Development of a multi-residue method for the determination of pesticides in cereals and dry animal feed using gas chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry II. Improvement and extension to new analytes

This paper describes the extension and re-validation of a previously published multi-residue method to currently 140 pesticides and 4 pesticide degradation products in cereals and feedingstuffs. The pesticides were extracted using buffered QuEChERS ("quick, easy, cheap, rugged, effective and safe") method and then cleaned up using dispersive solid-phase extraction with Bondesil PSA and C18 sorbents, and optionally by a freezing-out clean-up step. The final extracts were analyzed in a single injection gas chromatographic-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometric (GC-MS/MS) acquisition method. A high degree of confidence was achieved by entering two multiple reaction monitoring transitions per compound. In this way, quantification of analytical results and unequivocal identification of pesticide residues in compliance with the recent European Union criteria could be done in a single analysis. Thorough optimization of the GC-MS/MS acquisition conditions and application of an effective clean-up procedure has resulted in a remarkable enhancement of the validation parameters. The linearity of the calibration curves was excellent in matrix-matched standards, and yielded the coefficients of determination (R(2))> or =0.99 for approximately 96% of the target analytes. Average recoveries of the pesticides spiked at 0.01mgkg(-1) into a feed mixture and wheat grain were in the range 70-120% with associated RSD values < or =20% for approximately 60% and 67% of the compounds, respectively. At the higher spiking levels of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5mgkg(-1) average recoveries and RSDs readily met the validation criteria for nearly all the studied pesticides. Based on these results, the proposed approach has been proven to be highly efficient and suitable for routine determinations of multi-class pesticides in a range of cereal and related matrices. Up to now, 145 samples of matrices of differing complexity including cereals grain, bran, whole ears, straw, hay, feed mixtures and other samples such as malt, starch and dry vegetables have been analyzed. A total of 15 different pesticides have been detected, among which pirimiphos methyl (19 cases), deltamethrin (14 cases), tolylfluanid (5 cases), dichlofluanid (5 cases), and tebuconazole (4 cases) were the most frequently encountered ones.     

Development of a screening method for the determination of PCBs in water using QuEChERS extraction and gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A new method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of 11 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in water samples at trace levels by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS). Water samples were extracted by the QuEChERS (Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged and Safe) method. The QqQ analyzer acquired data in multiple reactions monitoring (MRM), permitting both quantification and confirmation in a single injection with a running time reduced up to 11.0 min. The effect of matrix interferences in extracts on analyte quantification and the identification of PCBs in water samples was deeply studied. The results showed that PCBs were prone to strong matrix interactions in water samples, and the quantification and identification of PCBs were highly affected by a matrix enhancement effect. To evaluate the performance of the method, validation experiments were carried out on water samples at three spiking levels (1.6, 8.0, 40.0 μg L(-1)). Recovery was in the range of 95 - 109% at 1.6 μg L(-1), 90 - 95% at 8.0 μg L(-1) and 97 - 102% at 40.0 μg L(-1), respectively. Precision values expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) were lower than 15%. Linearity in the range of 0.5 - 50.0 μg L(-1) provided determination coefficients (R(2)) higher than 0.999 for all compounds. The limits of detection (LODs) for PCBs were ≤0.1 μg L(-1) and the limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.04 to 0.3 μg L(-1). The applicability of the proposed method to detect and quantify PCBs has been demonstrated in analyse of 15 real samples.     

