Chapter 21 - Multiresidue methods for determination of pesticides and related contaminants in food by liquid chromatography

Abstract

In this chapter, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) pesticide multiresidue methods used since 2017 are reviewed. After an introduction, regulations and monitoring programs applied at the international level to ensure compliance with these regulations are discussed. Extraction methods are also revised, highlighting that the QuEChERS method (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), original or buffered approaches, is the most employed, and a dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) is commonly needed as clean-up stage. Then, LC–MS methods are reviewed. C18-based stationary phases are commonly used for pesticide separations, although other stationary phases are being employed for the separation of polar compounds. MS analysis, both low (LRMS)- and high (HRMS)-resolution methods, are discussed, being triple quadrupole and quadrupole–Orbitrap and quadrupole–time of flight the analyzers most employed. Methods for specific compounds are also discussed, and finally, new advances in multiresidue methods are cited such as 2D-LC, microfluidics-based chromatography, and ion mobility.