The utilisation of ion chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (IC-MS/MS) for the multi-residue simultaneous determination of highly polar anionic pesticides in fruit and vegetables

Abstract

A robust and sensitive method utilising a hybrid ion chromatography tandem mass spectrometry system (IC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of nine (9) highly polar anionic pesticides (chlorate, ethephon, fosetyl aluminium, glufosinate, glyphosate, N-acetyl AMPA, N-acetyl glyphosate, perchlorate and phosphonic acid) in fruit and vegetables is described. Mean recoveries (n = 6) at two fortification levels ranged from 83 to 112% with %CVs in the range 3-14%. The linearity range was 0.005-0.4 mg kg^-1 and R² values were >0.99 and the sensitivity of the method allowed (20× or 30×) dilution of samples. Provision of qualitative determination of aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) was also facilitated via minor modification of the chromatographic conditions. Compliance with method validation criteria, survey results from the statutory UK/EU Pesticide Residues in Food 2018 programmes i.e. pea, pineapple, melon and successful z-scores for a UK proficiency testing scheme sample (ethephon in pineapple) demonstrate successful application of this IC-MS/MS method.

Keywords: (aminomethyl)Phosphonic acid (PubChem CID: 14017); Chlorate; Chlorate (PubChem CID: 104770); Ethephon; Ethephon (PubChem CID: 27982); Fosetyl aluminium (PubChem CID: 6328269); Glufosinate (PubChem CID: 4794); Glyphosate; Glyphosate (PubChem CID: 3496); Ion chromatography; N-acetyl AMPA (PubChem CID: 3017080); N-acetyl glyphosate (PubChem CID: 23510850); Perchlorate; Perchlorate (PubChem CID: 123351); Phosphonic acid (PubChem CID: 3084169); QuPPe.