Multi-Residue Pesticide Analysis in Onion by a Modified QuEChERS Extraction and Ion Trap GC/MSn Analysis

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), published recently as AOAC Method 2007.01.1 The sample preparation is simplified 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 by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MSn ) on the Thermo Scientific ITQ 700™ GC-ion trap mass spectrometer.