Comparative study of pesticide multi-residue extraction in tobacco for gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Coacervates made of surfactant aggregates, namely aqueous and reverse micelles and vesicles, were firstly used as solvents in single-drop microextraction (SDME) and proposed for the extraction and concentration of chlorophenols prior to liquid chromatography. The formation of coacervate drops in the needle tip of conventional microsyringes depended on the type of intermolecular forces established between the surfactant headgroups making up the supramolecular aggregates; hydrogen bond interactions were strong enough to permit the formation of spherical drops. Stability of 1-50 microL coacervate drops was achieved by introducing the microsyringe needle tip in a PTFE rod, the end of which had been machined out with a heated flanging-tool to get circular flanges (diameters in the range 3.5-6 mm). The parameters affecting the efficiency of single-drop coacervative microextraction (SDCME) were investigated using vesicular coacervates as a solvent and 2-chlorophenol (CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) as model analytes. Coacervative microextraction dynamics fit to the general rate equation of liquid-liquid extraction. The effect of variables such as extraction time, drop volume, stirring rate, pH and temperature, on the extraction of chlorophenols was similar to that described for organic solvent drops. Electrolyte concentrations above 0.1 M caused drop instability. Under the optimum conditions, detection limits were in the range 0.1-0.3 microg L(-1). The relative standard deviation was between 4.3 and 5.6 at 20 microg L(-1) spiked level. The method was applied to the determination of the four chlorophenols in wastewater, superficial water from a reservoir and groundwater and the recoveries were in the range 79 and 106% at 5-20 microg L(-1) spiked level.     

液相色谱-三重串联四极杆质谱测定粮油中的黄曲霉毒素

建立了超声提取-液相色谱-电喷雾三重串联四极杆质谱测定玉米、大米、大豆等粮油固体样品中黄曲霉毒素B1、B2、G1和G2(AFB1、AFB2、AFG1和AFG2)的方法。分析前对样品进行超声提取,优化得到最佳超声提取条件: 溶剂为甲醇-水(含40 g/L NaCl) (80:20, v/v)溶液、料液比为1:3(g:mL)、温度为50 ℃、时间为3 min。然后对提取的样品进行免疫亲和特异性净化。最后与液相色谱-电喷雾三重串联四极杆质谱联用,使用C18反相色谱柱,流动相为甲醇-10 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液梯度洗脱,以黄曲霉毒素M1(AFM1)作为内标进行定量测定。结果表明,AFB1、AFB2、AFG1和AFG2的检出限分别为0.002、0.004、0.004和0.012 μg/kg。方法的加标回收率为87%～111%,日内相对标准偏差(RSD)和日间RSD分别不大于6.7%和5.6%。实验结果表明该方法可以有效地降低基质效应的影响,相比于外标法能极大地提高方法的准确度。     

Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in animal liver by gas chromatography using triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

Two methods for extracting organochlorine (OCs) and organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides from animal liver have been developed. The determination was carried out by gas chromatography with electron impact ionization tandem mass spectrometry (GC-(EI-)MS/MS) using a triple quadrupole (QqQ) analyzer. First, a liquid-solid extraction performed with a high-speed homogenizer (Polytron) using ethyl acetate as solvent, and a subsequent clean-up by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was applied, determining 34 pesticides. Secondly, a matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction with octadecylsilyl (C(18)) sorbent combined with a Florisil clean-up and ethyl acetate elution was performed, analyzing 25 compounds. These methodologies have been tested and compared in the sample pre-treatment due to the fatty nature of the matrix. The GPC method was finally selected and validated, yielding recoveries in the range 70-115%, with precision values expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) lower or equal to 20%, at the spiking levels of 25 and 50 microg kg(-1), and limits of quantification (LOQs) lower than the maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by the European Union in animal products, except for isofenphos. Linearity was also studied ranging between 5 and 300 microg kg(-1) for most of pesticides. This method was applied to the analysis of real liver samples of chicken, pork and lamb.     

A multi-residue method for the determination of 203 pesticides in rice paddies using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

This work reports a rapid, specific and sensitive multi-residue method based on the Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation method and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection in the selected ion monitoring mode (GC-MS-SIM) using one quantification ion and two identification ions for the routine analysis of 203 pesticides in rice paddies. Analyses of fortified rice paddy samples were performed at different levels (0.05, 0.20 and 0.50 mg kg⁻¹). Mean recoveries from five replicates ranged from 75% to 115%, with coefficients of variation lower than 17%. The limit of quantification was in the range of 0.002-0.05 mg kg⁻¹ for the pesticides. 1040 rice paddy samples were analyzed for method application.     

A multi-residue screening method for the determination of 73 pesticides and metabolites in fruit and vegetables using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A multi-residue screening method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of 73 pesticides and their metabolites using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. These pesticides were determined under a single set of experimental conditions involving a simple acetonitrile extraction without the requirement for a clean-up step. Validation was achieved at 0.01 and 0.1 mg kg(-1) levels in apple, lettuce and orange. Recoveries were in the range 77-124% for the majority of pesticides.     

