Monitoring of pesticide residue in pistachio nut samples by LC/MS-MS

Abstract

The presence of pesticide residues in agricultural products is one of the most important challenges to food safety. The use of pesticides in the cultivation of pistachios can lead to residues above the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). The current research focused on quantifying 112 pesticide residues utilizing Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe“ (QuEChERS) method was used for sample preparation. The linearity of the method was investigated with the procedural calibration curve over six concentration levels ranging from 0.015 to 0.5 mg/kg. The method's repeatability at two levels, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, was established, ranging from 0.5 % to 20 %. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of pesticides were around 0.003 mg/kg and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. Acetamiprid and Thiacloprid were found at the permitted level in 7 and 3 out of the 20 samples.