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.     

HPLC-MS/MS enantioseparation of triazole fungicides using polysaccharide-based stationary phases

The enantiomeric separation of 21 triazole fungicides was carried out on four polysaccharide-derived chiral stationary phases in the reversed phase separation mode using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. All fungicides were detected in electrospray ionization (ESI) positive mode with selected reaction monitoring (SRM). Complete enantioseparation was achieved for 21 fungicides except for difenoconazole based on cellulose tris (3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) and cellulose tris (3-chloro-4-methylphenyl carbamate) columns by optimizing experimental conditions including mobile phase and column temperature. Mobile phase was 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution mixed with methanol or acetonitrile in different proportions. Among all the fungicides, 15 with two enantiomers and three with four stereoisomers (bitertanol, bromuconazole, and cyproconazole) were successfully separated at 25°C. Enantioseparation for the other three fungicides (propiconazole, triadimenol, and difenoconazole) with four stereoisomers could be achieved by changing the column temperature from 10 to 40°C. Propiconazole and triadimenol were enantioseparated on baseline at 40 and at 35°C, respectively, and difenoconazole was enantioseparated partially with the R(s) > 1.1 at 25°C. Moreover, linearities and limits of detection (LODs) of 21 fungicides except for difenoconazole were studied, showing coefficients of determination (R(2)) higher than 0.99 and LODs lower than 2.5 μg/L.     

Determination of azoles in sewage sludge from Spanish wastewater treatment plants by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A simple and rapid analytical method for the determination of 16 azoles in sewage sludge has been developed and validated. The method was based on ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by dispersive solid-phase extraction cleanup and liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometric detection. The azoles were selected by their intensive usage as biocides (tebuconazole, propiconazole, cyproconazole and thiabendazole), antimycotic pharmaceuticals (ketoconazole, econazole, fluconazole and clotrimazole) or fungicides in agriculture (difenoconazole, flusilazole, hexaconazole, prochloraz, bromuconazole, epoxiconazole and triticonazole). The recoveries of these compounds through the method were between 71.9 and 115.8%, with relative standard deviations lower than 20%. Detection limits were in the range of 0.5-5.0 ng/g. The developed method was applied to the analysis of azoles in sewage sludge samples collected from 19 Spanish wastewater treatment plants. Although azoles used as biocides or agriculture fungicides were present in a few sludge samples, the pharmaceuticals ketoconazole, econazole and clotrimazole were present in all of the analyzed sludge samples, being ketoconazole the one found at the highest level, representing the 68.6% of the total azole content found in the 19 sludge samples studied.     

Residue analysis of kresoxim‐methyl and boscalid in fruits,vegetables and soil using liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A GC‐MS procedure for simultaneously determining and validating kresoxim‐methyl and boscalid has been developed in fruit, vegetable and soil matrices. The method was based on one‐step liquid–liquid extraction with acetone and dichloromethane solvents. Estimated limits of detection (LODs) for kresoxim‐methyl and boscalid were 0.006 and 0.015 mg/kg, and limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.02 and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐ precision were achieved with RSD better than 13.8 and 14.5%, and recoveries were in the range of 77.1–98.7% for kresoxim‐methyl and 72.8–105.1% for boscalid. The expanded uncertainties calculated at 0.1 mg/kg were below 18%. Concentration levels for residues of the two fungicides in melon samples from field trials collected 7 days after the last application were clearly below the established MRL values. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dissipation,residues and risk assessment of spirotetramat and its four metabolites in citrus and soil under field conditions by LC‐MS/MS

A modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method for the simultaneous determination of spirotetramat and its four metabolite residues in citrus, peel, pulp and soil was developed and validated by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The samples were extracted with acetonitrile (1%, glacial acetic acid, v/v) and purified using primary secondary amine and octadecylsilane. The limit of detection was 0.01–0.13 mg/kg, whereas that of quantification was 0.02–0.40 mg/kg for spirotetramat and its metabolites. The average recoveries of spirotetramat, spirotetramat‐enol, spirotetramat‐mono‐hydroxy, spirotetramat‐enol‐glucoside and spirotetramat‐ketohydroxy in all matrices were 73.33–107.91%, 75.93–114.85%, 76.44–100.78%, 71.46–103.19% and 73.08–105.27%, respectively, with relative standard deviations < 12.32%. The dissipation dynamics of spirotetramat in citrus and soil followed first‐order kinetics, with half‐lives of 2.3–8.5 days in the three sampling locations. The terminal residues of spirotetramat in four matrices at the three locations were measured below the 1.0 mg/kg maximum residue limit set by China, and residues were found to be concentrated on the peel. The risk assessment of citrus was evaluated using risk quotients. The risk quotient values were found to be significantly <1, suggesting that the risk to human health was negligible when using the recommended doses of spirotetramat in citrus. These results could provide guidance for the safe and proper application of spirotetramat in citrus in China.     

