Multi-Plug Filtration Purification Combined With Gas Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry for the Detection of 107 Pesticides in Livestock and Poultry Meat

Abstract

Rationale

With the global rise in foodborne diseases, excessive pesticide residues in livestock and poultry meat have emerged as a critical food safety issue. China is a large consumer of livestock and poultry meat, and the traditional national method standard can only detect a few or one type of pesticide in these meats. Establishing a method for the simultaneous detection of multiple types of pesticides in these meats can effectively protect people's health and safety.

Methods

The extraction process was done using acetonitrile direct extraction, followed by clean-up through multi-plug filtration. Separation was achieved using gas chromatography on an HP-5MS capillary column with a programmed temperature gradient, and detection was performed via mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring modes.

Results

The linear ranges of 107 analytes exhibited strong correlation coefficients, all exceeding 0.9901, with limits of quantification spanning from 1.0 to 15.2 μg/kg. The average recoveries, inter-day relative standard deviations (inter-day RSDs), and intra-day relative standard deviations (intra-day RSDs) of the 94 analytes ranged from 70.2% to 120.0%, 4.0% to 16.0%, and 4.5% to 16.8%, respectively, at the three different spiked levels.

Conclusion

A multi-plug filtration purification combined with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was successfully applied to the detection of 107 pesticide residues in livestock and poultry meat, which is simple, reliable, and reproducible. It provides a comprehensive solution for the detection of pesticide residues in livestock and poultry meat.