Solid-phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the sensitive determination of selected fungicides in wine

Utilizing a Rapid Multi-Plug Filtration Cleanup Method for 72 Pesticide Residues in Grape Wines Followed by Detection with Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A convenient and fast multi-residue method for the efficient identification and quantification of 72 pesticides belonging to different chemical classes in red and white grape wines has been developed. The analysis was based on gas chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometric determination (GC-MS/MS). The optimization strategy involved the selection of the amount of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and the number of cleanup procedure cycles for multi-plug filtration cleanup (m-PFC) to achieve ideal recoveries and reduce the sample matrix compounds in the final extracts. The optimized procedure obtained consistent recoveries between 70.2 and 108.8% (70.2 and 108.8% for white wine, and 72.3 and 108.4% for red wine), with relative standard deviations (RSDs) that were generally lower than 9.2% at the three spiking levels of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg. The linearity was studied in the range between 0.002 and 0.1 mg/kg using pesticide standards prepared both in pure solvent and in the presence of the matrix, showing coefficients of determination (R²) higher than 0.9495 for all the pesticides. To improve accuracy, matrix-matched calibration curves were used for calculating the quantification results. Finally, the method was used successfully for detecting pesticide residues in commercial grape wines.

Determination of eight endocrine disruptor pesticides in bovine milk at trace levels by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by GC-MS determination

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are chemicals that interfere with any aspect of the endocrine system. Several natural and synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, have been identified as endocrine disruptors, which potentially inhibit the reproductive activity of the hormonal system. The pervasive occurrence with trace level concentrations and extensive variety are the reported characteristics of these chemicals. In this study, a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the determination of eight potential endocrine disruptor pesticides (Lindane, Diazinon, Fenitrothion, Malathion, Aldrin, α-Endosulfan, β-Endosulfan, Methoxychlor) in bovine milk samples was developed. Several parameters that can influence the extraction efficiency were studied. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curves of all eight analytes presented coefficient of determination higher than 0.998 (range level of 2.0-1000 ng/mL). The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.90 to 5.00 ng/mL and 2.50 to 15.0 ng/mL, respectively.

Accurate mass screening of pesticide residues in wine by modified QuEChERS and LC-hybrid LTQ/Orbitrap-MS

In this research, a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction procedure and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Orbitrap-Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS), were combined to obtain a sensitive and rapid method for the determination of multiclass pesticides in white and red wines. The optimization strategy involved the selection of buffering conditions, by applying different QuEChERS procedures and sorbents for the cleanup step in order to achieve acceptably high recoveries and low co-extractives in the final extracts. Identification was based on both accurate mass and retention time, while further confirmation was achieved by MS fragmentation. The method was evaluated in terms of linearity, recovery, precision, limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), matrix effects (ME) and expanded uncertainty. The validated method was successfully applied to real samples (home-made and commercial) revealing the presence of two selected fungicides, in relatively low levels compared to the MRLs defined by the EU for vinification grapes.

Recent advances in microextraction procedures for determination of amphetamines in biological samples

Amphetamine and its related derivatives have stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Illegal use of these drugs is an increasing global problem resulting in significant public health and legal problems. Deaths have been reported after intake of these drugs due to overdose. It is important to determine the type and concentration of illicit drugs in biological samples. These compounds are found in complex matrices at low concentration levels. The microextraction techniques are dominant sample preparation procedure and they are widely accepted as the most labor-intensive part of the bioanalytical process. For this purpose, a survey of recent published advances in microextraction procedures for quantification of amphetamines in biological samples found in the different databases from 2008 to date will be conducted.

Quantification of folpet and phthalimide in tea and herbal infusions by LC- high-resolution MS and GC-MS/MS

Two methods based on a modified QuEChERS sample preparation and either LC coupled to atmospheric pressure ionisation and high-resolution MS or GC coupled to electron ionisation and tripled quadrupole MS have been assessed for the quantification of folpet and phthalimide in tea and other dry herbal infusions. Both methods have been fully validated in green tea and further checked in black tea, verbena and rooibos, and they performed according to the SANTE/11813/2017 criteria at the target LOQ concentration level (50 µg/kg). These methods allow the accurate quantification of folpet in the selected matrices according to the new EU residue definition, which includes phthalimide. Phthalimide is the main metabolite and degradation product of folpet, although according to recent studies, it could be generated from different sources than folpet breakdown, such as food processing or analysis by GC.

