Carbamates in Fruits and Vegetables

Carbamates have been identified as a health risk. They affect the nervous system by reducing the ability of cholinesterase, an enzyme, to function properly in regulating the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Carbamates have been identified as a health risk. They affect the nervous system by reducing the ability of cholinesterase, an enzyme, to function properly in regulating the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Pre-treatment

1. Add 50 mL of acetonitrile to 25 g of sample. Homogenize for 2 minutes and filter.

2. Collect 40-50 mL of filtrate into a flask containing 5–7 g sodium chloride.

3. Shake vigorously for 1 minute. Leave to stand at room temperature.

4. Take 10 mL aliquot from the acetonitrile layer and evaporate sample to dryness (80 °C under nitrogen or air).

5. Reconstitute with 2 mL methanol/dichloromethane (1:99, v/v).

1. Ministry of Agriculture, China (NY/T 761.1 – 2004 and NY/T761.3 – 2004).