Simultaneous determination of tebuconazole,trifloxystrobin, and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid residues in gherkin under field conditions

A rapid, simple, and selective analytical method for the simultaneous determination of tebuconazole, trifloxystrobin, and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid residues in gherkin and soil was developed and validated by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and cleaned up by dispersive solid‐phase extraction with primary secondary amine sorbent. The limit of quantification of the method was 0.05 mg/kg for all three compounds. The method was validated using blank samples spiked at three levels and recoveries ranged from 83.5 to 103.8% with a relative standard deviation of 1.2 to 4.8%. The developed method was validated and applied for the analysis of a degradation study sample. The residues of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole were found to dissipate following first‐order kinetics with half‐life ranging between 3.31–3.38 and 3.0–3.04 days, respectively, for two different dosages. Pesticide residues were below the European Union maximum residue level after seven days for trifloxystrobin (0.2 mg/kg) and ten days for tebuconazole (0.05 mg/kg), which suggested the use of this fungicide mixture to be safe to humans. These results can be utilized in formulating the spray schedule and safety evaluation on trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in gherkin crop.     

Method validation,residue analysis and dietary risk assessment of trifloxystrobin and trifloxystrobin acid in milk,eggs and pork

Trifloxystrobin (TFS) is a widely used strobilurin fungicide and its residues accumulating in animal-derived food could result in potential harm to consumers. By optimization of extraction solvents and cleanup sorbents, a residue analysis method for TFS and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid (TFSA) was established in milk, eggs and pork based on QuEChERS sample preparation and LC–MS/MS. The calibration curves exhibited good linearity with determination coefficients (R²) >0.9930 over the range of 0.5–250 ng/ml for both TFS and TFSA. The recoveries of the two analytes were 81–100% with RSD 3–10% and 76–96% with RSD 2–13%, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 1 ng/g for both analytes. The milk, egg and pork samples, 30 each, were collected from the 30 main producing regions in China, and residues of TFS and TFSA were analyzed. The concentrations of both analytes were lower than the corresponding LOQs and maximum residue limits. Long-term dietary risk assessment showed that the hazard quotients were 0.001–0.003%, indicating an absence of unacceptable risks in milk, eggs and pork to the health of common consumers in China.     

Persistence of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in banana tissues and soil under the semi-arid climatic conditions of Karnataka,India

Trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole are used for control of Sigatoka leaf spot disease of banana. This study was conducted to evaluate residue persistence of the fungicides in/on banana fruit, other edible parts and soil after spray application of the combination formulation, Nativo 75 WG, at the standard dose, 87.5 + 175 and double dose, 175 + 350 g a.i. ha^?1. The fungicides were extracted from banana and soil with acetone, partitioned into dichloromethane and cleaned-up using activated charcoal for trifloxystrobin and primary/secondary amine (PSA) for tebuconazole samples. The limit of quantification of the method was 0.05 mg kg^?1 for both fungicides. Initial residues of trifloxystrobin were 0.444 and 0.552 mg kg^?1 in/on banana with peel (whole fruit), which reached <0.05 and 0.065 mg kg^?1 after 30 days from treatment at the standard and double doses, respectively. Tebuconazole residues were 0.636 and 960 mg kg^?1 initially and reduced to 0.066 and 0.101 mg kg^?1 after 30 days. Trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole degraded with the half-life of about 11 days. Trifloxystrobin or its metabolite was not detected in the fruit pulp. Tebuconazole being systemic in nature moved to the fruit pulp which was highest on the 3rd day (0.103 and 0.147 mg kg^?1) and remained for 15 days. Matured banana fruit, flower, pseudostem and field soil were free from fungicide residues. For consumption of raw banana 43 days pre-harvest interval (PHI) is required after treatment of the combination formulation. Therefore application of the fungicides towards maturity stage of the fruits may be avoided.     

