Pesticide residues determination in common bean using an optimized QuEChERS approach followed by solvent exchange and GC-MS/MS analysis.

Background: Common bean is a staple food in Latin America and Africa; however, studies about contamination of common bean with pesticides are rarely reported. So, the goals of this study were to validate a multiresidue method and apply it in monitoring of pesticides in common beans. Extraction was performed applying the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) approach to ground samples. Octadecylsilane and primary-secondary amine were used for clean-up, and a solvent exchange step was performed before injection for gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Method validation was done analyzing blank samples spiked at 20, 30, 50, and 100 μg kg (n = 5). Linearity and linear range were assessed by the analysis of standard solutions at concentrations of 5, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 μg L .

Results: The method was successfully validated for 91 (64.1%) of the 142 compounds studied (139 pesticides and three degradation products). Limits of quantification were equal to 20 μg kg , 30 μg kg , 50 μg kg , and 100 μg kg for 18 (12.7%), 17 (12.0%), 21 (14.8%) and 35 (24.6%) compounds respectively. Fifteen (10.6%) compounds were not detected at any level, and 36 (25.4%) did not fulfill the requirements for a quantitative method. Sixteen common bean samples of South of Brazil were analyzed. Two samples were positive: one for tebuconzole and a second for picoxystrobin, permethrin, and cyproconazole. Cyproconazole is not allowed for use in the common bean crop, its use being a violation.

Conclusion: As demonstrated, the validated approach is suitable for pesticide residues determination in common bean. Results of the sample analysis show that the control of pesticide residues in common bean is necessary to ensure food safety. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.