector with confirmation by formation of a chemical derivative

We now report a gas chromatographic analytical method for carbaryl in bee extracts using an extraction technique which allows the sample to be analysed for a number of different pesticide residues. Experience shows that it is necessary to avoid direct injections of uncleaned been extracts onto the GC column. Due to the high wax content in some of the samples, a two stage clean up procedure is necessary. The first stage involves an adaptation of a pentane/methanol partition followed by a chromatographic clean up using a silica "Sep-Pak" cartridge.