We present a multi-residue instrumental method that can be applied for high-throughput screening and semi-quantitation of pesticide residues in food matrices at or below the current legislative requirements. A high-resolution, accurate-mass mass spectrometer operated in Full Scan – Variable Data-Independent Analysis (FS-vDIA)* mode provided an option for full spectrum filtering, retrospective analysis, and multi-parameter-based compound identification. The method was validated for 328 target pesticides, with an option for the future extension to a larger number. (*vDIA not available in US.)
As agricultural trade grows and food safety concerns mount, stricter pesticide regulations are being enforced around the world. Increased pesticide testing and reductions in maximum permissible residue levels have driven demand for fast, sensitive and cost-effective analytical methods for high-throughput screening of multi-class pesticides in food. Detection of 510 pesticides at low ppb levels was achieved within 12 minutes using the Thermo Scientific Exactive benchtop LC/MS system powered by Orbitrap technology.
Environmental monitoring of herbicides used in the production of food crops is becoming more widespread due to their increased use and inevitable leaching from soil into water sources. This application shows the advantages of using the Thermo Scientific Accucore Vanquish C18 1.5 µm UHPLC column and the Vanquish UHPLC system for the separation of 18 herbicides.
Food safety is an increasing concern that has resulted in stringent pesticide regulation globally and in continuous recalls of food products. Food safety regulations require the screening and the quantitation of a large number of pesticides in food at maximum residue levels generally set in the ppb-ppm range to minimize their possible negative effects on human health. Here we present a comparison between fast and ultrafast LC-MS/MS methods in timed SRM mode for the analysis of 250+ pesticides in food extracts. The two methods were compared in terms of analysis time and data quality.
Traditionally, LC-MS/MS has been used by the environmental and food industries for the identification and quantitation of these residues. However, this methodology typically requires extensive offline sample preparation, which can be time consuming and expensive. We test the robustness of an LC-MS system for an automated online preconcentration system using a dirty matrix.
