Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080)

An analytical method is described for the determination of Compound 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) residues in 1--10 g tissue. Sample extracts of tissues are cleaned up with silica gel, and Compound 1080 (as fluoroacetic acid) is separated by a micro-distillation procedure. The fluoroacetic acid in the distillate is derivatized with pentafluorobenzyl bromide to form pentafluorobenzyl fluoroacetate which is measured by electron capture gas-liquid chromatography. Recoveries of sodium fluoroacetate from fortified tissue samples averaged about 25%. Despite the limited recoveries, results were quite reproducible, and levels as low at 2 ppm were determined in fortified 1 g samples, and 0.2 ppm in 10 g samples. The method is relatively simple and has been used routinely in our laboratory for the analysis of various types of samples such as grain, and tissues from birds, rodents, and larger animals.