Liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry multi-residue determination of pesticides in apples and pears

Abstract

This paper describes a rapid, specific and sensitive multi-residue method for the routine quantitative analysis of pesticides of several classes used for the treatment of apples and pears, down to their respective maximum residue limits (MRLs). It involves a rapid extraction procedure and liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray mass selective detection. Seven pesticides were extracted at pH 4.5 with a mixture of acetone–dichloromethane–hexane (50:20:30, v/v/v). Ionization was performed at atmospheric pressure in an electrospray-type source and detection was carried out using the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Extraction recoveries were between 55 and 98% except for methylthiophanate (<20%). Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) ranged, respectively, from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg and from 0.02 to 0.05 mg/kg, with relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) less than 19%. An excellent linearity was observed for LOQs up to 5 mg/kg. Intermediate (“inter-assay”) precision and accuracy were satisfactory. The method was applied to many fruit samples intended for commercialisation.