Simultaneous Determination of 42 Pesticides and Herbicides in Chicken Eggs by UHPLC–MS/MS and GC–MS Using a QuEChERS-Based Procedure

Abstract

A quick, easy, cheap, rugged, effective, and safe (QuEChERS)-based method has been validated for the extraction of 42 pesticides and herbicides including organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), carbamate pesticides (CBs), herbicides (HBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides (PYRs) from chicken eggs. The QuEChERS-based extraction procedure was followed by cleanup steps using C18 and primary secondary amine sorbents. The supernatant was analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The OPPs, CBs, and HBs were quantified by UHPLC–MS/MS, while the OCPs and PYRs were detected by GC–MS. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.01 to 8.5 μg kg−1, and the analyte recoveries were in the range of 64.9–123.2 %. Furthermore, the repeatabilities (intra-day and inter-day) were good, and linear matrix-matched calibration curves were obtained. Acetochlor was identified in concentrations ranging from 0.27 to 0.44 μg kg−1 in four samples from 80 chicken eggs. The method was successfully demonstrated for the fast and reliable analysis of pesticides and herbicides in chicken egg samples.