Jong-Hyouk Park

Development of a simple extraction and oxidation procedure for the residue analysis of imidacloprid and its metabolites in lettuce using gas chromatography

Simple extraction and optimised oxidation procedures were developed for the determination of the total residues of imidacloprid and its metabolites (containing the 6-chloropicolyl moiety) in lettuce using a gas chromatography-micro electron capture detector (GC-μECD). Samples were extracted with acetonitrile, and the extract was then evaporated. The remaining residues were dissolved in water and oxidised with potassium permanganate to yield 6-chloronicotinic acid (6-CAN). The acid residues were further dissolved in n-hexane:acetone (8:2, v/v) and then silylated with MSTFA (N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide) to 6-chloronicotinic acid trimethylsilyl ester. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranges (0.025-5 μg mL(-1)) with a determination coefficient (r(2)) of 0.991. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.015 and 0.05 mg kg(-1), respectively. Recoveries at two fortification levels ranged between 72.8% and 108.3% with relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 8%. The method was effective, and sensitive enough to determine the total residues of imidacloprid and its metabolites in field-incurred lettuce samples. The identity of the analyte was confirmed using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).

Simple multiresidue extraction method for the determination of fungicides and plant growth regulator in bean sprouts using low temperature partitioning and tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple multiresidue analytical method is developed for the simultaneous determination of carbendazim (CB), thiabendazole (TB), and 6-benzyl aminopurine (6-BA) in bean sprouts. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile followed by partitioning at -80°C for 5-10 min. A YMC C(8) column was used to separate the analytes before being qualitatively and quantitatively determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The matrix-matched calibration curves showed good linearity in the range 0.01-1.0 mg/kg with correlation coefficients in excess of 0.998. The mean recoveries were in the range of 80.4-96.3% at 0.1 and 0.5 spiked levels, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 0.5-7.6%. The limits of quantifications (LOQ) were in the range of 0.005-0.01 mg/kg. The method was successfully applied to 90 samples (among which 45 were organic) collected from a commercial bean sprout production house throughout the city. Except for 6-BA, the rest of the analytes had values lower than their LOQs. In sum, carbendazim, thiabendazole, and 6-BA were extracted in a single step, and no steps for clean-up or concentration of the extracts were needed. The current method can be used for sensitive and accurate determination and confirmation of residues in bean sprout samples.

Feasibility and application of an HPLC/UVD to determine dinotefuran and its shorter wavelength metabolites residues in melon with tandem mass confirmation

A new analytical method was developed for dinotefuran and its metabolites, MNG, UF, and DN, in melon using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with an ultraviolet detector (UVD). Due to shorter wavelength, lower sensitivity to UV detection, and high water miscibility of some metabolites, QuEChERs acetate-buffered version was modified for extraction and purification. Mobile phases with different ion pairing or ionisation agents were tested in different reverse phase columns, and ammonium bicarbonate buffer was found as the best choice to increase the sensitivity of target analytes to the UV detector. After failure of dispersive SPE clean-up with primary secondary amine, different solid phase extraction cartridges (SPE) were used to check the protecting capability of analytes against matrix interference. Finally, samples were extracted with a simple and rapid method using acetonitrile and salts, and purified through C(18)SPE. The method was validated at two spiking levels (three replicates for each) in the matrix. Good recoveries were observed for all of the analytes and ranged between 70.6% and 93.5%, with relative standard deviations of less than 10%. Calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges for all the analytes with r(2)≥ 0.998. Limits of detection ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 mg kg(-1), whereas limits of quantitation ranged from 0.06 to 0.16 mg kg(-1) for dinotefuran and its metabolites. The method was successfully applied to real samples, where dinotefuran and UF residues were found in the field-incurred melon samples. Residues were confirmed via LC-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in positive-ion electrospray ionisation (ESI(+)) mode.

