Simultaneous analysis of carbamate pesticides in tap and raw water by LC/ESI/MS.

Ten carbamate pesticides including four suspected endocrine disruptors, methomyl, benomyl (carbendazim), aldicarb and carbaryl, were simultaneously analyzed by LC/ESI/MS. The influence of the matrix on the variation of the ion signal intensities of (M + H)+ and adduct ions was investigated. Although the intensities of three oxamyl ions changed depending on the matrix, the variation in the concentration calculation of oxamyl was reduced by using the sum total of the area value of two ions. The limits of the quantitation of ten pesticides without a concentration procedure were from 0.4 - 30 microg/l. The solid-phase recovery rates of ten pesticides spiked into tap water and raw water were in the range of 69-111%. Using this method, the concentrations of the pesticides in tap and raw water sampled at 14 monitoring points in Hyogo Prefecture were determined. Carbendazim in three raw water samples and carbofuran in one of these three samples were detected at low concentrations (less than 0.32 microg/l).     

Multiresidue method for the determination of pesticides in Korean domestic crops by gas chromatography/mass selective detection

The multiresidue method used in this study allows the determination of 101 pesticides, including organophosphorus, organochlorine, and nitrogen-containing pesticides, in crops by gas chromatography with mass selective detector. Analysis was performed in the selected-ion monitoring mode, and the identities of the positive analytes were confirmed by retention time and the ratios of selected ions. The selected ion mode demonstrated an acceptable selectivity for most of the pesticides determined in 3 kinds of samples (Chrysanthemum coronarium; Perilla japonica, leaf; and Lactuca savita, which are very popular vegetables eaten raw in Korea), and very minor interferences were observed in the elution area of the pesticide analytes. Samples were spiked with pesticides at 0.1-1.0 mg/kg. The recoveries of 90% of the pesticides were between 70 and 110%; however, the recoveries of acephate and folpet were very poor, i.e., < 50%. The limits of detection (LODs) for most pesticides were between 0.02 and 0.3 mg/kg, and the LODs for about half of the pesticeds studied were < 0.05 mg/kg.     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides in fruit and vegetables by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables were determined by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). Electron impact (EI)/MS/MS and chemical ionization (CI)/MS/MS were developed for 80 compounds, including organochlorine, organophosphorus, organonitrogen, and pyrethroids, providing unambiguous spectral confirmation for these complex matrixes. Residues were extracted from samples with acetone followed by a mixture of dichloromethane-petroleum ether. Two injections per sample were required for analysis of the entire pesticide list by EI/MS/MS and CI/MS/MS. Initial steps involving cleanup and concentration of extracts were eliminated. The excellent selectivity and good linearity allowed quantification and identification of low levels of pesticides in the most difficult matrixes. The method has been used for routine analysis of many vegetables.     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides in sediment by ultrasonically assisted extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GS/MS) method was developed for the multiple determination of pesticides in sediment. The investigated pesticides included 85 compounds, i.e., 13 fungicides, 43 herbicides, and 29 insecticides. The pesticides were extracted from sediment samples by an ultrasonically assisted procedure. The extract was cleaned up by using reversed-phase column chromatography followed by normal-phase column chromatography. A styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer cartridge and a silica gel cartridge were used as the reversed-phase column and the normal-phase column, respectively. The compounds were determined by GC/MS with 2 internal standard compounds. The overall recoveries were 70-105%, and the relative standard deviations ranged from 1.5 to 18%. The minimum detectable concentrations were 2-10 microg/kg. This method was successfully applied to sediment samples from the Shin River in Niigata, Japan. Twenty-five pesticides (6 fungicides, 11 herbicides, and 8 insecticides) were detected in the sediment samples. The concentrations of the detected pesticides ranged from 3 to 69 microg/kg. Herbicides were found May through July; insecticides and fungicides were found July through August, and during July through September, respectively. The presence of pesticides in the river sediment was correlated with the time of pesticide application in the Shin River basin.     

