Simple liquid chromatographic method for the rapid and simultaneous determination of propoxur and its major metabolite isopropoxy phenol in rat blood and urine using solid-phase extraction.

This research paper describes the development and validation of an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of propoxur and isopropoxy phenol (IPP, a major metabolite) in both blood and urine of rat using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) employing solid-phase extraction (SPE). Sample purification was performed using a weak cation-exchange cartridge (Isolute CBA). Separation was achieved by HPLC with UV detection at 270 nm. Recoveries of propoxur and IPP from blood and urine by SPE exceeded 85%. The validated calibration range for propoxur is from 0.5 to 100 microg/L and 2 to 100 microg/L for IPP in both rat blood and urine. The limit of quantitation for propoxur in blood and urine is 0.5 and 0.8 pg/L, respectively, and 2.0 and 4.2 microg/L, respectively, for IPP. Validation results on specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and stability are shown. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by the analysis of urine and blood from rats that were orally fed propoxur at minimum dose.