Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in fruits and vegetables using disposable pipette extraction (DPX) and micro-luke method.

Simple and rapid methods for the analysis of pesticides in produce samples have been developed. The current study involves analysis of nonpolar and polar pesticides using GC-ECD and GC-NPD, respectively. The nonpolar pesticides were extracted using disposable pipette extraction (DPX) following a preliminary acetone extraction based on the Luke method. Recoveries of the fortified pesticides ranged between 70.5 and 110.0%, with relative standard deviations (% RSD) below 10% for most target analytes. From calibration plots, the limits of detection (LOD) were determined to be <0.05 ppm for most studied pesticides with coefficients of determination (r(2)) >0.99. A micro-Luke method was adapted and used for the analysis of polar pesticides, which greatly reduces the volumes of solvent and time for sample preparation. This new method of analysis, combining DPX and micro-Luke, was compared directly with the modified Luke method for analysis of pesticides in produce samples over a 9 week period. This study validates the suitability for routine analysis of pesticides in acetone extract of fruits and vegetables using the proposed DPX and micro-Luke method.

Disposable pipette extraction for the analysis of pesticides in fruit and vegetables using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Organochlorine, organophosphate pesticides and fungicides in fruits and vegetables were analyzed using disposable pipette extraction (DPX) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selective ion monitoring (GC/MS-SIM). The intrinsic rapid mixing capabilities of DPX result in fast and efficient extractions, and eluates are concentrated by using minimal elution solvent volumes rather than solvent evaporation methods. Matrix-matched calibrations were performed with reversed phase mechanisms (DPX-RP), and the limits of detection (LOD) were determined to be lower than 0.1 microg/mL for all targeted pesticides in carrot and orange sample matrices. Coefficients of determination (r(2)) were greater than 0.995 for most studied pesticides. DPX-RP exhibited recoveries between 72 and 116% for nonpolar and slightly polar pesticides (logP>2) with most of the recoveries over 88%. Only very polar pesticides (e.g., acephate, mathamidophos) were not extracted well using DPX-RP.

Analysis of permethrin isomers in composite diet samples by molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction and isotope dilution gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry.

Determination of an individual's aggregate dietary ingestion of pesticides entails analysis of a difficult sample matrix. Permethrin-specific molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) solid-phase extraction cartridges were developed for use as a sample preparation technique for a composite food matrix. Vortexing with acetonitrile and centrifugation were found to provide optimal extraction of the permethrin isomers from the composite foods. The acetonitrile (with 1% acetic acid) was mostly evaporated and the analytes reconstituted in 90:10 water/acetonitrile in preparation for molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction. Permethrin elution was accomplished with acetonitrile and sample extracts were analyzed by isotope dilution gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry. Quantitation of product ions provided definitive identification of the pesticide isomers. The final method parameters were tested with fortified composite food samples of varying fat content (1%, 5%, and 10%) and recoveries ranged from 99.3% to 126%. Vegetable samples with incurred pesticide levels were also analyzed with the given method and recoveries were acceptable (81.0-95.7%). Method detection limits were demonstrated in the low ppb range. Finally, the applicability of the MIP stationary phase to extract other pyrethroids, specifically cyfluthrin and cypermethrin, was also investigated.

Comparison of five extraction methods for determination of incurred and added pesticides in dietary composites.

The National Exposure Research Laboratory of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducts research to measure exposure of individuals to chemical pollutants through the diet. In support of this research, methods are being evaluated for the determination of pesticides in dietary composite samples. In the present study, Soxhlet, blender, microwave-assisted, pressurized fluid, and supercritical fluid extraction methods were compared for the determination of incurred and added pesticides in 4 dietary composites, which varied in fat and water content. Incurred pesticides were chlorothalonil, chlorpyrifos, DDE, dicloran, dieldrin, endosulfan I, malathion, cis- and trans-permethrin, and trifluralin. Added pesticides were alpha- and gamma-chlordane, hexachlorobenzene, and fonofos. Concentrations of the individual pesticides were between 0.2 and 20 ng/g composite. All 5 methods tested could extract pesticides from dietary composites. Most incurred pesticides were recovered from the dietary composites within the range of 59-140% of expected values. Recoveries of added pesticides were between 60 and 130%. Microwave-assisted extraction led to significantly higher concentrations of 7 pesticides. Blender extraction yielded significantly higher concentrations of chlorothalonil and fonofos. Water content was a significant factor in the recovery of chlorothalonil, and fat content was a significant factor in the recovery of fonofos. In designing an exposure study, the selection of the extraction method would be determined by number of samples to be extracted, analyte stability, and cost.