Pirimiphos-methyl residues in corn and popcorn grains and in some of their processed products

RESUMO

Insecticides are used for stored cereal protection against insect attack and the occurrence of their residues needs to be evaluated not only in grain but also in the processed products. This study evaluates the residue degradation/persistence of the organophosphorous insecticide pirimiphos-methyl in corn and popcorn grains and in some of their processed products such as bran, hominy and corn flour from corn and popped popcorn. Grains were treated with pirimiphos-methyl at the rate of 12 mg.kg-1 (a.i.). Samples were taken and analyzed at zero, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 days after treatment. The analytical method consisted of residue extraction with acetone, clean-up partition with acetonitrile/hexane and silica gel column chromatography eluted with a mixture of hexane + acetone. Quantitative measurements were made by gas chromatography, using flame photometric detector (GLC/FPD). The limits of quantitation (LOQs) were: corn grain, hominy and popped popcorn 0.05 mg.kg-1; bran, corn flour and popcorn grain 0.1 mg.kg-1. Pirimiphos-methyl residues were not persistent in either types of grains or in their processed products. At the end of sampling period (240 days), 5 to 8-fold less residues were found in corn bran and popcorn. Hominy and corn flour showed low levels of contamination. Higher residue concentrations in corn bran than in grains are related to the higher oil content in that processed product