Multiclass Pesticide Analysis In Fruit-based Baby Food: A Comparative Study Of Sample Preparation Techniques Previous To Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry

With the aim to develop a new gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method to analyze 24 pesticide residues in baby foods at the level imposed by established regulation two simple, rapid and environmental-friendly sample preparation techniques based on QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, robust and safe) were compared - QuEChERS with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and QuEChERS with dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE). Both sample preparation techniques achieved suitable performance criteria, including selectivity, linearity, acceptable recovery (70-120%) and precision (<= 20%). A higher enrichment factor was observed for DLLME and consequently better limits of detection and quantification were obtained. Nevertheless, d-SPE provided a more effective removal of matrix co-extractives from extracts than DLLME, which contributed to lower matrix effects. Twenty-two commercial fruit-based baby food samples were analyzed by the developed method, being procymidone detected in one sample at a level above the legal limit established by EU. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.212528536Santander International Mobility Program (VRERI) [020/2014]REQUIMTE FCT (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia)FEDER from FCT/MEC by FEDER [UID/QUI/50006/2013, POCI/01/0145/FEDER/007265