Application of the QuEChERS method for the analysis of pyrethrins and pyrethroids in fish tissues

The application of the quick easy cheap effective rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method has generally been used in the preparation of produce samples (e.g., lettuce and oranges) for pesticide analysis. In the present study, the QuEChERS method was successfully applied to the determination of the natural pyrethrins (cinerin I and II, jasmolin I and II, and pyrethrin I and II), as well as two pyrethroid insecticides, cypermethrin and deltamethrin, in fin and non-fin fish products. Analysis of these compounds was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Although cypermethrin is not and has not been registered for pest control use in aquaculture operations in Canada, cypermethrin was detected in domestically produced salmon. Cypermethrin was detected in seven of the 18 Canadian farmed salmon samples (39%), although it was not detected in any wild domestic salmon (n = 3). Cypermethrin concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 6.5 ng/g in the positive samples. It was not, however, observed in any imported fish product or any other domestically produced fish product.