Validation and application of multi-residue analysis of eight anticoagulant rodenticides by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

Abstract

Poisoning of domestic animals is frequently caused by anticoagulant rodenticides. Validation and applications of a rapid and reliable method for the simultaneous determination of 8 anticoagulant rodenticides (bromadiolone, brodifacoum, coumachlor, coumafuryl, coumatetralyl, difenacoum, flocoumafen, and warfarin) in baits and animal livers using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection are reported herein. The methodology was validated by an in-house validation model at 2.5 mg/kg, which is the level commonly found in the tissues of poisoned domestic animals. The 8 anticoagulants can be determined at the concentration range of 1.25–100 mg/kg with determination coefficients higher than 0.992. A recovery value from 70% to 109% was observed for all the studied molecules. The results of the validation process demonstrate suitability for application in official analysis and for monitoring purposes of animal poisoning by anticoagulant rodenticides.