Determination of whole-body rotenone residues in the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)

The brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) is an introduced pest in Guam, responsible for extensive agricultural damage, the extinction of several bird species, and severe and frequent electrical power outages. Rotenone, a naturally occurring pesticide, has been investigated as a possible chemical control agent. An analytical method was developed to assess whole body rotenone residues ranging in concentration from 0.035 to 250 mu g g(-1) in snakes. The method employed ethyl acetate extraction of 2 g samples of cryogenically frozen, pulverized snakes, followed by silica and Florisil solid-phase extraction cleanup. Extract analysis was performed using a high-performance liquid chromatography system employing a cyanopropyl analytical column. Tissues fortified to concentrations of 0.035, 4.82, and 250 mu g g(-1) yielded analyte recoveries of 85.1, 85.6, and 83.5%, respectively. The linear response of rotenone standard solutions was assessed from 0.025 to 0.25 mu g mL(-1) (r(2) = 0.9968) and from 0.250 to 125 mu g mL(-1) (r(2) = 0.9999). The method was simple, rugged, and reliable.