Residual pattern of fenhexamid on pepper fruits grown under greenhouse conditions using HPLC and confirmation via tandem mass spectrometry

Fenhexamid (25%, SC) was sprayed on pepper fruits grown under greenhouse conditions at the recommended dose rate of 20g/20L water. Fruit samples were collected randomly at 0 (2h after application), 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, and 14days post-application. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile, partitioned with water, passed through a cleanup procedure, and analysed via HPLC. Residues were confirmed via LC-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in positive-ion electrospray ionisation (ESI+) mode. The rate of disappearance of fenhexamid on pepper fruits was described as first-order kinetics (r(2)=0.992) with a half-life of 4.7-day. Based on the pattern of decline of the fungicide residues in relation to the estimated maximum residue limits (MRL=5mg/kg), a safety pre-harvest interval of 1day is suggested for peppers at the recommended dosage.

Determination of acetamiprid residues in zucchini grown under greenhouse conditions: application to behavioral dynamics

A simple analytical method was developed for the determination of acetamiprid residues in zucchini and zucchini leaves grown under greenhouse conditions using liquid chromatography. Residues were confirmed via tandem mass spectrometry in positive-ion electrospray ionization mode. The calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficients in excess of 0.999. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.01 and 0.03 µg/g and 0.02 and 0.06 µg/g, for the zucchini and zucchini leaves, respectively. For validation purposes, recoveries studies were carried out at low and high levels, yielding recovery rates ranged from 85.7 to 92.2% in zucchini and from 90.5 to 101.9% in zucchini leaves, with a relative standard deviation of <12%. The results demonstrated that the pattern of acetamiprid dissipation followed pseudo first-order kinetics with a half-life of 1.9 and 2.5 days, respectively. The residues in zucchini leaves were substantially higher than in the zucchini plant itself. No residues were detected at 7 days post-application. The results of this study suggest that acetamiprid is acceptable for application in/on zucchini under the recommended dosage conditions.

Development of QuEChERS-based extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantifying flumethasone residues in beef muscle.

A rapid, specific, and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) in the positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was developed and validated to quantify flumethasone residues in beef muscle. Methods were compared between the original as well as the EN quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS)-based extraction. Good linearity was achieved at concentration levels of 5-30 μg/kg. Estimated recovery rates at spiking levels of 5 and 10 μg/kg ranged from 72.1 to 84.6%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs)<7%. The results of the inter-day study, which was performed by fortifying beef muscle samples (n=18) on 3 separate days, showed an accuracy of 93.4-94.4%. The precision (expressed as relative standard deviation values) for the inter-day variation at two levels of fortification (10 and 20 μg/kg) was 1.9-5.2%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 1.7 and 5 μg/kg, at signal-to-noise ratios (S/Ns) of 3 and 10, respectively. The method was successfully applied to analyze real samples obtained from large markets throughout the Korean Peninsula. The method proved to be sensitive and reliable and, thus, rendered an appropriate means for residue analysis studies.

Pepper leaf matrix as a promising analyte protectant prior to the analysis of thermolabile terbufos and its metabolites in pepper using GC–FPD

During gas chromatography (GC), the matrix can deactivate the active site during the transport of the compound from the injector to the detector. This deactivation capacity varies among matrices, as it is dependant on the concentrations of the different constituent compounds of each matrix. During the analysis of terbufos and its metabolites, two of its metabolites were highly thermolabile, and were readily decomposed inside the GC system. As the matrix can mask the active site, we carried out a matrix-matched calibration in an effort to protect the analyte against decomposition. As a component of our analysis, the pepper matrix was the first to be matched; however, it failed to completely protect the metabolites. Subsequently, a variety of different compounds, including 3-ethoxy-1,2-propanediol, gulonolactone, and sorbitol at 10, 1, and 1mg/mL were tested; however, none of these generated the desired effect. We surmised that some of the compounds may have decomposed inside the injection port, so we introduced a carbofrit inlet liner, which is highly inert. But, this step did not improve the protective qualities of the matrices. Finally, pepper leaf matrix was added to the pepper matrix, and we observed a profound protective effect for almost all of the analytes tested. A selective detector (flame photometric detector with phosphorus filter) was used to facilitate a high matrix concentration without interaction with the analyte. After resolving the problem of these two metabolites, terbufos and its five toxic metabolites were analyzed in pepper and pepper leaf samples. The recovery rates for terbufos and its metabolites were 73-114.5% with a relative standard deviation of <12%. This method was successfully applied to field samples, and terbufos sulfone, terbufos sulfoxide, and terbufoxon sulfoxide were found as residues in the suspected pepper and pepper leaf samples.

