Monitoring pesticide residues in Egyptian fruits and vegetables in 1995.

Organophosphorus, dithiocarbamates, and some synthetic pyrethroids pesticides, which are commonly used in Egypt for pest control, were monitored, as well as persistent organochlorines, which had been prohibited from use several years ago. Fruit and vegetable samples (397) were collected from 8 local markets and examined for 52 pesticides. Of all analyzed samples, 42.8% contained detectable residues, of which 1.76% exceeded their maximum residue limits (MRLs). The rates of contamination with the different pesticides were 0-86%. However, violation rates among contaminated products were very low, ranging from 0 to 4.6%. In general, organochlorine pesticide residues were not detected in most samples. Dithiocarbamate residues were found in 70.4% of 98 samples analyzed for dithiocarbamates, but only one grape sample had residues exceeding the MRL established by the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues.     

Monitoring multi-class pesticide residues in fresh fruits and vegetables by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A new analytical method was developed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the routine analysis of 31 multi-class pesticide residues and applied to approximately 50 fresh fruit and vegetable samples (green bean, cucumber, pepper, tomato, eggplant, watermelon, melon and zucchini). Extraction of the pesticides with ethyl acetate was carried out. The optimal ionisation conditions were selected for each pesticide in the same run. The procedure was validated and the values of some merit figures, such as recovery, precision, linear range, detection limit and quantification limit for each pesticide were calculated together with its calculated expanded uncertainty (U). The average recoveries in cucumber obtained for each pesticide ranged between 74 and 105% at two different fortification levels (n = 10 each) that ranged between 9 and 250 ng g(-1) (depending on the pesticide). The uncertainty associated to the analytical method was lower than 23% for all compounds tested. The calculated limits of detection and quantitation were typically <1 ng g(-1) that were much lower than the maximum residue levels established by European legislation.     

气相色谱-质谱法测定蔬菜和水果中193种农药的残留量

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,建立了蔬菜和水果中193种农药残留的气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)检测方法。样品经乙腈均质提取,C₁₈/PSA固相萃取柱净化,乙腈洗脱,GC-MS选择离子监测(SIM)模式检测,以磷酸三苯酯内标法定量。结果表明,130种农药在10~1000 μg/L、34种农药在20~1000 μg/L、26种农药在50~1000 μg/L、3种农药在100~1000 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9967~1.0000,方法检出限(以信噪比为3计)为0.04~8.26 μg/kg,添加回收率为71.6%~117.9%,相对标准偏差为3.0%~11.8%。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,其灵敏度和选择性明显提高,适用于日常检测工作。     

QuEChERS-液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定果蔬中16种农药残留

建立了果蔬中吡虫啉、咪鲜胺、苯醚甲环唑、嘧菌酯、噻虫嗪等16种常见农药多残留的液相色谱-串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)分析方法。以乙腈为提取剂,样品经高速匀浆方法提取后,提取液采用液-液萃取静置分层,取上清液进行净化处理。比较了石墨化碳-氨基复合固相萃取与QuEChERS两种不同净化技术的净化效果,最终确定采用QuEChERS方法为净化手段。即提取液经装有150 mg N-丙基乙二胺(PSA)填料、900 mg无水硫酸镁的净化管净化,除去样品中大部分的色素及有机酸等干扰基质,再经LC-MS/MS分析,有效地降低了样品中的复杂基质所带来的背景干扰。加标水平为5、10、20 μg/kg时,16种农药的平均回收率为75%~111%,相对标准偏差小于16%。16种农药的检出限为0.2~5 μg/kg。采用LC-MS/MS定性分析、基质匹配标准曲线法定量分析,线性关系和回收率结果均令人满意。实验证明,建立的QuEChERS净化与LC-MS/MS相结合的检测方法具有快速、准确、灵敏度高等优点,能够准确测定果蔬中16种农药残留。     

SIM-GC-MS法快速检测蔬菜水果中23种有机磷农药残留

目前,高活性、低残留的有机磷农药仍然是病虫害防治的主要手段。欧盟、美国、日本均已立法制定了食品中有机磷农药含量的严格标准。因此,对农产品特别是新鲜蔬菜、瓜果实施有机磷农药残留检测,已成为社会各界共同关注的焦点。     