Multiresidue analytical method of pesticides in peanut oil using low-temperature cleanup and dispersive solid phase extraction by GC-MS

A method for the determination of 33 pesticides in peanut oil by GC-MS was described. Two extraction procedures based on (i) low-temperature extraction and (ii) liquid-liquid extraction were tested for the optimization of the method. The mixture of anhydrous MgSO(4) with primary secondary amine (PSA) or with PSA and C(18) was performed as sorbents in dispersive SPE. Low temperature along with PSA and C(18) cleanup gave the best results. Pesticides were identified and quantified by GC-MS in SIM mode. The correlation coefficients, R(2), in the linear range tests were better than 0.990. The average recoveries for most pesticides (spiked at 0.02, 0.05, 0.2, and 1 mg/kg) ranged from 70 to 110%, the RSD was below 20% in most instances, and LODs varied from 0.5 to 8 mug/kg.     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides in juice by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method based on solid-phase extraction was developed for the simultaneous determination of 50 pesticides in commercial juices. The extraction procedure was carried out in C₁₈ columns preconditioned with acetonitrile and water. The subsequent elution of pesticides was performed with a mixture of hexane-ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v) prior to the determination by gas chromatography with electron impact mass spectrometric detection in the selected ion monitoring mode (GC-MS-SIM), using one target and two qualifier ions. Standards were prepared spiking blank juice samples to counteract the observed matrix effect. Average recoveries for all the pesticides studied were higher than 91% with relative standard deviations lower than 9% in the concentration range of 0.02-0.1 μg/mL and the detection limits achieved ranged from 0.1 to 4.6 μg/L. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of these compounds in commercial juices and diazinon, ethion and procymidone were the pesticides encountered, although the levels found were very low.     

Multiresidue method to quantify pesticides in fish muscle by QuEChERS-based extraction and LC-MS/MS

Pesticide residues in fish muscle are an environmental and a health safety concern which requires analytical methods presenting high sensitivity and low limits of quantification. In this study, adapted QuEChERS method, coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (Scheduled MRM-5500 QTRAP), was developed to quantify 13 pesticides (azoxystrobin, clomazone, diflufenican, dimethachlor, carbendazim, iprodion, isoproturon, mesosulfuron-methyl, metazachlor, napropamid, quizalofop and thifensulfuron-methyl) in muscle of fish. Quantification limits were below 1 ng g⁻¹ except for clomazone (1.8 ng g⁻¹) and quizalofop (7.4 ng g⁻¹). Best recoveries were observed for perch (>80%) and roach (>68%), except for thifensulfuron-methyl. Lower recoveries had been observed for carp (6% to 86%). Relative standard deviation was lower than 28% for intra-day and 29% for inter-day analysis, respectively. This method was successfully tested on three fish species, naturally or orally exposed: roach (Rutilus rutilus), perch (Perca fluviatilis) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). Few levels were observed in fish naturally exposed, but carp and perch orally contaminated showed measurable levels in their muscles.     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides in agricultural products by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with large volume injection

A method is described for the rapid determination of pesticide residues in agricultural products. Pesticides were extracted from samples with acetonitrile. To remove pigments and fatty acids, an aliquot of the extract was cleaned up by a minicolumn that was packed both with graphitized carbon black and primary secondary amine. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry with programmable temperature vaporizer-based large volume injection using a liner packed with phenylmethylsilicone chemically bonded silica. The method was evaluated for 114 pesticides by spiking into tomato, spinach, Japanese pear, grape, and brown rice at various concentrations of each pesticide (0.02-0.4 microg/g). The method, which gave good recovery (>60%) for 108 pesticides, is characterized by high cleanup efficiency and short cleanup time, and is useful as a rapid screening analysis.     