A matrix sensitive gas chromatography method for the analysis of pymetrozine in red pepper: Application to dissipation pattern and PHRL

A gas chromatography (GC) method for the analysis of pymetrozine was developed after utilizing matrix enhancement effect of pymetrozine to nitrogen phosphorus detector (NPD). Samples were extracted with acetonitrile and purified through primary secondary amine (PSA) and C18 dispersive sorbent. Matrix-matched calibration curve prepared after spiking standard pymetrozine across the studied range of concentrations (0.003-1.0mg/L) into blank red pepper extract was excellent with a determination coefficients (R(2))=1. Recovery studies were carried out at three concentration levels (0.04, 0.4, and 2.0mg/kg, n=3) and the rates were ranged between 77.2% and 109.1%, with relative standard deviations ranged from 1.3% to 16.4%. The developed method was applied to field samples to characterize the dissipation pattern, half life, and pre-harvest residue limits (PHRL). The dissipation rates of the analyte were ascribed to first-order kinetics with half-life of 2.7 and 2.5days for recommended and double the recommended doses. From the PHRL curve, we could predict that if the residue level of pymetrozine is below the 1.23mg/kg at 10days or 0.71mg/kg at 7days before harvest, then the residues will be below the maximum residue limits (MRL=0.2mg/kg) established by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA).

Analysis of kresoxim‐methyl and its thermolabile metabolites in Korean plum: An application of pepper leaf matrix as a protectant for GC amenable metabolites

A new method was developed for kresoxim-methyl (parent compound) and its two thermolabile metabolites, BF 490-2 and BF 490-9, in Korean plum, introducing pepper leaf matrix as a natural analyte protectant for GC-amenable metabolites using a GC-electron capture detector. Samples were extracted with a simple and rapid method using a mixture of ethyl acetate-n-hexane (1:1) and salts, and purified via SPE. Due to the elution gap between parent compound and metabolites in the SPE cartridge and matrix interference, kresoxim-methyl was isolated separately from its metabolites. An optimized amount of pepper leaf matrix (0.25 g/mL) was added to the metabolites prior to each injection. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranges with coefficient of determination (r(2)) ≥ 0.999. The method was validated in triplicate at two fortification levels, giving recoveries ranging between 74.3 and 101.4%, and RSDs less than 5%. The LOD and LOQ were 0.015 and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively. The method was successfully applied to real samples where kresoxim-methyl residues were detected in field-incurred plum samples. Residues were confirmed using GC-MS.

Determination of spinetoram and its metabolites in amaranth and parsley using QuEChERS-based extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

In this study, a simultaneous method was developed for the determination of spinetoram (XDE-175-J and XDE-175-L) and its demethyl metabolites (N-demethyl-175-J and N-demethyl-175-L) and formyl metabolites (N-formyl-175-J and N-formyl-175-L) in the minor crops; amaranth and parsley. The method uses quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS)-based extraction. Afterwards, the analytes were quantified and confirmed via liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) in the positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges for all the analytes tested with r(2)>0.993. Limits of detection and quantitation were 0.01 and 0.03 mg/kg for all the tested analytes in amaranth and parsley, respectively. Recovery values, at spiking levels 0.05 and 0.25 mg/kg, ranged from 71.0% to 115.2% with relative standard deviations <15%, except for N-formyl-175-J in both amaranth and parsley. This method was applied to field-incurred samples and was shown to provide an adequate sensitivity and performance for the simultaneous determination of spinetoram and metabolites. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time spinetoram and its metabolites were quantified using LC-MS/MS in minor crops.