[Enhancement of Pesticide Peak Response in GC-MS in the Presence of Multiple Co-Existing Reference Pesticides].

We carried out a collaborative study in six laboratories to confirm the universality of the enhancing effect of co-existing reference pesticides on the GC-MS peak response to a target pesticide (malathion, procymidone, or flucythrinate). First, we confirmed the response enhancement of the target pesticides with increasing numbers of co-existing reference pesticides in solution. Then, using diluted green soybean matrix, we analyzed the target pesticides with two types of matrix-matched calibration, containing the target pesticides or 166 other pesticides. In both cases, the response-enhancing effect of co-existing pesticides was confirmed in all laboratories. The enhancement was reduced by addition of green soybean matrix to the sample and calibration solutions. Our results show that it is necessary to estimate the peak response-enhancing effect of co-existing pesticides in the calibration solution to obtain accurate results with GC-MS determination. The enhancing effect could be reduced by addition of food matrix to the sample and calibration solutions.

[Study on analytical method for thiabendazole in toasted and seasoned laver by LC-MS/MS].

Thiabendazole (TBZ), a pesticide with antifungal activity, was detected in toasted and seasoned laver which had been reported as tasting unpleasant by consumers in March 2008. From a survey of the manufacturing process, it was concluded that the TBZ contamination had originated from a sponge-roller which was used to paste seasoned liquid onto the toasted laver. At that time it was found that TBZ is widely used to prevent fungal contamination of sponge-rollers. For further survey of TBZ contamination in the laver, we developed a more sensitive detection method using LC-MS/MS. With our new method, six commercial products harvested in March 2008 and July 2009, respectively, were tested. Five out of six samples harvested in 2008 were positive for TBZ, with values in the range from 0.014 to 1.736 µg/g. Only one sample harvested in 2009 contained a detectable level of TBZ. The data obtained here contributed to the improvement of the manufacturing process.