Analytical methods for estimation of organophosphorus pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables: A review

Use of pesticides has turned out to be an obligatory input to agriculture and public health. Versatile use of pesticides had resulted in contamination of all basic necessities of life, i.e. air, water and food. Among various pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), derivative of phosphoric acid, are the most extensively used insecticides or acaricides in many crops. Due to low persistency and high killing efficiency of OPPs, many agriculturalists regularly use this group of pesticides for various vegetables and fruits crops. The continuous use of pesticides has caused the deleterious effects to ecosystem. In response to this, a number of methods have been developed by several regulatory agencies and private laboratories and are applied routinely for the quantification and monitoring of multi pesticide residues in vegetables and crops. The present review pertains to various extraction and quantification procedures used world wide to analyze OPPs residues in various vegetables and fruits.     

气相色谱-四极杆飞行时间质谱准确鉴定常见水果蔬菜中的农药残留

建立了一种新型农药多残留检测方法。采用气相色谱-四极杆飞行时间质谱（GC-QTOF MS）结合Carbon NH₂柱固相萃取净化可对不同类别的152种农药残留进行准确的鉴定。一级（MS¹）精确质量数据库评价3~5个特征离子,以3个及以上特征离子检出且离子丰度比（Q/q_i）合适作为一级质谱定性依据。对部分特征离子数不足及特征离子检出情况不符合条件的农药进行二级（MS²）确证,应用二级谱图库检索及镜像结果对比分析实现疑似农药确证。本文对梨、甘蓝、番茄3种代表性果蔬在5.0和10.0 μg/kg 2个添加水平的152种农药进行测定,回收率在70%~120%范围的比例分别为甘蓝91.45 %、94.08%,番茄88.20%、88.80%,梨86.84%、92.10%。本方法为常见果蔬中农药残留的准确判断提供了可靠依据,扩大了分析范围。     

Optimization of headspace solid-phase microextraction for the determination of pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits.

A headspace solid-phase microextraction method has been developed for the determination of 8 pesticides in vegetables and fruits by using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. Two types of fibers (polyacrylate, 85 microm and polydimethylsiloxane, 100 microm) have been assayed and compared. The main factors: extraction and desorption parameters, ionic strength, and the effects of dilution and organic solvents, were studied and optimized. The optimized procedures resulted in more than 80% recovery for all the investigated vegetable and fruit samples with RSD values below 10%.     

Comparison of QuEChERS sample preparation methods for the analysis of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables

This article describes the comparison of different versions of an easy, rapid and low-cost sample preparation approach for the determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables by concurrent use of gas and liquid chromatography (GC and LC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) for detection. The sample preparation approach is known as QuEChERS, which stands for “quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe”. The three compared versions were based on the original unbuffered method, which was first published in 2003, and two interlaboratory validated versions: AOAC Official Method 2007.01, which uses acetate buffering, and European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Standard Method EN 15662, which calls for citrate buffering. LC–MS/MS and GC–MS analyses using each method were tested from 50 to 1000 ng/g in apple–blueberry sauce, peas and limes spiked with 32 representative pesticides. As expected, the results were excellent (overall average of 98% recoveries with 10% RSD) using all 3 versions, except the unbuffered method gave somewhat lower recoveries for the few pH-dependent pesticides. The different methods worked equally well for all matrices tested with equivalent amounts of matrix co-extractives measured, matrix effects on quantification and chemical noise from matrix in the chromatographic backgrounds. The acetate-buffered version gave higher and more consistent recoveries for pymetrozine than the other versions in all 3 matrices and for thiabendazole in limes. None of the versions consistently worked well for chlorothalonil, folpet or tolylfluanid in peas, but the acetate-buffered method gave better results for screening of those pesticides. Also, due to the recent shortage in acetonitrile (MeCN), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) was evaluated as a substitute solvent in the acetate-buffered QuEChERS version, but it generally led to less clean extracts and lower recoveries of pymetrozine, thiabendazole, acephate, methamidophos, omethoate and dimethoate. In summary, the acetate-buffered version of QuEChERS using MeCN exhibited advantages compared to the other tested methods in the study.     

