Multiresidue liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry determination of 52 non gas chromatography-amenable pesticides and metabolites in different food commodities

Streamlined Water-Leaching Preconcentration Method As a Novel Analytical Approach and Its Coupling to Dispersive Micro-Solid-Phase Extraction Based on Synthetically Modified (Fe/Co) Bimetallic MOFs

The streamlined water-leaching preconcentration method is introduced as a novel preconcentration method in this study. The approach has many benefits including low consumption of organic solvent and deionized water and operation time, energy-saving, no need for dispersion or evaporation, and implementation of more efficient preconcentration. Also, a methodological study was done on the synthesis of (Fe/Co) bimetallic-organic framework that eased the synthesis procedure, decreased its time, and enhanced its analytical performance by increasing its surface area, total pore volume, and average pore diameter parameters. To perform the extraction, bi-MOF particles were added into the solution of interest enriched with sodium sulfate. After vortexing to adsorb the analytes, centrifugation isolated the sorbent particles. A microliter-volume of acetonitrile and 1,2-dibromoethane mixture was used for desorption aim via vortexing. After the separation of the organic phase and transferring it into a conical bottom glass test tube, a milliliter volume of sodium chloride solution was applied to leach the organic phase. A gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector was applied for the injection of the extracted phase. The method was applied for the extraction and preconcentration of some pesticides from juice samples. Wide linear ranges (5.44-1600 μg L-1), low relative standard deviations (3.1-4.5% for intra- (n = 6) and 3.5-5.2% for interday (n = 4) precisions), high extraction recoveries (61-95%), enrichment factors (305-475), and low limits of detection (0.67-1.65 μg L-1) and quantification (2.21-5.44 μg L-1) were obtained for the developed method.

Pesticide content analysis of red and yellow watermelon juices through a solid phase microextraction using a green copper-based metal-organic framework synthesized in water followed by a liquid phase microextraction procedure

For the first time, this survey demonstrates the use of MIL-53 (Cu) in an analytical method for the detection and determination of some pesticides through their extraction and preconcentration from red and yellow watermelon juices. The other predominance of the research is using a green metal-organic framework that is based on copper and synthesized in deionized water. After conducting the synthesis process, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analyses were carried out. In the analytical approach, the samples were accompanied by the sorbent addition and vortexed to facilitate the sorption of the analytes onto the sorbent and then centrifuged to be settled down. Then, the analyte-loaded sorbent particles were treated with mL-volume of acetonitrile and subjected to vortexing and centrifugation. Eventually, the eluate was mixed with μL-level of carbon tetrachloride and instantly injected into deionized water. The resulting milky solution was centrifuged and consequently, the sedimentation of the organic phase occurred at the bottom of the conical glass test tube. An aliquot of it was injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detector. Low limits of detection (0.85-1.24 μg L^-1) and quantification (2.80-4.10 μg L^-1), high enrichment factors (275-330), and reasonable extraction recoveries (55-66%) were the main achievements of the presented method. It is worthwhile to be confessed that chlorpyrifos was detected in red watermelon juice at a concentration of 27 ± 2 μg L^-1.

Ag-EDTA-Zr and Au-EDTA-Zr Nanocomposites for the Quantitative Determination of Some Organophosphate Pesticides in Water and Tomatoes

Background

Organophosphate pesticides (OP) pose risks to health and the environment, and monitoring them is an urgent task.

Objective

Development of a method for their determination in water and food.

Method

A simple photometric method for the determination of some OPs was demonstrated. Ag-EDTA-Zr and Au-EDTA-Zr nanoparticles were synthesized and were applied for the determination of some OPs (dimethoate, chlorpyrifos, and diazinon).

Results

It was demonstrated that silver nanoparticles provide more sensitivity in comparison to gold nanoparticles. As a result, Ag-EDTA-Zr nanoparticles were further applied for the determination of these pesticides in tomatoes.

