[Validation study on a multi-residue method for determination of pesticides in agricultural products by LC-MS/MS]

A multi-residue method for 122 pesticides in agricultural products was validated in accordance with Japanese guidelines for residual agricultural chemicals in food. The sample was extracted with acetonitrile. Co-extractives were removed by GPC-graphitized carbon column SPE, followed by silica gel/PSA cartridge column SPE. The pesticides in the test solution were determined by LC-MS/MS using scheduled MRM in combination with polarity switching. Validation tests were performed on spinach, brown rice, soybean, orange and tomato fortified at 0.01 and 0.1 μg/g. The pesticides at each level were analyzed in two samples per day on five different days. In conclusion, among 122 pesticides tested for each level, 121 pesticides (but not disulfoton) were found to meet all of the guideline criteria.