Simultaneous determination of trifloxystrobin and trifloxystrobin acid residue in rice and soil by a modified quick,easy, cheap,effective, rugged,and safe method using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive analytical method for the simultaneous determination of trifloxystrobin and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid in rice including straw, bran, brown rice and soil was developed by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The fungicide trifloxystrobin and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid were extracted using acetonitrile with 1% formic acid v/v and subsequently cleaned up by primary secondary amine, octadecylsilane or graphitized carbon black prior to ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The determination of two target compounds was achieved in less than 3 min using an electrospray ionization source in positive mode. The limits of detection were below 0.22 μg/kg and the limits of quantification did not exceed 0.74 μg/kg in all matrices, which were much lower than the maximum residue levels established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The overall average recoveries in four matrix at three levels (0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg) ranged from 74.2 to 107.4% with a relative standard deviations of less than 7.8% (n = 5) for both analytes. The method was demonstrated to be convenient and reliable for the routine monitoring of trifloxystrobin and its metabolite. The developed method was validated and applied for the analysis of degradation study samples.     

Simultaneous determination of difenoconazole,trifloxystrobin and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid residues in watermelon under field conditions by GC–MS/MS

An optimized quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method for the simultaneous determination of difenoconazole, trifloxystrobin and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid residues in watermelon and soil was developed and validated by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile (1% formic acid) and cleaned up by dispersive solid‐phase extraction with octadecylsilane sorbent. The limit of quantification of the method was 0.01 mg/kg, and the limit of detection was 0.003 mg/kg for all three analytes. The recoveries of the fungicides in watermelon, pulp and soil were 72.32–99.20% for difenoconazole, 74.68–87.72% for trifloxystrobin and 78.59–92.66% for trifloxystrobin acid with relative standard deviations of 1.34–14.04%. The dissipation dynamics of difenoconazole and trifloxystrobin in watermelon and soil followed the first‐order kinetics with half‐lives of 3.2–8.8 days in both locations. The final residue levels of difenoconazole and trifloxystrobin were below 0.1 mg/kg (maximum residue level [MRL] set by China) and 0.2 mg/kg (MRL set by European Union), respectively, in pulp samples collected 14 days after the last application. These results could help Chinese authorities to establish MRL of trifloxystrobin in watermelon and provide guidance for the safe and proper application of both fungicides on watermelon.     

Residue analysis and risk assessment of tebuconazole in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill)

In this study, a sensitive and reliable analytical method, based on a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe procedure, was established for determination of tebuconazole in jujube. After extraction with acetonitrile, the samples were cleaned up by dispersive solid‐phase extraction with primary secondary amine, and determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. At fortification levels of 0.01, 0.1 and 2.0 mg kg⁻¹, the average recoveries of tebuconazole in jujube were in the range 97.6–101.9%, with relative standard deviations of 1.5–3.5%. The dissipation and residual levels of tebuconazole in jujube under field conditions were investigated. Tebuconazole dissipated relatively slowly in jujube, with a half‐life of 33.0 days. The terminal residue experiments of tebuconazole in jujube were conducted in four locations in China and the risk was evaluated using risk quotients (RQ ). RQ values were found to be significantly lower than RQ = 1, indicating that the risk to human health of using the recommended doses of tebuconazole in jujube was not significant. This study could provide guidance for the safe and reasonable use of tebuconazole in jujube and serve as a reference for the establishment of limit of maximum residue in China.     

Residues and dissipation of guadipyr in rice ecological system

A modified QuEChERs method with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of guadipyr residue and dissipation in rice matrices, paddy soil and paddy water was developed and validated. Mean recoveries and relative standard deviations in paddy soil, paddy water, rice plant, rice straw, rice hull and husked rice matrices at three spiking levels were 83.1–116.5% and 1.6–9.5%, respectively. The half-life of guadipyr was determined in 2 years at three different field sites in China via a dissipation experiment. The half-lives of guadipyr in paddy water were 0.22–0.37 days, 0.24–3.33 days in paddy soil and 0.44–1.90 days in rice plant. The terminal residues of guadipyr ranged from ND (concentrations of guadipyr were below limit of detection) to 50 μg kg^?1 in paddy soil, 10–470 μg kg^?1 in rice hull, ND70 μg kg^?1 in husked rice and ND to 110 μg kg^?1 in rice straw. The results would be helpful in fixing maximum residue limit of guadipyr, a new insecticide, in rice.     

