Determination of chlorinated pesticide residues in foods. II. Potassium permanganate oxidation for cleanup of some vegetable extracts.

A potassium permanganate-dilute sulfuric acid KMnO4/dilute H2SO4 oxidation procedure was developed to supplement Florisil cleanup of some vegetable extracts. Following sample preparation and Florisil cleanup, a reaction mixture of the n-hexane eluate from the Florisil cleanup, 4% KMnO4, and 40% H2SO4 (1 + 1 + 1) was shaken in a test tube 2 min at room temperature and then centrifuged. The n-hexane phase was washed with 2 mL 0.1N NaOH and analyzed by GLC. Twelve chlorinated pesticides were completely recovered in the n-hexane phase. Aldrin was not recovered because its extreme instability caused it to decompose even in neutral solutions. Chlorinated pesticide residues in onion, garlic, carrot, and radish root were easily analyzed by the application of this oxidation procedure.