Enhancement of Tricyclazole Analysis Efficiency in Rice Samples Using an Improved QuEChERS and Its Application in Residue: A Study from Unmanned Arial Spraying

Abstract

Enhancements to the analytical method for the determination of tricyclazole in rice samples have been applied to monitor residues during unmanned aerial spraying. The acetonitrile extraction technique QuEChERS was improved by the incorporation of ethyl acetate and 0.1% formic acid, which significantly elevated the recovery rates. Furthermore, the purification process was refined by integrating both primary–secondary amine (PSA) and C18 in the dSPE method, achieving a substantial improvement in reducing matrix effects (MEs) and increasing recovery efficiency. The optimized method demonstrated an impressive % ME value at −3.1%, with a limit of quantitation (LOQ) established at 0.01 mg/kg, and recovery rates between 94.7 and 95.6% at 0.01, 0.1, and 2 mg/kg. Using two types of adjuvants (stickers) during multi-copter spraying markedly improved the initial tricyclazole deposition on rice panicles, with residue levels initially increasing from 0.35 mg/kg to between 0.68 and 1.60 mg/kg. Residues in hulled rice at harvest (10 days post-application) remained well below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.7 mg/kg, ranging from 0.02 to 0.11 mg/kg, thus affirming the safety and efficacy of adjuvants in residue management.