Conclusions

The lowest detectable concentrations for dimethoate, diazinon, and chlorpyrifos in water reached 0.1 (SD 0.082), 0.4 (SD 0.075), and 0.4 mg/L (SD 0.088), respectively, whereas in tomato the lowest detectable concentrations for these pesticides were 0.5 (SD 0.789), 2 (SD 0.085), and 0.5 mg/L (SD 0.088). The sensitivity of detection in tomatoes is lower than in water; however, these concentrations are comparable with allowable concentrations of OP pesticides.

Highlights

A novel approach for quantitative detection of OPs was developed. Ag-EDTA-Zr and Au-EDTA-Zr nanocomposites interact with these pesticides, and, as a result, optical changes of these nanoparticles take place. These changes correlate with the concentration of pesticides.

Chromatographic techniques for the analysis of organophosphate pesticides with their extraction approach: a review (2015-2020)

In agriculture, a wide range of OPPs has been employed to boost crop yield, quality, and storage life. However, due to the ever-increasing population and rapid urbanization, pesticide use has surged in recent years. These compounds are exceedingly poisonous to humans, and despite the fact that specific legislation prohibits their use, the frequency of toxic and/or fatal incidents, as well as current statistics, suggest that they are currently accessible. As a result, determining the exposure to these substances as well as their detection (and that of their metabolites) in different types of exposed samples has become a hot issue in terms of quality and safety concerns. However, developing tools for the evaluation of these substances is a critical challenge for laboratories. Various chromatographic-based methods reported in the period of 2015-2020 have been developed, which are summarized and critically reviewed in this article, including the extraction of the target OPPs from different kinds of matrices. A comparison among the extraction and analysis techniques has been made in the current review article.

Method validation for the determination of 314 pesticide residues using tandem MS systems (GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS) in raisins: Focus on risk exposure assessment and respective processing factors in real samples (a pilot survey)

A multi-residue method for the simultaneous analysis of a wide range of pesticides in raisins using liquid and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS) has been validated. Pesticides are extracted from raisins with ethyl acetate, followed by centrifugation. The validation study was in accordance with DG SANTE guidelines. Validation experiments have been performed in both analytical instruments. A total number of 314 pesticides were spiked in raisins of organic farming at two spiking levels for GC-MS/MS (0.025 and 0.1 mg/kg), and at three spiking levels for LC-MS/MS (0.005, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg) with 6 replicates at each concentration. The scope of validation included linearity, limits of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision, and matrix effects (%) for each pesticide. The validated method was then applied for the analysis of 37 commercial raisin samples purchased from the market. For the evaluation of the results, processing factors (PFs) have been applied to derive the amount of residue in raisins, from the maximum residue levels (MRLs) of grapes, and which in this paper will be referred as to the MRL expressed in raisins. In all conventional samples, pesticides were detected at concentrations above the LOQ. In total, 55 different pesticides were detected. All conventional samples contained multiple pesticides ranging from 2 to 24. On the other hand, samples from organic farming were found to be free of the analysed pesticides. The 13.5% of the examined samples were considered as violations. The exposure assessment for the acute risk of the violating samples indicated that no potential risk derives from the detected and approved in the EU pesticides, while the detection of not approved pesticides in the EU, and the lack of toxicological reference values for certain pesticides raise concerns for the human health, especially for children. The results of the survey study indicate the need to include processed samples, and in particular dry fruits with a high consumption rate such as raisins, in the official controls of pesticide residues in food.

Review of sample preparation methods for chromatographic analysis of neonicotinoids in agricultural and environmental matrices: From classical to state-of-the-art methods

This review specifically examines the development of sample preparation methods for residue analyses of neonicotinoid insecticides in agricultural and environmental matrices. Pesticide residue analysis is fundamentally important to ensure the safety of foods and processed foods of plant and animal origin, and to preserve the environment, particularly soil and water. For the development of pesticide residue analysis, the sample preparation process is an important key to maximizing the analytical performance of highly sensitive and accurate chromatographic instruments and to acquiring reliable analytical results. This review outlines sample preparation methods that have been proposed to date for extraction of neonicotinoids that might remain in a complicated sample matrix in quantitatively trace amounts, and for cleaning up, to the greatest extent possible, the interfering components that coexist in the sample extract.

