A Polyvinyl Alcohol Coated Copper Foam Solid Phase Extractor for Determining Fipronil and Fipronil Sulfone

Abstract

Fipronil is a member of phenylpyrazole insecticide, which was widely used in agriculture to kill pests [1-2]. It can also form metabolite, such as fipronil sulfone by oxidation process, which is more toxic than parent compound [3-4]. Fipronil sulfone can persist for longer duration, which can easily bind to lipid-rich matrices and get into food chain [5]. Its contamination in foods gained more concerned recently [6] and many agencies have restricted fipronil content in various food like vegetables, fruits, water, grains, edible oil, meat, eggs, etc. Fipronil could damage our liver, kidneys, and thyroid glands [6]. It is said that fipronil toxicity has no particular antidote and can be harmful to pregnant, weak, and old people [9]. Fipronil’s toxicity and risk to human health demands reliable and sensitive analytical method to monitor and reduce contamination. Many adsorbents previously used were commercially available and costly. Considering these limitations, a new sorbent can be developed with locally available materials, which could be more reliable, sensitive, or decrease matrix interferences for determining fipronil and fipronil sulfone. This research also emphasis on advancing a reliable and green approach technique for tracing fipronil (F) and fipronil sulfone (FSO). So, the sorbent will be developed by using eco-friendly, cheap, locally available, and stable materials.