Determination of Benzimidazole Anthelminthics in Eggs by Advanced Microextraction with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

A simple magnetic stirring assisted surfactant-enhanced-emulsification microextraction with high-performance liquid chromatography analysis was developed for the determination of benzimidazoles in eggs. Thiabendazole, mebendazole, albendazole, and fenbendazole were selected as model compounds. The extraction method was based on the rapid injection of emulsifier (Triton X-114) and extraction solvent (1-octanol) into a magnetically stirred aqueous solution to form a cloudy trinary component solvent (aqueous solution/extraction solvent/emulsifier) system. No centrifugation step was necessary. Salt addition, concentration of Triton X-114, type and volume of extraction solvent, extraction time, and stirring rate were optimized. Under the optimized conditions (5% (w/v) sodium sulfate, 0.75% (w/v) Triton X-114, extraction solvent: 300 µL octanol; extraction time: 5 min; stirring rate: 1000 rpm), linearity was observed between 0.05 and 1000 µg L⁻¹ and enrichment factors were between 100 and 300. Low limits of detection and high enrichment factors were obtained.

Keywords:

• Benzimidazoles
• Eggs
• High-performance liquid chromatography
• HPLC
• Magnetic stirring assisted surfactant-enhanced-emulsification microextraction

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This article is dedicated to Professor Dr. Kate Grudpan (Chiang Mai University, Thailand) in celebration of his sixtieth birthday.