Fate of hexaconazole and isoprothiolane in rice,soil and water under field conditions

Residue dissipation of hexaconazole and isoprothiolane in the rice field ecosystem was determined by gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detector. Hexaconazole and isoprothiolane (33% microemulsion) were applied at two dosages, 396 g a.i. ha^–1 (the recommended dosage) and 594 g a.i. ha^–1 (1.5 times the recommended dosage) in the experimental fields in Guizhou, Hunan and Heilongjiang provinces, China, during 2011–2012. The limits of detection and limits of quantification in brown rice were 0.006 and 0.02 mg kg^–1 for hexaconazole, 0.0072 and 0.024 mg kg^–1 for isoprothiolane, respectively, and they were much below the maximum residue limits (MRLs, 0.1 mg kg^–1 for hexaconazole and 1.0 mg kg^–1 for isoprothiolane) set by China. Average recoveries of hexaconazole in water, soil, rice plants and brown rice ranged from 77.3% to 93.8% and for isoprothiolane ranged from 78.1% to 99.9% with relative standard deviations < 10%. The results showed that during harvest, the terminal residue levels of hexaconazole and isoprothiolane in brown rice samples were well below the MRLs of China following the interval of 7 days after last application. Therefore, a dosage of 396 g a.i. ha^–1 was recommended, which could be considered as safe to human beings.     

Electrooxidation of trifloxystrobin at the boron-doped diamond electrode: electrochemical mechanism,quantitative determination and degradation studies

The boron-doped diamond (BDD) presents attractive electrochemical sensing characteristics that are useful in analytical applications based on voltammetry and amperometry. It has a wide potential window in aqueous solutions enabling the quantification of the fungicide trifloxystrobin, measured at +1744 mV (versus Ag/AgCl), by square-wave anodic voltammetry in a Britton–Robinson (BR) buffer (0.04 mol L^?1; pH 4.00)/acetonitrile 70/30% v/v. The activation of the electrode was made using galvanostatic chronopotentiometry and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The linear analyte addition curve, I_p (µA) = (1.0 × 10^–1 ± 4.8 × 10^–6) C (mol L^?1) + (8.8 × 10^–2 ± 1.1 × 10^–3); R² = 0.997, was obtained using amplitude of 40 mV, frequency of 30 Hz, step potential of 20 mV. The instrumental limit of detection (LOD) was 1.4 × 10^–7 mol L^?1 (0.058 mg L^?1) and the dynamic linear range covered three decades (up to 1 × 10^–5 mol L^?1 or 4.1 mg L^?1). The samples were analysed with recoveries about 80% in orange juice samples and from 92.4% to 104.0% in water samples. A study to evaluate potential interferences was made in the presence of other fungicides. Diagnostic studies indicated that oxidation of trifloxystrobin in aqueous medium at the surface of the BDD is irreversible, involving two steps, each one with two electrons. The UV degradation of trifloxystrobin was evaluated using the proposed electrochemical method and the kinetics of degradation established with half-life of 1.07 min.     

Dissipation kinetics and risk assessment of fluopyram and tebuconazole in mango (Mangifera indica)

The combination formulation of fluopyram and tebuconazole is used for control of fungal diseases and post-harvest disease management of mango. Dissipation study of the fungicides on mango was carried out after giving applications of fluopyram +tebuconazole at the standard and double doses of 150 + 150 and 300 + 300 g active ingredient hectare^?1 (g a.i. ha^?1), respectively. Fluopyram residues on mango were 0.8 and 0.9 mg kg^?1 and tebuconazole residues, 0.308 and 0.4 mg kg^?1 after three and four applications at the standard dose. At double dose treatment the residue levels for fluopyram were 1.266 and 1.453 mg kg^?1 and tebuconazole, 0.681 and 0.853 mg kg^?1, respectively. Residue dissipation in mango fruits followed first order rate kinetics and the half-life (DT₅₀) were 4.3–5.4 days for fluopyram and 3–3.8 days for tebuconazole. Faster dissipation of the fungicides was observed after the fourth treatment which directly correlated to higher rainfall during that period. The combined residues of fluopyram+tebuconazole reduced to below their maximum residue limits (MRLs) within 36–38 days. Dietary risk assessment on human health indicated that fluopyram and tebuconazole application to mango is unlikely to pose risk to human beings. This study gives valuable information on the judicious use of this combination formulation on mango, especially towards harvest.     

