Determination of multiple pesticide residue in green chilli by GC-MS/MS using modified QuEChERS as an extraction method

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture to increase the yield, improve the quality and extend the storage life of food crops by reducing crop destroying pests. However, if used improperly and excessively, pesticides can have significant adverse effect on health and environment. Pesticide residues are the deposits of pesticide active ingredients, its metabolites or breakdown products on crops, in soil and water. It is necessary to develop a sensitive, selective, accurate and reliable method for analysis of multi pesticide residues in food. Chilli is most commonly used ingredient in different cuisines around the world. Organo Chlorine (OC), Organo Phosphorous (OP) and Synthetic Pyrethroid (SP) class of pesticides were extracted from chilli matrix using modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged & Safe) method followed by the analysis using GCMS-TQ8040 Triple Quadrupole (GC-MS/MS) system from Shimadzu Corporation, Japan.