A holistic study of neonicotinoids neuroactive insecticides-properties, applications, occurrence, and analysis

Among pesticides and foliar sprays involved in the treatment of seed, soil, and grass, also to crops, an important group is neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoid pesticides present similar properties with nicotine, but the mentioned compounds are less harmful for humans. Nevertheless, neonicotinoids are poisonous to insects and some invertebrates, which can act against insects' central nervous system, leading to their death. Moreover, neonicotinoids can affect the reproduction, foraging, and flying ability of honeybee and other insects including pollinators. In the present study, some neonicotinoids, such as imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam together with their toxic effects, have been presented. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies these neonicotinoids as II and III class toxicity agents. Due to accumulation of these pesticides into the pollen of treated plants, especially due to their toxic effects against pollinators, the consequences of the occurrence of these insecticides have been discussed. Analytical aspects and methods involved in the isolation and determination of this class of pesticides have been presented in this contribution.

Qualitative identification of imidacloprid in postmortem animal tissue by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

During an avian mass mortality event investigation at the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory in Ashland, OR, imidacloprid became an insecticide of concern. A qualitative analytical toxicology screen of seeds, plucks (tongue, esophagus, and trachea), and ventricular contents was requested. A method for the extraction and qualitative analysis of the insecticide in animal tissues was therefore developed. The procedure relies on a combined Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) approach to sample extraction followed by qualitative analysis by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Since imidacloprid is not amenable to the conditions of gas chromatography, a trimethylsilyl derivative was created and characterized. Proposed mechanisms for the creation of this derivative and its mass spectrum are described. The imidacloprid-trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative was detected in all samples submitted.

Development of a Retention Time Interpolation scale (RTi) for liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in both positive and negative ionization modes

The accuracy and sensitivity of high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) enables the identification of candidate compounds with the use of mass spectrometric databases among other tools. However, retention time (RT) data in identification workflows has been sparingly used since it could be strongly affected by matrix or chromatographic performance. Retention Time Interpolation scaling (RTi) strategies can provide a more robust and valuable information than RT, gaining more confidence in the identification of candidate compounds in comparison to an analytical standard. Up to our knowledge, no RTi has been developed for LC-HRMS systems providing information when acquiring in either positive or negative ionization modes. In this work, an RTi strategy was developed by means of the use of 16 isotopically labelled reference standards, which can be spiked into a real sample without resulting in possible false positives or negatives. For testing the RTi performance, a mixture of several reference standards, emulating suspect analytes, were used. RTi values for these compounds were calculated both in solvent and spiked in a real matrix to assess the effect of either chromatographic parameters or matrix in different scenarios. It has been demonstrated that the variation of injection volume, chromatographic gradient and initial percentage of organic solvent injected does not considerably affect RTi calculation. Column aging and solid support of the stationary phase of the column, however, showed strong effects on the elution of several test compounds. Yet, RTi permitted the correction of elution shifts of most compounds. Furthermore, RTi was tested in 47 different matrices from food, biological, animal feeding and environmental origin. The application of RTi in both positive and negative ionization modes showed in general satisfactory results for most matrices studied. The RTi developed can be used in future LC-HRMS screening analysis giving an additional parameter, which facilitates tedious processing tasks and gain more confidence in the identification of (non)-suspect analytes.

Analytical Method for Pesticides in Avocado and Papaya by Means of Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to a Triple Quadrupole Mass Detector: Validation and Uncertainty Assessment

In this work, the uncertainty estimation for the determination of ametryn, carbofuran, atrazine, carbaryl, and methyl parathion in papaya and avocado is presented, along with other validation parameters. The analytical method was developed using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe extraction and ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass detector. The method validation showed that the linear correlation coefficients were higher than 0.99 for both fruits. The limits of detection for avocado and papaya were in the range of 0.022 to 0.46 and 0.003 to 0.109 μg/g, respectively. Intermediate precision varied from 5.3% to 13.0% in papaya, and from 4.8% to 20.2% in avocado. Recoveries obtained for each pesticide in both matrices ranged between 61.3% and 119.0%. Matrix effect was calculated for all compounds in both fruits. Finally, the overall uncertainty was lower than 36% for both fruits.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The present analytical method could be used for pesticides determination in different kind of fruits as papaya and avocado and as a practical guide for uncertainty and matrix effect determination.

