Matrix Solid-phase Dispersion Technique Research Articles

Determination of organophosphorous flame retardants in fish tissues by matrix solid-phase dispersion and gas chromatography

Organophosphate esters (OPEs), utilized as flame retarding agents and/or plasticizers, are almost ubiquitous in environmental compartments, and biota and foods could be contaminated by bioaccumulation or during the treatment processes. A multiresidue method is proposed for the determination of 13 OPEs in fish tissues: analytes were simultaneously extracted and purified using the matrix solid phase dispersion technique and then determined by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. The main parameters affecting extraction yield and selectivity, such as the type of dispersant material, clean-up co-sorbent, rinse and elution solvents, were evaluated to obtain lipid-free extracts and quantitative recoveries for OPEs. Under optimal conditions, 0.5 g of samples was dispersed with 2 g Florisil and 1 g anhydrous sodium sulphate and transferred to a solid phase extraction cartridge containing 1 g alumina. The lipids were removed using 5 mL n-hexane/dichloromethane (1:1) and analytes were recovered with 10 mL n-hexane/acetone (6:4) and directly analysed. The method developed provided recoveries between 70 and 110% for different kinds of fish, and the day-to-day variability was between 1 and 9%. This procedure constitutes the first analytical method for the analysis of OPEs in a food matrix and it is applicable to analyse a large number of samples to evaluate the occurrence and sources of OPEs in biota and foods.

Desenvolvimento de metodologia para determinação de piretroides em manteiga

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the matrix solid-phase dispersion technique associated with purification at low temperature for the determination of pyrethroids in butter. Evaluated parameters included: sample/adsorbent ratio, type of adsorbent and extractor solvent. The optimized method was validated based on predetermined requirements. The detection limits of the pyrethroids cypermethrin and deltamethrin were 0.082 and 0.11 μg g-1, and quantification limit were 0.28 and 0.32 μg g-1, respectively, with extraction percentages near 90% and coefficients of variation less than of 10%..

Pesticide determination in tomatoes by solid–liquid extraction with purification at low temperature and gas chromatography

In this work, a simple and low cost method, based on solid–liquid extraction with low temperature purification (SLE–LTP), was optimized and validated for the determination of chlorpyrifos, λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and deltamethrin in tomato samples. The analyses were performed by the GC–ECD and confirmed by the GC–MS. The method requires 4 g of tomato and an extraction mixture (8.0 mL acetonitrile, 0.5 mL water and 1.5 mL ethyl acetate), which was established by mixture experimental design. After optimization, pesticide recovery rates ranged from 79% to 97%, with a standard deviation of less than 5%. The SLE–LTP analytical characteristics were compared very favorably to the matrix solid phase dispersion technique, which used ethyl acetate and Florisil for extraction.

Application of the MSPD Technique for the HPLC Analysis of Rutin in Sambucus nigra L.: The Linear Correlation of the Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Process

This paper presents possibilities of estimating the true value of an analyte concentration in a plant material by means of the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) based on the law of the partition process and on the properly adapted equations associated with this process. This idea has been developed for analysis of rutin amount in Sambucus nigra L. (elderberry). The effects of experimental variables, such as the mass ratio of sorbent to plant matrix and buffer pH, have been studied. Rutin amounts estimated using MSPD were verified with the amounts obtained by employing pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). To obtain the true value of rutin concentration in elderberry, the MSPD process should be carried out in the conditions for which the dependence between the reciprocal of the analyte yield and sorbent mass/plant mass ratio is linear. Rutin yield estimated by MSPD in such conditions equal 2.90% w/w and is almost the same as the amount obtained by PLE (2.88% w/w). The results show that PLE, which recently has been more and more frequently used in the analysis of herb material and which requires the application of expensive PLE equipment, can be replaced by the relatively cheap and effective MSPD process.

Determination of selected UV filters in indoor dust by matrix solid-phase dispersion and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, inexpensive sample preparation procedure, based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique, for the determination of six UV filters: 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl salicylate (Homosalate, HMS), 3-(4-methylbenzylidene) camphor (4-MBC), isoamyl- p-methoxycinnamate (IAMC), 2-ethylhexyl- p-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and octocrylene (OCR), in dust from indoor environments is presented and the influence of several operational parameters on the extraction performance discussed. Under the final working conditions, sieved samples (0.5 g) were mixed with the same amount of anhydrous sodium sulphate and dispersed with 2 g of octadecyl bonded silica (C18) in a mortar with a pestle. This blend was transferred to a polypropylene solid-phase extraction cartridge containing 2 g of activated silica, as the clean-up co-sorbent. The cartridge was first rinsed with 5 mL of n-hexane and the analytes were then recovered with 4 mL of acetonitrile. This extract was adjusted to 1 mL, filtered and the compounds were determined by gas chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). Recoveries for samples spiked at two different concentrations ranged between 77% and 99%, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) of the method between 10 and 40 ng g −1. Analysis of settled dust from different indoor areas, including private flats, public buildings and vehicle cabins, showed that EHMC and OCR were ubiquitous in this matrix, with maximum concentrations of 15 and 41 μg g −1, respectively. Both UV filters were also quantified in dust reference material SRM 2585 for first time. EHS, 4-MBC and IAMC were detected in some of the analyzed samples, although at lower concentrations than EHMC and OCR.

