Qualitative screening method for pesticide residues detection in fruits and vegetables

• Main Authors: Iván Mauricio Huérfano Barco, Jairo Arturo Guerrero Dallos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Nacional de Colombia 2018-01-01
• Series: Revista Colombiana de Química
• Subjects: Cromatografía de gases; Espectrometría de masas; QuEChERS; Frutas; Hortalizas; Método cualitativo rápido screening
• Online Access: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/rcolquim/article/view/62240

Because of the importance of developing methodologies that allow agricultural residues analysis, a rapid screening qualitative method for the determination of pesticides residues in fruits and vegetables was validated. The methodology was based on the European QuEChERS extraction method with an additional cleaning step by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), which helped to reduce the number of matrix components in the final extract. The analysis was carried out by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with a single quadrupole analyzer. The methodology was appropriate for the qualitative analysis of 31 pesticides at their respective maximum residue limits. Consistent results were obtained with respect to a quantitative routine methodology in the analysis of real samples, hence the methodology was proven to be a good alternative for the fast analysis of these contaminants in fruits and vegetables.