A fast and easy GC-MS/MS method for simultaneous analysis of 73 pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits?

Analytical Methods Pub Date: 2013-02-14 DOI: 10.1039/C3AY26425D

Abstract

A simple and easy method was established for the simultaneous determination of 73 pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). After samples were ultrasonically extracted with hexane and centrifuged, the analytes in sample solution were separated with DB-5MS column (30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 μm). Qualitative determination of the analytes was based on characteristic ion pairs and retention time using multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode. The mixed-matrices standard curves were used for quantification. The calibration curves were mostly in the range of 10–1000 μg L?1. The limits of detection (LODs) of the method were from 0.012 to 18.8 μg kg?1 and limits of quantification (LOQs) were in the range of 0.042–61.8 μg kg?1, which were much lower than the maximum residue levels (MRLs) established by European legislation. The average recoveries of the method ranged from 86.7% to 124%, 85.6% to 117%, 89.2% to 111% at three spiked levels of 0.10, 0.20, 0.50 mg kg?1 in leek samples, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.84% to 11.3%, 2.40% to 9.50%, 0.79% to 8.30%, respectively. Additionally, the method was more favorable than gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the analysis of 15 spiked samples, including ten vegetables and five fruits. Three pesticides were detected in the samples of celery and apple by the established method and the GC-MS method.

Graphical abstract: A fast and easy GC-MS/MS method for simultaneous analysis of 73 pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits
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