DDT poisoning of big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus, in Hamilton, Montana

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is an insecticidal organochlorine pesticide with; known potential for neurotoxic effects in wildlife. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) registration for this pesticide has been cancelled and there are currently no federally active products that contain this ingredient in the U.S. We present a case of a colony of big brown bats (E. Fuscus) found dead in the attic roost of an administrative building; in the city of Hamilton, Montana from unknown cause. DDT and its metabolites; dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) were detected in bat tissues by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and quantified by gas chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Concentrations of 4081 ppm DDT and 890 ppm DDE wet weight were found in the brain of one bat and are the highest reported concentrations in such a mortality event to date. This case emphasizes the importance of testing wildlife mortalities against a comprehensive panel of toxicologic agents including persistent organic pollutants in the absence of other more common disease threats.

Determination of pesticides in edible oils by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry employing new generation materials for dispersive solid phase extraction clean-up

The goal of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of several sorbents on removal fats from edible oils (olive, soya and sunflower) during the clean-up step for posterior determination of 165 pesticides by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS system. The extraction procedure employed in this work was the citrate version of QuEChERS method followed by a step of freezing out with dry ice and clean-up evaluation using i) PSA with magnesium sulfate (d-SPE); ii) magnesium sulfate and Z-sep sorbent (d-SPE); iii) Z-sep (column SPE) and iv) Agilent Bond Elut QuEChERS Enhanced Matrix Removal-Lipid (EMR-Lipid). After evaluation of the recovery results at 10, 20 and 50μgkg(-1), the EMR-Lipid showed important advantages comparing to the other sorbents evaluated, such as better recovery rates and RSD%. The method was validated at the three concentrations described above. Analytical curves linearity was evaluated by spiking blank oil samples at 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500μgkg(-1). The method demonstrated good recoveries values between the acceptable range of 70-120% and RSD%<20 for most of evaluated pesticides. In order to evaluate the performance of the method, this same procedure was employed to other oils such as soya and sunflower with very good results.

Organophosphate pesticide method development and presence of chlorpyrifos in the feet of nearctic-neotropical migratory songbirds from Canada that over-winter in Central America agricultural areas

Recent modeling analysis suggests that numerous birds may be at risk of acute poisoning in insecticide-treated fields. Although the majority of avian field studies on pesticides have focused on treated seed, granule, insect or vegetation (oral exposure) ingestion, dermal exposure is an important exposure route when birds come into contact with deposited pesticides on foliage and other surfaces. Some nearctic-neotropical migratory songbirds are likely exposed to pesticides on their non-breeding habitats and include treated crops, plantations or farmlands. In the present study, we developed a method for four environmentally-relevant organophosphate (OP) pesticides (fenthion, fenamiphos, chlorpyrifos and diazinon) in the feet of migratory songbirds (i.e. Common yellowthroat, Gray catbird, Indigo bunting, America redstart, Northern waterthrush, Northern parula, and an additional 12 species of warblers). A total of 190 specimens of the 18 species of songbirds were sampled from available window-killed birds (spring of 2007 and 2011) in downtown Toronto, Canada. The species that were available most likely over-wintered in Mexican/Central American crops such as citrus, coffee and cacao. The feet of the dead birds were sampled and where OP foot exposure likely occurred during over-wintering foraging on pesticide-treated crops. Chlorpyrifos was the only measurable OP (pg mg feet weight(-1)) and in the 2011-collected feet of Black throated blue warbler (0.5), Tennessee warbler (1.0), Northern parula (1.2), Northern waterthrush (0.6), Common yellowthroat (1.0) and the Blue winged warbler (0.9). Dermal contact with OP pesticides during over-wintering in agricultural areas resulted in low levels of chlorpyrifos and long time retention on the feet of a subset of songbirds.

