QuEChERS-Based Methods for the Determination of Pesticide Residues in a Dill Using Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture and Nitrogen Phosphorus Detection

Abstract

In this study, three QuEChERS-based methods of improving sample extract preparation through reduction of unwanted matrix background for pesticide residue analysis in dill (a chlorophyll-containing matrix) were developed and compared. These methods involved the use of (1) dispersive solid-phase extraction (dispersive-SPE), (2) dispersive-SPE combined with liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), and (3) only LLE. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture and nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC-ECD/NPD). The results indicated that cleanup with primary secondary amine (PSA) and graphitized carbon black (GCB) sorbents followed by final solvent exchange from acetonitrile to petroleum ether was the best alternative of the tested methods, resulting in the cleanest extracts. The matrix effect of dill on the most favorable method herein was not significant, and the calibration performed well, with R 2 ≥ 0.99. The overall recoveries at three spiking levels of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg kg−1 fell in the range between 73 and 110 % (95 % on average) with relative standard deviation (RSD) values equal to or lower than 12 % (5 % on average). Uncertainty for the studied pesticides ranged from 7 to 14 % (with the overall average uncertainty of 11 %). Analyses of real samples revealed the presence of pesticides unapproved for use on dill, as well as exceedances of the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for some pesticides. The samples with residue violation results were also confirmed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The proposed method of sample preparation and chromatographic analysis is sufficient and can be applied with all certainty to determine pesticide residues in dill and other plants of high pigment content, i.e., chlorophyll.