Multi-residue analytical method of 215 pesticides in peanut by GC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS

For the analysis of pesticides in the complex, high-fat matrix of peanuts, this study developed a high-throughput screening and quantitative method for 215 pesticide residues using gas chromatography-quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS). The sample preparation workflow was systematically optimized. Peanut samples were extracted with acetonitrile containing 1% acetic acid, followed by salting-out with an acetate buffer salt mixture and purification through a multi-stage filtration column (m-PFC) packed with a novel LPAS adsorbent material. Under the optimized conditions, the method was validated at three spiking levels, delivering average recoveries for the 215 pesticides in the range of 70.7%-118.8%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 1.1% and 9.2%. The distribution and correlation between chemical structures and retention behavior were analyzed to characterize the chromatographic separation capability and patterns for the large number of compounds. The established method is suitable for routine multi-residue monitoring of pesticides in peanuts, and the systematic optimization strategy also provides a reference for analyzing other complex matrices.