Application of gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry to the multi-residue analysis of pesticides in green leafy vegetables

A new, sensitive and specific method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 129 pesticides in lettuce and other green leafy vegetables. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and co-extractives such as fatty acids and pigments were removed using dispersive solid-phase extraction (dispersive-SPE) with primary secondary amine (PSA) and graphitized carbon black (GCB). All pesticides were analyzed in a single injection gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) acquisition method. Two multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions of precursor ions fragmenting into product ions were recorded for the targeted pesticides, thus fulfilling the EU identification points system criteria for the identification of contaminants (2002/657/EC). Calibration curves were determined using matrix-matched standards, and exhibited excellent linearity at two orders of magnitude from 0.005 to 0.5 mg/kg for almost all the pesticides studied (R(2) > or = 0.99). The analytical performance was demonstrated by the analysis of lettuce samples spiked at five concentration levels ranging from 0.005 to 0.5 mg/kg for each pesticide. The recovery and repeatability results satisfied SANCO/2007/3131 criteria (i.e. average recoveries were in the range 70-120% with RSDs < or =20%) for 114 of the 129 pesticides at the 0.005 mg/kg spiking level, and for almost all pesticides at the higher spiking levels. The methodology was applied successfully to identify and quantify pesticide residues in leafy vegetable samples such as lettuce, cabbage and leek.     

Qualitative screening and quantitative determination of pesticides and contaminants in animal feed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the target analysis of over 100 pesticides and contaminants in a complex feed matrix. The method is based on extraction with ethyl acetate, cleanup by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and dispersive solid-phase extraction (SPE) with primary secondary amine phase (PSA), and analysis by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with full scan time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection (GC x GC-TOF-MS). Parameters studied during method development included a dispersive SPE cleanup step after GPC, large volume injection into the GC system and the GC x GC separation. Qualitative and quantitative performance of the GC x GC system was evaluated by analyzing spiked extracts in the range equivalent to 1-100 microg/kg in feed. At levels of 50 microg/kg and higher, all compounds targeted for could be identified fully automatically by the software based on their mass spectra. At lower levels the hit rate decreased with the concentration. System linearity was excellent in solvent and only slightly affected by matrix (correlation coefficients r>or=0.995 for 90% of the compounds). Limits of quantification were in the 1-20 microg/kg range for most compounds. The overall method was validated for 106 compounds at the 10 and 100 microg/kg level. Recoveries between 70% and 110% and RSDs below 20% were obtained for the majority of the compounds.     

Development of a new QuEChERS method based on dry ice for the determination of 168 pesticides in paprika using tandem mass spectrometry

This study describes a new QuEChERS method referred to as the dry ice-partitioning QuEChERS method. This current method can be differentiated from the other QuEChERS methods in the sense that it uses dry ice rather than salts or buffers to extract and partition pesticides in the first extraction step. The dry ice-partitioning QuEChERS method consists of extraction method A (for detection of the acetonitrile layer) and extraction method B (for detection of both acetonitrile and aqueous layers). The extraction efficiency was then compared with the citrate-buffering QuEChERS method by means of recovery. Recovery values of the tested 168 pesticides were above 76%, with relative standard deviations of less than 20%. Certain problematic pesticides, including benfuracarb, carbosulfan, dichlofluanid, probenazole, pymetrozine, tolylfluanid, TFNA, and TFNG evidenced acceptable recoveries via the dry ice-partitioning QuEChERS method compared to the less than 70% recoveries of the citrate-buffering QuEChERS method examined herein. The matrix effect of paprika on the method developed herein was not significant, and matrix-matched calibration was performed well, with an r(2)≥0.99. The dry ice-partitioning QuEChERS method is capable of detecting the aqueous layer as well as the acetonitrile layer; this interesting feature makes it worth in application as an alternative QuEChERS method for the multiresidue analysis of pesticides within a broad polarity range in various matrices.     

