Simultaneous Monitoring and Decontamination of Pesticide Residues in Phytomedicine-Enriched Betel Leaf Utilizing QuEChERS-GC-MS/MS Technology to Safeguard Public Health

BACKGROUND

The presence of undesirable substances, including pesticides (xenobiotics) in betel leaf (Piper betel), is a great concern for consumers because it is chewed and consumed directly. To protect the consumer's health, a modified QuEChERS method for monitoring purposes and subsequent decontamination process has been developed.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this work was to establish a multi-residue analytical method for monitoring nonpermitted organophosphorus pesticide residues in betel leaf, as well as cost-effective cleaning strategies.

METHOD

The homogenized 15 g samples (20 betel leaf samples collected in West Bengal, India) were extracted with a modified QuEChERS method using acetonitrile, reconstituted to acetone, and finally analyzed by GC-MS/MS. Possible decontamination techniques (such as tap water washing, 2% saltwater washing, and lukewarm water washing) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The limit of detection ranged from 0.003 to 0.005 mg/kg, and limit of quantification was 0.01 mg/kg. Recoveries ranged from 80 to 120% with RSDr 9%. One sample was found to contain three pesticides 4 to 7 times higher than MRLs. Suggested decontamination methods allowed reducing toxic traces below European limits.

CONCLUSIONS

The suggested approach is useful for determining pesticide residues in betel leaves quickly. Traditional techniques of processing betel leaves may reduce pesticide residues below regulatory limits.

HIGHLIGHTS

A multi-residue method and decontamination of pesticides in betel leaf using QuEChERS-GC-MS/MS technology with satisfactory method performance was achieved. Domestic decontamination techniques have a high efficacy in reducing pesticide residues from betel leaves, making them safe for human consumption.

Long-term profound investigation of Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl and indirect pesticide pollution in jute-cropped environmental ecosystem for dietary and ecological risk assessment

Jute is a healthy vegetable due to its high content of carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals, in addition to its industrial utility. The purpose of this study was to look into the dissipation of fenoxaprop-p-ethyl and to track indirect sources of pesticide accumulation in jute ecosystems for three years in a row during tropical monsoon seasons. To avoid the intake of residues over approved limits, a rapid extraction technique was developed to evaluate the residues of this herbicide (Whip-Super 9% EC) in jute leaves, fiber, cropped soil, and water. A modified QuEChERS approach based on liquid chromatography and ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) detection was developed and successfully validated in accordance with SANCO requirements. Gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used to examine fish and water samples from jute fields and retting pond for twenty widely-used multi-class pesticide contaminations from indirect sources. Relative standard deviations (RSD) (≤ 20) and recoveries (100-115%) are observed to be within acceptable ranges. In edible jute leaves, independent of season, first-order kinetics of dissipation was recorded, with half-lives ranging from 0.61 to 0.68 days. Based on the findings of the risk assessment, it is feasible to conclude that the consumer health risks of ingesting jute leaves are insignificant, even on day zero, when used at the recommended amount, and that using jute bags for food packaging and storage is safe. But jute field water was found to be less polluted with indirect pesticides than water from a nearby jute retted pond. Fish samples from this jute retted pond were also analyzed and found to be 26% contaminated. The presence of quinalphos and chlorpyriphos in jute retting water and fish might pose a concern to consumer health and environmental ecosystems.

Review of extraction and detection techniques for the analysis of pesticide residues in fruits to evaluate food safety and make legislative decisions: Challenges and anticipations

Fruits are vital parts of the human diet because they include necessary nutrients that the body needs. Pesticide use has increased dramatically in recent years to combat fruit pests across the world. Pesticide usage during production, on the other hand, frequently results in undesirable residues in fruits after harvest. Consumers are concerned about pesticide residues since most of the fruits are directly consumed and even recommended for the patients as dietary supplements. As a result of this worry, pesticide residues in fruits are being randomly monitored to re-assess the food safety situation and make informed legislative decisions. To assess the degree of pesticide residues in fruits, a simple and quick analytical procedure is usually required. As a result, pesticide residue detection (using various analytical techniques: GC, LC and Biosensors) becomes critical, and regulatory directives are formed to regulate their amounts via the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). Over the previous two decades, a variety of extraction techniques and analytical methodologies for xenobiotic's efficient extraction, identification, confirmation and quantification have been developed, ranging from traditional to advanced. The goal of this review is to give readers an overview of the evolution of numerous extraction and detection methods for pesticide residue analysis in fruits. The objective is to assist analysts in better understanding how the ever-changing regulatory landscape might drive the need for new analytical methodologies to be developed in order to comply with current standards and safeguard consumers.