Simultaneous determination of sulfoxaflor and its metabolites,X11719474 and X11721061, in brown rice and rice straw after field application using LC-MS/MS

The present study was carried out to develop an analytical method for simultaneously detecting and quantifying sulfoxaflor and its metabolites (X11721061, X11719474) in brown rice and rice straw using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The parent compound and its metabolites were extracted and purified using original ‘QuEChERS’ method with modification. The matrix-matched calibration curve of sulfoxaflor and its metabolites in both matrices achieved good linearity with determination coefficients (R²) ≥0.9944. The overall recoveries of sulfoxaflor at two fortification levels (rice: 0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg; rice straw: 0.4 and 2.0 mg/kg) ranged from 97.37% to 107.71% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) <5%. On the other hand, the recoveries of both metabolites (X11721061 and X11719474) at 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg (rice) and 0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg (rice straw) were satisfactory with values ranging from 83.70 % to 112.60% with RSDs <8%. During storage at ?20°C, the analyte and its metabolites were stable for up to 87 days. The limits of quantification of 0.02 mg/kg were lower than the maximum residue limit (0.2 mg/kg) set by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for brown rice. The method was successfully applied to paddy field treated with different programme schedules and a preharvest interval of 7 days was proposed based upon the current study. In sum, the developed method is accurate and reproducible for ensuring the reliable determination of sulfoxaflor (and its metabolites) in harvested rice grain and straw samples from the field. The residual level of parent compound does not seem to pose any hazardous effect and treated rice could be safely used for consumption.     

Residual level of dimethachlon in rice‐paddy field system and cooked rice determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detector

In this study, a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method coupled with gas chromatography with electron capture detection was established to determine dimethachlon residues in paddy soil, rice husk, rice straw, brown rice and cooked rice. The limits of quantification of dimethachlon were 0.01 mg/kg for paddy soil, brown rice and cooked rice and 0.02 mg/kg for rice straw and rice husk. The mean recoveries were in the range 78.59–104.7% with relative standard deviation values of <10% for dimethachlon in the five matrices. For field experiments, the final residues of dimethachlon in paddy soil were < 0.05 mg/kg and were < 1.21 mg/kg in rice straw from six sites. The final residues of dimethachlon in the brown rice at 21, 28 and 35 days after spraying from six sites were 0.08–7.58 mg/kg, and 0.16–30.1 mg/kg in rice husk. Our six test sites covered the main rice–producing areas of China. The routine rice cooking process of a Chinese family could apparently increase the removal of dimethachlon in rice compared with brown rice, and the reduction ratios were > 96%.     

Ambient mass spectrometry: Direct analysis of dimethoate,tebuconazole, and trifloxystrobin on olive and vine leaves by desorption electrospray ionization interface

A new field of application for a relatively new mass‐spectrometric interface such as desorption electrospray ionization was evaluated. For this purpose, its behavior was tested versus quantitative analysis of dimethoate, trifloxystrobin, and tebuconazole directly on olive and vine leaves surface. The goal was workers exposure assessment during field re‐entry operations since evidence suggests an association between chronic occupational exposure to some agrochemicals and severe adverse effects. Desorption electrospray ionization gave good response working in positive ionization mode, while numerous test were necessary for the choice of a unique blend of spray solvents suitable for all 3 substances. The best compromise, in terms of signal to noise ratios, was obtained with the CH₃OH/H₂O (80:20) mixture. The obvious difficulties related to the impossibility to use the internal standard were overcome through an accurate validation. Limits of detection and quantitation, dynamic ranges, matrix effects, and intraday precisions were calculated, and a small monitoring campaign was arranged to test method applicability and to evaluate potential dermal exposure. This protocol was developed in work safety field, but after a brief investigation, it was find to be suitable also for food residue evaluation.     

