Pesticide Residue in Fruits and Vegetables

U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers used QuEChERSER-based methods to analyze chemical contaminants in foodstuffs in a new study published in the Journal of Chromatography A.

Food contact materials contain low molecular weight additives and processing aids which can migrate into foods leading to trace levels of contamination. Food safety is ensured through regulations, comprising compositional controls and migration limits, which present a significant analytical challenge to the food industry to ensure compliance and demonstrate due diligence. Of the various analytical approaches, LC-MS/MS has proved to be an essential tool in monitoring migration of target compounds into foods, and more sophisticated approaches such as LC-high resolution MS (Orbitrap) are being increasingly used for untargeted analysis to monitor non-intentionally added substances. This podcast will provide an overview to this area, illustrated with various applications showing current approaches being employed.

Scientists from the Zhejiang Institute of Quality Scientists used liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to detect 35 PFAS in paper and plastic products.

A new solid-phase microextraction-based technique has been developed for extracting triazole residues from environmental samples including water and juice.

A new review article provides an overview of the use of two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) for the quantitative analysis of natural products.

Aflatoxins are a family of toxins made by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops, such as maize (corn), peanuts, and cottonseed.