Applying Fast GC-MS/MS Using Triple Quadrupole Technology to Increase Productivity for Pesticide Residue Analysis in QuEChERS Extracts

Importance of the Topic

The analysis of pesticide residues at trace levels is critical for food safety and regulatory compliance. Laboratories face increasing sample loads and demand for rapid turnaround, driving the need for faster, sensitive, and robust methods that minimize sample preparation steps.

Study Objectives and Overview

This study demonstrates how combining fast gas chromatography with collision cell GC-MS/MS and advanced data processing can significantly boost throughput for multiresidue pesticide analysis in QuEChERS acetonitrile extracts of baby food samples.

Methodology

Samples were prepared using the citrate‐buffered QuEChERS protocol. Homogenized baby food (10 g) was extracted with 10 mL acetonitrile, salts and sorbents applied for dispersive SPE cleanup, yielding final extracts at 1 g/mL. Extracts were spiked with 132 pesticide standards at 0.5–100 ng/g.

Instrumental Setup

The system comprised a Thermo Scientific TRACE 1310 GC with TriPlus RSH autosampler, equipped with a TraceGOLD TG-5SilMS 15 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 µm column, coupled to a Thermo Scientific TSQ 8000 Evo triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS featuring the EvoCell fast collision cell. Acquisition was performed in timed-SRM mode with two transitions per analyte and simultaneous full-scan collection.

Key Results and Discussion

The fast GC method reduced runtime from ~40 min to ~11 min, delivering a 73% productivity gain without compromising chromatographic quality. Sensitivity allowed detection of 97% of pesticides at 0.5 ng/g. Instrument detection limits ranged from 0.2 to 2.2 ng/g with average peak area RSD of 7.3%. Linearity across 0.5–100 ng/g showed R² > 0.99. Simultaneous full scan enabled identification of unexpected compounds (e.g., metolachlor) via NIST library search.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Direct injection of acetonitrile extracts eliminates solvent exchange steps.
• Fast GC and EvoCell acquisition triple sample throughput in routine labs.
• Maintains sensitivity, reproducibility, and quantitative linearity.
• Supports both targeted quantification and untargeted screening.

Future Trends and Applications

Ongoing advances may extend fast GC-MS/MS workflows to broader analyte classes, integrate automated data processing with AI algorithms, and enable on-site pesticide screening. Higher multiplexing and real-time monitoring could further revolutionize high-throughput laboratories.

Conclusion

The Thermo Scientific TSQ 8000 Evo GC-MS/MS combined with fast GC significantly enhances pesticide residue analysis productivity while preserving analytical performance. This approach supports robust, comprehensive screening and quantification in demanding food safety applications.

References

1. Commission Regulation (EU) No 396/2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EC.
2. SANCO/12571/2013 Guidance document on analytical quality control and validation procedures for pesticide residues analysis in food and feed.