Determinação de resíduos de pesticidas em plasma bovino por cromatografia gasosa-espectrometria de massas

An analytical method for the isolation based on matrix solid-phase dispersion technique and gas chromatographic determination of pesticides in cattle plasma is presented. It was fortified 0.25 g of plasma with pesticides and blended with 1 g each C18 and Na2SO4. The homogenized matter was transferred to a SPE cartridge, which contained 1 g of activated florisil with 5 mL acetonitrile. The analites were eluted under vaccum with 15 mL acetonitrile, the extract was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification of the method was 0.04 mg L-1 for chlorphenvinfos and fipronil and 0.02 mg L-1 for cypermethrin..

Análise de resíduos de agrotóxicos em tomates empregando dispersão da matriz em fase sólida (DMFS) e cromatografia gasosa

This work was aimed on optimization of the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique using gas chromatography for analyzing residues of chlorpyriphos, λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and deltamethrin in tomatoes. The results showed that silica was more efficient for the clean up of extracts, but florisil provided the highest recovery rates. A 23 complete factorial design was carried out to evaluate the absorbent/sample ratio, presence of co-column (silica) and ultrasonic bath on the extraction rate. The percentage of extraction of the pesticides chlorpyriphos, λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and deltamethrin were 64.7, 88.3, 99.2 and 89.2%, respectively, with relative standard deviations below 5%.

Simple assay for monitoring seven quinolone antibacterials in eggs: Extraction with hot water and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry: Laboratory validation in line with the European Union Commission Decision 657/2002/EC

A simple and rapid method able to determine residues of seven quinolone antibacterials in whole eggs is presented here. This method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion technique with hot water as extractant followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. After depositing 1.5 g of an egg sample containing the analytes and the analyte surrogate (norfloxacin) on sand (crystobalite), this material was packed into an extraction cell. Quinolones were extracted by flowing 6 mL of water acidified with 50 mmol/L formic acid through the cell heated at 100 °C. After pH adjustment and filtration of the extract, 100 μL of it was injected into the LC column. MS data acquisition was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode, selecting two precursor ion to product ion transitions for each target compound. Hot water appeared an efficient extracting medium, since absolute recoveries of the analyte in egg at the level of 20 ng/g were 89–103%. Estimated limits of quantification (S/N = 10) were 0.2–0.6 ng/g. Based on the EU Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, the method was validated in terms of ruggedness, specificity, linearity, within-laboratory reproducibility, decision limit (CC α and detection capability (CC β). Depending on the particular analyte, CC αs ranged between 0.41 and 2.6 ng/g, while CC βs were 0.64–3.7 ng/g. The method was linear in the 3–30 ng/g range, with typical R 2 values higher than 0.97. The within-laboratory reproducibility ( n = 21) at 6 ng/g level was in the 9.0–12% range. After validation, a depletion study of enrofloxacin and one of its metabolites, i.e. ciprofloxacin, in eggs was conducted.

Simplified determination of combined residues of lindane and other HCH isomers in vegetables, fruits, wheat, pulses and medicinal plants by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) followed by GC–ECD

A fast, simple and inexpensive sample preparation method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique is proposed for the isolation of combined residues of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers from fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses and medicinal plants. Both extraction and clean-up were carried out in a single step and target compounds were determined by gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detection (GC–Ni 63 ECD). The major factors affecting extraction yield and sensitivity, such as type of dispersant material and extraction solvent, were evaluated and optimised. Under optimised conditions, 5 g of sample matrix was dispersed with 500 mg of Florisil and blended with 1 g of anhydrous magnesium sulphate and 500 mg of sodium chloride, and transferred into a glass column containing neutral alumina (2 g) and anhydrous sodium sulphate (500 mg). The dispersed sample matrix was then eluted with 10 ml of n-hexane-ethyl acetate mixture (70:30, v/v) and repeated with another 10 ml of same solvent mixture. Recoveries of the proposed method for the spiked samples ranged from 93% to 103% and the day-to-day variability remained between 5% and 10%. The limit of detection (LOD) of α-, β-, γ- and δ- HCH was 3, 6, 4 and 5 ng g −1, respectively. Satisfactory results were obtained in the routine analysis of real samples, confirming the reliability and efficacy of this method for the analysis of HCH residues in food matrices and medicinal plants.

