Chemometrically assisted optimization and validation of reversed phase liquid chromatography method for the analysis of carbamates pesticides

• Application of an experimental design for the separation of six carbamates pesticides by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography.
• The optimized technique was validated in relation to specificity, precision, detection, quantification limits and linearity.

A new procedure for the simultaneous separation of six carbamates pesticides by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was optimized, developed and validated. An experimental design was planned for the optimization of the chromatographic conditions. It is based on changing gradually the experimental conditions all along the chromatographic procedure as a function of the physical properties of the eluted compounds.A two level full factorial design 2k was applied to detect interactions among variables to be optimized: percentage of acetonitrile, flow rate and temperature of column. These significant variables were optimized using Doehlert matrix. The optimum resolution was carried out at a flow rate of 1 mL/min, column temperature of 28.5 °C and acetonitrile/water (67:33% v/v) as mobile phase. The separation method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines to confirm specificity, linearity, precision, detection and quantification limits. Hence it can be employed for the routines analysis in quality control laboratories.