Analysis of pesticide residues in açaí-based food products: an approach using polymeric ionic liquid-based...

The market for açaí-based food products (AFPs) has been growing steadily, particularly within the international sector. The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) authorizes the use of certain pesticides in açaí cultivation, which may result in residues in derived products. A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method based on polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) sorbent coatings coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and validated for the determination of pesticide residues in AFPs. A multivariate optimization was performed that focused on the following three variables: extraction temperature, extraction time, and sodium chloride concentration within the extraction solution. The optimized and validated method yielded satisfactory results, with limits of quantification ranging from 1 to 9 μg kg^-1, linearity with R² ≥ 0.987, recoveries between 70 % and 88 %, and precision ranging from 2 % to 12 %. The matrix effect exhibited suppression up to 87 % and enhancement up to 22 %. Furthermore, the method's greenness and practicality were assessed using established metrics. The results demonstrated that the method can be classified as both practical and environmentally-friendly. In the occurrence analysis, S-metolachlor was quantified in four samples at concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 1.3 μg kg^-1. Thiabendazole and fluxapyroxad were detected in concentrations below the limit of quantification. In addition, all detected pesticide levels were below their respective acceptable daily intake values. This method demonstrated robust performance for the quantification of pesticides in AFPs and provides important data for regulatory agencies regarding pesticide residues in açaí-derived products.