Simplified sample preparation method for triclosan and methyltriclosan determination in biota and foodstuff samples

An improved method for the determination of triclosan (TCS) and methyltriclosan (MTCS) in fish and foodstuff samples is presented. Analytes were simultaneously extracted and purified using the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique, and then selectively determined by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). Several combinations of dispersants, clean-up co-sorbents and extraction solvents were tested in order to obtain lipid-free extracts and quantitative recoveries for TCS and MTCS. Under optimised conditions, 0.5 g samples were dispersed using 1.5 g of neutral silica in a mortar with a pestle, and transferred to a polypropylene cartridge containing 3 g of silica impregnated with 10% of sulphuric acid (SiO 2–H 2SO 4, 10%, w/w). Analytes were recovered with 10 mL of dichloromethane whereas lipids were oxidized in the layer of acidic silica. The extract was concentrated to dryness and re-constituted with 1 mL of ethyl acetate. Then, a fraction of 0.5 mL was mixed with 50 μL of N-methyl- N-( tert-butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) and injected in the GC–MS/MS system. The developed method provided absolute recoveries between 77 and 120% for different samples spiked at the low ng g −1 level, quantification limits in the range of 1–2 ng g −1 and a considerable simplicity in comparison with previously developed sample preparation approaches. Experiments carried out placing sliced food samples in direct contact with TCS-treated kitchenware surfaces showed the capability of the biocide to migrate into foodstuffs.

Determination of phenolic compounds in wines by novel matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A novel matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction method was developed to extract simultaneously 23 phenolic compounds from wine samples prior to determination by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection in the selected ion monitoring mode. Different parameters of the MSPD technique such as dispersant solid-phase, eluting solvent, and sample ionic strength and pH were optimized. The optimized MSPD procedure requires a small volume of wine (1 mL), commercial silica gel (1.5 g) as dispersant solid-phase and a small volume of ethyl acetate (5 mL) as eluting solvent. Under these conditions, the extraction of the studied compounds was almost complete (mean values of recoveries between 87 and 109%) in a short time (15 min). Moreover, satisfactory standard deviations of repeatability (RSD < 9% in most cases), linear regression coefficients ( r 2 > 0.993) and detection limits (<8 μg/L) confirm the usefulness of the methodology for routine monitoring of the concentration of individual phenolic antioxidants in wines. Application was illustrated by analysis of different wine samples.

A simple and rapid assay based on hot water extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for monitoring quinolone residues in bovine milk

A rapid, specific and sensitive procedure for determining residues of eight widespread used quinolone antimicrobials in bovine milk is presented. The method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion technique with hot water as extractant followed by LC/MS/MS. The entire sample treatment did not take more than 40 min. Hot water appeared to be an efficient extracting medium, since absolute recoveries of the analytes in milk were 77–90%. The method proved to be robust as matrix effects did not affect significantly the accuracy of the method, as evidenced by analyzing six different batches of milk. Using norfloxacin as surrogate analyte, the accuracy of the method at three different spike levels of the analytes in milk was 93–110% with RSDs not larger than 10%. On the basis of a S/N of 10, estimated LOQs of this method range from 0.3 to 1.5 ng/ml, well below the tolerance levels of quinolones in milk set by the European Union.

Optimization of the matrix solid-phase dispersion sample preparation procedure for analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils: Comparison with microwave-assisted extraction

A fast and simple preparation procedure based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique is proposed for the first time for the isolation of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soil samples. Naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[ a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[ e]pyrene, benzo[ b]fluoranthene, benzo[ k]fluoranthene, benzo[ a]pyrene, dibenzo[ a, h]anthracene, benzo[ g, h, i]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3- c, d]pyrene were considered in the study. Extraction and clean-up of samples were carried out in a single step. The main parameters that affect extraction yield, such as dispersant, type and amount of additives, clean-up co-sorbent and extractive solvent were evaluated and optimized. The addition of an alkali solution in MSPD was required to provide quantitative recoveries. Analytical determinations were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Quantification limits (between 0.01 and 0.6 ng g −1 dry mass) were well below the regulatory limits for all the compounds considered. The extraction yields for the different compounds obtained by MSPD were compared with the yields obtained by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). To test the accuracy of the MSPD technique, the optimized methodology was applied to the analysis of standard reference material BCR-524 (contaminated industrial soil), with excellent results.

