Method development for the determination of 52 pesticides in tobacco by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A method using reversed phase liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of 52 pesticides in tobacco. The influence of mobile phase additives was investigated to improve sensitivity and accuracy of the method and to reduce matrix effects. The tobacco extracts were purified via a Chem Elut partition cartridge by consecutive elution with pentane followed by dichloromethane. The two fractions were further purified by Florisil solid-phase extraction with acetone or diethyl ether elution. An additional dispersive solid-phase extraction step with primary–secondary amine led to decreased recoveries of several pesticides due to degradation or binding to the sorbent. The method was validated for the tobacco types Burley, Oriental and Virginia. The recovery rates of almost all pesticides ranged between 70 and 120%. The limits of quantification were below or near the 10 ng/g level. Few but significant differences between the tobacco types could be found regarding recovery and sensitivity.