液相色谱法检测水果蔬菜中的烟碱类农药残留

建立了果蔬样品中5种烟碱类农药(噻虫嗪、吡虫啉、啶虫脒、噻虫啉、噻虫胺)残留的液相色谱快速检测方法。样品采用乙腈提取,浓缩,水转溶后经ENVI-18固相萃取柱净化,0.02 mol/L NaOH预淋洗除去柱上中等极性干扰物,100%乙腈1 mL洗脱5种烟碱类残留,反相高效液相色谱-二极管阵列检测器检测。在黄瓜空白基质中0.1~1.0 mg/kg的加标浓度范围内,5种农药的回收率为50.8%~108.9%,相对标准偏差(RSD)小于15%;而苹果、梨、香蕉、西红柿和韭菜空白基质在0.1~1.0 mg/kg添加水平下,5种农药的回收率均大于80%,RSD小于11%。所测试的6种果蔬样品中噻虫嗪、噻虫胺、吡虫啉的检出限(LOD)为0.01~0.02 mg/kg,啶虫咪和噻虫啉的LOD为0.03~0.05 mg/kg,方法可满足水果蔬菜中烟碱类农药多残留分析的要求。     

气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱法快速测定蔬菜水果中129种农药的残留量

采用QuEChERS方法结合气相色谱-串联质谱法(GC-MS/MS)建立了蔬菜、水果中129种农药残留同时检测的分析方法。试样用1%乙酸乙腈均质提取,采用混合型固相分散萃取剂净化后,用GC-MS/MS在多反应离子监测(MRM)模式下进行检测,外标法定量。结果表明,129种药物在一定的含量范围内线性关系良好,相关系数(r2)均大于0.98;不同基质在10 μg/kg添加水平下大部分农药的平均回收率为66.2%～124.7%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.9%～24.4%;方法的定量限(LOQ)为0.03～16.7 μg/kg。结果表明,该方法简便快速、灵敏可靠、经济有效,适用于蔬菜、水果中农药多残留的同时快速筛查测定。     

Suitability of an orbitrap mass spectrometer for the screening of pesticide residues in extracts of fruits and vegetables

For about 500 pesticides, the sensitivity of a benchtop high-resolution mass spectrometer using the Orbitrap for mass separation was compared to that of a widely used (low-resolution) tandem mass spectrometer. Both instruments were coupled to LC and used electrospray ionization. The selectivity of the Orbitrap in the full-scan acquisition mode without fragmentation was evaluated at a resolution of 100 000 full width at half maximum for all pesticides detectable with sufficient sensitivity. For this purpose, quasimolecular ions were extracted within 5 ppm windows from total ion chromatograms of two types of extracts of cucumber, lemon, wheat flour, raisin, and tea. In each of the obtained reconstructed ion chromatograms (individual chromatograms for 500 pesticides, each pesticide in 10 different extracts) the sum of signals not arising from the analyte was used to get a measure on selectivity. In addition, the target analyte list was checked for ions of similar mass. The influence of matrix on the ability to detect low concentrations of fortified pesticides was also studied, with the help of spiked extracts. This part of the survey tested whether analyte peaks were lost because of insufficient mass resolution or an early closing C-Trap (used to control the ion current into the Orbitrap). Finally, the stability of the ion ratio [M+H]+/[M+Na]+ was tested, which may be helpful to confirm the identity of an analyte.     

