Determination of kresoxim-methyl and its thermolabile metabolites in pear utilizing pepper leaf matrix as a protectant using gas chromatography

Kresoxim-methyl and its two thermolabile metabolites, bf 490-2 and bf 490-9, were analyzed in pear using a pepper leaf matrix protection to maintain the metabolites inside the gas chromatography system. samples were extracted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane (1:1, v/v) and purified and/or separated using a solid phase extraction procedure. the pepper leaf matrix was added and optimized with cleaned pear extract to enhance metabolite sensitivity. matrix matched calibration was used for kresoxim-methyl in the pear matrix and for metabolites in the pear mixed with pepper leaf matrix. good linearity was obtained for all analytes with a coefficient of determination, r^2≥0.992. limits of detection (lod) and quantification (loq) were 0.006 and 0.02 mg kg^-1 and 0.02 and 0.065 mg kg^-1 for kresoxim-methyl and the metabolites, respectively. recoveries were carried out at two concentration levels and were 85.6–97.9% with a relative standard deviation <2.5%. the method was successfully applied to field incurred pear samples, and only kresoxim-methyl was detected at a concentration of 0.03 mg kg^-1.