Analytical control of pesticide residues in food safety assessment

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Abstract

Introduction. The reliability of the analytical control results is directly related to the methods of sample preparation and measurement used. Suppression/amplification of the signal of the test substance in the presence of matrix components is one of the main problems in the analysis of complex samples.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the applicability of different calibration approaches in the determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in food products intended for baby food.

Material and methods. The objects of the study were samples of baby food products belonging to various product groups. The subject of analytical control was organochlorine substances included in the list of pesticides prohibited for use in the production of baby food products. The measurements were performed using the tandem gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method, sample preparation was performed using the QuEChERS method.

Results. Comparison of data obtained by calibration using an external standard on a solvent and by calibration using an external standard matched to the matrix shows that both calibration options demonstrate a high correlation coefficient, however, the signal intensity on the chromatograms with matrix calibration is significantly higher for dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, heptachlor, and its metabolite heptachlor epoxide. With respect to aldrin, a significant (more than 20%) signal increase is observed only in fruit and vegetable products.

Limitations. The study was conducted on individual samples of food products for baby food, belonging to a number of product groups.

Conclusion. Signal amplification/suppression is directly related to the structure and physical and chemical properties of the substance and the nature of the analyzed matrix. Using solvent calibration can overestimate the results by dozens of times and lead to unjustified conclusions about the non-compliance of the studied product with safety requirements.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the approval of the Biomedical ethics committee or other documents.

Contribution of the authors. All co-authors made an equal contribution to the research and preparation of the article for publication.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interests. Authors declare no conflict of interests.

Accepted: October 13, 2024 / Revised: October 29, 2024 / Accepted: November 12, 2024 / Published: December 28, 2024

About the authors

Nataliya E. Fedorova

Federal Budgetary Institution of Science “Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman” of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing

Email: natali53fed@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8278-6382

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Chief Researcher, Department of an analytical control methods, Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman, 141014, Mytishchi, Moscow region, Russian Federation

e-mail: natali53fed@yandex.ru

Nataliya I. Dobreva

Federal Budgetary Institution of Science “Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman” of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing

Author for correspondence.
Email: ni_dobreva@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9415-1007

Candidate of Biological Sciences, Senior Researcher, Department of an analytical control methods, Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman, 141014, Mytishchi, Moscow region, Russian Federation

e-mail: ni_dobreva@mail.ru

References

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