Direct immersion single drop micro-extraction method for multi-class pesticides analysis in mango using GC-MS

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Pesticide use poses risks to human health and the environment.
• There is a need for efficient, environmentally friendly analytical methods for pesticide determination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, fast, economical, and environmentally friendly method for multi-class pesticide determination.
• To determine pesticide residues in mango samples using direct-immersion single drop micro-extraction (SDME) coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Main Methods:

• Sample pre-treatment involved ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction.
• Direct-immersion single drop micro-extraction (SDME) was optimized using factorial experimental design.
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for pesticide identification and quantification.

Main Results:

• The developed method demonstrated high sensitivity with low limits of detection (LOD: 0.14-169.20 μgkg⁻¹).
• Acceptable precision (RSD: 0.7-19.1%), satisfactory recovery (69-119%), and high enrichment factors (20-722) were achieved.
• Quantification limits (LOQs) for several pesticides were below European Commission Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).

Conclusions:

• The developed SDME-GC-MS method is suitable for routine pesticide analysis in mangoes and other fruits/vegetables.
• This method provides an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for pesticide residue monitoring.
• The method's sensitivity and applicability to various matrices support its use in regulatory and custom laboratories.