气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱结合QuEChERS测定三七中有机磷农药残留

建立了改良的QuEChERS样品前处理法,结合气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)同时测定三七中18种有机磷农药残留的方法。样品经1%乙酸-乙腈提取,改良QuEChERS技术净化,利用GC-MS/MS采取多反应离子监测模式测定,基质匹配校准曲线外标法定量。18种有机磷农药残留在2.5~120.0μg/kg范围内线性良好,相关系数(R2)大于0.99;检出限为0.4~1.5μg/kg,定量限为0.8~2.5μg/kg。在3个加标水平(2.5,8.0,60.0μg/kg)下平均回收率为70.5%~118.9%,相对标准偏差为1.0%~9.8%。     

Determination of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in food and feed using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A method was developed on a gas chromatograph coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer(GC-MS/MS) for trace level determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans(PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls(DL-PCBs) in food and feed. The results demonstrated good sensitivity and repeatability for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs at an extremely low level(10 pg mL~(-1) for 2,3,7,8-TCDD/F), as well as wide linear response of over 3 or 4 orders of magnitude in concentration ranges; 0.5–200 ng mL~(-1) for PeCDD/F and 0.2–2000 ng mL~(-1) for DL-PCBs. The method detection limits for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were in the range from 0.018–0.17 pg g~(-1) to 0.13–0.36 pg g~(-1), respectively. The performance of the GC-MS/MS for food and feed sample analysis showed high precision and accuracy compared to the high resolution gas chromatograph/high resolution mass spectrometer. The results indicated the feasibility of GC-MS/MS as a confirmatory method for the measurement of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in food and feed as required by European Union legislation.     

A fast, comprehensive screening method for doping agents in urine by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

The use of performance enhancing drugs in sports is prohibited. For the detection of misuse of such substances gas chromatography or liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry are the most frequently used detection techniques. In this work the development and validation of a fast gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method for the detection of a wide range of doping agents is described. The method can determine 13 endogenous steroids (the steroid profile), 19-norandrosterone, salbutamol and 11-nor-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol.9carboxylic acid in the applicable ranges and to detect qualitatively over 140 substances in accordance with the minimum required performance levels of the World Anti-Doping Agency in 1ml of urine. The classes of substances included in the method are anabolic steroids, β2-agonists, stimulants, narcotics, hormone antagonists and modulators and beta-blockers. Moreover, using a short capillary column and hydrogen as a carrier gas the run time of the method is less than 8min.     

气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱法同时测定纺织品中11种挥发性全氟化合物前体物

以甲醇为提取溶剂,超声辅助提取纺织品中的全氟化合物前体物,建立了一种气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱(GC-MS/MS)法同时测定纺织品中11种挥发性全氟化合物前体物:4种氟调聚物醇(FTOHs)、3种氟调聚丙烯酸酯(FTAs)、2种全氟辛基磺酰胺(FOSAs)和2种全氟辛基磺酰胺乙醇(FOSEs).考察了超声提取溶剂、提取温...     

气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱法同时测定生脉饮中17种邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的残留量

建立了气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱（GC-QQQ MS）同时测定生脉饮中17种邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物（PAE）残留量的方法。样品经正己烷振摇提取后进行检测。采用Agilent HP-5MS毛细管色谱柱（30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm）在程序升温条件下进行色谱分离;质谱以电子轰击（EI）为电离方式,采用多反应监测（MRM）模式进行监测。实验结果表明：17种PAE在0.5~20 mg/L范围内呈线性关系,r均大于0.99;平均加标回收率除邻苯二甲酸二甲酯（DMP）为51.9%、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯（DEP）为77.2%外,其余15种为91.8%~117.2%,RSD（n=6）为0.5%~5.4%。该方法操作简便,准确可靠,灵敏度高,专属性强,可用于生脉饮中邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物残留量的检测,以控制生脉饮的用药安全。     

