Enhanced LC-MS/MS for the quantitation and identification of pesticides in food samples

This paper describes an analytical workflow to quickly screen food samples for similar to 280 pesticides. QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extracts were diluted and injected directly into a Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry system. The quick and easy protocol enabled extraction with high recovery and good reproducibility. For the LC separation, a polar embedded C18 phase was used because of good resolution and excellent peak shape for all target pesticides. Highly selective and sensitive MS/MS detection was used to quantify pesticides down to the required maximum residue level of 10ppb, and compounds were identified with high confidence using an ion ratio calculation and mass spectral library searching. The pesticide panel of the described method can easily be extended and customized to match the laboratory's need.