Dissipation,residue, and distribution of pyraclostrobin in banana and soil under field conditions in South China

Two independent field trials were conducted in Guangdong and Guangxi, South China, in 2013, to study the dissipation, residue levels, and distribution of pyraclostrobin in banana and soil under field conditions. Pyraclostrobin residues were determined through a quick and effective method of high-performance liquid chromatography. Results showed that the average recoveries ranged from 80.55% to 98.08%, with relative standard deviations of 3.18–7.81% at three different spiking levels for each different matrix. The quantification limit of the proposed method was 0.006 mg/kg for both banana and soil. The half-lives of pyraclostrobin in bananas were 9.09 days in Guangdong and 8.26 days in Guangxi, and both bananas exhibited a dissipation rate of 90% after 28 days. The half-lives of pyraclostrobin in soil were 11.61 days in Guangdong and 10.60 days in Guangxi, with a dissipation rate of 90% after 35 days. Although several positive banana samples (i.e., pyraclostrobin exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRL) were found, the terminal residues in banana pulp were not detectable. All the terminal residues in banana pulp were below the MRL of 0.02 mg/kg, set by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, indicating a negligible risk associated with the exposure to pyraclostrobin via the consumption of banana. The distribution of pyraclostrobin in soil was also investigated in two experimental sites. The pyraclostrobin in different layer soil was time dependent and did not vary between the two sites. The result also showed that pyraclostrobin could be easily transported from the top soil to the subsoil. However, the highest quantity ratio did not exceed 10% in the bottom layer (20–30 cm). The distribution assessment also revealed that no significant potential environment risk was induced by pyraclostrobin in bananas.     

Dissipation Residue Behaviors and Dietary Risk Assessment of Boscalid and Pyraclostrobin in Watermelon by HPLC-MS/MS

Fungicides containing active ingredients of boscalid and pyraclostrobin have been widely applied in watermelon disease control. To provide data for avoiding health hazards caused by fungicides, we investigated its terminal residues and evaluated the dietary risk. In this work, watermelon samples were collected from field sites in six provinces and analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The average recoveries of boscalid and pyraclostrobin in the watermelon matrix were 97–108% and 93–103%, respectively, with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) ≤ 9.1%. The limits of quantifications (LOQs) were 0.01 and 0.005 mg/kg for boscalid and pyraclostrobin. Twenty-one days after applying the test pesticide with 270 g a.i./ha, the terminal residues of boscalid and pyraclostrobin were all below 0.05 mg/kg and below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) recommended by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). According to the national estimated daily intake (NEDI), the risk quotients (RQs) of boscalid and pyraclostrobin were 48.4% and 62.6%, respectively. That indicated the pesticide evaluated in watermelon exhibited a low dietary risk to consumers. All data provide a reference for the MRL establishment of boscalid in watermelon for China.     

Simultaneous determination and method validation of clethodim and its metabolites clethodim sulfoxide and clethodim sulfone in tobacco by LC‐MS/MS

A simple method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of clethodim, clethodim sulfoxide, and clethodim sulfone in soil and tobacco by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The three target compounds were extracted from tobacco and soil with acetonitrile, and the extracts were purified using octadecyl silane. The proposed method showed satisfactory linearity (R² ≥ 0.9973) for the target compounds. The limits of detection and quantitation of the three analytes in all matrices were 0.024−0.06 and 0.08−0.2 mg/kg, respectively. The recovery was tested in blank soil and tobacco leaf samples and calculated to be 74.8–104.4% with relative standard deviations of 1.9–12.1%. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of residues of clethodim, clethodim sulfoxide and clethodim sulfone in real soil and tobacco samples. The results indicated that the developed method can meet the requirements for the analysis of trace amounts of all three analytes in soil and tobacco.     

