Quantitative analysis of hexythiazox by direct insertion probe mass specytrometry

Abstract

A quantitative direct insertion probe/mass spectrometry (DIP/MS) method is described for the analysis of the miticide hexythiazox. Fruit (50 g) was extracted by blending with ethyl acetate (100 ml) and the crude ethyl acetate extract analysed by DIP/MS using the three signal monitoring methods: low-resolution selected ion monitoring (SIM), high-resolution SIM and selected decomposition monitoring (SDM). Detection limits achieved were 0.1, 0.1 and 0.02 mg kg−1 for low-resolution SIM, high-resolution SIM and SDM, respectively. DIP/SDM/MS was the preferred monitoring method as it was straightforward to use and, as SDM is a more selective monitoring method, a lower detection limit was achieved when crude fruit extracts were analysed.