Benefits and pitfalls of the application of screening methods for the analysis of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables

The goal of this study was to expand knowledge on the performance of screening methods based on accurate mass measurements using a liquid chromatography electrospray quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS) system operating in full scan mode and with automatic identification based on the use accurate-mass databases. The study involved the analysis of 97 pesticides, in five matrices (tomato, pepper, zucchini, orange and leek) and at three concentration levels (20, 50 and 100 μg kg(-1)). Aspects concerning optimization of the search parameters, sensitivity, matrix effects, efficiency of the algorithm search, usefulness of fragment ions, etc., are evaluated in deep. Sensitivity requirements have been identified as the main obstacle affecting the automatic identification of pesticides, especially in complex matrices, where the ionization suppression reduces the detectability of analytes. In addition, we have detected some failures in the software used for automatic data processing in terms of analysis of isobaric compounds, use of isotopic clusters, spectral deconvolution and data processing speed that hamper the correct identification in some pesticide/matrix combinations. These drawbacks should be improved in the future for its effective implementation in routine residue analysis.     

Analysis of herbicide residues in cereals, fruits and vegetables

The determination of herbicide residues in cereals, fruits and vegetables by chromatographic methods is reviewed. The principal chemical groups of herbicides, like phenoxyacids, benzonitriles, ureas, triazines, dinitroanilines, chloroacetamides, carbamates, uracils, glyphosate and bipyridylium compounds, are considered. This review briefly provides some basic information on food sample extraction, clean-up, derivatization and determination of herbicide residues.     

Analysis of pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables, and milk by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

A method for detection, quantitation, and confirmation of more than 100 pesticides by gas chromatography (GC) with ion trap mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been developed. The sensitivity of this method for many analytes is equal to or lower than those of selective GC detectors such as flame photometric detectors and electrolytic conductivity detectors. Using MS/MS, very low detection limits and good confirmation (1 precursor ion and 2 or more product ions) are achieved simultaneously. The entire list of pesticides is screened with 2 injections per sample. Samples are introduced onto the column by a temperature-programmed cold injection to maximize response. Each pesticide is run with its own unique set of parameters, which fragment the compound, retaining only the precursor ion. This ion is then refragmented to create a product spectrum. The selectivity of MS/MS gives a very clean spectrum, making compound identification and confirmation clear, even with a relatively dirty food matrix. If care is taken to maintain the injection port and guard column, this method can reliably identify and confirm more than 100 pesticides at the low parts-per-billion range.     

Determination of pyrethroid pesticide residues in processed fruits and vegetables by gas chromatography with electron capture and mass spectrometric detection

A gas chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 12 pyrethroids (tefluthrin, bifenthrin, fenpropathrin, cyhalothrin, permethrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, flucythrinate, fenvalerate, fluvalinate, and deltamethrin) in tomato puree, peach nectar, orange juice, and canned peas. A miniaturized extraction-partition procedure requiring small amounts of nonchlorinated solvents is used. Samples are extracted with acetone, partitioned with ethyl acetate-cyclohexane (50 + 50, v/v), and cleaned up on a Florisil cartridge. The final extract is analyzed by gas chromatography with both electron capture and mass spectrometric detection modes. Studies at fortification levels of 0.010-0.100 mg/kg gave mean recoveries ranging from 70.2 to 96.0% and coefficients of variation between 4.0 and 13.9% for all compounds. Quantitation limits were < 0.010 mg/kg for electron capture detection.     

Fast, low-pressure gas chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of 150 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables

We developed and evaluated a new method of low-pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LP-GC/MS-MS) using a triple quadrupole instrument for fast analysis of 150 relevant pesticides in four representative fruits and vegetables. This LP-GC (vacuum outlet) approach entails coupling a 10 m, 0.53 mm i.d., 1 μm film analytical column between the MS transfer line and a 3 m, 0.15 mm i.d. capillary at the inlet. The MS creates a vacuum in the 10 m analytical column, which reduces the viscosity of the He carrier gas and thereby shifts the optimal flow rate to greater velocity. By taking advantage of the H(2)-like properties of He under vacuum, the short analytical column, a rapid oven temperature ramp rate, and the high selectivity and sensitivity of MS/MS, 150 pesticides were separated in <6.5 min. The 2.5 ms dwell time and 1 ms interscan delay of the MS/MS instrument were critical for achieving >8 data points across the 2-3 s wide peaks. To keep dwell and cycle times constant across all peaks, each segment consisted of 30 analytes (60 transitions). For assessment, we injected extracts of spiked broccoli, cantaloupe, lemon, and sweet potato from the updated QuEChERS sample preparation method. Average recoveries (n=72) were 70-120% for 144 of the pesticides, and reproducibilities were <20% RSD for all but 4 analytes. Also, detection limits were <5 ng/g for all but a few pesticides, depending on the matrix. In addition to high quality performance, the method gave excellent reliability and high sample throughput, including easy peak integration to obtain rapid results.     