Multiresidue determination of 29 pesticide residues in pepper through a modified QuEChERS method and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

This study describes the development and use of a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method coupled with gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to determine 29 pesticide residues in green, red and dehydrated red peppers. Pesticides were extracted with acetonitrile (1% acetic acid), partitioned with sodium chloride and purified with primary secondary amino and octadecyl silane in acetone. The QuEChERS extraction conditions were optimized, and the matrix effects that might influence recoveries were evaluated and minimized using matrix‐matched calibration curves. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves for 29 pesticides showed good linearity in the concentration range of 0.1–10 μg/mL with determination coefficient R² > 0.998. The limits of quantification of the 29 pesticides were 0.006–0.06 mg/kg for green pepper, 0.005–0.039 mg/kg for red pepper and 0.014–0.25 mg/kg for dehydrated red pepper. These values are below the suggested regulatory maximum residue limits. The mean recoveries ranged between 70.1 and 110%, and the relative standard deviations were <13%. The developed method was successfully applied to commercial samples. Some samples were found to contain the 29 pesticides with levels below the legal limits. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dissipation dynamics of fenamidone and propamocarb hydrochloride in pepper,soil and residue analysis in vegetables by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, a rapid and sensitive method was developed for determining fenamidone and propamocarb hydrochloride residues in vegetables and soil by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The dissipation dynamics of fenamidone and propamocarb hydrochloride in pepper and soil was investigated in Beijing, Henan and Shandong provinces. The target compounds were extracted with methanol and cleaned with dispersive solid phase extraction using primary secondary amine. Two pairs of precursor product ion transitions for fenamidone and propamocarb hydrochloride were measured and evaluated. Average recoveries of fenamidone in potato, tomato, cabbage, pepper and soil at three levels (10, 100 and 1000 μg kg^?1) ranged from 76.91% to 107.31% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) from 2.74% to 10.87% (n = 15). The average recoveries of propamocarb hydrochloride ranged from 74.84% to 97.96% with RSDs from 2.43% to 16.16% (n = 15). The limits of detection (LODs) for fenamidone in each matrix were 0.131–0.291 μg kg^?1, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.436–0.970 μg kg^?1. The LODs for propamocarb hydrochloride were 0.125–0.633 μg kg^?1, and the LOQs were 0.417–2.11 μg kg^?1. The results also showed that the dissipation of fenamidone and propamocarb hydrochloride in pepper and soil followed first-order kinetics model more than that of bi-exponential models. The half-lives of propamocarb hydrochloride were 6.90–15.78 days in pepper and 13.56–23.02 days in soil. The half-lives of fenamidone were 7.48–11.29 days in pepper and 35.18–42.78 days in soil.     

Determination of a broad spectrum of endocrine‐disrupting pesticides in fish samples by UHPLC–MS/MS using the pass‐through cleanup approach

We describe a new methodology for the simultaneous determination of the endocrine‐disrupting herbicides (acetochlor, alachlor, amitrole, and atrazine), fungicides (carbendazim, triadimefon, penconazole, and propiconazole), and insecticides (carbaryl and carbofuran) in fish samples followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Samples were extracted and purified using the pass‐through cleanup approach. The recoveries of the pesticides were in the range 71.8–116.5%, with relative standard deviations lower than 15.28%. Limits of quantitation were in the range of 0.03–2.50 μg/kg. Validation results on linearity, accuracy, and precision, as well as on application to the analysis of the endocrine‐disrupting pesticides in 20 fish samples, demonstrated the applicability to screen the presence of pesticides in fish.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定荔枝花粉和花蜜中腈菌唑和苯醚甲环唑残留

采用改良的QuEChERS-高效液相色谱-串联质谱（HPLC-MS/MS）技术,建立了荔枝花粉和花蜜中2种主要杀菌剂腈菌唑和苯醚甲环唑的测定方法。花粉和花蜜样品均由乙腈提取,花粉样品经0.9 g无水硫酸镁、0.15 g N-丙基乙二胺（PSA）和0.15 g十八烷基键合硅胶（C₁₈）吸附剂净化,花蜜样品由0.9 g无水硫酸镁和0.15 g PSA净化。采用Poroshell-120 EC-C₁₈色谱柱分离,以0.1%（v/v）甲酸水溶液-乙腈（25∶75,v/v）为流动相等度洗脱,在电喷雾离子（ESI）源、正离子扫描和选择离子监测模式下进行检测,基质匹配标准溶液法定量。结果显示：腈菌唑和苯醚甲环唑在1~100 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数（r²）均大于0.9990;腈菌唑和苯醚甲环唑的检出限（LOD）分别为0.25 μg/kg和0.50 μg/kg,定量限（LOQ）分别为0.83 μg/kg和1.7 μg/kg;腈菌唑和苯醚甲环唑在荔枝花粉和花蜜样品中的平均加标回收率分别为87.0%~95.2%和90.1%~96.4%,相对标准偏差（RSD）分别为1.2%~3.6%和0.7%~4.1%。该法快速、简便、灵敏,可用于荔枝花粉和花蜜样品中腈菌唑和苯醚甲环唑的痕量测定,可为蜜蜂等授粉昆虫的暴露性风险评估提供技术支持。     

