Analysis of 43 pesticide residues in vegetables using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Abstract

A method for the simultaneous analysis of 43 pesticide residues in vegetables by gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS) was developed and validated. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile, and then purified by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The detection of 43 pesticides was carried out by GC-QqQ-MS/MS in the multi-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using external standard method. The overall recoveries determined at three spiked levels of 10, 80 and 100 microg/kg were 62.2%-170.0%, which in the recoveries of 36 pesticides were 70.0%-120.0%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 18%. The limits of quantification (S/N > or =10) were 0.3-4.4 microg/kg. The method possesses low background and high sensitivity. It can be applied to the routine analysis of the 43 pesticides in vegetables.