Simultaneous analysis of multiple pesticide residues in minor fruits by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/hybrid quadrupole time-of-fight mass spectrometry

Abstract

An ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/hybrid quadrupole time-of-fight mass spectrometry (UPLC/QTOF-MS) method for the simultaneous identification and quantification of 50 multi-class pesticides in minor fruits is reported. The method consists of a sample extraction step, followed by analysis of the pesticides by UPLC/QTOF-MS. Satisfactory chromatographic separation was achieved over a 20min runtime. The pesticides were identified by the accurate mass measurements of the protonated molecules ([M+H]+) and their main fragment ions, isotopic pattern analysis and retention time matching. The mass accuracy obtained was below 2ppm error for all the pesticides analysed. The method was validated by spiking starfruit with the 50 analytes. Satisfactory results regarding sensitivity and linearity were obtained. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of 87 real-world starfruit and Indian jujube samples, demonstrating its applicability for the routine analysis of multiple pesticide residues in minor tropical fruits.