Determination of alachlor residues in pepper and pepper leaf using gas chromatography and confirmed via mass spectrometry with matrix protection

Alachlor residues were determined in pepper and pepper leaf, after 49 days of manufacturer‐recommended single‐ and double‐dose application to the soil and plant. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile, partitioned with n‐hexane, and purified through solid‐phase extraction, and finally detected with a gas chromatography–microelectron capture detector. The linearity of the analytical response across the studied range of concentrations (0.05–4.0 µg/mL) was excellent, obtaining coefficients of determination (r²) of 0.999. Recovery studies were carried out on spiked pepper and pepper leaf samples, at two concentrations levels (0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg), with three replicates performed at each level. Mean recoveries of 73.1–109.0% with relative standard deviations of 1.3–2.3% were obtained. The method was successfully applied to field samples, and alachlor residue was found in pepper (0.02 mg/kg) and pepper leaf (0.03 mg/kg), at levels lower than the maximum residue limits (0.2 mg/kg) set by the Korea Food and Drug Administration. The field‐detected residues were further confirmed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with the help of pepper leaf matrix protection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of hexabromocyclododecane isomers in sewage sludge by LC‐MS/MS

A method has been developed to determine α, β and γ diastereoisomers of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a brominated flame retardant, in sewage sludge, based on the ultrasonic‐assisted extraction (UAE) of samples with dichloromethane–ACN (1:1) and the subsequent clean‐up of extracts by dispersive solid phase extraction with primary–secondary amine. Levels of HBCD diastereoisomers were determined by LC coupled with ESI MS/MS. Evaluation of the matrix effect showed a high ion suppression for all the diastereoisomers studied, which was counteracted by using a mixture of labelled HBCD diastereoisomers as internal standards. This method yielded recoveries in the range of 79.6–112.5% with SDs equal or lower than 9.1 The limits of detection were 0.3 ng/g for α‐ and β‐HBCD and 0.2 ng/g for γ‐HBCD. The developed method was successfully applied to 19 sludge samples collected from the province of Madrid (Spain). In most of the samples, β‐HBCD was below the method detection limit, whereas α‐ and γ‐HBCD were quantified in all of the sludge samples, and γ‐HBCD was the predominant diastereoisomer in 63% of the analyzed samples and α‐HBCD predominated in the rest.     

Simultaneous stereoselective detection of chiral fungicides in soil by LC–MS/MS with fast sample preparation

An enantioselective method was developed for the simultaneous detection of five chiral fungicides in soil, including fenbuconazole ( 1 ), tetraconazole ( 2 ), nuarimol ( 3 ), triticonazole ( 4 ), and simeconazole ( 5 ) by LC–MS/MS on a chiral stationary phase of cellulose tris‐(3‐chloro‐4‐methylphenylcarbamate) with a gradient elution. A new multifunctional filter was designed to simplify the QuEChERS (where QuEChERS is quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method by simultaneous cleanup and filtration when the sample extracts were directly passed through it. Good linearities (R² > 0.9980) were obtained in the range 0.005–2.5 mg/L, and the recovery rates were 77.4–103.6% with RSDs of 0.7–12.2% for intraday precision and 1.2–11.0% for interday precision. The LODs and LOQs for all enantiomers were in the range 0.1–0.2 and 0.25–0.5 μg/kg, respectively. The analysis of the incubated soil suggests that this method is reliable and practical for the stereoselective detection of chiral fungicides.     

固相萃取-气相色谱串固相萃取-气相色谱-串联质谱法测定水果中11种三唑类杀菌剂

建立了固相萃取-气相色谱-串联质谱同时测定水果中11种三唑类杀菌剂残留的方法。采用乙腈匀浆提取样品中的待测组分,经固相萃取法(SPE)净化,采用气相色谱-串联质谱在多反应监测(MRM)模式下进行测定,外标法定量。分别对水果样品进行4个水平(10、50、100、250 μg/kg)的加标回收试验,回收率为82.6%～117.1%,相对标准偏差小于10%,定量限(LOQ,以信噪比(S/N)为10计)为0.8～3.4 μg/kg。结果显示该方法的背景干扰低,灵敏度高,定量限低于国家标准及有关文献报道值,适合橘子等水果中三唑类杀菌剂的同时测定。     

Residues of four triazole fungicides in tobacco leaves under field condition and during curing

