Determination of pesticide residues in honey samples

Protocol for the determination of pesticides residues in honey samples have been standardized using a simple technique of liquid–liquid extraction. The method is sensitive to detect low levels of pesticides in honey. Honey sample was fortified with pesticides, namely, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, alphamethrin, lamba–cyhalothrin, endosulfan (α, β and sulfate) and chlorpyrifos. The method of extraction and clean up was optimized and validated in the laboratory. The method was applied to screen six samples of honey locally available for pesticides residues. Recoveries ranged from 60% to 90.6% with RSDs from 2% to 10%. Low recoveries were recorded for α and β -endosulfan in the range of 60%–71%. The LOQs, varied from 0.05 to 1.0 mg kg−1.