Development and validation of an analytical method for determining triflumezopyrim residues in multiple paddy field...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Triflumezopyrim (TFM) is a neonicotinoid insecticide used to control rice planthoppers.
• Potential risks to rice safety and paddy ecosystems exist due to TFM residues.
• Accurate residue analysis is crucial for environmental and food safety assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop and validate robust analytical methods for triflumezopyrim (TFM) residue detection.
• Establish methods applicable to various paddy matrices within the entire rice ecosystem.
• Provide a reliable tool for routine monitoring and safety evaluations.

Main Methods:

• Development and validation of gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods.
• Sample extraction using dichloromethane and purification via dispersive solid-phase extraction.
• Analysis of five paddy matrices: paddy water, soil, brown rice, rice husk, and rice straw.

Main Results:

• Both GC-ECD and GC-MS methods demonstrated good linearity (R² ≥ 0.9912) and acceptable recoveries (81.04%-109.66%).
• Achieved low limits of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ and detection (LOD) as low as 0.0005 mg L⁻¹.
• The validated method successfully screened real paddy field samples, detecting trace TFM in soil below LOQ.

Conclusions:

• The developed GC-ECD and GC-MS methods are validated and suitable for triflumezopyrim (TFM) trace analysis in the entire paddy ecosystem.
• These methods meet analytical criteria for residue monitoring and support environmental and food safety evaluations.
• This represents the first validated method for comprehensive TFM residue analysis in paddy environments.