Determination of metaldehyde in human serum by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A rapid headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS–SPME–GC–MS) method has been developed for the determination of metaldehyde in human serum samples. Metaldehyde is extensively used as a molluscicide for the control of slugs and snails, and cases of metaldehyde poisoning have been reported. Metaldehyde was headspace-extracted on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fiber at 70 °C for 25 min, desorbed, and analyzed rapidly by GC–MS. The method was validated for limit of detection (LOD), linearity, precision, and recovery. Although the recovery of the sample was very low, the method itself was rapid with a low detection limit of 0.25 μg/ml, R.S.D. value 12.6%, and linearity range 0.5–25.0 μg/ml (r2 = 0.999). The results demonstrated that the SPME–GC–MS method for the analysis of metaldehyde is simple, rapid, solvent-free, and does not require any pre-analysis conversions.