A sensitive and rapid analytical method based on QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) sample preparation and LC-MS/MS detection was developed for the analysis of halosulfuron-methyl residues in wheat. The recoveries of halosulfuron-methyl in both the wheat plant and grain ranged from 87% to 119% and from 75% to 97%, respectively, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3-9%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.005 mg kg(-1) for wheat plant and 0.001 mg kg(-1) for wheat grain. The half-life of halosulfuron-methyl in the wheat plant was 0.9-9.5 days. The terminal residue levels of halosulfuron-methyl in wheat grain were below 0.01 mg kg(-1) at harvest.
Keywords: LC-MS/MS; QuEChERS; dissipation; halosulfuron-methyl; residues; wheat.