Photoisomerization kinetics of trifloxystrobin

The photoisomerization kinetics of trifloxystrobin (TFS) in acetone under artificial sunlight is reported. HPLC analysis showed the TFS, a strobilurine fungicide of EE conformation, was converted into an equilibrium mixture of four isomers after illumination for 7 h. The isomers were identified as EZ, EE, ZZ, and ZE and were separated in the crystalline form by preparative HPLC and characterized by use of a variety of spectroscopic techniques. The quantum yield and reaction constants for the isomerization reactions were determined. The detailed spectral features of the individual isomers measured by UV, IR, Raman, NMR and mass spectroscopy are presented and compared. The spectra of the isomers were found to be very characteristic, with good analytical significance.     

Determination of pesticides in dried minor tropical fruits from Colombia using the Quick,Easy, Cheap,Effective, Rugged,and Safe method‐gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

The AOAC 2007.1 quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe official method, together with gas chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was applied for the analysis of 38 multiclass pesticides from dried fruits typically cultivated and exported from Colombia: uchuva (Physalis peruviana), lulo (Solanum quitoense), guanabana (Anona muricata), and pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus). The whole method was validated in terms of matrix‐matched calibration, matrix effect, and recovery using atrazine‐d₅ as internal standard, triphenylphosphate for quality control of the injection, and a proper mixture of analytes protectants. Matrix‐matched calibration data were found satisfactory for all pesticides and dried fruits, reporting R² values above 0.99. Matrix effect values evidenced the existence of such effect in most cases. The applied procedure gave satisfactory recovery percentages (70–120%) and relative standard deviation values (< 20%) for 92% of the 456 combinations pesticide/fruit studied (spiked levels of 25, 200, and 400 µg/kg). Finally, 20 real dried fruit samples were analyzed and residues of tebuconazole were found in two samples of uchuva at a concentration below the lowest calibration level of the method for one of them and at 10.8 ± 1.6 µg/kg for the other, being below or similar to the general maximum residue level established for monitoring purposes in food applications.     

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method to simultaneously determinate dichlorvos and phoxim in tobacco

A simple pretreatment method with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was developed and validated to simultaneously determine dichlorvos and phoxim in tobacco and soil matrices. Satisfactory linearity (R² ≥ 0.9991) of the method was obtained for both analytes. The limits of detection and limits of quantification for dichlorvos and phoxim in three matrices were 0.0015–0.006 and 0.005–0.02 mg/kg, respectively. Average recoveries were 78.24–92.21% for dichlorvos and 76.62–100.51% for phoxim in soil, green tobacco leaves and cured tobacco leaves. The intra‐ and inter‐day relative standard deviations were <6%. The established method was successfully applied for the residual analysis of dichlorvos and phoxim in real soil and tobacco samples. The results indicated that the established method could be used to detect trace amounts of dichlorvos and phoxim in tobacco. The data could also help the Chinese government establish maximum residue limits of dichlorvos and phoxim on tobacco and establish proper and safe use of dichlorvos and phoxim on tobacco plants in China.     

Residues,dissipation and risk evaluation of spiroxamine in open-field-grown strawberries using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The dissipation dynamic and residues of spiroxamine in open-field-grown strawberries were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Spiroxamine application was performed according to Egyptian good agricultural practices recommendation. A QuEChERS-based extraction method along with direct analysis with an LC–MS/MS analytical method were optimized and validated, and the specificity of the techniques used was considered satisfactory. Good linearity (R² > 0.999) was obtained for spiroxamine within the range of 0.001–0.1 μg/ml. The mean recoveries varied between 97.1 and 108.2%, with inter- and intra-day precision (RSD) <4.9%. The limit of quantitation for spiroxamine was 0.001 mg/kg. The results indicated that spiroxamine degradation in strawberry followed first–order kinetics (R² > 0.9929) with an estimated half-life value of 4.71 days. Considering the Australian maximum residue limit (0.05 mg/kg) in strawberry and based on the results from residue trials with a preharvest interval of 14 days for strawberry, compliance can be expected. The present results could provide guidance to fully evaluate the risks of spiroxamine residues, preventing any potential health risk to consumers.     

