Abstract
A rapid method using programmed temperature vaporiser injection–low-pressure gas chromatography–high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTV–LP-GC–HR-TOF-MS) for the analysis of multiple pesticide residues in fruit-based baby food was developed. The fast and inexpensive buffered QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) extraction method and “conventional” approach that employs ethyl acetate extraction followed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) cleanup were employed for sample preparation. A PTV injector in solvent venting mode was used to reduce volume of acetonitrile and acetic acid (from the buffered QuEChERS extracts) that caused higher column bleed without their elimination. Otherwise, the time-to-digital converter would become saturated in HR-TOF-MS. For fast GC separation allowing analysis of 100 analytes within a 7 min runtime, both a high temperature programming rate and vacuum conditions in a megabore GC column were employed. The use of HR-TOF-MS allowed the unbiased identification and reliable quantification of target analytes through the application of a narrow mass window (0.02 Da) for extracting analyte ions and the availability of full spectral information even at very low levels. With only a few exceptions, the lowest calibration levels for the pesticides tested were ≤0.01 mg/kg for both sample preparation methods, which meets the EU maximum residue limit set for pesticide residues in cereal-based foods and baby foods (2003/13/EC).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.