Residues of four triazole fungicides (triadimefon, myclobutanil, tebuconazole and difenoconazole) in tobacco leaves under field condition and during curing were investigated. Following extraction with acetonitrile, the samples were cleaned up by a Florisil solid phase extraction column, and then determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode. The average recoveries of the four triazole fungicides were found in the range of 82.7–97.3% with relative standard deviations of 1.1–4.6% in green and cured tobacco leaves. The residues of triadimefon, myclobutanil, tebuconazole and difenoconazole in Shandong, Sichuan, Yunnan, Liaoning and Jiangxi were found in the range of 0.02–0.32 mg/kg, 0.41–4.93 mg/kg, 0.37–9.84 mg/kg and 0.25–4.85 mg/kg in cured tobacco leaves when measured 14 days after the last application. The residue levels of the four triazole fungicides in most cured tobacco samples were lower than that in green tobacco samples, indicating that high temperature degradation surpassed dehydration concentration during the curing process.     

Residue analysis and kinetics modeling of thiophanate-methyl,carbendazim, tebuconazole and pyraclostrobin in apple tree bark using QuEChERS/HPLC–VWD

Winter is the key period for the control of apple diseases, and fungicides are needed to protect the trunk or main branches. Fungicide residue in apple tree bark is an important basis for the action of the pesticide, but there are no reports on analytical methods or dissipation patterns. In this work, thiophanate-methyl, carbendazim, tebuconazole and pyraclostrobin were selected as typical fungicides and a new QuEChERS–HPLC–VWD(QuEChERS extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography detection with a variable wavelength detector) analytical method was developed to estimate their residue kinetics in apple tree bark during the winter months. In the pretreatment step, the sorbent for the clean-up of extracts was optimized as 60 mg/ml primary secondary amine and a gradient-elution model followed by a variable wavelength detection was developed for instrumental analysis. Then this method was validated and applied to the analysis of apple tree bark samples with the linearity range of 0.010–50.00 mg/L, quantification limit range of 0.028–0.080 mg/kg and recovery range of 86.1–101.4%. The dissipation kinetics of thiophanate-methyl and pyraclostrobin could be described by the first-order and two-phase kinetics models, respectively. For carbendazim and tebuconazole, two new models were developed to describe their residue kinetics.     

Multiresidue determination of pyrethroid pesticide residues in pepper through a modified QuEChERS method and gas chromatography with electron capture detection

This study developed and used a modified quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method coupled with gas chromatography with electron capture detection to determine eight pyrethroid pesticide residues in green, red and dehydrated red peppers. Pyrethroids were extracted with acetonitrile, partitioned with sodium chloride and purified with primary secondary amino and graphitized carbon black in hexane. The QuEChERS extraction conditions were optimized, and the matrix effects that might influence recoveries were evaluated and minimized using matrix‐matched calibration curves. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves for pyrethroid pesticides showed good linearities in the concentration range of 0.05–20 µg/mL with determination coefficients (R²) >0.997. The limits of quantification of eight pyrethroids were 0.004–0.04 mg/kg for green and red pepper and 0.04–0.5 mg/kg for dehydrated red pepper. These values are below the suggested regulatory maximum residue limits. The mean recoveries ranged between 79.0 and 104%, and the relative standard deviations were <11%. The developed method was successfully applied to commercial samples. Some samples were found to contain pyrethroid pesticides with levels below the legal limits. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On-line preconcentration and chiral separation of propiconazole by cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A method for the chiral separation of propiconazole using cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography (CD-MEKC) with hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (HP-gamma-CD) as chiral selector is reported. The use of a mixture of 30 mM HP-gamma-CD, 50mM SDS, methanol-acetonitrile 10%:5% (v/v) in 25 mM phosphate buffer solution was able to separate two enantiomeric pairs of propiconazole. Stacking- and sweeping-CD-MEKC under neutral pH (pH 7) and under acidic condition (pH 3.0) were used as two on-line preconcentration methods to increase detection sensitivity of propiconazole. Good repeatabilities in the migration time, peak area and peak height were obtained in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD). A sensitivity enhancement factor of 100-fold was achieved using sweeping-CD-MEKC at acidic pH. This is the first report on the separation of two pairs of propiconazole enantiomers and all the enantiomers of fenbuconazole and tebuconazole using sweeping-CD-MEKC. The limit of detection (S/N=3) for the three triazole fungicides ranged from 0.09 to 0.1 microg/mL, which is well below the maximum residue limits (MRL) set by Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). Combination of solid-phase extraction (SPE) pretreatment and sweeping-CD-MEKC procedure was applied to the determination of selected triazole fungicides in grapes samples spiked at concentration 10-40 times lower than the MRL established by the CAC. The average recoveries of the selected fungicides in spiked grapes samples were good, ranging from 73% to 109% with RSD of 9-12% (n=3).