Comparison of liquid chromatography using triple quadrupole and quadrupole ion trap mass analyzers to determine pesticide residues in oranges

Liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole/mass spectrometry (LC-TQ/MS) and liquid chromatography-quadrupole ion trap/mass spectrometry (LC-QIT/MS) for determining bupirimate, hexaflumuron, tebufenpyrad, buprofezin, pyriproxyfen, and fluvalinate in fruits have been compared. The differences in the mass spectra obtained by triple and ion trap quadrupoles are discussed, showing how both of them provide interesting features. The evaluation of the two instruments was carried out by ethyl acetate extraction of oranges spiked with the studied pesticides at LOQ and 10 times the LOQ. Results obtained by LC-TQ/MS correlated well with those obtained by LC-QIT/MS. Recoveries were 70-94% by LC-TQ/MS and 72-92% by LC-QIT/MS with the R.S.D. from five replicate analysis 4-14% and 8-18%, respectively. Matrix effects were tested for both techniques by standard addition to blank extracts. Although the matrix effects are not originated in mass analyzer but in the LC/MS interface, they were, generally, more marked by LC-QIT-MS than by LC-TQ/MS. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.005-0.2 mg kg−1 by both equipments-appropriate values for determining these pesticides in orange from the regulatory point of view. The results indicate that the TQ provides higher precision, better linearity, it is more robust, and when the purpose of the analysis is quantitative determination, preferable over the QIT. However, the application of both mass spectrometers to analyze orange samples conventionally treated showed that any can be used for qualitative and quantitative purposes.