Residue level and dissipation pattern of lepimectin in shallots using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection

Lepimectin, as an emulsifiable concentrate, was sprayed on shallots at the recommended dose rate (10 mL/20 L) to determine its residue levels, dissipation pattern, pre‐harvest residue limits (PHRLs), and health risk. Samples were randomly collected over 10 days, extracted with acetonitrile, purified using an amino solid‐phase extraction (NH₂‐SPE) cartridge and analyzed using a high‐performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection method. Field‐incurred samples were confirmed using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The linearity was excellent, with a determination coefficient (R²) of ≥0.9991. The recoveries at two spiking levels (0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg) ranged from 84.49 to 87.64% with relative standard deviations of ≤7.04%. The developed method was applied to field samples grown in separate greenhouses, one located in Naju and one in Muan, in the Republic of Korea. The dissipation pattern was described by first‐order kinetics with half‐lives of 1.9 (Naju) and 1.7 days (Muan). The PHRL curves indicated that, if the lepimectin residues are <0.18 (Naju) and <0.13 mg/kg (Muan) 5 days before harvest, the residue levels will be lower than the maximum residue limit (0.05 mg/kg) upon harvesting. The risk assessment data indicated that lepimectin is safe for use in the cultivation of shallots, with no risk of detrimental effects to the consumer.     

Simultaneous determination of boscalid and fludioxonil in grape and soil under field conditions by gas chromatography/tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to simultaneously determine boscalid and fludioxonil in grape and soil samples. These samples were extracted with 10 mL of acetonitrile and purified using a mixed primary secondary amine/octadecylsilane sorbent. The method showed good linearity (R² > 0.99) in the calibration range 0.005–2 μg/mL for both pesticides. The limits of detection and quantification for the two analytes in grape and soil were 0.006 and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. Fungicide recoveries in grape and soil were 81.18–92.11% for boscalid and 82.73–97.67% for fludioxonil with relative standard deviations of 1.31–10.31%. The established method was successfully applied to the residual analysis of boscalid and fludioxonil in real grape and soil samples. The terminal residue concentrations of boscalid and fludioxonil in grape samples collected from Anhui and Guizhou were <5 mg/kg (the maximum residue limit set by China) 7 days after the last application and 1 mg/kg (the maximum residue limit set by USA) 14 days after the last application. These results could provide guidance for the proper and safe use of boscalid and fludioxonil in grape and help the Chinese government to establish an MRL for fludioxonil in grape.     

Determination of tebuconazole, trifloxystrobin and its metabolite in fruit and vegetables by a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method using gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector and ion trap mass spectrometry

A new analytical method using QuEChERS procedure by gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (GC-NPD) and ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-IT-MS) for the quantitative determination of tebuconazole, trifloxystrobin and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid has been developed and validated. The analytes were extracted from five fruit and vegetable matrices using acetonitrile and subsequently cleaned up using primary secondary amine (PSA) or octadecylsilane (C18) as sorbent prior to GC analysis. The present methods provided sufficient sensitivity as reflected by the values of limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.4-7 and 1.2-20 μg/kg for GC-IT-MS/MS and GC-NPD. The recoveries were, on average, 68-117 and 68-121%, respectively, for three compounds by GC-NPD and GC-IT-MS/MS with intra-day precision achieved with an RSD of 2.7-19.1%. The inter-day precision was better than 15.1% as determined by GC-NPD. The QuEChERS procedure, by using two sorbents (PSA and C18) and the matrix-matched standards, gave satisfactory recoveries and RSD values in different matrices. IT-MS acquisition provided higher specificity and selectivity for pesticides and better limit of detection and quantification. However, the repeatability and precision of NPD method were better compared with IT-MS.