METHOD EVALUATION FOR RESIDUE DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN PESTICIDES IN SOIL AND VEGETABLES, TUBERS, FRUITS USING THE QUECHERS TECHNIQUE IN COMBINATION WITH GC-MS/MS

Abstract

This research shows a tried-and-true way to simultaneously measure six different pesticides (cypermethrin, BHC (alpha), fenpropathrin, heptachlor, ethion, and 4,4'-DDT) in soil, fruits, vegetables, and tubers at the same time. The method adheres to the AOAC and SANTE/2019/12682 guidelines for validation. We employed the QuEChERS extraction technique, followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The method showed a large linear range (10–100 µg/L) for three different matrices: n-hexane solvent, mustard greens, and tomato. There were very few matrix effects (<20%) in any of the matrices. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was low, ranging from 0.011 to 0.032 mg/kg. The method met the AOAC criteria for accuracy and precision, with recovery rates between 80% and 110% and relative standard deviations (RSDr) below 15%. Therefore, this validated method provides a reliable and sensitive tool for the simultaneous analysis of these pesticides in agricultural and environmental samples.