Determination of α-chloralose residues in vertebrate tissues by gas-liquid chromatography

Abstract

A method is described for the analysis of residues of the narcotic α-chloralose in vertebrate tissues. Following solvent extraction and gel permeation clean-up, residues are converted into the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative for the analysis by gas-liquid chromatography. Recoveries are greater than 65% and the limit of determination is between 0.2 and 1.0 mg kg^–1, depending on the type of tissue analysed. Methods for the confirmation of α-chloralose residues using thin-layer chromatography of underivatised α-chloralose or mass spectrometry of the chloralose-TMS derivative are described.