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of antibiotic residues in environmental waters

An optimized solid-phase extraction (SPE) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the effective analysis of 35 antibiotics including sulfonamides (SAs), quinolones (QLs), tetracyclines (TCs), macrolides (MALs), lincomycin (LIN), and chloramphenicol (CAP). The addition of 0.1% formic acid to the mobile phase was favorable for the formation of [M + H](+) and the enhancement in the detection signals, but using ammonium formate decreased [M + H](+) with a corresponding reduction in the response of CAP. The optimal pH range for the SPE was 4.5 ∼ 5.0 with 6 mL aqueous ammonia/methanol (5/95, v/v) as the optimized eluent. An internal standard (IS) was selected for each type of analytes based on similarities in classification and retention time. The detection was completed in less than 10 min and was excellent with method detection limits (MDL) of 0.29 ∼ 4.03 ng/L. The recoveries of the antibiotics in samples from ultrapure water and groundwater were 67.13 ∼ 93.00% and 68.91 ∼ 92.67%, respectively. The antibiotics in samples collected from wastewater, surface water, and groundwater were also effectively detected. This newly developed method has the advantages of short detection times, small sample consumption, excellent reproducibility, and high sensitivity. This provides a reliable and promising technique for the simultaneous detection and monitoring of various residual antibiotics in aqueous environmental samples.

Multiresidue method for the simultaneous determination of 16 acaricides by modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry in citrus

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry analytical method was developed for simultaneously determining 16 acaricides in citrus based on an optimized quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe strategy. Good linearities of the standard curve of 5-1000 μg/kg was obtained with regression coefficients higher than 0.9967. Recoveries for all compounds ranged from 72 to 111% with relative standard deviations lower than 14.4% at spiked levels of 5, 50, and 500 μg/kg. Low limits of detection and quantification were readily achieved ranging from 0.05 to 2.7 and 0.10 to 4.3 μg/kg, respectively. Matrix effects were also evaluated for 16 targets with most compounds achieved signal enhancement. Citrus peel gave the highest extent matrix effects, followed by whole citrus and pulp. Finally, this method was successfully applied to detect acaricides residues in real citrus samples. The results showed that pyridaben and quinalphos were the two most frequent and high-concentration compounds with concentrations exceeding the maximum residue limits in five samples, suggesting that the use of these acaricides should be regulated in China in the future.

Simultaneous analysis of herbicides pendimethalin, oxyfluorfen, imazethapyr and quizalofop-p-ethyl by LC-MS/MS and safety evaluation of their harvest time residues in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

This paper reports a simple and rapid method for simultaneous determination of the residues of selected herbicides viz. pendimethalin, oxyfluorfen, imazethapyr and quizalofop-p-ethyl in peanut by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A modified approach of the QuEChERS methodology was used to extract the herbicides from the peanut kernel without any clean-up. The method showed excellent linearity (r(2) > 0.99) with no significant matrix effect. Accuracy of the method in terms of average recoveries of all the four herbicides ranged between 69.4 -94.4 % at spiking levels of 0.05, 0.10 and 0.25 mg kg(-1) with intra-day and inter-day precision RSD (%) between 2.6-16.6 and 8.0-11.3, respectively. Limit of quantification (LOQs) was 5.0 μg kg(-1) for pendimethalin, imazethapyr and quizalofop-p-ethyl and 10.0 μg kg(-1) for oxyfluorfen. The expanded uncertainties were <11 % for determination of these herbicides in peanut. The proposed method was successfully applied for analysis of these herbicide residues in peanut samples harvested from the experimental field and the residues were below the detection level.

Multi-residue method for determination of 238 pesticides in Chinese cabbage and cucumber by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: comparison of different purification procedures

