Multi-Pesticide Residue Analysis Method Designed for the Robot Experimenters

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Robotics Engineering
• Food Safety Science

Background:

• Traditional pesticide residue analysis relies on manual methods, which are labor-intensive and prone to variability.
• High throughput and reproducibility are critical for effective regulatory monitoring of pesticide residues in food.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a robotic system for automated multi-pesticide residue analysis.
• To enhance the efficiency, reproducibility, and throughput of pesticide residue detection processes.
• To minimize the expertise required for complex analytical procedures.

Main Methods:

• An X-Y-Z axis robotic arm was integrated with seven modules and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).
• Automated workflows were established for standard solution preparation, sample pre-treatment, and UPLC-MS/MS detection.
• A specialized algorithm was developed for preparing matrix-matched standard solutions.

Main Results:

• The robotic system successfully automated the entire analytical workflow, from sample preparation to detection.
• The method was validated for the simultaneous detection of 325 pesticides across four diverse food matrices.
• High reproducibility and throughput were achieved, significantly reducing manual intervention.

Conclusions:

• The developed robotic platform offers a robust and efficient solution for multi-pesticide residue analysis.
• This automated approach is suitable for regulatory monitoring programs and routine analysis of pesticide residues in food products like vegetables and tea.
• Robotic automation is key to advancing intelligent multi-pesticide residue analysis, maximizing efficiency and minimizing required expertise.