Development of a reference material for the accurate determination of multiple pesticide residues

The overuse of multiple pesticides poses a significant threat to human health and the environment. Various detection methods have been developed, each based on distinct mechanisms. To improve the accuracy and consistency of these methods, a multiple pesticides reference material was developed, containing methidathion (METH), chlorothalonil (CHT), diflubenzuron (DFB), tebuconazole (TEB), fenpropathrin (FEN), and abamectin (ABM). The multiple pesticides reference material (MPRM) was quantitatively analyzed using methods based on high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and mass spectrometry (MS) technologies, thereby confirming its homogeneity and stability. The MPRM was subsequently employed to validate the recovery rates of four pre-treatment methods, each of which demonstrated distinct performance characteristics. This underscores the paramount importance of reference material in ensuring dependable and consistent outcomes. Implementing the MPRM with standardized values can enhance both the prevention and detection capabilities for multiple pesticides.