Determination of Abamectin Residue in Paprika by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques were developed to quantify abamectin (ABM) in paprika (Capsicum annum). Separation was achieved on a $C_{18}$ ODS column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile/water (96/4, v/v) mixture in an isocratic elution at the flow tate of 1.2 mL/min for avermectins (AVMs). The retention times were 8.0 and 9.7mins for AVM $B_{lb}$ and AVM $B_{1a}$, respectively. Residual AVMs (sum of AVM $B_{1a}$, AVM $B_{1b}$ and 8,9-Z-AVM $B_{1a}$) in the vegetable were extracted with acetonitrile, and the silica solid-phase extraction cartridges were used to purify the extract. AVMs were derivatized using trifluoroacetic acid and 1-methylimidazole, and the derivatives were determined with a fluorescence detector (excitation at 365 nm and emission at 470 nm). High and consistent recoveries, ranging from 93% to 115%, were obtained for AVM $B_{1a}$ and 8, 9-Z-AVM $B_{1a}$ at fortified levels of $20{\mu}g/kg\;and\;200{\mu}g/kg$ for paprika. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was $2{\mu}g/kg$. The residual levels of AVMs in paprika in a field experiment from one day to seven days after the last application decreased from 18.40 to $7.59{\mu}g/kg$. The half-life $(T_{1/2})$ of AVMs in paprika was 1.47 days.