Fast Routine Analysis of Polar Pesticides in Foods by Suppressed Ion Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

The presence of very polar ionic pesticides in surface and drinking water, as well as food and beverages, has become a controversial issue in recent years. The development of genetically modified crops tolerant to glyphosate and glufosinate, for example, promoted the use of these broad spectrum herbicides. The analysis of glyphosate and other polar compounds presents a difficult analytical challenge. Their polarity does not allow the direct analysis by reversed-phase HPLC, so alternative methods need to be applied. Derivatization of glyphosate prior to analysis or application of specific chromatographic columns, such as the Thermo Scientific™ Hypercarb™ column, are the common approaches.