Development and validation of a multianalyte method for quantification of mycotoxins and pesticides in rice using a simple dilute and shoot procedure and UHPLC-MS/MS

In the present manuscript an analytical methodology for the simultaneous determination of ten mycotoxins and six pesticides in rice was developed. This methodology comprises the application of the dilute and shoot protocol followed by quantification via UHPLC-MS/MS. The methodology was validated and all figures of merit shown to be within the limits established by regulation. Hence, the recoveries for mycotoxins and pesticides were within the specified ranges. Precision was assessed by repeatability and intra-laboratory reproducibility with standard deviations smaller than or equal to 20%. The limits of detection, quantification and decision as well as the detection capacity were determined by the analytical curves whereas the measurement uncertainty was established by applying the bottom-up approach. Finally, the current methodology was applied to samples of rice (n = 42) commercialized in Brazil and positive results were found in only two for deoxynivalenol and zearalenone.