Abstract
In mass spectrometry, the type and design of ionization source play a key role on the performance of a given instrument. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to evaluate newly developed sources for their suitability to analyze food contaminants like pesticide residues. Here, we carried out a head-to-head comparison of key extraction and analytical performance parameters of an electrospray ionization (ESI) source with a new atmospheric pressure ionization source, UniSpray (US). The two interfaces were evaluated in three matrices of different properties (coffee, apple, and water) to determine if multiresidue analysis of 81 pesticides by QuEChERS extraction and LC-MS/MS analysis could be improved. Depending on the matrix and irrespective of the chemical class, US provided a tremendous gain in signal intensity (22- to 32-fold in peak area, 6- to 7-fold in peak height), a threefold to fourfold increase in signal-to-noise ratio, a mild gain in the range of compounds that can be quantified, and up to twofold improvement of recovery. UniSpray offered comparable linearity and precision of the analyses with ESI, and did not affect the ion ratio. A gain in sensitivity of many compounds was observed with US, but in general, the two ionization interfaces did not show significant difference in LOD and LOQ. UniSpray suffered less signal suppression; the matrix effect was in average 3 to 4 times more pronounced, but showed better values than ESI. With no effect on recovery efficiency, US improved the overall process efficiency 3 to 4 times more than ESI.Graphical abstract
Highlights
To gather surveillance data from the occurrence and background levels of both recognized and newly identifiedElectronic supplementary material The online version of this article contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UKDepartment of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumDepartment of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Université des Montagnes, P.O
Among the various techniques of analysis of pesticide residues in water and food items, liquid chromatography (LC) coupled by an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source to tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) detection is the technique of choice, because it offers high throughput, selectivity, and sensitivity as well as its suitability for a wide range of compounds in various sample matrices [2,3,4]
This work reports the first results of pesticide residue analysis with UniSpray, a novel API source for LC-MS, in comparison with electrospray ionization (ESI), for 81 active ingredients of diverse pesticide classes and physicochemical properties, and in three different matrices, apple, coffee, and water
Summary
To analyze compounds like pesticide residues in foods and beverages, there is a constant need for more precise and accurate methods and instruments. The ability to quantitatively determine trace levels of residues in samples is essential to monitor and preserve consumer’s health in a precise and more effective way. Among the various techniques of analysis of pesticide residues in water and food items, liquid chromatography (LC) coupled by an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source to tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) detection is the technique of choice, because it offers high throughput, selectivity, and sensitivity as well as its suitability for a wide range of compounds in various sample matrices [2,3,4]. It has been observed that the type and the design of an ionization source can have a significant influence on the performances of a bioanalytical method like LC-MS/
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