A sensitive determination method for carbendazim and thiabendazole in apples by solid-phase microextraction-high...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Carbendazim (MBC) and thiabendazole (TBZ) are widely used fungicides.
• Accurate determination of pesticide residues in food is crucial for consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
• Existing analytical methods may require extensive sample preparation or organic solvents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel analytical method for quantifying MBC and TBZ in apples.
• To optimize solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) conditions for enhanced sensitivity and efficiency.
• To provide a simple, sensitive, and solvent-free method for routine analysis of these pesticides.

Main Methods:

• Utilized solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with a polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber for pesticide extraction from apple matrix.
• Coupled SPME with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and fluorescence detection for quantitative analysis.
• Optimized SPME parameters including extraction time, stirring speed, and fiber type; optimized HPLC conditions for efficient separation.

Main Results:

• Achieved linear detection ranges of 0.01-1 mg kg(-1) for both MBC and TBZ in apples.
• Obtained low detection limits: 0.005 mg kg(-1) for MBC and 0.003 mg kg(-1) for TBZ.
• Demonstrated high average recoveries (91.5-96.1%) with low relative standard deviations (3.3-4.7%), indicating method accuracy and precision.

Conclusions:

• The developed SPME-HPLC method is a simple, sensitive, and effective technique for determining carbendazim and thiabendazole residues in apples.
• The method's organic solvent-free nature makes it environmentally friendly and suitable for routine analysis.
• This analytical approach contributes to ensuring the safety of apple products by providing reliable pesticide residue monitoring.