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Optimization of soil-based QuEChERS extraction and comparative assessment of analytical efficiency by physicochemical characteristics of pesticides

  • 0Gyeongnam Anti-Aging Research Institute, Sancheong 52215, Republic of Korea.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety +

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November 8, 2025

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November 8, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Optimized QuEChERS extraction for pesticide analysis in soil improves reliability. Greenhouse soils show higher pesticide residues and environmental risks than open-field soils, necessitating careful monitoring.

Area Of Science

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background

  • Pesticide residue analysis in soil is crucial for environmental safety.
  • Existing extraction methods may lack robustness across diverse soil types.
  • Standardized soil sample criteria are needed for reliable pesticide quantification.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To optimize the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction method for pesticide residues in soil.
  • To establish standardized soil sample criteria for enhanced analytical reliability.
  • To assess pesticide residues and environmental risks in greenhouse versus open-field soils.

Main Methods

  • Evaluated twelve QuEChERS reagent combinations using TOPSIS analysis.
  • Assessed analytical performance across varying soil physicochemical properties (pH, organic matter, clay content).
  • Validated the optimized method across three laboratories for accuracy and reproducibility.

Main Results

  • Selected an optimal QuEChERS condition (MgSO₄ 6g + calcium acetate 1.5g) minimizing interference and improving purification.
  • Identified high organic matter (≥3%) and clay content (∼30%) as critical factors affecting performance.
  • Achieved high accuracy (70-120% recovery for 98% of pesticides) and reproducibility (RSD <20% for 95% of compounds).
  • Greenhouse soils exhibited significantly higher median pesticide residues (0.697 mg/kg) and environmental risk quotients (RQ=4.5) compared to open-field soils (0.09 mg/kg, RQ=0.6).

Conclusions

  • The optimized QuEChERS method provides a reliable approach for pesticide residue analysis in diverse soil matrices.
  • Standardized criteria, considering soil properties, enhance analytical method validation.
  • Greenhouse cultivation practices pose elevated environmental risks due to higher pesticide accumulation in soils.

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