Using Chromatography to Detect Chemical Contamination

Pesticides in Poultry: Chlorinated pesticides in poultry tissue by SPE & GC/ECD. Chlorinated pesticides are highly persistent in the environment and are also highly bioaccumulative in animal fat.

Pesticides in Spinach: Pesticide residues in spinach by QuEChERS, LC/MS/MS, and GC/MS.

Conclusion

The rapidly evolving science of chromatography has enabled ever more powerful, sophisticated, and effective food testing methods. In turn, these improved methods have greatly strengthened the ability to anticipate and prevent food contamination. Better science-based food testing methods have clearly served to make food safer. And, the science and practice of chromatography is certain to continue its advancement, thereby insuring future improvements in food safety.

Dr. Kennedy, business development manager at Phenomenex, has focused on food safety and environmental monitoring during his over 45-year career. Reach him at [email protected].

*Since I am a chemist, and not a microbiologist, I am not qualified to hold a professional opinion on the subject microbial contamination. My only direct experience with the microbiological contamination of food consists of having used my gastrointestinal tract as an indicator of having consumed contaminated potato salad at a family picnic years ago.