Pesticide residue analysis in different spice samples by automatic µSPE clean-up workflow determination using LC-MS/MS.

Spices such as paprika, curry, turmeric, dry chilli, and black pepper are grown in various geographic locations and widely used by consumers across the world. Pesticides applied during crop production practices could contaminate the produce, affecting the quality and posing a health risk for consumers. The complexity of the spice matrix and the wide range of target pesticides potentially present require special sample extraction and clean-up treatments to overcome matrix interference and ion suppression.