[Study of Rapid Simultaneous Determination of 6 Fungicides in Lemon Using Three-Layer Extraction]

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety

Background:

• Fungicide residues in food pose potential health risks.
• Accurate and rapid detection methods are crucial for food safety monitoring.
• Existing methods for fungicide analysis can be time-consuming and complex.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, easy, and versatile analytical method for determining 6 fungicides in lemons.
• To simplify the sample preparation process for fungicide analysis.
• To ensure compliance with food safety regulations.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous three-layer extraction involving degreasing (n-hexane), partitioning (acetonitrile), and purification (salting-out effect) after acetone extraction.
• Elimination of the need for concentration, transfer, and solid-phase extraction column purification.
• Analysis of 6 specific fungicides in lemon matrices.

Main Results:

• The developed method successfully determined 6 fungicides in lemon samples.
• The analytical procedure was significantly simplified, reducing preparation time and complexity.
• The results met the management criteria set by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for validity assessment.

Conclusions:

• The novel three-layer extraction method provides a rapid and efficient means for fungicide determination in lemons.
• This method is suitable for routine monitoring and ensuring food safety standards.
• The technique offers a valuable tool for regulatory bodies and the food industry.