Dilution of QuEChERS Extracts Without Cleanup Improves Results in the UHPLC-MS/MS Multiresidue Analysis of Pesticides in Tomato

Fabiane M Stringhini,Renato Zanella,Lucila C Ribeiro,Juliana D De B Kuntz,Martha B Adaime,Graziela I Rocha,Osmar D Prestes

doi:10.1007/s12161-020-01921-1

Abstract

AbstractTomato is well-known to be one of the most cultivated and consumed vegetables worldwide and frequently contain pesticide residues. Therefore, a simple multiresidue method was established and validated to determine 129 pesticides and metabolites in tomato samples using a modified acetate QuEChERS without cleanup for sample preparation and determination by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Dilution of the raw extract in different proportions of mobile phase was evaluated and a dilution of 10 times presented adequate results improving analysis performance while minimizing the matrix effect. Validation performed according to SANTE guideline presented satisfactory results. Practical method limit of quantification was 0.01 mg kg−1 for most compounds. Recoveries between 70 and 120% with precision ≤ 20% were found for most compounds and spike levels evaluated. Matrix effect results were not significant for most part of compounds. Method proved to be simple, robust, and effective to be applied in routine analysis. Method applicability was performed by analysis of samples commercialized in Brazil and positive results were found demonstrating the importance of the proposed method.

Highlights

According to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC 1997), pesticides are substances or mixture of substances used in the production, harvest, or storage of food
The transition with the highest intensity was selected for quantification, and the transition with the second highest intensity was used for identification
The optimized method was validated for 131 compounds in accordance with SANTE (2019) guideline

Summary

Introduction

According to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC 1997), pesticides are substances or mixture of substances used in the production, harvest, or storage of food. When used in an irregular and indiscriminate manner, they are responsible for the contamination of food, water sources, and soil, resulting in human health risks, besides the environmental consequences (Prestes et al 2009). Air, water, soil, flora, and fauna are the main routes of human exposure to pesticides (Kim et al 2017). In Brazil, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) is the responsible organization that establishes the maximum residue limit (MRL) values of pesticide residue officially accepted in food after being treated with the recommended dose in the prescription of each product/crop case and observed the pre-harvest interval. MRL values are established by the Codex Alimentarius for food trade

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