Development and method validation for determination of 128 pesticides in bananas by modified QuEChERS and UHPLC-MS/MS analysis

A multiresidue method for the quantification of 128 pesticides in banana is described. It involves the application of a modified QuEChERS procedure followed by UHPLC-MS/MS (Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry) analysis. The method was validated according to the European Union SANCO/12495/2011 guidelines and Brazilian Manual of Analytical Quality Assurance. The validation levels were 10.0; 25.0; 50.0 and 100 μg kg−1. Acceptable values were obtained for the following parameters: linearity, limit of detection - LOD (5.00 μg kg−1) and limit of quantification - LOQ (10.0 μg kg−1), except for fenamiphos and mevinphos (LOD = 7.5 μg kg−1 and LOQ = 25 μg kg−1), trueness (for the levels: 10.0, 25.0, 50.0 and 100 μg kg−1 the recovery assays values were between 70 and 120%) except for methamidophos at 10 μg kg−1 level (67.5%), intermediate precision (<20.0%) and measurement uncertainty tests (<50.0%). These results demonstrate the applicability of this method in the routine practice by the laboratories of Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil that attend the National Control Plan for Residues and Contaminants (PNCRC).

► Application of a modified QuEChERS procedure followed by UHPLC-MS/MS. ► Development and validation for to the quantification of 128 pesticides in banana. ► The whole analytical method has been validated according to SANCO/12495/2011. ► The method proved good validation parameters. ► The whole analytical method demonstrated to be quick, simple and reproducible.