Miniaturized automated matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction of pesticides in fruit followed by gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis

In this study a simple and fast miniaturized automated matrix solid-phase dispersion method for the sample preparation and quantitative extraction of pesticides was developed and evaluated. Only 25 mg of sample and 100 μl of organic solvent were used per analysis for this new miniaturized set-up. The extracts were subsequently analysed by GC–MS without any further purification. The method was optimized for oranges and tested for the determination of a variety of organophosphorus pesticides and a pyrethroid at concentration levels below the maximum residue levels set by the European Union and authorities in The Netherlands. The limits of detection were 4–90 μg/kg. The recoveries for pesticides in orange were 83–118% and the relative standard deviations for the total procedure were 10–13% (n=4) at the limit of quantification. The feasibility of the developed method for apple, pear and grapes was also studied. Equally good results were obtained, but for apple the washing step should be omitted.