This paper describes the comparison of five sample cleanup procedures for the determination of 238 pesticides via triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS, with only 10 min of chromatographic running time) in Chinese cabbage and cucumber. Samples were extracted with a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuECHERS) preparation method and cleanup with different sorbents, including primary secondary amine (PSA), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and polystyrene (PLS), to find out the most suitable cleanup methods for Chinese cabbage and cucumber. The recovery and matrix effect were evaluated by monitoring the main parameters in one group of 238 pesticides at the spiked level of 8 and 40 μg/kg. In Chinese cabbage, when PSA dispersive solid-phase extraction (D-SPE) was applied, recoveries of 183 pesticides ranged between 70 and 120% with relative standard deviation (RSD) values lower than 20% at a spiked level of 40 μg/kg, indicating the effectiveness of the purification step. In cucumber, 203 pesticides were in the 70-120% recovery range with good reproducibility by PSA mini-cartridge column cleanup at a spiked level of 40 μg/kg and RSD values were generally below 20%. The limits of quantitation [LOQs; signal-to-noise (S/N) = 10] were in the range of 0.16-10.20 μg/kg for Chinese cabbage and 0.06-21.06 μg/kg for cucumber, while the limits of detection (LODs; S/N = 3) were between 0.05 and 3.06 μg/kg and between 0.02 and 6.32 μg/kg in Chinese cabbage and cucumber, respectively. The proposed methods that might be applied for the multi-residue analysis in Chinese cabbage and cucumber are contributed to their rapid speed and good recoveries.

Rapid determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method, based on the sample preparation by solid-phase extraction cartridges and detection by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/TOF-MS), was used for the analysis of 60 pesticides in vegetable and fruit samples. Quantitation by UHPLC/TOF-MS is accomplished by measuring the accurate mass of the protonated molecules [M+H](+). The mass accuracy typically obtained is routinely better than 2ppm. The rates of recovery for pesticides studied were satisfactory, ranging from 74% to 111% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 13.2%, at concentrations below 10μgkg(-1). The method limit of quantification (MLOQ) for most compounds was below the MRLs established by the Food Safety Standard Authority of India and the European Union. The uncertainty was determined using repeatability, recovery and calibration curves data for each pesticide. The method illustrated is suitable for routine quantitative analyses of pesticides in food samples.

Determination of pesticide residues in high oil vegetal commodities by using various multi-residue methods and clean-ups followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Several extraction methods were evaluated in terms of recoveries and extraction precision for 113 pesticides in avocado: QuEChERS with various d-SPE clean-ups (Z-Sep, Z-Sep+, PSA+C18 and silica), miniLuke and ethyl acetate. Extracts were analysed using liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer working in multi-reaction monitoring mode. Z-Sep and Z-Sep+ are new types of material for high lipid matrices - these two sorbents contain ZrO2, which improves fat removal from the extracts. The QuEChERS protocol with Z-Sep provided the highest number of pesticides with recoveries in the 70-120% range along with the lowest amount of coextracted matrix compounds. Subsequently, this method was validated in two matrices - avocado and almonds. In the validation recoveries at two levels - 10 and 50μg/kg - limit of quantitation, linearity, matrix effects, as well as the inter- and intraday precision were studied. In the avocado samples, 107 analytes had LOQs equal to 10μg/kg (signal to noise of quantitative transition was equal 20 or more). In the almond samples, 92 pesticides had LOQs equal to 10μg/kg (S/N≥20) and 2 pesticides at 50μg/kg. The validated method was employed in the analysis of real avocado and almond samples.

Dispersive microextraction based on "magnetic water" coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the fast determination of organophosphorus pesticides in cold-pressed vegetable oils

This article presents a novel application of dispersive microextraction based on "magnetic water" (m-water) for the purification of organophosphorus pesticides (methamidophos, omethoate, monocrotophos) from cold-pressed vegetable oils. In the present study, a trace amount of water (extractant) was adsorbed on bare Fe₃O₄ by hydrophilic interaction to form m-water. Rapid extraction can be achieved while the m-water is dispersed in the sample solution with the aid of a vigorous vortex. After extraction, the analyte-adsorbed m-water can be readily isolated from the sample solution by a magnet, which could greatly simplify the operation and reduce the whole pretreatment time. Several parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were investigated, and under the optimized conditions, a simple and effective method for pesticide analysis was established by coupling with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The linearity range of the proposed method was 2-100 ng/g with satisfactory correlation coefficients (R) of 0.9997-0.9998, and the limits of quantification (LOQ) for the target compounds were in the range of 0.70-1.27 ng/g. In addition, the reproducibility was obtained by evaluating the intra- and interday precisions with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 7.2% and 6.5%, respectively. Finally, the established "magnetic water" microextraction method was successfully applied for the determination of pesticide residues in several kinds of cold-pressed vegetable oils.