固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定果蔬中6种酰胺类农药残留量

建立了同时测定果蔬中6种酰胺类农药的固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(SPE-UPLC-MS/MS)方法。样品经乙腈高速匀浆提取、Florisil固相萃取柱净化,采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定6种农药。质谱分析采用电喷雾电离,正负双离子扫描,多反应监测(MRM)模式。结果表明:6种农药在0.0005~1.00 mg/L范围内均呈现良好的线性关系,相关系数均大于0.999;在0.01、0.1和1.0 mg/kg(氟苯虫酰胺为0.001、0.01和0.1 mg/kg) 3个浓度添加水平下的平均回收率为72.4%~119.4%,相对标准偏差(n=5)小于15%;定量限为0.01 mg/kg(溴氰虫酰胺、双炔酰菌胺、啶酰菌胺、氟吡菌胺和噻呋酰胺)和0.001 mg/kg(氟苯虫酰胺)。该方法简单、快速、重现性好、灵敏度高,可满足果蔬中6种酰胺类农药残留检测的要求。     

Rapid simultaneous screening and identification of multiple pesticide residues in vegetables

A method for the rapid simultaneous screening and identification of multiple pesticide residues in vegetables was established using a novel database and gas chromatography in combination with hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–QTOF MS). A total of 187 pesticides with different chemical species were measured by GC–QTOF MS to create the database, which collected the retention time and exact masses of ions from the first-stage mass spectrum (MS¹ spectrum) and second-stage mass spectrum (MS² spectrum) for each pesticide. The workflow of the created database consisted of “MS¹ screening” for possible pesticides by chemical formula match and “MS² identification” for structural confirmation of product ion by accurate mass measurement. To evaluate the applicability of the database, a spinach matrix was prepared by solid phase extraction, spiked with a mixture of 50 pesticides at seven concentrations between 0.1 and 10 ppb, and analyzed by GC–QTOF MS. It was found that all of the 50 pesticides with concentrations as low as 5 ppb were detected in the “MS¹ screening” step and accurate masses were identified with errors less than 2.5 mDa in the “MS² identification” step, indicating high sensitivity, accuracy, selectivity and specificity. Finally, to validate the applicability, the new method was applied to four fresh celery, rape, scallion and spinach vegetables from a local market. As a result, a total of 13 pesticides were found, with 11 in celery, 9 in rape, 3 in scallion and 2 in spinach. In conclusion, GC–QTOF MS combined with an exact mass database is one of the most efficient tools for the analysis of pesticide residues in vegetables.     

Multi-residue pesticide analysis in fruits and vegetables by liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In this work, a new multi-residue methodology using liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) for the quantitative (routine) analysis of 15 pesticide residues has been developed. The analytical performance of the method was evaluated for different types of fruit and vegetables: pepper, broccoli, tomato, orange, lemon, apple and melon. The accurate mass measurements were compared in different matrices at significantly different concentration levels (from 0.01 to 0.5 mg/kg) obtaining accuracy errors lower than 2 ppm, which is well within the accepted limits for elemental confirmation. Linearity of response over two orders of magnitude was demonstrated (r > 0.99). Matrix effects resulting in suppression or enhancement of the response were frequently observed, most notably in broccoli and citrus. Instrumental limits of detection (LOD) were between 0.0005 and 0.03 mg/kg depending on the commodity and pesticide studied, all being within European Union regulations for food monitoring program. Finally, the methodology was applied to the analysis of two samples from an inter-laboratory exercise. The high degree of confirmation for target pesticides by accurate mass measurements demonstrated the applicability of the method in routine analysis. This study is a valuable indicator of the potential of LC-TOF-MS for quantitative multi-residue analysis of pesticides in vegetables and fruits.