Method development, validation, monitoring, seasonal effect and risk assessment of multiclass multi pesticide residues in surface and ground water of new alluvial zone in eastern India

A liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method was validated as per SANTE/12682/2019 guidelines for gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) determination of thirty-six multiclass pesticides in environmental waters. Seasonal (summer, monsoon, and winter) effects on the magnitude of pesticide residues in environmental water (river, pond, and tube well) of six different urban areas of Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts (New alluvial zone, Eastern India) was monitored for subsequent risk assessment. Total 288 water samples (96 each of river, pond, and tube-well) irrespective of locations and seasons were monitored for multiclass multi pesticide residues during the experiment. Each sample (750 mL) was extracted with ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (8:2) liquid-liquid partitioning and filtration (0.22 μm nylon filter paper) and total residue was reconstituted in acetone (1 mL) for GC-MS analysis with developed and validated method resulting satisfactory recovery percentages (77.84-118.15%). The maximum no. of organochlorine (OC) and organophosphorus (OP) pesticide residues were dominated in river and pond water irrespective of seasons and monitoring sites. About 74% of river water samples were found to be contaminated with concerned pesticides in variable magnitudes. Monsoon (July to October) season was highly alarming with the highest presence of total pesticide residues in different types of environmental waters. Risk quotient (RQ) [acute and chronic] was also evaluated in pond and river water as sometimes used for drinking purposes. RQ value (5900) of total endosulfan indicates the highest risk of chronic toxicity to river fishes. Seven water samples from tube-wells were also monitored and found to be contaminated with butachlor and chlorpyriphos in non-significant amounts (< 0.1 ng mL^-1), irrespective of seasons and sites, thus safe for consumption.

Bioefficacy, residue dynamics and dietary risk assessment of gibberellic acid in improving the potential yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

The increasing use of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to promote fruit growth and yield has necessitated research into its trace level determination and estimation in harvested product. The phytohormone has increased the tomato yield (tonne ha^-1) up to 24.7% with uniform fruit shape, size colour and lustre. A fast, simple, high-throughput analytical method was standardised based on electrospray ionisation - liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted using acidified (1% formic acid) methanol. The method was validated as per the SANTE/12682/2019 guidelines. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.01 and 0.05 mg kg^-1. The average recoveries at LOQ and higher levels were in the range of 86-108% with relative standard deviation (RSD) < 20%. The validated method was successfully applied under field condition by following first-order kinetics with half-lives (T_1/2) 1.76 days (recommended dose) and 1.99 days (double dose). The estimated pre-harvest intervals (PHIs) were 6 days (recommended dose) and 8 days (double dose). Studies on dietary risk assessment concluded that even after spray of GA₃ at recommended dose, the harvested produce (tomato) could be consumed safely.

Method validation, persistence, and safety evaluation of 2,4-D in tea (Camellia sinensis) by LC-MS/MS

An analytical method was developed by using LC-ESI(-ve)-MS/MS to investigate the residue dynamics of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) in green tea leaves, processed tea, tea liquor, and tea-cropped soil at Singhiajhora Tea Estate and Putinbari Tea Estate at Terai Region, Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India. In this method, an acidified methanol was used for extraction and subsequent clean-up was done by HLB (hydrophilic lipophilic balanced) cartridges. The method was validated as per SANTE guideline (SANTE/11813/2017). The limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2,4-D was 0.05 mgkg^-1 and average % recoveries were in the range from 88.05 to 113.28 with relative standard deviation (RSD) 3.46 to 6.43. The dissipation of 2,4-D followed the 1st-order reaction kinetics with a half-life (T_1/2) of 1.51-1.61 day at the recommended dose and 2.50-2.72 day for doubled recommended dose in tea for both locations. This method can be applied successfully for the determination of 2,4 D residues in/on tea matrix and subsequent studies on safety evaluation showed that the use of 2,4-D in tea is safe.

Multiclass Multipesticide Residue Analysis in Fish Matrix by a Modified QuEChERS Method Using Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometric Determination

BACKGROUND

Pesticide residue in fish is a global food safety concern. However, very few validated methods are available targeting simultaneous analysis of multiple classes of pesticides.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to validate a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe workflow-based method for the quantitative determination of multiclass pesticides in fish matrix using GC-MS determination.

METHOD

The sample was extracted with acetonitrile, and the cleanup method involved dispersive solid-phase extraction with C-18 sorbent, which effectively scavenged the coextracted matrix components and removed those from the extract. The data on recovery and precision of the method satisfied the criteria of SANTE/11813/2017 guidelines. Average recoveries of pesticides were in the range of 80-120% with precision RSDs ≤20%. The LOD and LOQ were in the ranges of 0.001-0.029 and 0.005-0.125 µg/mL, respectively, for all pesticides. The expanded uncertainty was in the range of 14-20%, based on the single-laboratory validation data (coverage factor, k = 2, confidence level, 95%).

CONCLUSIONS

The validation data prove that the method is convenient and acceptable for the routine analysis of multiclass pesticide residues in fish matrices for regulatory compliance.

HIGHLIGHTS

The study achieves multiresidue analysis of pesticides in fish matrix with MS-based confirmation. The method combines the advantages of nontarget analysis based on National Institute of Standards and Technology library matching in full scan mode with selected-ion monitoring-based sensitivity.

HPTLC determination of vasicine and vasicinone in Adhatoda vasica

A simple high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the pharmacologically important quinazoline alkaloids vasicine and vasicinone in Adhatoda vasica. The assay combines the separation and quantification of the analytes on silica gel 60 GF254 HPTLC plates with visualisation under UV and scanning at 270 and 281 nm. Using this technique, the alkaloidal content of different parts of the title plant have been determined.