To evaluate
the described method, 21 pesticides belonging to different chemical classes were analysed using high
performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD). For validation purposes,
recovery studies were performed at 75 ng g
1
, 125 ng g
1
, 250 ng g
1
, 500 ng g
1
and 1000 ng g
levels.
Recoveries were over the range of 50–130% for most of the analytes, with relative standard deviations less
than 15% being observed. HPLC–DAD provided suitable linearity, precision and accuracy. The validated
method was successfully applied to the analysis of edible oil samples selected from the market.