Direct analysis in real time high-resolution mass spectrometry for high-throughput analysis of antiparasitic veterinary drugs in feed and food

RATIONALE

Direct analysis in real time (DART) is a novel ionization technique that has been demonstrated in numerous applications as a useful tool for fast and convenient mass spectrometry (MS)-based analysis of complex samples. In this study, the feasibility of DART ionization coupled to a high-resolution mass spectrometer utilizing an orbitrap mass analyzer (orbitrap MS) for high-throughput analysis of antiparasitic veterinary drugs was explored.

METHODS

To obtain the best DART-orbitrap MS performance, stepwise optimization of instrumental parameter settings, such as ionization gas temperature and mass resolving power, was performed. The optimized method was applied to feed and bovine milk samples previously extracted following a QuEChERS-like strategy.

RESULTS

Most antiparasitic drugs could be analyzed following the described method. Positive DART ionization provided the protonated molecules [M+H](+); in negative DART ion mode, deprotonated molecules [M-H](-) were observed. As an exception, polyether ionophores could be observed as the sodiated adducts [M+Na](+). Samples of milk and feed were extracted using a modified QuEChERS method for the determination of benzimidazoles and coccidiostats respectively and quantification was carried out by matrix-matched calibration curves.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of an analysis time of less than 1 min per sample and the possibility to acquire accurate masses under high mass resolving power (HR) makes the DART-HRMS technique an effective tool for rapid qualitative screening of antiparasitic veterinary drugs. Additionally, the results obtained in this study demonstrated the feasibility of this approach to quantify target analytes at levels down to 1 µg kg(-1) for benzimidazolic compounds in milk and 0.25 mg kg(-1) for coccidiostats in chicken feed.

Liquid-Liquid Extraction/Low-Temperature Purification (LLE/LTP) Followed by Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction (d-SPE) Cleanup for Multiresidue Analysis in Palm Oil by LC-QTOF-MS

An evaluation of the extraction of multiresidue pesticides from palm oil by liquid-liquid extraction/low-temperature purification (LLE/LTP) coupled with dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) as the cleanup procedure with the determination by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry using electrospray as the ionization source (LC-ESI-MS) was carried out. Optimization approaches were studied in terms of d-SPE to select efficiency of type and mass of adsorbents to obtain the highest recovery yield of pesticides and the lowest coextract fat residues in the final extract. The optimal conditions of d-SPE were obtained using 3 g of palm oil, 4 g anhydrous MgSO4, 150 mg of PSA, and 50 mg of GCB (PSA: GCB (3 : 1 w/w)). Recovery study was performed at three concentration levels (25, 50, and 100 ng kg−1), yielding recovery rates between 71.8 and 112.4% except diuron with relative standard deviations of 3.2–15.1%. Detection and quantification limits were lower than 2.7 and 8.2 ng kg−1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of market-purchased palm oil samples from two different brands collected in Kuala Lumpur, showing its potential applicability and revealing the presence of some of the target species in the ng g−1range.

Prediction of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Retention Times of Pesticide Residues by Chemometrics Methods

A quantitative structure-retention relationships (QSRRs) method is employed to predict the retention time of 300 pesticide residues in animal tissues separated by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Firstly, a six-parameter QSRR model was developed by means of multiple linear regression. The six molecular descriptors that were considered to account for the effect of molecular structure on the retention time are number of nitrogen, Solvation connectivity index-chi 1, BalabanYindex, Moran autocorrelation-lag 2/weighted by atomic Sanderson electronegativity, total absolute charge, and radial distribution function-6.0/unweighted. A 6-7-1 back propagation artificial neural network (ANN) was used to improve the accuracy of the constructed model. The standard error values of ANN model for training, test, and validation sets are 1.559, 1.517, and 1.249, respectively, which are less than those obtained reveals by multiple linear regressions model (2.402, 1.858, and 2.036, resp.). Results obtained the reliability and good predictability of nonlinear QSRR model to predict the retention time of pesticides.