Multiresidue method for the determination of 13 pesticides in three environmental matrices: water, sediments and fish muscle

Pesticides residues in aquatic ecosystems are an environmental concern which requires efficient analytical methods. In this study, we proposed a generic method for the quantification of 13 pesticides (azoxystrobin, clomazone, diflufenican, dimethachlor, carbendazim, iprodion, isoproturon, mesosulfuron-methyl, metazachlor, napropamid, quizalofop and thifensulfuron-methyl) in three environmental matrices. Pesticides from water were extracted using a solid phase extraction system and a single solid-liquid extraction method was optimized for sediment and fish muscle, followed by a unique analysis by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Limits of quantification were below 5 ng L⁻¹ for water (except for fluroxypyr and iprodion) and ranged between 0.1 ng g⁻¹ and 57.7 ng g⁻¹ for sediments and regarding fish, were below 1 ng g⁻¹ for 8 molecules and were determined between 5 and 49 ng g⁻¹ for the 5 other compounds. This method was finally used as a new routine practice for environmental research.     

Multiresidue determination of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides in human biological fluids by capillary gas chromatography

Two multiresidue analytical methods for the simultaneous determination of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides in human urine and serum samples are described. The first approach is based on liquid–liquid microextraction with dichloromethane, and the second uses solid-phase extraction with C₁₈. In both methods, the extracts are analyzed by capillary gas chromatography using nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD) and electron-capture detection (ECD). Limits of detection of the overall procedure of analysis are at the low ng mL^–1 level. Stability experiments have been performed with spiked urine and serum samples stored at 4?°C for 1 month. Finally, the solid-phase extraction procedure was applied to real-world samples. Quantification was performed by NPD or ECD, and peak identity was confirmed by use of mass-selective detection (MSD).     

Multiresidue determination of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides in human biological fluids by capillary gas chromatography

Two multiresidue analytical methods for the simultaneous determination of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides in human urine and serum samples are described. The first approach is based on liquid-liquid microextraction with dichloromethane, and the second uses solid-phase extraction with C18. In both methods, the extracts are analyzed by capillary gas chromatography using nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD) and electron-capture detection (ECD). Limits of detection of the overall procedure of analysis are at the low ng mL(-1) level. Stability experiments have been performed with spiked urine and serum samples stored at 4 degrees C for 1 month. Finally, the solid-phase extraction procedure was applied to real-world samples. Quantification was performed by NPD or ECD, and peak identity was confirmed by use of mass-selective detection (MSD).     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides in drinking and related waters by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after solid-phase extraction: interlaboratory study

As part of a project funded by the European Commission (EC) for the development and evaluation of multiresidue methods for analysis of drinking and related waters, 15 European laboratories evaluated a method using styrene-divinylbenzene co-polymer solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The main aim of the study was to evaluate whether the method meets the requirements of EC Directive 98/83 in terms of accuracy, precision, and detection limit for 22 pesticides according to the following requirements: limit of detection, < or = 0.025 microg/L; accuracy, expressed as recovery between 75 and 125%; and precision, expressed as repeatability relative standard deviation of the method of < 12.5% and as reproducibility relative standard deviation of the method of < 25%. Analyses for unknown concentrations were performed with fortified commercial bottled and tap waters. All laboratories were able to achieve detection limits of 0.01 microg/L for all pesticides except dimethoate and desisopropylatrazine (0.02 microg/L). The criteria for repeatability were met for all compounds except trifluralin, dimethoate, and lindane in bottled water and chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and lindane in tap water. The criteria for reproducibility were met for all compounds except trifluralin, dimethoate, and lindane in bottled water and pendimethalin, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, terbutryn, and lindane in tap water. In terms of accuracy, the method meets the requirements for all pesticides in both matrixes, except for lindane in bottled water and lindane and chlorpyrifos in tap water.     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides by solid-phase extraction and GC-MS for control of peach production in Bulgaria

A multiresidue analytical method based on acetone extraction and clean-up/pre-concentration on polymeric sorbents was validated for 42 pesticides in peach matrix in order to control safety of fresh production on the Bulgarian market. Matrix-matched calibration was used by addition of pesticides just before SPE. In this way the standards and the samples undergo exactly the same procedure and an improvement of recoveries for the target analytes was observed. The identification and quantification were done by gas chromatographic technique with mass-spectrometric detection (GC-MS). The limits of detection obtained were 0.005?mg?kg^–1 or lower for the most of analytes, and the recovery data were in range 73–109% at three spiked levels 0.01, 0.1 and 0.2?mg?kg^?1. The validated method was used for monitoring of selected pesticides in fresh peach fruits home production. Approximately 30% of the analysed lots (total 33 samples) contained residues mainly of cypermethrin and procymidone, but did not exceed EU MRLs.     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides in honey by matrix solid-phase dispersion and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