气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱法快速检测鸡蛋中氟虫腈及其代谢物

建立了QuEChERS前处理技术结合气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱（GC-MS/MS）分析鸡蛋中氟虫腈及其代谢物的快速检测方法。样品由乙腈提取,然后经150 mg MgSO₄脱水和50 mg N-丙基乙二胺（PSA）、50 mg C18净化,采用农药残留专用柱（TR-Pesticide Ⅱ）进行气相色谱分离,以定时反应监测（timed-SRM）模式进行检测,基质曲线外标法定量。结果表明,氟虫腈及其代谢物在1.0~200 μg/L范围内呈良好线性,线性相关系数（R²）均大于0.999,定量限为0.5~1.0 μg/kg;氟虫腈及其代谢物在3个添加水平（2、5和10 μg/kg）下的加标回收率为87.8%~111.5%,相对标准偏差（RSD,n=3）为2.0%~9.2%,该方法能满足欧盟规定的鸡蛋中氟虫腈及其代谢物的残留检测限量要求。     

气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱法测定蔓越橘提取物中的88种农药残留

采用改进的快速,简单、便宜、有效、稳定和可靠的前处理方法(quick,easy,cheap,effective,rugged,safe,即QuEChERS法),结合气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)检测技术,建立了蔓越橘提取物中88种农药残留的分析方法.样品由含1％乙酸的丙酮-正己烷(1∶1,v/v)溶剂...     

气相色谱/三重四极杆串联质谱法测定牛奶及奶粉中213种农药多残留

在系统优化固相萃取吸附剂填料类型、洗脱溶剂种类及体积的基础上,建立了牛奶和奶粉中213种农药残留的气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)方法。试样用乙腈均质提取,采用石墨化炭黑/氨基柱(ENVI-Carb/NH₂)净化后,用GC-MS/MS多反应离子监测(MRM)模式进行检测,外标法定量。结果表明,197种农药在10~1000 μ g/L,16种农药在50~1000 μ g/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.99,方法的检出限(S/N=3)为0.03~7.59 μ g/kg,定量限(S/N=10)为0.10~21.94 μ g/kg,平均添加回收率为66.9%~120.1%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.23%~17.6%。该方法样品处理简单快速,相比其他多残留分析方法净化效果好,灵敏度和选择性高,适用于日常检测工作。     

Development of a multi-residue method for the determination of organic micropollutants in water, sediment and mussels using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This study describes the development of a multiresidue method based on gas chromatography-electron ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS/MS) for the detection of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), five phthalate esters (PEs), seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), six polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), six alkylphenols (APs), three organochlorined pesticides and their isomers or degradation products (OCPs) and bisphenol A in seawater, river water, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents, sediments and mussels. Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for the extraction of target analytes in aqueous samples, and ultrasound assisted extraction for solid samples. GC-EI-MS/MS acquisition conditions in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) using two transitions per compound were optimized. In this way, quantification and unequivocal identification of organic micropollutants were performed in compliance with the Decision 2002/657/EC. Good linearity responses with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99 were obtained. Methodological detection limits (MDLs) in seawater ranged from 0.1 to 6 ng L(-1); in river water from 0.1 to 4.8 ng L(-1); in WWTP effluents from 1 to 75 ng L(-1); in sediments from 1 to 150 ng g(-1) and in mussels from 1 to 125 ng g(-1). MDLs and recovery yields were compared with other published methods and similarities or even improvements were achieved. The optimized method was applied to analyze five samples from each matrix collected in coastal areas, showing its potential use for marine pollution monitoring.     

气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱法测定白芍中99种农药残留

采用固相萃取技术(SPE)结合气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱(GC-MS/MS)建立了白芍中99种农药同时检测的分析方法。试样用乙酸乙酯提取,采用氨基固相萃取柱净化后,在GC-MS/MS多反应监测(MRM)模式下进行检测,基质匹配标准曲线内标法定量。结果表明,99种农药在0.001~0.25 mg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数(r²)大于0.99,方法定量限为0.001~0.050 mg/kg。加标水平为0.05、0.10和0.20 mg/kg时,99种农药的平均回收率为66.7%~128.0%,相对标准偏差(RSD, n=6)小于18.3%。对市售的13批样品进行测定,其中4批样品中检出微量的毒死蜱和p,p'-滴滴伊。实验证明,建立的SPE净化和GC-QqQ-MS相结合的检测方法具有准确可靠、灵敏度高等优点,适用于白芍中多农药残留的同时筛查测定。