Thermo QuEChERS solutions in all your favorite flavors

Significance of the topic

The QuEChERS approach has become a cornerstone in sample preparation for trace-level analysis of pesticides, veterinary drugs, mycotoxins and other contaminants in complex matrices. Its combination of fast extraction, effective clean-up and compatibility with GC-MS and LC-MS workflows addresses critical demands in food safety, environmental monitoring and forensic laboratories.

Aims and overview of the article

This whitepaper presents Thermo Scientific’s range of pre-weighed QuEChERS kits and supporting instruments designed to streamline residue analysis. It outlines three standardized workflows (Original, AOAC and EN), the stepwise QuEChERS procedure and integrated solutions for high-throughput, regulatory-compliant quantitation of hundreds of analytes.

Methods and instrumentation

The QuEChERS workflow comprises four steps:

• Sample homogenization and subsampling (10–15 g)
• Extraction with acetonitrile, salts (MgSO4, NaCl, buffer salts) and vortex mixing
• Dispersive SPE clean-up using sorbents (PSA, C18, GCB) and centrifugation
• Analysis by GC-MS or LC-MS/MS

Thermo Scientific offers kits calibrated for each method flavor and matrix. Key instrumentation includes:

• Vanquish Flex Binary UHPLC with TSQ Quantis triple quadrupole MS for pesticide profiling
• TSQ Altis and Orbitrap Exploris platforms for high-resolution accurate-mass screening
• TriPlus RSH SMART autosampler with µSPE for automated on-line clean-up
• Chromeleon CDS for seamless data acquisition and reporting

Main results and discussion

Pre-packaged QuEChERS kits delivered consistent recoveries and reproducibility across diverse matrices. The Pesticide Explorer workflow validated over 400 analytes at 10 ng/g in baby food, while the VetDrugs Explorer achieved quantitation of steroid hormones in milk at 0.04 ng/g and demonstrated stable performance over 500 injections in muscle extract.

Benefits and practical applications

Thermo Scientific QuEChERS solutions offer:

• Reduced sample preparation time and error through ready-weighed reagents
• Cost savings and increased throughput via automation-friendly formats
• Regulatory compliance with global AOAC and EN standards
• Flexibility to analyze pesticides, veterinary drugs, mycotoxins, environmental contaminants and more

Future trends and potential uses

Emerging directions include fully automated µSPE on-line clean-up, integration of high-resolution MS for non-target screening, development of novel sorbents to broaden application scope and AI-driven method optimization. Continued miniaturization and digitalization promise further gains in throughput and sustainability.

Conclusion

Thermo Scientific’s comprehensive QuEChERS portfolio, combined with robust instrumentation and software, enables reliable, high-throughput residue analysis. The standardized kits and validated workflows support diverse regulatory needs and pave the way for future innovations in sample preparation and mass spectrometry.

Reference

• Anastassiades, M., Lehotay, S.J., Štajnbaher, D., & Schenck, F.J. (2003). Fast and easy multiresidue method employing acetonitrile extraction/partitioning and ‘dispersive solid-phase extraction’ for the determination of pesticide residues in produce. Journal of AOAC International, 86(2), 412–431.
• AOAC Official Method 2007.01 (2007). Pesticide Residues in Foods by Acetonitrile Extraction and Partitioning with Magnesium Sulfate.
• European Standard EN 15662 (2018). Foods of Plant Origin—Determination of Pesticide Residues by GC-MS and/or LC-MS/MS Following Acetonitrile Extraction/Partitioning and Clean-up by Dispersive SPE.