Common techniques for analyzing the residues of amitraz and its metabolites include gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). These methods are applied to the determination of amitraz residues in various matrices, such as bee products (e.g., honey, royal jelly), tea, milk, and paddy field water.
The residue detection of amitraz is usually calculated as the sum of the residues of amitraz and its main metabolites. 2,4-Dimethylaniline is its key residue marker.
The maximum residue limit (MRL) standard for amitraz in Chinese food was previously stipulated by the national standard GB 16333-1996, "Maximum Residue Limits of Amitraz and Other Pesticides in Food," which has been superseded by the GB 2763 series of standards, "Maximum Residue Limits of Pesticides in Food." Current specific residue limit requirements should refer to the latest effective GB 2763 national standard.
According to relevant announcements from the Ministry of Agriculture, amitraz is prohibited from use in aquatic food animals. In the green food sector, NY/T 752 "Green Food - Bee Products" specifies limits for amitraz residues; exceeding these limits constitutes non-compliance.
Market supervision and management departments have detected cases where bee products contained excessive amitraz residues, failing to meet green food standards.