Monitoring quinolone antibacterial residues in bovine tissues: extraction with hot water and liquid chromatography coupled to a single‐ or triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer

A rapid and sensitive procedure for determining residues of seven quinolone antibacterials in bovine muscle, kidney and liver is presented. The method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique with hot water as extractant followed by liquid chromatography/single quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS) or triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). After dispersing tissue samples on hydrazine sulfate treated sand, target compounds were eluted from the MSPD column by passing through it 4 mL of water heated at 100 degrees C. After pH adjustment and filtration, 200 and 5 microL of the aqueous extracts were respectively injected into the LC/MS and LC/MS/MS instruments. With the former instrument, MS data were acquired in the three-ion selected ion monitoring mode, while MS/MS data acquisition was performed in the multi-reaction monitoring mode by selecting two precursor ion to product ion transitions for each target compound. Hot water appeared to be an efficient extracting medium, since absolute recoveries of the analytes were 84-102%. Using norfloxacin (a quinolone not used in veterinary medicine) as surrogate internal standard, the accuracy of the method at three concentration levels equal to 0.5, 1 and 1.5 times the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the european union was 88-109% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) not higher than 7%. The use of LC/MS/MS allowed detection and quantification of the analytes in any tissue considered to be performed at concentrations by far lower than half of their MRLs. Vice versa, the single-quadrupole MS arrangement, while succeeding in monitoring quinolones in muscle tissue at the 0.5 MRL level, showed to be not sufficiently selective for unambiguous identification of some quinolones in kidney and liver.

A Rapid Method Based on Hot Water Extraction and Liquid ChromatographyTandem Mass Spectrometry for Analyzing Tetracycline Antibiotic Residues in Cheese

A rapid, specific, and sensitive procedure for determining residues of 4 widely used tetracycline antibiotics and 3 of their 4-epimers in cheese is presented. The method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). After dispersing samples of mozzarella, asiago, parmigiano, gruyere, emmenthal, and camembert on sand, target compounds were eluted from the MSPD column by passing through it 6 mL water heated at 70 degrees C. After acidification and filtration, 200 microL of the aqueous extract was directly injected into the LC column. For analyte identification and quantification, MS data acquisition was performed in the multireaction monitoring mode, selecting 2 precursor ion-to-product ion transitions for each target compound. Hot water appeared to be an efficient extractant, because absolute recoveries were no lower than 78%. Using demeclocycline as a surrogate analyte, recoveries of analyte added to the 6 types of cheeses at the 30 ng/g level were 96-117%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) not higher than 9%. Statistical analysis of the mean recovery data showed that the extraction efficiency was not dependent on the type of cheese analyzed. This result indicates that this method could be applied to other cheese types not considered here. At the lowest concentration considered, i.e., 10 ng/g, the accuracy of the method ranged between 90 and 107%, with RSDs not larger than 12%. Based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 10, limits of quantitation were estimated to be 1-2 ng/g.

Optimisation of a matrix solid-phase dispersion method for the determination of organophosphate compounds in dust samples

A fast and inexpensive sample preparation procedure based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique is proposed for the isolation of several organophosphate esters (mainly employed as flame retardants and plasticizers) from indoor dust samples. Extraction and clean-up were carried out in a single step and target compounds were determined by gas chromatography (GC) with nitrogen–phosphorus detection (NPD). The main parameters affecting extraction yield and selectivity, such as type and amount of dispersant material, clean-up co-sorbent and extraction solvent, were evaluated and optimised. Under final conditions, 0.5 g of dust were dispersed with equal amounts of anhydrous sodium sulphate and Florisil, and loaded on the top of a polypropylene cartridge containing 0.5 g of alumina. The dispersed sample was washed with 2 mL of n-hexane to remove the least polar interferences and analytes were eluted with 3 mL of acetone. Recoveries of the proposed method for spiked samples ranged from 80 to 116%, and the day-to-day variability remained between 5 and 10%. Data on levels of organophosphate species in dust from private houses and vehicle cabins are provided. In both cases, the lowest concentrations corresponded to the short chain, non-chlorinated, alkyl organophosphates, whereas mean values above 1 μg g −1 were measured for the rest of analytes.

