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.)

The Thermo Scientific™ TSQ™ 8000 Evo triple quadrupole GC-MS is an excellent tool for the control of MRL levels in food commodities. The enhanced velocity optics (EVO) driving EvoCell collision cell technology provide high SRM transition speeds, precision, and sensitivity for even complex methods involving several pesticides in a short run time. This application is focused on the analysis of 247 compounds in two different herbal juices, Aloe vera and Amla (Indian gooseberry), demonstrating the potential of the method to detect trace level compounds at concentrations as low as 1-2 ng/g.

Modern pesticide analysis is extremely challenging due to the diversity of compounds required to be reported, especially in the area of food safety control. The pressure to report large numbers of pesticides quickly makes it attractive to use large single injection methods. Triple quad MS has emerged as a primary screening technique due to its high sensitivity and selectivity against matrix. Presented is a comparison of both LC and GC sample introduction techniques coupled to triple quad MS screening of over 500 pesticides at ppb levels.

Red wine is a rich source of phenolic antioxidants and is reported to reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and cardiovascular disease. To improve grape yields it is common practice in vineyards to use pesticides, such as fungicides and insecticides. This application presents a fast, easy, and cost-effective method for the determination of 24 pesticide residues in red wine using the QuEChERS extraction method (AOAC version), cleanup by dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE), followed by LC-MSMS analysis.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites that are naturally produced by several species of fungi on agricultural products, particularly grain-based products. We demonstrate a fast, easy, and cost-effective approach for the determination of 16 mycotoxin residues in grain-based food using QuEChERS sample preparation with a Thermo Scientific Accucore aQ HPLC column and a Thermo Scientific TSQ Vantage triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for HPLC separation.