Confident analysis of ultra-trace pesticides residues in baby food using triple quadrupole GC

Importance of the topic

Pesticide residues in food, especially baby food, pose significant health risks due to infants' heightened vulnerability and stringent regulatory limits set by authorities such as the EU. Ensuring ultra-trace detection and accurate quantitation of these contaminants is critical for consumer safety and compliance with maximum residue limits (MRLs).

Objectives and study overview

This study evaluates the performance of the Thermo Scientific™ TSQ 9610 triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS system, equipped with a NeverVent AEI ion source and TRACE 1610 GC, for multi-residue analysis of pesticides in baby food matrices. The method follows SANTE/11312/2021 guidelines for confirmation and quantitation.

Methodology

• Sample preparation: QuEChERS extraction (citrate-buffered) of baby food, including blank and spiked samples (1–10 µg/kg).
• Analysis: Gas chromatography with PTV injector coupled to triple quadrupole MS operated in timed-SRM mode for targeted quantifier and qualifier ions.
• Calibration: Matrix-matched standards over 0.05–500 µg/kg, injected in duplicate to assess linearity and residuals.

Used Instrumentation

• Thermo Scientific™ TRACE 1610 GC with programmable temperature vaporization (PTV) injector.
• Thermo Scientific™ TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS with NeverVent AEI ion source and XLXR electron multiplier detector.
• Thermo Scientific™ AI/AS 1610 liquid autosampler and Chromeleon CDS software v7.3 for data acquisition and processing.

Main results and discussion

• Linearity: Coefficients of determination (R²) >0.990 across 0.05–500 µg/kg, %RSD of average calibration factors <20%.
• Sensitivity: Instrument detection limits (IDLs) from 6 to 650 fg on-column (0.006–0.65 µg/kg), average IDL 0.073 µg/kg.
• Accuracy and precision: Recoveries of 70–120% with RSD ≤10% at 3 µg/kg spike level.
• Robustness: Stable response over 500 consecutive injections, minimal maintenance, ion source cleaning without breaking vacuum in under two hours.

Benefits and practical applications

The method provides confident identification and quantitation of over 200 pesticide residues at ultra-trace levels in complex baby food matrices. Its high sensitivity, selectivity, and robustness suit routine QA/QC laboratories for regulatory compliance testing.

Future trends and opportunities

• Development of even more inert ion sources and high-throughput GC-MS/MS platforms.
• Miniaturized and automated sample preparation workflows to increase throughput and reduce solvent use.
• Integration of advanced data analytics and machine learning for faster method development and anomaly detection.

Conclusion

The TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS with NeverVent AEI source delivers excellent linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, and operational robustness for multi-residue pesticide analysis in baby food, fully aligned with SANTE/11312/2021 requirements.

References

• SANTE 11312/2021. Analytical quality control and method validation procedures for pesticide residues analysis in food and feed. Implemented by 01/01/2022.