Development of QuEChERS coupled with UHPLC–MS/MS for simultaneous determination of eight neonicotinoid pesticides in breast milk

Abstract

A speedy and hypersensitive method was built to detect eight neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) in breast milk by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The breast milk was extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile and water and purified with primary secondary amine (PSA) and C18. The recovery of the method ranged from 74.3 to 105.9% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 10%, and the limit of detection ranged from 0.05 to 0.18ng/mL. Among 32 samples obtained from women 1month postpartum, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid were the most frequently detected neonics. Moreover, thiacloprid and imidaclothiz were not detected in any samples. The concentrations of neonics in breast milk ranged from 1.90 to 149.95ng/mL. Considering the toxic effects on mammals and even humans, infants who are exposed to neonics through ingestion of breast milk should receive extensive attention in future studies.