Development of a method for the detection of fungicide residues in foods of animal origin based on modified QuEChERS-GC-MS/MS†

In this study, an approach involving gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MSMS) combined with a modified QuEChERS method was developed for the detection of 13 novel fungicides in chicken and beef samples, in accordance with the regulatory limits proposed by Japan, South Korea, Codex Alimentarius, and the EU in recent years. The regulatory limits and detection methods for these fungicides in foods of animal origin are yet to be established in China. These 13 fungicides were linearly correlated in a range of 0.1–200 ng mL⁻¹ with a coefficient of determination (R²) of >0.999. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) for the 13 fungicides were found to be in a range of 0.16–1.50 ng mL⁻¹ and 0.54–5.00 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The recovery of the spiked samples exhibited a range of 79.51–111.39% (RSD ≤ 10.51%), demonstrating satisfactory accuracy and precision. This study establishes a foundation for the identification of novel fungicides in foods of animal origin and provides technical references for the investigation of novel fungicides.