A multiresidue method was developed for the determination of 15 pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphorus compounds, pyrethroids, and other acaricides) in various commercial honeys (eucalyptus, lavender, orange, rosemary, and multifloral). The analytical procedure is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion of honey in a mixture of Florisil and anhydrous sodium sulfate; the mixture is placed in small plastic columns and extracted with hexane-ethyl acetate (90 + 10, v/v). The pesticide residues are determined by capillary gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. Recoveries with the method at concentrations between 0.15 and 1.5 microg/g ranged from 80 to 113%, and relative standard deviations were <10% for all the pesticides studied. The pesticide detection limits were within the range 0.5-5 microg/kg for organochlorines, around 3 microg/kg for the chlorinated organophosphorus pesticides studied, near 15 microg/kg for fluvalinate, and about 3 microg/kg for the other pyrethroids.     

Multiresidue method for fast determination of pesticides in fruit juices by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A new analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 90 pesticides in fruit juices by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) has been developed and validated. Extraction was performed with acetonitrile, applying QuEChERS methodology, and the extracts were analyzed without any further clean-up step, providing better results than solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure. Before chromatographic step, extracts were diluted with water (1:1) in order to obtain good peak shapes. Several chromatographic conditions were evaluated in order to achieve a fast separation in Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode, obtaining a run time of only 11 min. Matrix effect was studied for different types of fruit juices (peach, orange, pineapple, apple and multifruit), indicating that multifruit juice can be selected as representative matrix for routine analysis of these food commodities. Pesticides were quantified using matrix-matched calibration with recoveries between 70.4 and 108.5% and relative standard deviation lower than 20%. Limits of quantification were lower than 5 microg L(-1) in all the cases. The developed procedure was applied to commercial fruit juices, detecting carbendazim, cyprodinil and thiabendazol in a few samples.     

Multiresidue method for the determination of residues of 251 pesticides in fruits and vegetables by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A method is described for the determination of 251 pesticide and degradation product residues in fruit and vegetable samples. Extraction of the sample with acetonitrile is followed by a salting-out step. Co-extractives are removed by passing a portion of the acetonitrile extract through an octadecyl (C18) solid-phase extraction cleanup cartridge and then, in a second cleanup, through a carbon cartridge coupled to an amino propyl cartridge. Determination is by gas chromatography with mass-selective detection in the selected-ion monitoring mode, and by liquid chromatography with post-column reaction and fluorescence detection for N-methyl carbamates. The method has been used for analysis of various fruits and vegetables, such as apple, banana, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, lettuce, orange, pear, pepper, and pineapple. Limits of detection range between 0.02 and 1.0 mg/kg for most compounds. Over 80% of the compounds have a limit of detection of < or = 0.04 mg/kg.     

Multiresidue method for determination of 90 pesticides in fresh fruits and vegetables using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method for analysis of 90 pesticides with different physico-chemical properties in fruits and vegetables was developed. The method involves a rapid and small-scale extraction procedure with acetone using vortex mixing. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) on a highly cross-linked polystyrene divinylbenzene column (LiChrolut EN) was used for clean-up and pre-concentration of the pesticides from the water-diluted acetone extracts. For most fruit and vegetable samples this partial clean-up was sufficient, but some of them with more co-extracting substances need further clean-up (cereals, spinach, carrots, etc.). Diethylaminopropyl (DEA) modified silica was used for efficient removal of interferences caused by various organic acids, sugars, etc. The pesticide residues were determined by gas chromatography with a mass selective detector (GC-MS). The majority of pesticide recoveries for various fruits and vegetables were >80% in the concentration range from 0.01 to 0.50 mg/kg, except for the most polar pesticides (methamidophos, acephate, omethoate) which cannot be determined by this method. The limit of quantitation for most of the pesticides was 0.01 mg/kg with majority of relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) below 10%.     

