Detection of Pesticide Residues in Fruits and Vegetables Involving Different Chromatographic Techniques (LC–MS/MS, GC–MS/MS, GC and HPLC)

Abstract

The rampant use of pesticides in agricultural practices poses significant risks to human health and the environment. To mitigate these risks, regulatory authorities enforce stringent measures to monitor and control pesticide residues in food matrices. Even trace amounts of pesticide residues in various food products, particularly fruits and vegetables, can lead to severe health implications. Consequently, considerable efforts have been directed towards the development of advanced analytical methodologies for the extraction and quantification of pesticide residues. This comprehensive study provides a thorough review of advanced techniques employed in the detection and quantification of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. Various instrumental approaches, including gas chromatography coupled with ECD, FPD, NPD, MSD, Q-TOFMS and liquid chromatography combined with UV, DAD, MSD and Q-TOFMS, have been extensively discussed. Each analytical technique offers distinct advantages and limitations in terms of sensitivity, selectivity and applicability to different classes of pesticides. Through an in-depth exploration of these advanced analytical methodologies, this study aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of pesticide residue detection in fruits and vegetables, thereby informing regulatory measures and promoting food safety and public health.