Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Lettuce Using a Modified QuEChERS Extraction Technique and Single Quadrupole GC/MS

The determination of pesticides in fruits and vegetables has been simplified by a new sample preparation method, QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe), and published recently as AOAC Method 2007.01. The sample preparation is shortened by using a single step buffered acetonitrile (MeCN) extraction and liquid-liquid partitioning from water in the sample by salting out with sodium acetate and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). This technical note describes the application of the QuEChERS sample preparation procedure to analysis of pesticide residues in a lettuce matrix using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) on the Thermo Scientific TRACE GC Ultra™ and Thermo Scientific DSQ™ II single quadrupole mass spectrometer. Thermo Scientific QuanLab Forms 2.5 software was used for data review and reporting.