Targeted and non-targeted analysis of pesticides and aflatoxins in baby foods by liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry

Author(s)

Prata, Rafaela ; Lopez-Ruiz, Rosalia ; Petrarca, Mateus Henrique ; Godoy, Helena Teixeira ; Frenich, Antonia Garrido ; Romero-Gonzalez, Roberto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FOOD CONTROL; v. 139, p. 10-pg., 2022-05-08.

Abstract

In this study, 21 pesticides and 4 aflatoxins were monitored in baby food marketed in Brazil, applying ultra -high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-OrbitrapMS). The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method combined with dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) clean-up was applied and primary secondary amine (PSA), octadecylsilane (C18) and C18 with silica coated with zirconium dioxide (Z-Sep+) were used during the clean-up stage. Suitable performance criteria, set by the SANTE/2020/12830 guidelines, were achieved, and therefore, all targeted analytes were successfully validated. The method was applied to the analysis of 50 baby food samples. Cypermethrin was detected at 10.3 mu g kg(-1) (above maximum residue level (MRL) established by the European Union (EU)). Furthermore, suspect screening analysis was performed for reliable identification of contaminants not included in this study such as other pesticides, mycotoxins, hormones, veterinary drugs and their metabolites. Finally 10 pesticides and one metabolite were detected, demonstrating the suitability of the proposed approach. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/11635-8 - Residues and contaminants in baby food and baby bottles: development and validation of analytical methods
• Grantee: Helena Teixeira Godoy
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/04727-9 - Development and validation of analytical methods for the determination of processing contaminants and agrochemical residues in baby foods
• Grantee: Rafaela Prata
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 20/01974-2 - Determination of residues and contaminants in baby foods marketed in Brazil by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS: development and validation of methods
• Grantee: Rafaela Prata
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)