Easy Screening for Residual Pesticides in Processed Foods Using GC-MS/MS

The analysis of residual pesticides in processed foods using GC-MS/MS, which provides excellent selectivity and sensitivity, has become a focus of attention.
Before starting GC-MS/MS measurements, it is necessary to optimize MRM transitions (precursor ions & product ions) and collision energies (CE) for each pesticide measured, which is extremely labor intensive. Furthermore, in order to calculate quantitative values, it is necessary to prepare standard samples and create calibration curves.
The Quick-DB database contains the optimal MRM conditions (MRM transitions and CE), mass spectra, retention indices, calibration curves and other information. This enables the semi-quantitative analysis of pesticides without using standard samples. Pesticide surrogates are used as the internal standard substances for calibration curves. Favorable quantitative accuracy is achieved by selecting the surrogates suited to each pesticide.
In analyzing residual pesticides in processed foods, which contain a number of contaminants, separating the pesticides from the contaminants can be impossible, even with GC-MS/MS. In this case, an effective approach to separating and detecting the pesticides is to perform the analysis with two columns respectively, which differ in their separation patterns. The information registered in Quick-DB is also compatible with analysis using two different columns for residual pesticides in processed foods.
In addition, if the Twin Line MS system is used, the two columns can be attached to the MS unit simultaneously, so data can be sampled from the different columns smoothly, without compromising the MS vacuum.
This data sheet reports on the results of applying Quick-DB and the Twin Line MS system to the analysis of residual pesticides in curry.