Determination of Parabens and Triclosan in Indoor Dust Using Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion and Gas Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A simple sample preparation method for the determination of four parabens and triclosan in indoor dust is presented. Analytes were extracted from the sample and isolated from interfering species using the matrix solid-phase dispersion technique. After that, they were silylated and determined by gas chromatography combined to tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). The influence of several factors on the yield and selectivity of the extraction was evaluated in detail. Under final working conditions, samples (0.5 g) were mixed with the same amount of anhydrous sodium sulfate and dispersed on 1.25 g of C18. This blend was transferred to the top of a polypropylene cartridge containing 2 g of Florisil. After removing less polar species with 10 mL of dichloromethane, analytes were recovered using 10 mL of acetonitrile. This extract was concentrated to 1 mL, derivatized, and injected in the GC/MS/MS system. Derivatization was carried out at 45 degrees C in 5 min using 100 microL of N-methyl-N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide. Quantification limits from 0.6 to 2.6 ng/g and absolute recoveries between 80 and 114% were achieved. Analysis of dust samples demonstrated the presence of the target species in indoor dust from private houses. The highest average concentration (702 ng/g) corresponded to triclosan.

A simple and rapid confirmatory assay for analyzing antibiotic residues of the macrolide class and lincomycin in bovine milk and yoghurt: hot water extraction followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and simple sample preparation procedure for determining residues of antibiotics of the class of macrolides and lincomycin in whole milk and yoghurt by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is presented. The method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique with hot water as extractant. After dispersing samples of milk and yoghurt on sand, target compounds were eluted from the MSPD column by passing through it 5 mL of water acidified with 30 mmol/L formic acid and heated at 70 degrees C. After pH adjustment and filtration, a volume of 200 microL of the aqueous extract was directly injected into the LC column. MS data acquisition was generally performed in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, selecting two precursor ion to product ion transitions for each target compound. Hot water appeared to be an efficient extracting medium, since absolute recoveries of the analytes in milk and yoghurt were respectively 68-86% and 82-96%. The method proved to be robust as matrix effects, even though present, did not affect significantly the accuracy of the method, as evidenced by analyzing six different batches of both milk and yoghurt. Using roxithromycin (a macrolide antibiotic not used in veterinary medicine) as surrogate internal standard, the accuracy of the method at three different spike levels of the analytes in milk and yoghurt was 86-107% (RSDs not larger than 10%) and 97-117% (RSDs not larger than 13%), respectively. On the basis of a signal-to-noise ratio of 10, we estimated this method can quantify a few ppb of the analytes in milk and yoghurt. These concentrations are well below the tolerance levels of macrolides and lincomycin in milk set by both the European Union and the US Food and Drug Administration. On analyzing six yoghurt samples, we found evidence for the fact that one of the six samples was contaminated with erythromycin B.

Development of automated online gel permeation chromatography–gas chromatograph mass spectrometry for measuring multiresidual pesticides in agricultural products

An automated online gel permeation chromatography–gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GPC–GC/MS) was developed for the rapid determination of residual pesticides in agricultural products. Pesticides were extracted from homogenized food samples with acetonitrile and decontaminated via the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique, using a primary secondary amine as sorbent prior to GPC–GC/MS analysis. A slightly modified preparation method and automated GPC step proved useful in minimizing matrix interference. To evaluate the performance of the system, 97 target pesticides were spiked at a concentration of 0.1 mg/kg into a range of food types, including potato, cabbage, carrot, apple, orange, cucumber, and rice. A low flow rate of 0.1 mL/min in GPC resulted in a 40-fold reduction in solvent consumption compared with conventional GPC column applications. The combination of MSPD technique and GPC–GC/MS for the analysis of the 97 pesticides can be accomplished within 90 min. Most pesticides were recovered in the range of 70–120%, with relative standard deviation generally less than 10%. The results demonstrate that the method can be successfully applied with acceptable recoveries to a broad range of target pesticides within a diverse range of food types.

Rapid Analysis of Multiresidual Pesticides in Agricultural Products by Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry

A method for the rapid analysis of multiresidual pesticides in agricultural products using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was introduced. The matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique with slight modification was employed to minimize the matrix interferences. To calculate the recovery, 97 target pesticides were spiked into a range of foods including potato, cabbage, carrot, apple, orange, cucumber, and rice. The combination of the MSPD technique and the GC/MS for the analysis of 97 pesticides can be accomplished within 90 min for each sample. Most pesticides were recovered in the range of 70%–120% with relative standard deviation (RSD) usually less than 10%. The results demonstrated that the method could be successfully applied to a broad range of target pesticides in a diverse range of foods.