Determination of Six Pyrazole Fungicides in Grape Wine by Solid-Phase Extraction and Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method was developed for the first simultaneous identification and quantification of six pyrazole fungicides (furametpyr, rabenzazole, fluxapyroxad, penflufen, bixafen, and isopyrazam) in grape wine samples. The grape wine samples were first diluted with water, then purified by solid-phase extraction, and finally examined by GC-MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Matrix-matched calibration curves were used to correct the matrix effects. The limits of quantification (LOQs), calculated as 10 times the standard deviation, were 0.2-0.8 μg kg(-1) for the six pyrazole fungicides. The average recoveries were in the range of 74.3-94.5%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 5.8%, measured at three concentration levels. The proposed method is suitable for the simultaneous determination of six pyrazole fungicides in grape wine samples.

Magnetic solid-phase extraction based on modified ferum oxides for enrichment, preconcentration, and isolation of pesticides and selected pollutants

Recently, a simple, rapid, high-efficiency, selective, and sensitive method for isolation, preconcentration, and enrichment of analytes has been developed. This new method of sample handling is based on ferum oxides as magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and has been used for magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of various analytes from various matrices. This review focuses on the applications of modified ferum oxides, especially modified Fe3O4 MNPs, as MSPE adsorbent for pesticide isolation from various matrices. Further perspectives on MSPE based on modified Fe3O4 for inorganic metal ions, organic compounds, and biological species from water samples are also presented. Ferum(III) oxide MNPs (Fe2O3) are also highlighted.

Assessment of strobilurin fungicides' content in soya-based drinks by liquid micro-extraction and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Seven strobilurin fungicides were pre-concentrated from soya-based drinks using dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction (DLLME) with a prior protein precipitation step in acid medium. The enriched phase was analysed by liquid chromatography (LC) with dual detection, using diode array detection (DAD) and electrospray-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-IT-MS/MS). After selecting 1-undecanol and methanol as the extractant and disperser solvents, respectively, for DLLME, the Taguchi experimental method, an orthogonal array design, was applied to select the optimal solvent volumes and salt concentration in the aqueous phase. The matrix effect was evaluated and quantification was carried out using external aqueous calibration for DAD and matrix-matched calibration method for MS/MS. Detection limits in the 4-130 and 0.8-4.5 ng g(-1) ranges were obtained for DAD and MS/MS, respectively. The DLLME-LC-DAD-MS method was applied to the analysis of 10 different samples, none of which was found to contain residues of the studied fungicides.

Water with low concentration of surfactant in dispersed solvent-assisted emulsion dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for the determination of fungicides in wine

A sample preparation method, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction assisted by an emulsion with low concentration of a surfactant in water and dispersed solvent coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, was developed for the analysis of the fungicides cyprodinil, procymidone, fludioxonil, flusilazole, benalaxyl, and tebuconazole in wine. A microsyringe was used to withdraw and discharge a mixture of extraction solvent and 240 μL of an aqueous solution of Triton X-100 (the dispersed agent) four times within 10 s to form a cloudy emulsion in the syringe. This emulsion was then injected into a 5 mL wine sample spiked with all of the above fungicides. The total extraction time was approximately 0.5 min. Under optimum conditions using 1-octanol (12 μL) as extraction solvent, the linear range of the method in analysis of all six fungicides was 0.05-100 μg L(-1), and the limit of detection ranged from 0.013 to 0.155 μg L(-1). The absolute recoveries (n = 3) and relative recoveries (n = 3) were 30-83 and 81-108% for white wine at 0.5, 5, and 5 μg L(-1), and 30-92 and 81-110% for red wine, respectively. The intraday (n = 7) and interday (n = 6) relative standard deviations ranged from 4.4 to 8.8% and from 4.3 to 11.2% at 0.5 μg L(-1), respectively. The method achieved high enrichment factors. It is an alternative sample preparation technique with good performance.