Quantitation of 341 Pesticide Residues in Tomato According to SANTE 11312/2021 Guideline

Significance of the Topic

Pesticide residues in food pose health and environmental risks and require reliable multi-residue analysis to meet strict regulatory MRLs. A robust, high-throughput method enhances food safety and laboratory efficiency by enabling simultaneous detection of hundreds of analytes in complex matrices.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study develops and validates a fast, comprehensive GC/MS/MS workflow targeting 341 pesticide residues in tomato samples according to the SANTE 11312/2021 guideline. The aim is to streamline routine food testing with improved throughput, simplified sample preparation, and reliable quantitation.

Methodology and Instrumentation Used

A QuEChERS EN extraction kit provided a simple cleanup for homogenized tomato samples, followed by dilution and GC/MS/MS analysis. Instrumentation included:

• Agilent 8890 GC with multimode inlet (MMI) using temperature-programmed solvent vent injection and 15 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 µm HP-5ms Ultra Inert columns arranged in a midcolumn backflush configuration
• Agilent 7693A automatic liquid sampler
• Agilent 7010C triple quadrupole GC/MS with high-efficiency source operating in dynamic MRM mode
• Retention time locking to the Agilent P&EP pesticide and environmental pollutants MRM database 4.0

Main Results and Discussion

• Method Development: dMRM transitions for 341 pesticides were optimized using the P&EP database and MassHunter Optimizer, yielding 2,093 transitions with up to 154 concurrent MRMs.
• Linearity: Over 99% of analytes showed R2 ≥ 0.99 across 0.5–100 µg/L matrix-matched calibration range.
• Instrument Sensitivity: 94% of compounds achieved an LOD ≤ 10 µg/L, and 71% had S/N ≥ 10 at 1 µg/L.
• Matrix Effects: Significant suppression or enhancement observed in tomato matrix, mitigated by matrix-matched calibration.
• Precision: RSDr values ≤ 20% for 99% of targets at 10 µg/kg level, confirming high repeatability.
• Recovery: Mean recoveries between 70–120% for 96% of analytes at 10 µg/kg, meeting SANTE acceptance criteria.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Accelerated throughput by combining fast GC separation and automated dMRM acquisition in a 20-minute run.
• Simplified sample preparation with QuEChERS EN kit, reducing manual cleanup steps.
• High reliability and reproducibility support routine QA/QC and regulatory compliance in food laboratories.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Anticipated developments include expanded analyte panels, further automation of sample handling, AI-driven data processing, enhanced ion source designs for improved sensitivity, and greener sample preparation techniques to reduce solvent consumption.

Conclusion

The described GC/MS/MS workflow delivers a rapid, sensitive, and reproducible solution for quantitating 341 pesticide residues in tomatoes under SANTE 11312/2021 guidelines. Its streamlined sample preparation, robust instrumentation setup, and validated performance make it suitable for high-throughput food testing applications.

References

• SANTE 11312/2021: Analytical Quality Control and Method Validation Procedures for Pesticide Residues Analysis in Food and Feed.
• Agilent MassHunter Pesticide and Environmental Pollutants MRM Database 4.0, G9250AA.
• Andrianova A. et al., Fast and Robust GC/MS/MS Analysis of 203 Pesticides in 10 Minutes in Spinach; Agilent Technologies application note 5994-4967EN.
• Westland J., Advantages of Reversed Sandwich Injection for Pesticide Residue Analysis; Agilent Technologies application note 5994-7973EN.