DISQUE DISPERSIVE SAMPLE PREPARATION EXTRACTION PRODUCTS

Importance of the QuEChERS Method

QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) has become a cornerstone in analytical chemistry for routine multi‐residue screening of pesticides, veterinary drugs and mycotoxins in food and agricultural commodities. Its simplicity, low solvent use and broad applicability make it ideal for high-throughput laboratories focused on food safety, environmental monitoring and quality control.

Objectives and Overview

The primary goal is to present a streamlined sample preparation workflow using DisQuE dispersive SPE products that follow established AOAC 2007.01 and CEN 15662 protocols. This summary outlines how pre­weighed sorbents and buffers packaged in convenient pouches and tubes can accelerate extraction and cleanup, while maintaining regulatory compliance and analytical performance.

Methodology

Core steps in the simplified QuEChERS workflow:

1. Homogenize 10–15 g of sample (adjusting size for moisture content).
2. Add acetonitrile (1 mL per g of sample) plus internal standard; shake 1 min.
3. Introduce buffered salts (citrate or acetate mixtures) to induce phase separation; centrifuge.
4. Collect the acetonitrile layer; perform dispersive SPE cleanup with MgSO₄ and PSA (optionally C18 for lipids, GCB for pigments); centrifuge.
5. Directly analyze by GC-MS or LC-MS/MS (diluted or solvent-exchanged as needed).

For low-water matrices (cereals, dried fruits, spices, honey), water is added to standardize extraction efficiency according to CEN guidelines.

Used Instrumentation

Typical equipment includes:

• Waters ACQUITY UPLC System with BEH C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 µm).
• Waters ACQUITY TQ Detector (ESI+, MRM mode).
• GC-MS platforms with large-volume injection capabilities.

Results and Discussion

Validation data show the method can screen over 400 pesticides at 10 ng/g in a 10 min UPLC-MS/MS run with recoveries between 70 % and 120 % across baby food, mango and avocado matrices. Cleanup sorbent selection must match the matrix: PSA/MgSO₄ for general produce, PSA/C18 for high-fat samples, and GCB for heavily-pigmented materials to prevent instrument fouling.

Benefits and Practical Applications

DisQuE kits reduce preparation time, minimize solvent consumption and support direct injection workflows. Laboratories benefit from kit flexibility—choosing between acetate or citrate buffering systems—enabling rapid compliance with international methods in food testing, environmental screening and research.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances may include miniaturized QuEChERS formats for micro-samples, automated robotic workflows, greener solvents and integration with high-resolution mass spectrometry for non-targeted screening and data-driven risk assessment.

Conclusion

The simplified QuEChERS approach with DisQuE dispersive SPE products offers a robust, adaptable platform for multi-residue analysis. Its compatibility with GC-MS and LC-MS/MS technologies makes it a versatile choice for modern analytical laboratories.

References

• Anastassiades M, Lehotay SJ, Štajnbaher D, Schenck FJ. Fast and easy multiresidue method employing acetonitrile extraction/partitioning and “dispersive solid‐phase extraction” for the determination of pesticide residues in produce. J AOAC Int. 2003;86(2):412–431. (AOAC Official Method 2007.01; CEN Method EN 15662).