Extraction and Analysis of Neonicotinoid Pesticides from Flower Blossoms

Using Supel QuE and Ascentis Express

Introduction

Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides that are toxic to insects but do not affect mammals. They are water soluble and have the ability to migrate from treated soil into plant tissue, including fluids such as the nectar in flowers. These characteristics make them very useful for crop protection.¹ One neonicotinoid, imidacloprid, is currently the most widely used pesticide in the world.² The advent of the die-off of honey bees due to colony collapse disorder (CCD) has spawned investigation into pesticide exposure as the cause. Recent studies have indicated neonicotinoid pesticides as having detrimental effects on the brain cells of honey bees.³ Bees can come into contact with these pesticides in several ways. Seeds that are treated with these pesticides can generate contaminated dust when using equipment that incorporates air for planting.⁴ Also, some crops directly pollinated by honeybees such as cantaloupe and cucumber are treated with these pesticides.⁵ Recently the European Union adopted a regulation restricting the use of three of these pesticides: clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid.⁶