Carbofuran and its toxic metabolites provide forensic evidence for furadan exposure in vultures (Gyps africanus) in Kenya

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2010 May;84(5):536-44. doi: 10.1007/s00128-010-9956-5. Epub 2010 Apr 7.

Abstract

Forensic analysis of carbofuran residues in weathered tissue samples for evidence of Furadan exposure in vultures (Gps africanus) by HPLC gave concentration (mg/Kg dry tissue weight) ranges of bdl - 0.07 (carbofuran), bdl - 0.499 (3-ketocarbofuran) and 0.013-0.147 (3-hydroxycarbofuran) in beaks, bdl-0.65 (carbofuran), 0.024-0.190 (3-ketocarbofuran) and 0.017-0.098 (3-hydroxycarbofuran) in feet, 0.179-0.219 (3-ketocarbofuran) and 0.081-0.093 (3-hydroxycarbofuran) in crop content, 0.078-0.082 (3-ketocarbofuran) and 0.091-0.101 (3-hydroxycarbofuran) in muscle of a laced carcass and 0.006-0.014 (carbofuran), 0.590-1.010 (3-ketocarbofuran) and 0.095-0.135 (3-hydroxycarbofuran) in soil sampled from a poisoning site. These compounds were confirmed by GC-MS. The results showed that HPLC combined with GC-MS is suitable for forensic analysis of carbofuran residues in bird tissue samples and that forensic investigation should include its two toxic metabolites, 3-hydroxycarbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Carbofuran / analysis*
  • Carbofuran / metabolism
  • Carbofuran / poisoning
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Falconiformes*
  • Forensic Toxicology / methods*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Insecticides / analysis*
  • Insecticides / metabolism
  • Insecticides / poisoning
  • Insecticides / toxicity*
  • Kenya
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Pesticide Residues / analysis*
  • Pesticide Residues / metabolism

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Pesticide Residues
  • Carbofuran