Animal Science and Food Technology

Gas and thin-layer chromatography in the control of residual levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides in foods of animal origin

Michael Gill, Vadim Posukhin, Diana Chobotar
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Abstract

The biological safety of food products of animal origin is closely related to the socio-economic development of society and the state of the environment. The study aimed to verify the presence of residual amounts of polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides in food products of animal origin by gas and thin-layer chromatography methods. For the analysis of powdered milk samples, gas chromatography was used on a Bruker Scion 456-GC device equipped with an electron capture detector (ECD), an autosampler, and high-precision temperature control. Extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls was conducted with hexane followed by purification using a hexane-acetonitrile system and adsorption chromatography on silica gel. Calibration was performed with a Supelco PCB Mix standard in the concentration range of 0.001-0.250 μg/cm³ with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9999. For the study of fish samples, thin-layer chromatography was used with preliminary acid hydrolysis of the sample and extraction with diethyl ether. Visualisation of chromatographic zones was conducted by treating the plates with a silver nitrate solution followed by ammonia and UV irradiation at 254 nm. The percentage of analyte recovery was within the range of 70-120%, which confirms the reliability and accuracy of the methods used. In the samples of the studied fish, the detection limit of pesticides was 0.6 mg/kg, which ensured efficient detection of the residual amount of toxicants even at their low content. The main peaks on the milk chromatogram appeared in the interval from 9 to 14 minutes and corresponded to the standards of polychlorinated biphenyl components, and their retention time correlated with respective standard substances, which confirmed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls in the sample and ensured quantitative determination. The significance of the study is determined by modern, reliable and effective practice-oriented information on food safety assessment to both relevant laboratories and institutions, as well as educational institutions specialising in the training of specialists in the specialty “Biotechnology and Bioengineering”

Keywords

biosafety; analyte; standards; temperature; instrument

Suggested citation
Gill, M., Posukhin, V., & Chobotar, D. (2026). Gas and thin-layer chromatography in the control of residual levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides in foods of animal origin. Animal Science and Food Technology, 17(1), 28-45. https://doi.org/10.31548/animal.1.2026.28
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