Multiresidue determination of organochlorines in fish oil by GC-MS: A new strategy in the sample preparation

A rapid, economic and environmentally friendly analytical methodology has been implemented for the determination of α-, β-, γ- and δ-HCH, p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD and p,p′-DDE, PCBs congeners #28, #52, #101, #153, #138 and #180 and Hexachlorobenzene in fish oil. 1,2,3,4-Tetrachloronaphtalene was used as internal standard. The sample preparation, consisting of a single step of clean-up and fractionation, took place in a column filled with different layers of neutral and sulphuric acid modified silica. The analytes were eluted by vacuum with of hexane. Significant reduction in terms of solvents, sorbents, and analysis time was achieved in comparison with literature.Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was used for the separation and determination of the analytes. The instrumental limits of detection were from 0.1 to 1.3 ng mL⁻¹ and the response of the detector was linear up to 200 ng mL⁻¹. The separation proved to be precise (RSD < 3.7% in peak area) and robust in terms of peak area, peak efficacy and resolution. The methodology was validated with two certified reference materials of cod liver oil, BCR 598 and BCR 349, obtaining no statistically significant differences between the concentrations found and certified. For the analytes that were not certified, aliquots of the reference materials were spiked and the recoveries obtained were satisfactory. These results were consistent with those found previously for DDTs by gas chromatography with an electron-capture detector.The methodology was applied to the analysis of three fish oil pills sold in Spain as a dietary supplement of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. The sum of the analytes studied was from 64 to 80 ng g⁻¹. The most abundant compounds are PCBs, followed by DDTs in all samples.     

Multiresidue method for the fast determination of pesticides in nutraceutical products (Camellia sinensis) by GC coupled to triple quadrupole MS

A method based on QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) has been developed and validated for the determination and quantification of more than 140 pesticides in nutraceutical products obtained from green tea (Camellia sinensis). Extraction was performed with acidified acetonitrile (acetic acid 1%, v/v) and a clean‐up step using primary secondary amine (50 mg), graphitized black carbon (100 mg) and magnesium sulfate (200 mg) was needed. Pesticide determination was achieved utilizing GC coupled to triple quadrupole MS/MS using the selective‐reaction monitoring mode. The total run time was 23 min. Pesticides were quantified using matrix‐matched calibration. Recoveries ranged from 70 to 120% and relative SD was lower than 25% at 10, 50, and 100 μg/kg. LOQs were lower than 10 μg/kg. 148 pesticides were validated. The validated method was applied to commercial nutraceutical products, detecting 4,4‐dichlorobenzophenone (28 μg/kg), o,p′‐dicofol (38 μg/kg) and p,p‐dicofol (44 μg/kg) in a few samples.     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides in drinking and related waters by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection: interlaboratory study

As part of a project funded by the European Commission (EC) for the development and evaluation of multiresidue methods for analysis of drinking and related waters, 17 European laboratories evaluated a method using styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The main aim of the study was to evaluate whether the method meets the requirements of EC Drinking Water Directive 98/83 in terms of accuracy, precision, and detection limit for 21 pesticides according to the following requirements: limit of detection, < or =0.025 microg/L; accuracy expressed as recovery, between 75 and 125%; and precision expressed as repeatability relative standard deviation of the method, <12.5%, and as reproducibility relative standard deviation of the method, <25%. Analyses for unknown concentrations were performed with commercial bottled and tap waters. All laboratories were able to achieve detection limits of 0.01 microg/L for all pesticides except pirimicarb (0.02 microg/L). The criteria for repeatability were met for all compounds. Terbutryn in bottled water and carbendazim in tap water did not meet the criteria for reproducibility. In terms of accuracy, the method met the requirements for all pesticides in both matrixes, except for metamitron. However, several compounds (linuron, terbutryn, propazine, metobromuron, and isoproturon) showed recoveries slightly below 75%.